# US 4,470,429 A · Three-way valve

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- Number: US 4,470,429 A
- Document ID: US4470429A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/375,387
- Filed: 1982-05-06
- Granted: 1984-09-11
- Earliest claimed: 1982-05-06
- Assignees: Jandy Industries
- Inventors: Bruce R. Johnson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4470429A

## CPC

- F16K 11/076: with sealing faces shaped as surfaces of solids of revolution
- F16K 11/0853: {having all the connecting conduits situated in a single plane perpendicular to the axis of the plug}
- F16K 11/085: with cylindrical plug
- Y10T 137/5196: Unit orientable in a single location between plural positions
- Y10T 137/8275: Indicator element rigidly carried by the movable element whose position is indicated
- Y10T 137/86823: Rotary valve
- Y10T 137/86863: Rotary valve unit
- F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)}
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A three-way rotary plug valve comprising upper and lower radial arms carried on top and bottom shafts and supporting an integral arcuate closure member between them. The upper shaft extends through a bearing in the top closure and carries a sector position indicator having an arcuate outer surface which overlies and is coextensive with the arcuate closure sealing surface so that the precise position of the closure is apparent at all times. Marks on the top cover depict the locations of the flow passages and cooperating stop means on the cover and the position indicator prevent complete blockage of the inlet passageway from the pump.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A rotary three-way plug valve comprising:
a generally cylindrical valve body;
at least three hubs extending radially from said body and having flow passageways therethrough opening into said valve body;
a cylindrical inner surface in said body forming sealing surfaces around said flow passageways;
each of said hubs being adapted for connection to a pump;
a valve closure member rotatable in said body and having an outer arcuate surface engageable with said sealing surfaces and being of sufficient arcuate length to span said passageways;
a generally circular top closure;
a top shaft on said valve closure rotatable in and extending through said top closure;
an operating lever secured to said top shaft for rotation thereof;
first and second engagable stop means on said top shaft and said top closure, respectively, to prevent full closure of a flow passageway aligned with said second stop means; and
symmetrical mounting means for said top closure so that same can be secured in a selected angular position on said body with said second stop means aligned with that one of said hubs connected to a pump.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The plug valve defined by claim 1 wherein said valve closure member comprises:
a stub shaft rotatably received in the bottom of said valve body;
top and bottom arms carried on said top and stub shafts, respectively; and
a relatively thin valve carrier supported at top and bottom on said arms; said outer arcuate surface being supported on said carrier.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The plug valve defined by claim 1 wherein:
each of said hubs has an outer diameter substantially equal to one standard outer pipe diameter and an inner diameter equal to another standard outer pipe diameter; and including:
an internal shoulder in each said hub to be engaged by the end of said another standard pipe received therein.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The rotary three-way plug valve defined by claim 1 including:
lock means on said top shaft operable to secure said valve closure member in a selected angular position in said valve body.