GB2125936A - Distributing valve - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus consists of a casing 1 and cover 2. The casing 1 contains three apertures; an inlet 3 and two outlets 4. Fluid is supplied under pressure to the inlet 3 and by virtue of an internal self-powered mechanism the fluid is distributed sequentially and alternately to each of the outputs 4. The sequential operation of the outlets is controlled by a flap valve 6 pivoted at 5, which can rest in position 6A or 6B by virtue of differential pressure and thereby sequentially block one or other outlet by seating on the faces of those outlets. The flap valve 6 is activated by a mechanism whereby fluid passing into the inlet strikes and rotates an impeller 7 which, by virtue of suitable gearing, activates a flip-flop arrangement to control the flap valve. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Automatic fluid distributing apparatus This invention relates to an automatic fluid distributing apparatus and more particularly to the provision of apparatus for distributing a fluid in a fluid line from one input source to two outputs automatically and in sequence.

As will hereinafter be explained the apparatus of this invention may be used with considerable advantage for a number of different and diverse domestic, industrial and other purposes where a sequential flow of a liquid or gas is required to two outlets.

According to this invention fluid distribution apparatus comprises a fluid inlet to a casing, two fluid outlets from the casing, flap valve means movable to close one or other of the outlets and stably retained in such position by fluid pressure, and actuating means operated by fluid flow into the casing to move the flap valve from a stable position closing or restricting one outlet whereby fluid pressure may act thereon to further move said valve to a position closing or restricting another outlet and opening or derestricting said first outlet.

The source or input of fluid may be only sufficient in pressure and/or rate of flow to supply one output.

The insertion of a distribution apparatus between the input and the desired outputs in a fluid line allows the input to supply two outputs sequentially. Control of the input is not a function of the distributor which merely takes the fluid input as supplied and distributes it sequentially with minimal interruption or disturbance to the input supply.

The distributor has two outputs and any number of distributors can be connected together in a series downstream in a fluid line into a system of distribution from a single input with only one fluid output operating at a time. The distributor does not require a separate power source to drive it.

In one preferred arrangement the casing has an inlet at an end thereof with two outlets disposed in each side and internally closed by a flap valve pivotally mounted in the casing and movable to swing against one or other outlet; impeller means is included in the inlet fluid flow path to drive an actuator which serves to move the flap from position when against one or other outlet. The actuator may be a push-rod connected to a crank coupled with the impeller.

One embodiment according to this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:~ Figure 1 shows an apparatus in plan view and in part section on B-B of Figure 2, and Figure 2 shows the apparatus of Figure 1 in part section on A-A in side view.

Referring to the drawings, the device consists of a casing 1 and cover 2. The casing 1 contains three apertures; an inlet 3 and two outlets 4. Fluid is supplied under pressure to the inlet 3 and by virtue of an internal self-powered mechanism the fluid is distributed sequentially and alternately to each of the outputs 4. The sequential operation of the outlets is controlled by a flap valve 6 pivoted at 5, which can rest in position 6A or 6B by virtue of differential pressure and thereby sequentially block one or other outlet by seating on the faces of those outlets.

The flap valve 6 is activated by a mechanism whereby fluid passing into the inlet strikes and rotates an impeller 7 which, by virtue of suitable gearing, activates a flip-flop arrangement to control the flap valve. There are many such mechanically operated flip-flop arrangements which can be used for this purpose. The arrangement illustrated consists of a crank pin 8 mounted on a wheel 9 which is rotated at a suitable rate in proportion to the rate of flow of input fluid by virtue of gearing to the impeller. The crank pin drives a resilient push rod 10 which is constrained to extend in the direction of the flap valve pivot 5.The resilience of the push rod in this example is provided by a double wishbone structure such that if the push rod were constructed of a resilient material, such as plastic, the required amount of resilience would be provided together with a positive end stop action when the crank end 1 1 meets the fulcrum 12. The free end of the push rod is directed towards a double sided segment 13 attached to the flap valve 6 about its pivot 5. The segments are so arranged and slightly phased, such that at each positive stroke of the crank 8 the tip of the push rod 10 engages the segment appropriate for lifting the flap valve 6 off the relevant output 4 valve seat.The operating sequence of the flip-flop arrangement is as follows: a) at the start of a positive stroke of the crank 8 (right to left in the illustration) the push rod 10 engages the appropriate segment 13 and begins to bear on it, thus providing a force on the flap valve 6 about its pivot 5, opposite to the force of fluid holding the flap valve against the appropriate output seat.

b) the force builds up as the resilience of the push rod is taken up until the unsticking action on the flap valve exceeds the force of fluid pressure preventing it from moving.

c) once the seat of the flap valve 6 on the outlet 4 is broken, the rapid decay of differential fluid pressure on the flap valve 6, together with continuing force provided by re-exertion of the push rod 10 resilience and continuing positive movement of the crank 8, causes the flap valve 6 to move across the chamber 13 to an overcentre position where the flow of fluid directs the flap valve to seat on the opposite outlet seat, for example from position 6A to 6B in Figure 1.

d) on the return/negative stroke of the crank 8 (from left to right in Figure 1) the push rod 10 is freed from its segment 14 and constrained to a central position by a device in the lid 2, ready to start the sequence again.

The flap valve 6 carries a biased chamfer on its nose 14 such that on initially turning on the input fluid the flap valve 6, if it is in a null position, will tend to seat against one outlet.

The amount of resilience in the push rod 10 is limited by the gap between the crank end 1 1 and fulcrum 12 such that positive valve unsticking occurs in due course should, for example, the differential fluid pressure acting on the flap valve exceeds the opposite force provided by the resilience of the push rod 1 0.

The amount of push rod positive movement provided by the crank 8 radius acting against the movement arm of the tip of the push rod in a segment about the flap valve pivot 5 is sufficient to push the flap valve against the required outlet seat should differential fluid pressure be sufficient.

There is sufficient movement in the push rod 10 between the crank end 1 1 and fulcrum 12 to allow for foreign matter entering through the input 3 and obstructing the seat of an output 4 without damage to the mechanism. In such an event there is also sufficient negative movement of the crank 8 to decouple the push rod 1 0 from the segment on the obstructed side to continue the sequence for the opposite outlet.

The static fluid pressures in each outlet, which would induce a back pressure on the flap valve, should be reasonaly matched since the device does not include a locking arrangement for the flap valve on any particular outlet seat. In such a case and where fluid at a relatively low differential pressure was being directed to the outlet with the lower head, there would be a tendency for the higher head fluid to flow back and into the lower head output line. However, the device would still operate although the apparent quantity of fluid delivered sequentially in each line would not be so evenly matched.

The flap valve 6 may be segmented at 14 (see Figure 2) such that if it were to be made of a resilient material, for example plastic, it would tend to lift first off an output 4 around the leading edge, thus improving the operation of the flap valve by reducing the forces required to decay the differential fluid pressure.

Claims (Filed on 1 August 1983) 1. A fluid distribution apparatus comprising a fluid inlet to a casing, two fluid outlets from the casing, flap valve means movable to close one or other of the outlets and stably retained in such position by fluid pressure, and actuating means operated by fluid flow into the casing to move the flap valve from a stable position closing or restricting one outlet whereby fluid pressure may act thereon to further move said valve to a position closing or restricting another outlet and opening or derestricting said first outlet.

2. Afluid distribution apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the casing has an inlet at an end thereof with two outlets diposed in each side and internally closed by a flap valve pivotally mounted in the casing and movable to swing against one or other outlet; impeller means being included in the inlet fluid flow path to drive an actuator which serves to move the flap from position when against one or other outlet.

3. A fluid distribution apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the actuator may be a push rod connected to a crank coupled with the impeller.

4. A fluid distribution apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the flap valve is activated by fluid passing into the inlet striking and rotating an impeller which, by gearing, activates a flip-flop arrangement to control the flap valve.

5. A fluid distribution apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the gearing has a crank pin mounted on a wheel which is rotated by the impeller in proportion to the rate of flow of input fluid by gearing to the impeller, the crank pin driving a resilient push rod which is constrained to extend in the direction of a double sided segment attached to the flap valve at the pivot, the segments being arranged such that at each stroke of the crank the tip of the push rod engages the segment appropriate for lifting the flap valve off the relevant output valve seat.

6. A fluid distribution apparatus as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. fluid the flap valve 6, if it is in a null position, will tend to seat against one outlet. The amount of resilience in the push rod 10 is limited by the gap between the crank end 1 1 and fulcrum 12 such that positive valve unsticking occurs in due course should, for example, the differential fluid pressure acting on the flap valve exceeds the opposite force provided by the resilience of the push rod 1 0. The amount of push rod positive movement provided by the crank 8 radius acting against the movement arm of the tip of the push rod in a segment about the flap valve pivot 5 is sufficient to push the flap valve against the required outlet seat should differential fluid pressure be sufficient. There is sufficient movement in the push rod 10 between the crank end 1 1 and fulcrum 12 to allow for foreign matter entering through the input 3 and obstructing the seat of an output 4 without damage to the mechanism. In such an event there is also sufficient negative movement of the crank 8 to decouple the push rod 1 0 from the segment on the obstructed side to continue the sequence for the opposite outlet. The static fluid pressures in each outlet, which would induce a back pressure on the flap valve, should be reasonaly matched since the device does not include a locking arrangement for the flap valve on any particular outlet seat. In such a case and where fluid at a relatively low differential pressure was being directed to the outlet with the lower head, there would be a tendency for the higher head fluid to flow back and into the lower head output line. However, the device would still operate although the apparent quantity of fluid delivered sequentially in each line would not be so evenly matched. The flap valve 6 may be segmented at 14 (see Figure 2) such that if it were to be made of a resilient material, for example plastic, it would tend to lift first off an output 4 around the leading edge, thus improving the operation of the flap valve by reducing the forces required to decay the differential fluid pressure. Claims (Filed on 1 August 1983)

1. A fluid distribution apparatus comprising a fluid inlet to a casing, two fluid outlets from the casing, flap valve means movable to close one or other of the outlets and stably retained in such position by fluid pressure, and actuating means operated by fluid flow into the casing to move the flap valve from a stable position closing or restricting one outlet whereby fluid pressure may act thereon to further move said valve to a position closing or restricting another outlet and opening or derestricting said first outlet.

2. Afluid distribution apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the casing has an inlet at an end thereof with two outlets diposed in each side and internally closed by a flap valve pivotally mounted in the casing and movable to swing against one or other outlet; impeller means being included in the inlet fluid flow path to drive an actuator which serves to move the flap from position when against one or other outlet.

3. A fluid distribution apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the actuator may be a push rod connected to a crank coupled with the impeller.

4. A fluid distribution apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the flap valve is activated by fluid passing into the inlet striking and rotating an impeller which, by gearing, activates a flip-flop arrangement to control the flap valve.

5. A fluid distribution apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the gearing has a crank pin mounted on a wheel which is rotated by the impeller in proportion to the rate of flow of input fluid by gearing to the impeller, the crank pin driving a resilient push rod which is constrained to extend in the direction of a double sided segment attached to the flap valve at the pivot, the segments being arranged such that at each stroke of the crank the tip of the push rod engages the segment appropriate for lifting the flap valve off the relevant output valve seat.

6. A fluid distribution apparatus as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.