GB1068502A - Improvements in or relating to flow control devices - Google Patents

Abstract

1,068,502. Milk treatment plant A.P.V. CO. Ltd. Jan. 11, 1966 [Feb. 3, 1965; Sept. 7, 1965], Nos. 4624/65 and 38245/65. Headings A2B and A2D. [Also in Division F2] A flow changeover device comprises four fluid connections 22 arranged to be connected to external flow conduits, a pair of movable conduit sections 25 adapted to connect the fluid flow connections together in pairs, and means for moving the conduit sections so as. to provide alternative interconnections between the connections 22. The latter are arranged at the corners of a square while the conduit sections 25 are secured to a plate 23 rotatably and slidably mounted on a spindle 28. A toggle unit 29 actuated by a double-acting ram 37 lifts the plate 23 prior to rotation by a vane type actuator 39 and causes sealing pressure to be applied to rubber joints 26 after each actuation. An abutment 48 co-operates with adjustable stops (not shown) to limit the rotation of plate 23 while limit switches 43 operate a remote indicator and ensure the connections are correctly made before fluid enters the circuit. After the connections have been changed a cleaning solution is passed from a spray 44 into a shroud 46 fitted with a drain connection 45. A transparent plastic cover 47 is also fitted to the device which may be used in a U.H.T. milk processing plant having a cleaning circuit as described in Specification 1,027,848. During processing, one section 25 interconnects two stages of the plant while the other forms a connection between the lines of a cleaning circuit. Rotation of the device through 90 degrees causes cleaning fluid to be passed simultaneously through the two stages. The device may also be used to enable a number of milk storage tanks (1, provisional drawing 38245/65, not shown) to be connected to milk inlet lines (7) or to a cleaning circuit and to enable the outlet lines (10) to be connected to extraction pumps (12) or to a second cleaning circuit. The groups of inlet and outlet lines may be selectively connected with either line of a single pair of inlet and outlet lines (2, 3) by banks of air-operated valves (4, 5) while vent valves (8) fitted with filters (9) permit the lines (7) to be drained by gravity.