WO2025144403A1

WO2025144403A1 - Rotary slide valve

Info

Publication number: WO2025144403A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/086215
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jimmy Dzuong
Original assignee: Tecan Trading AG
Current assignee: Tecan Trading AG
Priority date: 2023-12-28
Filing date: 2023-12-28
Publication date: 2025-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-28

Abstract

Multi-port rotary slide valve, comprising a port plate (1) with a central common port (100) and at least three peripheral ports (101; 102; 103) that are arranged on a circle around the common port (100), further comprising a connection plate (2), which can be rotated around a first axis (A1) by a first drive (5) and which comprises a connection channel (200), wherein the connection channel (200) extends from one side of the intersection of the first axis (A1) with the port plate to a side opposite thereof and has a minimal length that corresponds to the radius of the circle the peripheral ports (101;102;103) are arranged on, wherein an excentre mechanism (3) with a second drive (6) is provided, with which, a relative movement perpendicular to the first axis (A1) between the port plate (1) and the connection plate (2) can be effected.

Description

ROTARY SLIDE VALVE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The current invention relates to rotary slide valves , in particular to multi-port rotary slide valves .

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Known embodiments of multi-port rotary slide valves comprise a stationary port plate with a central common port and at least three peripheral ports that are arranged on a circle around the common port , wherein all ports extending through the port plate from a front surface to a back surface , and a connection plate which lies on the back surface of the port plate with a contact surface , which connection plate is rotatable around an axis of rotation and which comprises a connection channel that extends from the intersection of the axis of rotation with the contact surface radially outwards and has a length that corresponds to the radius of the circle the peripheral ports are arranged on . Such multi-port rotary slide valves have the disadvantage that a speci fic peripheral port cannot be bypassed . For example , when rotating the connection channel from a first peripheral port to a third peripheral port , the second peripheral port cannot be bypassed . Thus , when switching from the first peripheral port to the third peripheral port , the connection channel can be contaminated by substances from the second peripheral port . SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a task of current invention to provide a multi-port rotary slide valve where speci fic peripheral ports can be bypassed when switching between two non-neighbouring peripheral ports .

This task is solved by a multi-port rotary slide valve with the features of claim 1 . Further embodiments of such a multi-port rotary slide valve , as well as a method for operating such a multi-port rotary slide valve are defined by the features of further claims .

A multi-port rotary slide valve according to the invention comprises a port plate with a central common port and at least three peripheral ports . All ports extend through the port plate from a front surface to a back surface . Alternatively, the central common port and/or the peripheral ports extend from a lateral or circumferential surface towards the centre of the port plate , wherein the central common port extends to the centre of the port plate and from there to the back surface of the port plate and wherein the peripheral ports extend to a common circle around the centre and from there to the back surface of the port plate . Openings of the peripheral ports in the back surface are arranged on a circle with a speci fied radius around an opening of the common port in the back surface . The multi-port rotary slide valve further comprises a connection plate , which lies with a contact surface on the back surface of the port plate . The connection plate can be rotated around a first axis , perpendicular to the contact surface . The connection plate comprises a connection channel in the contact surface . The connection channel extends from one side of the intersection of the first axis with the contact surface to a side opposite thereof and has a minimal length that corresponds to the speci fied radius . The multi-port rotary slide valve further comprises a first drive with which, the connection plate can be rotated . An excentre mechanism with a second drive is provided, with which, a relative movement between the port plate and the connection plate can be ef fected, perpendicular to the first axis . With such a design it is possible to switch between non-neighbouring peripheral ports whilst bypassing intermediary peripheral ports .

In one embodiment , the relative movement between the port plate and the connection plate is a combination of translatory and pivot or rotary movements .

In one embodiment , the first drive and the second drive are rotation drives . Alternatively, the first drive is a rotation drive , and the second drive is a linear drive .

In one embodiment , the excentre mechanism is connected to the port plate and the connection plate is fixed to a first drive shaft of the first drive , whereby an of fset of the port plate with respect to connection plate and with respect to the first drive can be ef fected . Alternatively, the excentre mechanism is connected to the connection plate and the port plate is fixed to the first drive , whereby an of fset of the connection plate with respect to the port plate and with respect to the first drive can be ef fected . In a further alternative , the excentre mechanism is connected to the first drive and the connection plate is fixed to the first drive shaft of the first drive , whereby an of fset of the connection plate with respect to the port plate and with respect to the first drive can be ef fected .

In one embodiment , the excentre mechanism is connected to the connection plate and the connection plate is connected to the first drive via an Oldham coupling . The Oldham coupling represents any coupling that can compensate for of fset axis . In alternative to the Oldham coupling, a universal j oint or flex bellow style coupling can be used .

In one embodiment , there are four, five , six, or more peripheral ports that are arranged regularly or irregularly around the common port .

In one embodiment , a sealing ring is provided in a circular sealing groove in the back surface of the port plate , the circular groove surrounding all peripheral ports . The sealing ring can be made from rubber or polymer . Alternatively, a washing moat can be foreseen . Its purpose is to let excess material , either reagents or wear debris , escape from the lapped surfaces of the port plate and the connection plate .

The port plate and the connection plate can be made from ceramic .

In one embodiment , the Oldham coupling comprises a first disc, a thereto adj acent second disc and a thereto adj acent third disc . The first disc is connected to the connection plate by a driven shaft and the third disc is connected to the first drive . In one embodiment , the first disc and the driven shaft are formed integrally in a single piece .

In one embodiment , the connection plate comprises a back surface on a side opposite the contact surface . The driven shaft comprises a front surface facing the back surface of the connection plate . A tongue- and groove-connection is provided between the back surface of the connection plate and the front surface of the driven shaft .

In one embodiment , at least one tongue is formed in the driven shaft and an at least one corresponding groove is formed in the connection plate . Alternatively, at least one tongue is formed in the connection plate and an at least one corresponding groove is formed in the driven shaft . For example , two tongues and two corresponding grooves are provided .

In one embodiment , a compression spring is provided in a central recess in the front surface of the driven shaft . The compression spring ensures a preload of the contact surface of the connection plate against the back surface of the front plate to ef fect a seal . Alternative means that press the connection plate against the front plate , such as O-rings , gaskets , or magnets , can also be used .

In one embodiment , the third disc of the Oldham coupling is fixed on the first drive shaft of the first drive , for example with a fixation screw .

In one embodiment , the multi-port rotary slide valve comprises a housing with a front plate , at least one spacer and a drive plate . The port plate is fixed to the front plate , the first drive is fixed to the drive plate and the drive plate is fixed to the front plate by the at least one spacer . The at least one spacer can be a rod with a circular, rectangular, or L-shaped cross section or wherein the at least one spacer can be an essentially closed circumferential wall . For example , four or more spacers are used . The at least one spacer can be a separate component , or it can be formed integrally in a single piece together with the front plate or the drive plate of the housing .

In one embodiment , the port plate and the front plate of the housing are formed integrally in a single piece . Alternatively, the port plate is fixed to the front plate . For example , by means of screws .

In one embodiment , a first excentre mechanism comprises an excentre sleeve , which is rotatably mounted in the housing . The excentre sleeve comprises a cylindrical body with an axis collinear with the first axis and comprises a cylindrical shaft reception extending along a second axis , which is parallel and of fset to the first axis . The driven shaft of the first excentre mechanism is rotatably mounted in the shaft reception . For example , the excentre sleeve is mounted in the housing by means of bearings and the driven shaft is mounted in the shaft reception by means of bearings .

In one embodiment , the first excentre mechanism is mounted to the front plate of the housing .

In one embodiment , the first excentre mechanism comprises a first excentre sleeve , a driven gear and a driving gear engaging therein . The driven gear is fixed to the first excentre sleeve and the driving gear is fixed to a second drive shaft of the second drive . The driven gear and the driving gear are spur gears . Alternatively, they can be helical gears , bevel gears or worm gears .

In one embodiment , the driving gear is fixed to the second drive shaft by a shaft extension and a radially oriented fixation screw .

In one embodiment , a driven pulley is fixed to the first excentre sleeve , a driving pulley is fixed to the second drive shaft of the second drive and the driven pulley is connected to the driving pulley by a belt or a chain .

In one embodiment , the first excentre mechanism comprises a second excentre sleeve with a hollow shaft reception . A hollow drive shaft of the second drive is fixed in the hollow shaft reception, the first drive is fixed to the second drive in a collinear manner and the first drive shaft of the first drive extends through the hollow drive shaft of the second drive .

In one embodiment , a second excentre mechanism comprises an excentre plate , which is pivotably and slidably mounted in the housing . The excentre plate comprises a plate-shaped body with a cylindrical shaft reception extending parallel to the first axis , and the driven shaft of the second excentre mechanism is rotatably mounted in the shaft reception . For example , the second excentre mechanism is mounted to the front plate of the housing . Alternatively, the second excentre mechanism is mounted to the drive plate of the housing .

In one embodiment , the second excentre mechanism comprises a pivot pin and an excentre shaft . The excentre plate comprises a slot-shaped pivot reception and a cylindrical excentre reception, each of which extending parallel to the first axis . The pivot pin is fixed to the housing and is mounted pivotably and slidably in the pivot reception . The excentre shaft is fixed to the second drive shaft of the second drive and is mounted rotatably in the excentre reception .

The housing can be made from metal or plastic .

In one embodiment , the shaft reception, the pivot reception and the excentre reception are arranged on a line .

The features of the above-mentioned embodiments of the multi-port rotary slide valve can be used in any combination within the scope of the claims , provided they do not contradict each other .

A method for operating the multi-port rotary slide valve according to the invention, comprises the steps of: effecting a relative movement between the port plate and the connection plate with the second drive, perpendicular to the first axis; and effecting a rotation of the connection plate around the first axis.

In one embodiment, the effecting of the rotation of the connection plate and the effecting of the relative movement between the port plate and the connection plate is done simultaneously. Alternatively, they are effected sequentially .

In one embodiment, the method for operating the multi-port rotary slide valve comprises the steps of: effecting a first relative movement between the port plate and the connection plate; subsequently or simultaneously, effecting a rotation of the connection plate; and subsequently, effecting a second relative movement between the port plate (1) and the connection plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the current invention are described in more detail in the following with reference to the figures .

These are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting .

Fig . 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a multi-port rotary slide valve according to the invention;

Fig . 2 is a perspective explosion view of the multiport rotary slide valve of figure 1 ;

Fig . 3 is a perspective sectional view of the multiport rotary slide valve of figure 1 with a vertical sectional plane ;

Fig . 4 is a perspective sectional view of the multiport rotary slide valve of figure 1 with a hori zontal sectional plane ;

Fig . 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a multi-port rotary slide valve according to the invention;

Fig . 6 is a perspective explosion view of the multiport rotary slide valve of figure 5 ;

Fig . 7 is a perspective sectional view of the multiport rotary slide valve of figure 5 with a vertical sectional plane ;

Fig . 8 is a perspective sectional view of the multiport rotary slide valve of figure 5 with a hori zontal sectional plane ; Fig . 9 is a sectional view of third embodiment of a multi-port rotary slide valve according to the invention; and

Figs . 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D are sketches of the mode of operation of all multi-port rotary slide valves according to the invention .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a multi-port rotary slide valve according to the invention, figure 2 shows a perspective explosion view of the multiport rotary slide valve of figure 1 , figure 3 shows a perspective sectional view of the multi-port rotary slide valve of figure 1 with a vertical sectional plane and figure 4 shows a perspective sectional view of the multiport rotary slide valve of figure 1 with a hori zontal sectional plane . The multi-port rotary slide valve comprises a circular disk-shaped port plate 1 with a central common port 100 and six peripheral ports 101 ; 102 , 103 that are arranged on a circle around the common port 100 . All ports 100 ; 101 ; 102 ; 103 extend through the port plate 1 from a front surface 10 to a back surface 11 . In the back surface 11 there is a circular sealing groove 110 in which a sealing ring 111 is provided . The sealing groove 110 surrounds all peripheral ports 101 ; 102 ; 103 . The port plate 1 is fixed to a front plate 70 of a housing 7 . A circular disk-shaped connection plate 2 lies with a contact surface 20 on the back surface 11 of the port plate 1 . The connection plate 2 is rotatable around a first axis Al , perpendicular to the contact surface 20 . There is a connection channel 200 in the contact surface which extends from one side of the intersection of the first axis Al with the contact surface 20 to a side opposite thereof and which has a minimal length that corresponds to the radius R of the circle , the peripheral ports are arranged on . There are grooves 210 on a back surface 21 of the connection plate 2 , opposite the contact surface 20 . A first excentre mechanism 3 comprises a driven shaft 30 , an Oldham coupling 31 and a first excentre sleeve 32 . A first drive 5 is operatively coupled to the connection plate 2 by means of the first excentre mechanism 3 , enabling the rotation of the connection plate 2 . The driven shaft 30 comprises a cylindrical pole 300 at a free end of which, facing the connection plate 2 , a flange 301 is provided . A front surface 302 of the flange 301 lies on the back surface 21 of the connection plate 2 . Tongues 303 extend from the front surface 302 and extend complementary in the corresponding grooves 210 in the back surface 21 of the connection plate 2 , synchroni zing the rotation of the driven shaft 30 with that of the connection plate 2 , whilst allowing a relative movement in the direction of the first axis Al between the connection plate 2 and the driven shaft 30 . A spring 305 is arranged in a spring recess 304 that is provided in the centre of the front surface 302 of the flange 301 . The spring 305 presses the connection plate 2 against the port plate 1 . The driven shaft 30 is rotatably mounted in the first excentre sleeve 32 by means of pole bearings 306 that are provided in a shaft reception 321 in a cylindrical body 320 of the first excentre sleeve 32 . The body 320 is rotationally symmetrical to a second axis A2 and the shaft reception 321 extends along the first axis Al that is parallel and of fset to the second axis A2 . The body 320 of the first excentre sleeve 32 is rotatably mounted in the front plate 70 of the housing 7 . On a side of the first excentre sleeve 32 opposite to the connection plate 2 , a driven gear 324 is arranged in a corresponding gear reception 322 . The lateral surface of the gear reception 322 is of fset to the lateral surface of the body 320 of the first excentre sleeve 32 , forming an axial abutment for the driven gear 324 in the direction of the second axis A2 . The Oldham coupling 31 comprises a first disc 310 , a second disc 311 and a third disc 312 . The first disc 310 is fixed to the driven shaft 30 , the second disc 311 is arranged relatively movable between the first disc 310 and the third disc 312 and the third disc 312 is fixed to a first drive shaft 50 of the first drive 5 by means of an integrally formed disc extension 313 and a fixation 314 . The disc extension 313 has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the third disc 312 . The first drive 5 is fixed to a drive plate 72 of the housing 7 . The front plate 70 of the housing 7 is fixed to the drive plate 72 by means of spacers 71 . A second drive 6 is arranged on the drive plate 72 next to the first drive 5 . A second drive shaft 60 of the second drive 6 extends parallel to the first drive shaft 50 of the first drive 5 . A driving gear 325 is mounted to the second drive shaft 60 by means of a separate shaft extension 326 . A rotation of the second drive shaft 60 results in a rotation of the first excentre sleeve 32 around the second axis A2 , which leads to a rotation of the first axis Al around the second axis A2 . A rotation of the first drive shaft 50 results in a rotation of the connection plate 2 around the first axis Al . The Oldham coupling 31 compensates for the radial distance between the first axis Al and the second axis A2 .

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a multi-port rotary slide valve according to the invention, figure 6 shows a perspective explosion view of the multiport rotary slide valve of figure 5 , figure 7 shows a perspective sectional view of the multi-port rotary slide valve of figure 5 with a vertical sectional plane and figure 8 shows a perspective sectional view of the multiport rotary slide valve of figure 5 with a hori zontal sectional plane . In this embodiment , the port plate 1 is formed integrally in a single piece with the front plate 70 of the housing 7 . A second excentre mechanism 4 comprises a driven shaft 40 , an Oldham coupling 41 and an excentre plate 42 . The first drive 5 is operatively coupled to the connection plate 2 by means of the second excentre mechanism 4 , enabling the rotation of the connection plate 2 . The driven shaft 40 is formed integrally in a single piece with the first disc 410 of the Oldham coupling 41 . The driven shaft 40 comprises a pole 400 and a flange 401 . Grooves 403 are formed in a front surface 402 of the flange 401 . Correspondingly matching tongues 211 are provided at the back surface 21 of the connection plate 2 . A spring 405 is arranged in a central spring recess 404 in the front surface 402 of the flange 401 . The driven shaft 40 is rotatably mounted in the excentre plate 42 by means of a first pole bearing 406 and a second pole bearing 407 , wherein the first pole bearing 406 sits partially on the flange 401 of the driven shaft 40 and partially on the connection plate 2 and wherein the second pole bearing 407 sits on the pole 400 of the driven shaft 40 . The excentre plate 42 comprises a plate-shaped body 420 that comprises a shaft reception 421 at is one free end and that comprises a excentre reception 423 at its other free end . The shaft reception 421 is stepped and houses the first pole bearing 406 on a side facing away from the port plate 1 and houses the second pole bearing 407 on a side facing the port plate 1 . A pivot reception 422 is provided on a line connecting the centre of the shaft reception 421 and the centre of the excentre reception 423 . The pivot reception 422 is slotshaped and extends along said line . The excentre plate 42 is rotatably and slidably mounted to a back side of the front plate 70 of the housing 7 by means of a pivot pin 424 that can pivot and slide in the pivot reception 422 . An excentre shaft 425 is rotatably mounted in the excentre reception 423 with its one free end and is fixed to the second drive shaft 60 of the second drive 6 with its other free end . A rotation of the second drive shaft 60 results in a rotation of the shaft reception 421 around the second axis A2 , which leads to a rotation of the first axis Al around the second axis A2 . A rotation of the first drive shaft 50 results in a rotation of the connection plate 2 around the first axis Al . The Oldham coupling 41 compensates for the radial distance between the first axis Al and the second axis A2 .

Figure 9 shows a sectional view of third embodiment of a multi-port rotary slide valve according to the invention . This embodiment is based on the first embodiment and has an identical port plate 1 , connection plate 2 , driven shaft 30 and front plate 70 . In contrast to the first embodiment , the first drive 5 and the second drive 6 are arranged coaxially on the second axis A2 . A third excentre mechanism comprises a driven shaft 30 , an Oldham coupling 31 and a second excentre sleeve 33 . The second drive is operatively coupled to the connection plate 2 by means of the third excentre mechanism, enabling its rotation . The second excentre sleeve 33

The driven shaft 30 is rotatably mounted in the third excentre sleeve 33 by means of pole bearings 306 that are provided in a shaft reception 331 in a cylindrical body 330 of the third excentre sleeve 33 . The body 330 is rotationally symmetrical to the second axis A2 and the shaft reception 331 extends along the first axis Al that is parallel and of fset to the second axis A2 . The body 330 of the third excentre sleeve 33 is rotatably mounted in the front plate 70 of the housing 7 . On a side of the first excentre sleeve 33 opposite to the connection plate 2 , a flange 332 is provided that extends radially outwards beyond the Oldham coupling 31 . Parallel to the flange 332 , in the direction of the second axis A2 , a back disk 334 is provided next to the third disk 312 of the Oldham coupling 31 . The back disk 334 is fixed to the flange 332 by means of spacers 333 . A hollow second drive shaft 600 of the second drive 6 is arranged in a corresponding hollow shaft reception 335 in the back disk 334 . The hollow second drive shaft 600 is arranged coaxially with the first drive shaft 50 of the first drive 5 . The second drive 6 is fixed to the drive plate 72 of the housing 7 . The first drive 5 is coaxially fixed to the second drive 6 . The first drive shaft 50 extends through the second drive 6 , the hollow second drive shaft 600 and into the disc extension 313 of the third disc 312 of the Oldham coupling 31 . A rotation of the hollow second drive shaft 600 results in a rotation of the shaft reception 331 around the second axis A2 , which leads to a rotation of the first axis Al around the second axis A2 . A rotation of the first drive shaft 50 results in a rotation of the connection plate 2 around the first axis Al . The Oldham coupling 31 compensates for the radial distance between the first axis Al and the second axis A2 .

Figure 10 shows sketch of the mode of operation of all multi-port rotary slide valves according to the invention . Figure 10A shows an initial situation where the connection channel 200 connects the common port 100 with the first peripheral port 101 . The common port 100 is arranged centrally and its axis is collinear with the second axis A2 . The peripheral ports 101 ; 102 ; 103 are arranged on a circle with a radius R around the common port 100 . The length of the connection channel 200 corresponds to the radius R the diameters of the common port 100 and the peripheral ports 101 ; 102 ; 103 . The first axis Al is radially of fset to the second axis A2 and the proj ection of the first axis Al in a direction parallel to the first axis Al lies within the contour of the connection channel 200 .

Thus , the connection channel extends from one side of the proj ection of the first axis Al to a side opposite thereof , i . e . , from the proj ection of the second axis A2 , respectively the common port 100 to the first peripheral port 101 . Figure 10B shows the situation where the first axis Al has been rotated around the second axis A2 about an angle of 90 degrees , whilst the rotation of the connection channel 200 around the first axis Al has been prevented . Figure 10C shows the situation where the connection channel 200 has been rotated around the first axis Al about an angle of 90 degrees , whilst the rotation of the first axis Al around the second axis A2 has been prevented . Figure 10D shows the situation where the first axis Al has been rotated around the second axis A2 about an angle of 180 degrees , whilst the rotation of the connection channel 200 around the first axis Al has been prevented . With the above-described steps , the connection of the common port 100 to the first peripheral port 101 can be switched to a connection of the common port 100 with the third peripheral port 103 , whilst bypassing an intermediate connection between the common port 100 and the second peripheral port 102 . With the above-described principle , any number of intermediate peripheral ports can be bypassed when switching between two non-neighbouring peripheral ports . To bypass di f ferent peripheral ports , only di f ferent angles of rotation of the first axis Al around the second axis A2 and di f ferent angles of rotation of the connection channel 200 around the first axis Al are necessary .

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1 port plate 310 first disc

10 front surface 311 second disc

100 common port 312 third disc

101 first peripheral port 313 disc extension

102 second peripheral 314 fixation port 32 first excentre sleeve

103 third peripheral port 320 body

11 back surface 321 shaft reception

110 sealing groove / moat 322 gear reception

111 sealing ring 323 sleeve bearing

12 circumferential 324 driven gear surface 325 driving gear

2 connection plate 326 shaft extension

20 contact surface 33 second excentre

200 connection channel sleeve

21 back surface 330 body

210 groove 331 shaft reception

211 tongue 332 flange

3 first excentre 333 spacer mechanism 334 back disk

30 driven shaft 335 hollow shaft

300 pole reception

301 flange 4 second excentre

302 front surface mechanism

303 tongue 40 driven shaft

304 spring recess 400 pole

305 spring 401 flange

306 pole bearing 402 front surface

31 Oldham coupling 403 groove spring recess 425 excentre shaft spring 5 first drive f irst pole bearing 50 f irst drive shaft second pole bearing 6 second drive Oldham coupling 60 second drive shaft first disc 600 hollow second drive second disc shaft third disc 7 housing disc extension 70 front plate fixation 71 spacer excentre plate 72 drive plate body shaft reception Al first axis pivot reception A2 second axis excentre reception R radius pivot pin

Claims

1. Multi-port rotary slide valve, comprising a port plate (1) with a central common port (100) and at least three peripheral ports ( 101 ; 102 ; 103 ) , wherein all ports

( 100 ; 101 ; 102 ; 103 ) extending through the port plate (1) from a front surface (10) or a lateral or circumferential surface (12) to a back surface (11) , wherein openings of the peripheral ports ( 101 ; 102 ; 103 ) in the back surface (11) are arranged on a circle with a radius (R) around an opening of the common port (100) in the back surface (11) , further comprising a connection plate (2) , which lies with a contact surface (20) on the back surface (11) of the port plate (1) , which can be rotated around a first axis (Al) , perpendicular to the contact surface (20) and which comprises a connection channel (200) , wherein the connection channel (200) extends from one side of the intersection of the first axis (Al) with the contact surface (20) to a side opposite thereof and has a minimal length that corresponds to the radius (R) , further comprising a first drive (5) with which, the connection plate (2) can be rotated, characterized in that an excentre mechanism (3;4) with a second drive (6) is provided, with which, a relative movement between the port plate (1) and the connection plate (2) can be effected, perpendicular to the first axis (Al) .

2. The multi-port rotary slide valve according to claim

1, wherein the excentre mechanism (3; 4) is connected to the port plate (1) and wherein the connection plate (2) is fixed to a first drive shaft (50) of the first drive (5) , whereby an offset of the port plate (1) with respect to connection plate (2) and with respect to the first drive (5) can be effected, or wherein the excentre mechanism (3; 4) is connected to the connection plate (2) and wherein the port plate (1) is fixed to the first drive (5) , whereby an offset of the connection plate (2) with respect to the port plate (1) and with respect to the first drive (5) can be effected, or wherein the excentre mechanism (3; 4) is connected to the first drive (5) and wherein the connection plate (2) is fixed to the first drive shaft (50) of the first drive (5) , whereby an offset of the connection plate (2) with respect to the port plate (1) and with respect to the first drive (5) can be effected.

3. The multi-port rotary slide valve according to claim

2, wherein the excentre mechanism (3; 4) is connected to the connection plate (2) and wherein the connection plate (2) is connected to the first drive (5) via an Oldham coupling ( 31 ; 41 ) .

4. The multi-port rotary slide valve according to claim

3, wherein the Oldham coupling (31; 41) comprises a first disc (310;410) , a thereto adjacent second disc (311;411) and a thereto adjacent third disc (312;412) , wherein the first disc (310;410) is connected to the connection plate (2) by a driven shaft (30; 40) and wherein the third disc (312;412) is connected to the first drive (5) .

5. The multi-port rotary slide valve according to claim

4, wherein the first disc (410) and the driven shaft (40) are formed integrally in a single piece.

6. The multi-port rotary slide valve according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the connection plate (2) comprises a back surface (21) on a side opposite the contact surface (20) , wherein the driven shaft (30; 40) comprises a front surface (302;402) facing the back surface (21) of the connection plate (2) and wherein a tongue (303;403) and groove (210) connection is provided between the back surface (21) of the connection plate (2) and the front surface (302;402) of the driven shaft (30; 40) .

7. The multi-port rotary slide valve according to claim 6, wherein at least one tongue (303; 403) is formed in the driven shaft (30; 40) and an at least one corresponding groove (210) is formed in the connection plate (2) , or wherein at least one tongue is formed in the connection plate and an at least one corresponding groove is formed in the driven shaft.

8. The multi-port rotary slide valve according to claim 6 or 7, wherein a compression spring (305; 405) is provided in a central recess (304;404) in the front surface (302;402) of the driven shaft (30; 40) .

9. The multi-port rotary slide valve according to one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the third disc (312; 412) of the Oldham coupling (31; 41) is fixed on the first drive shaft (50) of the first drive (5) .

10. The multi-port rotary slide valve according to one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a housing (7) with a front plate (70) , at least one spacer (71) and a drive plate (72) , wherein the port plate (1) is fixed to the front plate (70) , wherein the first drive (5) is fixed to the drive plate (72) and wherein the drive plate (72) is fixed to the front plate (70) by the at least one spacer (71) .

11. The multi-port rotary slide valve according to claim

10, wherein the port plate (1) and the front plate (70) are formed integrally in a single piece.

12. The multi-port rotary slide valve according to claim 10 or 11, wherein a first excentre mechanism (3) comprises an excentre sleeve (32;33) , which is rotatably mounted in the housing (7) , wherein the excentre sleeve (32;33) comprises a cylindrical body (320; 330) with an axis collinear with the first axis (Al) and comprises a cylindrical shaft reception (321; 331) extending along a second axis (A2) , which is parallel and offset to the first axis (Al) , and wherein the driven shaft (30) of the first excentre mechanism (3) is rotatably mounted in the shaft reception (321;331) .

13. The multi-port rotary slide valve according to claim 12, wherein the first excentre mechanism (3) comprises a first excentre sleeve (32) , a driven gear (324) and a driving gear (325) engaging therein, wherein the driven gear (324) is fixed to the first excentre sleeve (32) and wherein the driving gear (325) is fixed to a second drive shaft (60) of the second drive (6) .

14. The multi-port rotary slide valve according to claim 12, wherein the first excentre mechanism (3) comprises a second excentre sleeve (33) with a hollow shaft reception (332) , wherein a hollow drive shaft (600) of the second drive (6) is fixed in the hollow shaft reception (332) , wherein the first drive (5) is fixed colinear to the second drive (6) and wherein the first drive shaft (50) of the first drive (5) extends through the hollow drive shaft (600) of the second drive (6) .

15. The multi-port rotary slide valve according to claim

10 or 11, wherein a second excentre mechanism (4) comprises an excentre plate (42) , which is pivotably and slidably mounted in the housing (7) , wherein the excentre plate (42) comprises a plate-shaped body (420) with a cylindrical shaft reception (421) extending parallel to the first axis (Al) , and wherein the driven shaft (40) of the second excentre mechanism (4) is rotatably mounted in the shaft reception (421) .

16. The multi-port rotary slide valve according to claim 15, wherein the second excentre mechanism (4) comprises a pivot pin (424) and an excentre shaft (425) , wherein the excentre plate (42) comprises a slot-shaped pivot reception (422) and a cylindrical excentre reception (423) , each of which extending parallel to the first axis (Al) , wherein the pivot pin (424) is fixed to the housing (7) and is mounted pivotably and slidably in the pivot reception

(422) , and wherein the excentre shaft (425) is fixed to the second drive shaft (60) of the second drive (6) and is mounted rotatably in the excentre reception (423) .

17. A method for operating the multi-port rotary slide valve according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: effecting a relative movement between the port plate

(1) and the connection plate (2) with the second drive

(6) , perpendicular to the first axis (Al) ; and effecting a rotation of the connection plate (2) around the first axis (Al) .

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the effecting of the rotation of the connection plate (2) and the effecting of the relative movement between the port plate (1) and the connection plate (2) is done simultaneously or sequentially.

19. The method according to claim 18, comprising the steps of: effecting a first relative movement between the port plate (1) and the connection plate (2) ; subsequently, effecting a rotation of the connection plate ( 2 ) ; and - subsequently, effecting a second relative movement between the port plate (1) and the connection plate

(2) .