Valve assembly and method of controlling flow of fluid
AssigneeGE Aviation Systems LLC
InventorsKevin Patrick Hallisey, Christopher Michael Dunn, Richard George Hext, III
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A valve assembly includes a plenum having first, second, and third air source ports, a flapper valve assembly pivotally movable between a first position, where the first air source port is closed by the flapper valve assembly and the second and third air source ports are open and in fluid communication, and a second position, where the second air source port is closed by the flapper valve assembly and the first and third air source ports are open and in fluid communication and a method of controlling fluid flow via a valve assembly.
Claims12
A valve assembly comprising:
- a plenum having first, second, and third air source ports;
- a flapper valve assembly pivotally movable between a first position, where the first air source port is closed by the flapper valve assembly and the second and third air source ports are open and in fluid communication, and a second position, where the second air source port is closed by the flapper valve assembly and the first and third air source ports are open and in fluid communication;
- a biasing device imparting a biasing force to the flapper valve assembly to bias the flapper valve assembly into the first position to close off the first air source port;
- and
- an air dam provided on the flapper valve assembly to confront the first air source port when the flapper valve assembly is in the first position, wherein the air dam includes a wall, shaped to avoid contact with the plenum or the first air source port, projecting from the flapper valve assembly, and air acting on the air dam generates a pressure force opposing the biasing force.
A valve comprising:
- a flapper valve assembly pivotally movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the flapper valve assembly includes opposing sides and a contoured sealing surface is provided on at least one of the opposing sides;
- a biasing device imparting a biasing force to the flapper valve assembly to bias the flapper valve assembly into the first position;
- an air dam projecting from the flapper valve assembly such that air acting on the air dam generates a pressure force opposing the biasing force;
- and
- a gimbal mechanism operably coupled between the opposing sides of the flapper valve assembly, and configured to allow the opposing sides to tilt about the gimbal mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.