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US 5,105,851 AGranted
Apparatus for multi-path flow regulation
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Company
InventorKimber D. Fogelman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Valve assemblies are provided which comprise a housing having a common port and n peripheral ports, where n is an even integer greater than or equal to 4. The valve assemblies further comprise a valve plug contained within the housing. The valve plug comprises a distribution channel capable of fluid communication with the common port and at least one of the peripheral ports, and (n/2)-1 switching channels capable of fluid communication with at least two of the peripheral ports.
Claims26
A valve assembly for the regulation of fluid flow, comprising:
- a housing comprising a common port and n peripheral ports, wherein n is an even integer at least equal to 4;
- and
- a valve plug positioned to rotate within the housing, comprising:
- a distribution channel capable of fluid communication with the common port and each of the peripheral ports upon rotation of the valve plug;
- and
- (n/2)-1 switching channels, each switching channel capable of simultaneous fluid communication with at least two of the peripheral ports upon rotation of the valve plug.
3 more elements
A system for the regulation of fluid flow, comprising:
- at least one terminal component;
- a vale assembly in fluid communication with the terminal component, comprising:
- a housing comprising a common port and n peripheral ports, wherein n is an even integer at least equal to 4;
- and
- a valve plug positioned to rotate within the housing, comprising:
- a distribution channel capable of fluid communication with the common port and each of the peripheral ports upon rotation of the valve plug, and
- (n/2)-1 switching channels, each switching channel capable of simultaneous fluid communication with at least two of the peripheral ports upon rotation of the valve plug;
- and
- at least one flow-through component in fluid communication with the valve assembly.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.