Slurry mixer constrictor valve
AssigneeUnited States Gypsum Company
InventorsBruce Lynn Petersen, Richard James Haszel, James R. Wittbold
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for controlling the flow of a slurry is provided which includes using a constrictor valve on a mixing and dispensing apparatus. The constrictor valve includes a first guide plate and a second guide plate that are spaced a distance apart along the length of the conduit. Extending between the two guide plates, a plurality of elongate members have first and second ends engaged on the first and second guide plates. Upon rotation of at least one of the first and second guide plates, the elongate members are configured to impart pressure on, and constrict the conduit.
Claims20
A constrictor valve for use in constricting a flexible, resilient conduit in a gypsum slurry dispensing assembly, comprising:
- a first guide plate and a second guide plate spaced a distance apart along the length of the conduit, wherein one of said guide plates rotates generally about the longitudinal axis of the conduit with respect to the second of said guide plates;
- and
- a plurality of elongate members having a first end engaged on said first guide plate, and a second end engaged on said second guide plate, wherein upon rotation of at least one of said first and second guide plates, said elongate members are configured to impart pressure on and constrict the conduit.
A constrictor valve for use in constricting a flexible, resilient conduit in a gypsum wallboard dispensing assembly, comprising:
- a plurality of elongate members arrayed around the conduit which are configured to be circumferentially displaced and impart pressure on the conduit, wherein the resulting shape of the conduit approximates a hyperboloid of rotation about the longitudinal axis of the conduit.
In a wallboard manufacturing system, a constrictor valve on a flexible conduit for use in dispensing a slurry onto a wallboard forming surface, comprising:
- a plurality of elongate members arrayed around the conduit and having a first end and a second end, wherein said plurality of members are configured to impart pressure on said conduit by the relative circumferential displacement of said first end relative to said second end.
A guide plate for use in a constrictor valve that circumscribes a flexible, resilient conduit, comprising:
- an inner peripheral edge which is configured to circumscribe the conduit;
- a plurality of elongate member engagers disposed near said inner peripheral edge configured to engage a plurality of elongate members;
- wherein the guide plate is configured to rotate generally about the longitudinal axis of the conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.