# US 9,435,775 B2 · Fluid switching valve > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,435,775 B2 - Document ID: US9435775B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/980,380 - Filed: 2012-02-03 - Published: 2014-01-09 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2011-02-07 - Assignees: Waters Technologies Corporation - Applicants: Mark W. Moeller; Theodore D. Ciolkosz - Inventors: Mark W. Moeller; Theodore D. Ciolkosz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9435775B2 ## CPC - G01N 30/38: Flow patterns - F16K 11/10: with two or more closure members not moving as a unit - G01N 30/20: using a sampling valve - G01N 2030/201: {multiport valves, i.e. having more than two ports} - G01N 2030/202: {rotary valves} - G01N 2030/204: {Linearly moving valves, e.g. sliding valves} - Y10T 137/87909: Containing rotary valve - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - 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 fluid switching valve includes a first valve element (e.g., a stator) that has a plurality of first fluid-conveying features (e.g., ports), and a second valve element (e.g., a rotor) that has one or more second fluid-conveying features (e.g., fluid conduits in the form of grooves). The second valve element is movable, relative to the first valve element, between a plurality of discrete positions such that, in each of the discrete positions, at least one of the one or more second fluid-conveying features overlaps with multiple ones of the first fluid conveying features to provide for fluid communication therebetween. At least one of the first valve element and the second valve element includes a recess. The recess serves to reduce wear between the first valve element and the second valve element. The recess is arranged such that it does not overlap with any of the first fluid-conveying features or any of the second fluid-conveying features when the rotor is in any of the discrete positions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fluid switching valve comprising: a first valve element having a plurality of first fluid-conveying features; a second valve element having one or more second fluid-conveying features, wherein the second valve element is movable, relative to the first valve element, between a plurality of discrete positions such that, in each of the discrete positions, at least one of the one or more second fluid-conveying features overlaps with multiple ones of the first fluid conveying features to provide for fluid communication therebetween, and wherein at least one of the first valve element and the second valve element includes a recess, the recess serving to reduce wear between the first valve element and the second valve element and arranged such that it does not overlap with any of the first fluid-conveying features or any of the second fluid-conveying features when the rotor is in any of the discrete positions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fluid switching valve of claim 1, wherein the recess is positioned such that particles worn from the first valve element or the second valve element collect within the recess when the second valve element is moved relative to the first valve element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fluid switching valve of claim 1, wherein the second valve element includes a plurality of second fluid-conveying features and the recess, and wherein the recess is arranged such that the distance between any part of the recess and any of the second fluid-conveying features is not shorter than the shortest distance between any of the second fluid-conveying features. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fluid switching valve of claim 1, wherein the first valve element includes the recess, and wherein the recess is arranged such that the distance between any part of the recess and any of the first fluid-conveying features is not shorter than the shortest distance between any of the first fluid-conveying features. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fluid switching valve of claim 1, wherein the recess is arranged in a region in which the travel of the second valve element relative to the first valve element is greatest. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The fluid switching valve of claim 1, wherein the recess is disposed about an axis of rotation of the second valve element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fluid switching valve of claim 1, wherein the fluid switching valve is a slide valve in which the second valve element is linearly displaceable relative to the first valve element to move between the plurality of discrete positions. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The fluid switching valve of claim 1, wherein the second valve element is rotatable, relative to the first valve element, to move between the plurality of discrete positions. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The fluid switching valve of claim 8, wherein the fluid switching valve is a rotary shear valve in which the first valve element comprises a stator and the second valve element comprises a rotor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The fluid switching valve of claim 8, wherein the fluid switching valve is a cylindrical valve in which the first valve element comprises a tubular outer member and the second valve member comprises a rotatable cylindrical inner member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The fluid switching valve of claim 1, wherein the first fluid-conveying features comprise ports. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The fluid switching valve of claim 1, wherein the second fluid-conveying features comprise grooves. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A chromatography system comprising the fluid switching valve of claim 1 and a chromatography column in fluid communication with the fluid switching valve, wherein the fluid switching valve is operable to control a flow of a mobile phase stream to the chromatography column. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The chromatography system of claim 13, wherein the fluid switching valve is configured for use with liquid flows of between about 0.01 and 10 mL/minute and at pressures between about 5000 and 20000 psi. ### Claim 15 A rotary shear valve comprising: a stator having two or more ports; and a rotor having a fluid conduit and a recess, wherein the rotor is movable, relative to the stator, between at least two positions, wherein in one of the positions, the fluid conduit is disposed to allow fluid to flow from a first one of the ports to a second one of the ports, and, in another one of the positions, the fluid conduit does not permit fluid flow between the first one of the ports and the second one of the ports, and wherein the recess is not connectable with any of the ports or the fluid conduit in any position of the rotor relative to the stator. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The rotary shear valve of claim 15, wherein the valve is configured for use with liquid flows of between about 0.01 and 10 mL/minute and at pressures between about 5000 and 20000 psi. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The rotary shear valve of claim 15, wherein the recess is positioned proximate to the periphery of the rotor where the travel of the rotor relative to the stator is greatest. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The rotary shear valve of claim 15, wherein the rotor has a greater diameter than the stator, and wherein the recess is positioned selected such that a part of the recess is outside the periphery of the stator. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The rotary shear valve of claim 15, wherein the rotor rotates about an axis passing through its center, and wherein the recess is positioned at the center of the rotor.