초록 ▼

A rotary-acting valve is disclosed. In some embodiments, the rotary-acting valve is the pilot or first stage of a two-stage control valve and can be used to create an improved propulsion system for a missile. In the illustrative embodiment, the rotary-acting pilot valve comprises a movable rotor tha

A rotary-acting valve is disclosed. In some embodiments, the rotary-acting valve is the pilot or first stage of a two-stage control valve and can be used to create an improved propulsion system for a missile. In the illustrative embodiment, the rotary-acting pilot valve comprises a movable rotor that resides in a chamber. The chamber includes three ports: a gas inlet port, a control volume port that couples to the second stage of a two-stage valve, and a gas vent port. The rotor in the pilot valve selectively pneumatically couples the second stage to either the gas inlet port or the gas vent port. When the second stage is connected to the gas inlet port, a piston (part of the second stage valve) moves to a blocking position in which it blocks the mouth of a thrust nozzle. When the second stage is coupled to the gas vent port, the piston moves to a non-blocking position with respect to the mouth of the thrust nozzle.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus comprising:a chamber, wherein:(i) said chamber has a first port, a second port, and a third port;(ii) no two of said ports are contiguous with one other and a rotor, wherein:(i) said rotor is disposed within said chamber;(ii) said rotor controls flow through said first port and said

1. An apparatus comprising:a chamber, wherein:(i) said chamber has a first port, a second port, and a third port;(ii) no two of said ports are contiguous with one other and a rotor, wherein:(i) said rotor is disposed within said chamber;(ii) said rotor controls flow through said first port and said second port;(iii) said rotor pivots between a first position and a second position;(iv) in said first position, a relatively greater area for flow through said first port and a relatively lesser area for flow through said second port is provided, and in said second position, a relatively greater area for flow through said second port and a relatively lesser area for flow through said first port is provided, and wherein said relatively lesser area permits some amount of flow.2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said third port is coupled to a control volume, and wherein in said first position of said rotor, said control volume is pressurized by said flow through said first port, and further wherein in said second position of said rotor, said control volume is depressurized by flow through said second port.3. An apparatus comprising:a chamber, wherein said chamber has a gas inlet port, a gas vent port, and a control volume port; anda rotor, wherein:(i) said rotor is disposed within said chamber;(ii) said rotor has a first end and a second end;(iii) said rotor is positionable in a first position in which said second end of said rotor blocks more of said gas vent port than said first end of said rotor blocks of said gas inlet port, thereby permitting a first flow of gas to pressurize a control volume that is pneumatically coupled to said control volume port; and(iv) said first end of said rotor does not contact a seating surface when it is in said first position.4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising:a bore, wherein said bore is pneumatically coupled to said control volume port; anda piston, wherein said piston is disposed in said bore, and wherein said control volume is defined within said bore between said piston and said control volume port.5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said piston regulates a second flow of a gas into a nozzle, wherein said first flow of gas is less than 10 volume percent of said second flow of gas.6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said rotor is positionable in a second position in which said second end blocks less of said gas vent port than said first end of said rotor blocks of said gas inlet port, thereby enabling the pressurized control volume to depressurize via said gas vent port.7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein when said rotor is in said first position, said piston is forced forward in said bore.8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said rotor rotates about 10 degrees or less between said first position and said second position.9. An apparatus comprising:a chamber, wherein said chamber is elongated, and wherein said chamber comprises a first port, and second port, and a third port, and wherein no two of said ports are contiguous with one another; anda rotor, wherein:(i) said rotor is disposed within said chamber;(ii) said rotor has an elongated shape that terminates at a first end and a second end thereof;(iii) said rotor pivots between a first position and a second position;(iv) in said first position, said second end substantially, but not completely, blocks said second port; and(v) in said second position, said first end substantially, but not completely, blocks said first port.10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein when said rotor pivots, a direction of motion of said rotor is substantially perpendicular to a direction of a first flow of said gas into said chamber.11. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a bore, wherein said chamber is pneumatically coupled to said bore via said third port.12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a piston, wherein said piston is disposed in said bore, and further wherein said piston is movable between a first position and a second position.13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein in said first position of said rotor, said bore receives a first flow of gas, causing said piston to move to said first position.14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein in said second position of said rotor, gas flows out of said bore, causing said piston to move to said second position.15. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a nozzle, wherein when said piston is in said first position, said piston blocks a second flow of gas into said nozzle.16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein when said piston is in said second position, said second flow of gas enters said nozzle.17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said first flow of gas is withdrawn from said second flow of gas and is less,than ten volume percent of said second flow of gas.18. An apparatus comprising:a chamber, wherein said chamber has an inlet port, and control volume port and a vent port; anda rotor, wherein:said rotor is disposed within said chamber;said rotor controls flow of gas through said inlet port and said vent port; andthere is no contact between said rotor and any surface of that said chamber that would serve as a seat for preventing leakage, so that some amount of said gas flows through both said inlet port and said vent port, regardless of a position of said rotor.