초록 ▼

A valve assembly and overall system provides selective fluid flow switching and communication between a plurality of flow conduits. The valve assembly includes two valve members which have respectively engaged surfaces which are relatively rotatable to provide the valving action. A first valve membe

A valve assembly and overall system provides selective fluid flow switching and communication between a plurality of flow conduits. The valve assembly includes two valve members which have respectively engaged surfaces which are relatively rotatable to provide the valving action. A first valve member has a plurality of through apertures for respective communication with the flow conduits and a second valve member includes flow passage means for selectively interconnecting at least two of the apertures through the first valve member in order to enable fluid flow therebetween. Drive means is provided for driving continuous relative rotation of the valve members in order to enable rotationally cycled interconnection and fluid flow through the interconnected apertures. The valve assembly can be employed, for example, to provide switching of air intake between dual air separation vessels which provide concentrated oxygen, so that air can be processed in one of the vessels while the other processing vessel is regenerated to purge the waste gases for further oxygen separtaion, and modulated flow switching is performed in a continuous, cycled manner with simple and reliable cycle frequency.

대표청구항 ▼

A valve assembly for providing selective flow communication between a plurality of fluid flow conduits, comprising: two valve members having respective engaged surfaces relatively rotatable to provide valving action, said valve members including a first valve member having a plurality of through ape

A valve assembly for providing selective flow communication between a plurality of fluid flow conduits, comprising: two valve members having respective engaged surfaces relatively rotatable to provide valving action, said valve members including a first valve member having a plurality of through apertures for respective communication with said flow conduits, and a second valve member including flow passage means for selectively interconnecting at least two of said apertures through said first valve member in order to enable fluid flow therebetween; and drive means for driving continuous relative rotation of said valve members in order to enable rotationally cycled interconnection and fluid flow through said two apertures.