초록 ▼

Switching valve and a regenerative thermal oxidizer including the switching valve. The valve of the present invention exhibits excellent sealing characteristics and minimizes wear. The valve has a seal plate that defines two chambers, each chamber being a flow port that leads to one of two regenerat

Switching valve and a regenerative thermal oxidizer including the switching valve. The valve of the present invention exhibits excellent sealing characteristics and minimizes wear. The valve has a seal plate that defines two chambers, each chamber being a flow port that leads to one of two regenerative beds of the oxidizer. The valve also includes a switching flow distributor which provides alternate channeling of the inlet or outlet process gas to each half of the seal plate. The valve operates between two modes: a stationary mode and a valve movement mode. In the stationary mode, a tight gas seal is used to minimize or prevent process gas leakage. The gas seal also seals during valve movement.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A valve, comprising:a plurality of valve ports comprising at least a first valve port and a second valve port separate from said first valve port, said first and second valve ports each being divided into at least two chambers; a flow distributor having an inlet passageway and an outlet passagewa

1. A valve, comprising:a plurality of valve ports comprising at least a first valve port and a second valve port separate from said first valve port, said first and second valve ports each being divided into at least two chambers; a flow distributor having an inlet passageway and an outlet passageway, said flow distributor being movable with respect to said plurality of valve ports between a first position in which said first valve port is in fluid communication with said inlet passageway and said second valve port is in fluid communication with said outlet passageway, and a second position in which said first valve port is in fluid communication with said outlet passageway and said second valve port is in fluid communication with said inlet passageway; each of said plurality of valve ports being in fluid communication with one of either said inlet passageway or said outlet passageway when said flow distributor is in said first position and being in fluid communication with the other of said inlet passageway or said outlet passageway when said flow distributor is in said second position; said flow distributor comprising a blocking surface which allows flow through each of said plurality of valve ports when said flow distributor is stationary, and blocks flow through a first portion of said first valve port and through a second portion of said second valve port only when said flow distributor is between said first and second positions, said flow distributor being rotatable in first and second opposite directions. 2. The valve of claim 1, wherein said first and second valve ports are each divided into at least three chambers.3. The valve of claim 1, wherein said flow distributor is rotatable 180° between said first and second positions.4. The valve of claim 1, wherein said first and second portions of said valve ports are congruent.5. The valve of claim 1, further comprising a drive shaft coupled to said flow distributor; at least one radial duct in fluid communication with and extending radially from said drive shaft; and a rotating port comprising: an outer ring seal, an inner ring seal spaced from said outer ring seal and having a plurality of bores, and at least one piston ring, said at least one piston ring being positioned in a respective one of said plurality of bores in said inner ring seal and biasing against said outer ring seal.6. The valve of claim 5, further comprising means for causing gas to flow through said drive shaft, through said at least one radial duct, and between said at least one piston ring and said inner ring seal.7. The valve of claim 5, wherein there are a plurality of piston rings, and further comprising means for causing gas to flow through said drive shaft, through said at least one radial duct, and between said plurality of piston rings.8. The valve of claim 1, further comprising a sealing plate, and wherein said flow distributor further comprises a mating surface having a plurality of apertures through which gas flows, creating a cushion of gas between said mating surface and said sealing plate.9. The valve of claim 8, wherein said sealing plate comprises at least one annular groove aligned with at least one of said plurality of apertures.10. The valve of claim 1, further comprising drive means for moving said flow distributor between said first and second positions.11. The valve of claim 10, wherein said drive means comprises a gear coupled to said flow distributor, said gear having a plurality of spurs, and at least one rack having a plurality of grooves into which said plurality of spurs fit, whereby movement of said rack causes a corresponding movement of said gear, which rotates said flow distributor.12. A valve, comprising:a plurality of valve ports comprising at least a first valve port and a second valve port separate from said first valve port, said first and second valve ports being divided into at least two chambers; a flow distributor positioned in a housing having an interior volume, said flow distributor having an inlet passageway and an outlet passageway, wherein one of said inlet and outlet passageways is always open to said interior volume of said housing for flow of gas therebetween, and the other of said inlet and outlet passageways is always closed from said interior volume; said flow distributor being movable in first and second opposite directions with respect to said plurality of valve ports between a first position in which said first valve port is in fluid communication with said inlet passageway and said second valve port is in fluid communication with said outlet passageway, and a second position in which said first valve port is in fluid communication with said outlet passageway and said second valve port is in fluid communication with said inlet passageway; said flow distributor comprising a blocking surface which allows flow through each of said plurality of valve ports when said flow distributor is stationary, and blocks flow through a first portion of said first valve port and through a second portion of said second valve port only when said flow distributor is between said first and second positions. 13. The valve of claim 12, wherein said blocking surface separates said inlet passageway from said outlet passageway.14. The valve of claim 12, wherein said first position of said flow distributor is 180° removed from said second position of said flow distributor.15. The valve of claim 1, wherein said flow distributor is rotatable in 180° intervals.16. The valve of claim 12, wherein said flow distributor is rotatable in 180° intervals.