GB2277572A

GB2277572A - Valve assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2277572A
Application number: GB9308774A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ron Coates-Smith
Original assignee: Dawson Mcdonald & Dawson Ltd
Current assignee: Dawson Mcdonald & Dawson Ltd
Priority date: 1993-04-28
Filing date: 1993-04-28
Publication date: 1994-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2013-04-28
Also published as: GB9308774D0; GB2277572B

Abstract

A valve assembly is described providing for controlled and sequential changeover or shut-off facilities to a plurality of fluid outlets. The assembly comprises two fluid chambers 18, 20, in communication with one of which is a fluid supply 26 and in communication with the other of which is a fluid exhaust (30, Fig 2). A plurality of ports (24, 28, 32, Fig 1) open externally of the assembly, and two rotary valve plates 44, 46 are operable selectively to connect the ports and chambers to provide a fluid path through the assembly via one or more selected ports as required. Thus the ports may be connected to the fluid supply or the fluid exhaust as required. One use of the assembly is with an inflatable ripple mattress such as is used for massage purposes. <IMAGE>

Description

Valve Assembly The present invention relates to a valve assembly, and concerns in particular an assembly providing controlled and sequential changeover or shut-off facilities to a plurality of outlets.

According to the invention there is provided a valve assembly comprising means defining two fluid chambers, fluid supply means in communication with one of the chambers, fluid exhaust means in communication with the other of the chambers, means providing a plurality of ports opening externally of the assembly, and valve means operable selectively to connect the ports and the fluid chambers whereby to provide a fluid path through the assembly via one or more selected ports.

Preferably a valve body provides the plurality of ports and the fluid chambers are provided on respective sides of the body. The ports may be spaced around the periphery of the body. Preferably also there are provided three ports, and an outlet nozzle is associated with each of the three ports. The fluid supply means and the fluid exhaust means may also be provided in the body, or may be provided in respective walls of the fluid chambers. Each of the fluid supply means and the fluid exhaust means may be located between adjacent ones of the ports.

The valve means may comprise rotary valve plates for controlling communication between the ports and the fluid chambers. The valve plates are preferably mounted on respective sides of the body and are preferably arranged selectively to open or to close apertures in the body enabling communication between the ports and the fluid chambers. The valve plates may be so arranged by virtue of their profile and their relative angular positions. The valve plates are preferably arranged for rotation on a spindle which extends through the fluid chambers and the body.

The fluid supply means and the fluid exhaust means may each communicate with the respective fluid chambers by means of an aperture in the body portion remote from the valve plates.

The invention will be further described for the purposes of illustration only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a valve according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the valve on I-I of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the valve on II-II of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but with a top part removed for clarity; and Fig. 5 shows a valve plate for use in the valve of Figs. 1 to 4.

Referring to the drawings, a valve assembly 10 is formed by a generally disc-shaped main valve body 12, on respective sides of which (the upper and lower sides as viewed in Fig. 2) are connected profiled covers 14, 16 which define, with the body 12, upper and lower gas chambers 18, 20 respectively. Each of the covers 14, 16 has a respective annular flange 14a, 16a, and a plurality of bolts 22 securing the flanges 14a, 16a to respective sides of the body 12 at an outer peripheral edge thereof in a fluid-tight arrangement.

The body 12 is formed with a plurality of radially extending passageways opening on to the outer peripheral edge thereof. Five of these passageways are provided in the present embodiment, and in the passageways there are mounted respective outwardly extending nozzles 24, 26, 28, 30, 32. The body 12 is further provided, radially inwardly adjacent the peripheral edge thereof, with an aperture 34 communicating between the passageway for the nozzle 26 and the upper chamber 18 and an aperture 36 communicating between the passageway for the nozzle 30 and the lower chamber 20.

The body 12 has three further through apertures 38, 40, 42, radially inwardly of the apertures 34, 36, providing communication between the chambers 18 and 20.

Each of the apertures 38 - 42 also communicates with a respective nozzle 24, 28, 32.

On respective sides of the body 12 there are located valve plates 44, 46. A spindle 48 extends through the covers 14, 16 and the body 12, and the plates 44, 46 are spring loaded on the spindle 48 against the respective sides of the body 12 by way of respective springs 50, 52. Pins 54 on the spindle 48 engage in slots on the plates 44, 46, whereby rotation of the spindle 48 effects rotation of the plates 44, 46.

Each of the latter has a generally circular configuration but with a flat 56. The valve plates 44, 46 are positioned with their flats 56 displaced relative to one another, whereby to control operation of the valve assembly as now described.

When the nozzle 26 is connected to a gas supply, gas can be introduced to the valve assembly by way of the aperture 34 into the upper chamber 18 (Fig. 3).

Dependent on the positions of the valve plates 44, 46, the gas is either then retained in the chamber 18, when the apertures 38 - 42 are closed by the valve plate 44, or can be passed into a connected piece of apparatus, for example a compartment of an inflatable ripple mattress such as is used for massage purposes, through a selected one of the nozzles 24, 28, 32, depending on which of the associated apertures 38, 40, 42 is exposed by the flat 56 of the valve plate 44. It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments (not shown), a cutaway portion on the valve plate may be so configured that more than one of the apertures 38 - 42 may be exposed, so that gas may pass through more than one of the nozzles 24, 28, 32.

The position of the valve plate 46 determines exhaustion of selected ones of the compartments of the connected mattress through the respective nozzles 24, 28, 32 via the lower chamber 20, the aperture 36, and the exhaust nozzle 30 (Fig. 2).

There is thus provided a valve assembly which can control, in a programmed manner, the flow of a gas or other fluid through selected ones of three or more operating ports, as well as supply and exhaust ports, depending upon the geometry and the speed of rotation of two rotary valve plates cooperating with a main body.

The assembly therefore provides controlled and sequential changeover or shut-off facilities for these three or more operating ports.

Modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, the number and location of the operating ports and/or nozzles may be varied as desired, and the rotary valve plates may be profiled as necessary to open the apertures in accordance with requirements.

The fluid path to the upper and lower chambers may be provided by nozzles in the walls of the chambers rather than by nozzles in passageways in the main body. Also the construction and configuration of the main body and covers may be different from that described and shown.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing Specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims:

1. A valve assembly comprising means defining two fluid chambers, fluid supply means in communication with one of the chambers, fluid exhaust means in communication with the other of the chambers, means providing a plurality of ports opening externally of the assembly, and valve means operable selectively to connect the ports and the fluid chambers whereby to provide a fluid path through the assembly via one or more selected ports.

2. A valve assembly according to Claim 1, wherein a valve body provides the plurality of ports.

3. A valve assembly according to Claim 2, wherein the fluid chambers are provided on respective sides of the body.

4. A valve assembly according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the ports are spaced around the periphery of the body.

5. A valve assembly according to any of the preceding Claims and having three ports and an outlet nozzle associated with each of the ports.

6. A valve assembly according to any of Claims 2 to 5, wherein The fluid supply means and the fluid exhaust means are provided in the body.

7. A valve assembly according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the fluid supply means and the fluid exhaust means are provided in respective walls of the fluid chambers.

8. A valve assembly according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein each of the fluid supply means and the fluid exhaust means is located between adjacent ones of the ports.

9. A valve assembly according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the valve means comprises rotary valve plates for controlling communication between the ports and the fluid chambers.

10. A valve assembly according to Claim 9, wherein the valve plates are mounted on respective sides of the body.

11. A valve assembly according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein the valve plates are arranged selectively to open or to close apertures in the body enabling communication between the ports and the fluid chambers.

12. A valve assembly according to any of Claims 9 to 11 wherein the valve plates are arranged for rotation on a spindle which extends through the fluid chambers and the body.

13. A valve assembly according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the fluid supply means and the fluid exhaust means each communicate with the respective fluid chambers by means of an aperture in the body portion remote from the valve plates.

14. A valve assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding Claims.