Back to results
US 5,957,149 AGranted
Fluid diverter valve
OwnerJeffrey A. Karginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluid diverter valve for selectively switching fluid flow between two paths is disclosed. The valve includes an intake port, two output ports, and a valve member mounted for reciprocating movement between a first position wherein fluid is substantially prevented from flowing through the first output port, and a second position wherein fluid is substantially prevented from flowing through the second output port. The valve includes two switches. Actuating one of the switches causes the valve member to move from the first position to the second position. Actuating the other switch causes the valve member to move from the second position to the first position. The disclosed valve acts as an integral diverter valve and vacuum break.
Claims38
A fluid diverter valve comprising:
- a housing defining a chamber;
- an intake port;
- a first output port in communication with the chamber;
- a second output port in communication with the chamber, the second output port being located in substantial alignment with the first output port, the first and second output ports being centrally located on opposite sides of the chamber;
- a valve member having a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface, the valve member being disposed within the chamber for reciprocating movement between a first position wherein the first sealing surface substantially prevents fluid from flowing through the first output port, and a second position wherein the second sealing surface substantially prevents fluid from flowing through the second output port, the valve member having a center, the first and second output ports being disposed in substantial alignment with the center of the valve member;
- a first channel in communication with the chamber and the intake port for delivering fluid from the intake port to a first side of the valve member adjacent the first sealing surface;
- a second channel in communication with the chamber and the intake port for delivering fluid from the intake port to a second side of the valve member adjacent the second sealing surface;
- a first switch located adjacent the intake port for selectively limiting fluid flow into the intake port;
- and
- a second switch located for selectively limiting fluid flow from the intake port to the second side of the valve member without limiting fluid from flowing to the first side of the valve member.
7 more elements
A fluid diverter valve comprising:
- a housing defining a chamber;
- an intake port;
- a first output port in communication with the chamber;
- a second output port in communication with the chamber, the second output port being located in substantial alignment with the first output port, the first and second output ports being centrally located on opposite sides of the chamber;
- a valve member disposed within the chamber for reciprocating movement between a first position wherein the valve member substantially prevents fluid from flowing through the first output port, and a second position wherein the valve member substantially prevents fluid from flowing through the second output port, the valve member having a center, the first and second output ports being disposed in substantial alignment with the center of the valve member;
- a first switch located for selectively limiting fluid flow from the intake port to the first side of the valve member without limiting fluid flow to a second side of the valve member;
- and
- a second switch located for selectively limiting fluid flow from the intake port to the second side of the valve member without limiting fluid from flowing to the first side of the valve member, whereby closing the second switch causes the valve member to move from the first position to the second position, and closing the first switch causes the valve member to move from the second position to the first position.
5 more elements
An integral fluid diverter valve and vacuum break comprising:
- a housing defining a chamber;
- an intake port;
- a first output port in communication with the chamber;
- a second output port in communication with the chamber, the second output port being located in substantial alignment with the first output port, the first and second output ports being centrally located on opposite sides of the chamber;
- a valve member disposed within the chamber for reciprocating movement between a first position wherein the valve member substantially prevents fluid from flowing through the first output port, and a second position wherein the valve member substantially prevents fluid from flowing through the second output port, the valve member having a center, the first and second output ports being disposed in substantial alignment with the center of the valve member, the valve member being responsive to (a) fluid flow through a first opening in the chamber to move from the first position to the second position;
- (b) to the application of a vacuum having a magnitude greater than a first threshold to the second output port to move from the first position to the second position;
- (c) to fluid flow through a second opening in the chamber to move from the second position to the first position;
- and (d) to the application of a vacuum having a magnitude greater than a second threshold to the first output port to move from the second position to the first position;
- a switch located between the intake port and the chamber for selectively limiting fluid flow from the intake port to a side of the valve member adjacent the first output port.
6 more elements
A fluid diverter valve comprising:
- a housing defining a chamber;
- an intake port;
- a first output port in communication with the chamber;
- a second output port in communication with the chamber;
- an unbiased valve member having a variable at-rest position and being isolated from engagement with elements external to the housing, the valve member being disposed within the chamber for reciprocating movement between a first position wherein the valve member substantially prevents fluid from flowing through the first output port, and a second position wherein the valve member substantially prevents fluid from flowing through the second output port;
- and
- a switch located between the intake port and the chamber for selectively limiting fluid flow from the intake port to a side of the valve member adjacent the first output port.
4 more elements
A fluid diverter valve comprising:
- a housing defining a chamber;
- an intake port;
- a first output port in communication with the chamber;
- a second output port in communication with the chamber;
- a diaphragm disposed within the chamber for reciprocating movement between a first position wherein the diaphragm substantially prevents fluid from flowing through the first output port, and a second position wherein the diaphragm substantially prevents fluid from flowing through the second output port, the diaphragm having an at-rest position, located between the first position and the second position;
- and
- a switch located between the intake port and the chamber for selectively limiting fluid flow from the intake port to a side of the diaphragm adjacent the first output port.
4 more elements
A fluid diverter valve comprising:
- a housing defining a chamber;
- an intake port in communication with the chamber via first and second openings, the first opening being defined in a first side of the chamber, the second opening being defined in a second side of the chamber opposite the first side;
- a first output port in communication with the chamber via a third opening, the third opening being substantially centrally located with respect to the first opening;
- a second output port in communication with the chamber via a fourth opening, the fourth opening being substantially centrally located with respect to the second opening;
- a valve member disposed within the chamber for reciprocating movement between a first position wherein the valve member substantially prevents fluid from flowing through the first output port, and a second position wherein the valve member substantially prevents fluid from flowing through the second output port, the valve member having an at-rest position located between the first position and the second position;
- and
- a switch located between the intake port and the chamber for selectively limiting fluid flow from the intake port to a side of the valve member adjacent the first output port.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.