Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
V~LVE ~ 31~2~
The invention is a valve adapted to be fitted into a
fluid flow line, and more particularly, a valve that utilizes the
complementary engagement of a piston and cylinder for stopping or
diverting the flow in the ~low line.
Many of the valves commonly used for controlling
material flow have a number of interacting parts that are prone to
defects and require frequent maintenance. The type of material
flowing through a valve also has an effect on the life of the
valve; valves generally wear more rapidly when handling corrosive
or abrasive materials. Valve damage can result in leakage, which
may in turn result in environmental damage and/or contamination of
the flow material. These considerations suggest that an effective
valve should be constructed with as few interacting parts as
possible and that the area of the valve exposed to material flow
should be as small and as streamlined as possible. One type of
valve that meets these criteria is a valve formed from a pis-ton
and cylinder. In this type of valve the piston ccntains a
continuation passageway of the flow passageway in the flow
conduits connected to the cylinder, and the piston passageway is
switched out of alignment with the flow conduit passageways by
movement of the piston relative to the cylinder. Although
previous patents have hinted at the potential of piston and
cylinder valve arrangements, the devices disclosed in those
patents have not made full use of the concept.
United States Patent No. 1,594,052 discloses a cut-out
valve for a vehicle exhaust pipe, the valve being formed from a
supplementary pipe section which is slidable across a gap in the
exhaust pipe. There is no indication in the patent that the valve
might be used to block exhaust gas flow or to divert that flow
into another pipe, and no structure is disclosed which would allow
such diversion. United States Patent No. 3,620,256 discloses a
pipeline valve comprised of a housing and a piston-like body
slidable within the housing. Two flow paths extend through the
; piston-like body; one flow path is defined by a channel which
passes straight through the body and carries flow material from
one side of the housing to the other side, and the other flow path
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131~20
is defined by a curved surface for deflecting material toward an
open end of the housing. As with the earlier patent discussed,
United States Patent No. 3,620,256 does not disclose structure for
redirecting the diverted flow; in fact, the later patent does not
even provide a guiding passageway through the piston-like body. A
similar structure is disclosed in Canadian Patent No. 533,681,
granted to A. O. Riordan on November 27, 1956. United States
Patent No. 3,907,374 discloses a pneumatic tube conveyor switch
which is capable of directing material flowing in a tube between
two flow paths; one path is defined by a straight passageway
allowing continuous flow along the tube and the other path is
defined by a deflection surface which interrupts flow through the
tube. The switch of this reference has a slidable member but does
not have the piston and cylinder valve construction of the
previously-mentioned references, and no means is disclosed by
which diverted flow material can be channelled into a second flow
conduit.
In a first form, the subject invention is a valve that
comprises an elongated cylinder of constant cross-section, a
piston positioned within the cylinder, and a piston actuating
means for moving the piston between at least two operative
positions. The cylinder wall has first and second openings each
of which are adapted to be connected to a respective material flow
conduit. The piston is non-rotatable relative to the cylinder and
is reciprocally slidable in the cylinder between the at least two
operative positions. The cross-section of the piston on a plane
extending normal to the direction of slide matches the interior
cross-section of the cylinder on that p]ane. A first material
flow passageway, having a cross-sectional area substantially the
same as the inner cross-sectional area of each material flow
conduit, is positioned in the piston so as to be in flow
communication with the first and second cylinder wall openings in
a first one of the at least two operative positions and to not be
in such flow communication in a second one of the at least two
operative positions.
The cross-section of the piston on a plane extending
normal to the direction of slide, and the matching interior
cross-section of the cylinder, may be rectangular. The
rectangular cross-sec-tion may be defined by four sides of equal
length. The cross-section of the piston and cylinder may instead
be circular, and a transverse member may be fixed to the cylinder
to extend thereacross and a guide member may be non-rotatably
connected to the piston to extend through an opening in the
transverse member. In such arrangement, the cross-section of the
guide member and the cross-section of the opening in the
transverse member are such that the piston is substantially
prevented from rotating relative to the cylinder.
Each cylinder wall opening in valves with rectangular
cross-sectional cylinders may be positioned in a respective one of
a first parallel pair of the walls. In such arrangement, both
cylinder wall openings are in a plane extending normal to the
direction of slide, and the piston passageway extends parallel to
that plane. Alternatively, both cylinder wall openings may be in
a plane extending at an angle to the direction of slide, the
piston passageway extending parallel to that plane. The first
parallel pair of cylinder walls may have a sealant material
thereon for preventing flow of material along the sliding
surfaces. Alternatively, those surfaces of the piston adjacent to
the first parallel pair of cylinder walls may have a sealant
material thereon for preventing flow of material along the sliding
surfaces.
The flow passageway in the piston may be circular in
cross-section and define a cavity in an otherwise solid piston
Alternatively, the piston may be constructed of a series of
connected plates, and the flow passageway may be defined by the
surfaces of a portion of those plates.
The cylinder wall may have a third opening adapted to be
connected to a material flow conduit, and in such arrangement the
piston has a second material flow passageway extending
therethrough. The second passageway is positioned in the piston
; so as to be in flow communication with the third opening and with
one of the first and second openings when the piston is in the
second operative position. Alternatively, the second passageway
may be positioned in the piston such that the second passageway is
in flow communication with the third opening and with one of the
first and second openings when the piston i5 in the third
2 ~
operative position; in such arrangement, the first an~ second
passageways have no flow through them when the piston is in the
second operative position.
In a further form of the invention, the piston has a
second material flow passageway extending therethrough. The
second passageway is positioned in the piston such that one end of
the second passageway is on the face of the piston that slides
against the cylinder wall, and the other end of the second
passageway is on an end face of the piston. In this arrangement,
the second passageway is in flow communication with one of the
first and second openings when the piston is in the second
operative position. The cylinder may have a cylinder end member
extending across that end of the cylinder that faces the end face
of the piston on which is the other end of the second passageway.
The cylinder end member may have an opening adapted to be
connected to a material flow conduit. The cylinder end member may
have the shape of a funnel, the large end of the funnel being
connected to the cylinder wall and the small end of the funnel
being adapted to be connected to a material flow conduit.
The movement of the piston in the cylinder may be
limited by first and second stop means on the cylinder, and in
such arrangement the first and second operative positions are
defined by abutment of the piston against the first and second
stop means respectively. The first stop means may comprise a
cylinder end member assembly positioned at one end of the
cylinder. The piston actuating means may include a bias means to
~maintain the piston normally in the second operative position. In
one arrangement, the bias means may be a spring member having one
of its ends abutting on the pis~on and the other of its ends
abutting on the cylinder end member assembly. In this
arrangement, the piston actuating means comprises a lever member
and a rod member. The lever member is pivotally mounted on the
cylinder end member assembly, and the rod member connects the
piston to one end of the lever member. Manual pressure on the
other end of the lever member acts to move the piston against the
spring member from the second operative position to the first
operative position.
The piston actuatiny means may comprise a threaded rod
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~ 3 ~ n
member and a wheel member. The rod member is connected to the
piston, and the wheel member is mounted on the cylinder end member
assembly. Rotation of the wheel member results in movement of the
piston between the first and second operative posi-tions.
~lternatively, the piston actuating means may comprise a hydraulic
actuator means. One end of the hydraulic actuator means is
connected through a rod member to the piston, and the other end of
the actuator means is connected to the cylinder. Actuation of the
hydraulic actuator means results in movement of the piston between
the first and second operative positions.
The valve of the invention may also comprise a pair of
material flow conduits each connected to a respective one of the
first and second openings in the cylinder wall. One of the
conduits extends to the valve from the base of a body of water
positioned at an elevation above that of the valve, and the other
conduit extends to the valve from a turbine means positioned at an
elevation below that of the valve.
In a further broad form of the invention, the valve
comprises an elongated cylinder of constant cross-section, a
piston positioned within the cylinder, and piston actuating means
for moving the piston between the at least two operative
positions. The cylinder of the valve has a cylinder end member
extending across one of its ends, and the cylinder wall and
cylinder end member each have an opening adapted to be connected
to a respective material flow conduit. The piston is
non-rotatable relative to the cylinder and is reciprocally
slidable in the cylinder between at least two operative positions.
The cross-section of the piston on a plane extending normal to the
direction of slide matches the interior cross-section of the
cylinder on that plane. The piston has at least one material flow
passageway extending through it, that passageway having a
cross-section substantially the same as the inner cross-section of
each material flow conduit. One end of the passageway is on that
face of the piston that slides against the cylinder wall and the
other end of the passageway is on that end face of the piston
facing the cylinder end member. The passageway is in flow
communication with both the opening in the cylinder wall and the
opening in the cylinder end member when the piston is in a first
_5_
:~ 3 ~ 2 (~
operative positlon and is no~ in such flow communication when the
piston is in a second opera~ive posi tion.
Another form of the invention is a ring assembly for
preventing flow of material along the sliding surface between a
cylindrical piston and the cylinder through which the piston
slides. That ring assembly has a cylindrical configuration and is
adapted to be fitted to the cylindrical surface of the piston.
The assembly comprises a series of open rings adapted to be fitted
into circular grooves on the piston circumference, and also
comprises a series of elongated brace members connected to the
open rings so as to extend in an axial direction on the piston
when the ring assembly is fitted to the piston.
The invention will next be described in terms of several
preferred embodiments utilizing the accompanying drawings, in
which:
Figure 1 is a sectioned side view o a first embodiment
of a stop valve of the subject invention, the valve being shown in
the open configuration.
Figure 2 is a sectioned side view of the stop valve of
Figure 1, the valve being shown in the closed con',iguration.
Figure 3 is a first sectioned plan view of the stop
valve of Figures 1 and 2, the plan view being for a valve with a
cylinder of rectangular cross-section and being taken on the
section A-A of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a second sectioned plan view of the stop
valve of Figures 1 and 2, the plan view being for a valve with a
cylinder of circular cross-section and being takerl on the section
A-A of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a sectioned side view of a second embodiment
of a stop valve of the subject invention, the valve being shown in
the open configuration.
Figure 6 is a sectioned side view of the stop valve of
Figure 5, the valve being shown in the closed configuration.
Figure 7 is a sectioned plan view of the stop valve of
Figures 5 and 6, the plan view being for a valve wit'n a cylinder
of rectangular cross-section and being taken on the section B-B of
Figure 5.
Figure 8 is a sectioned side view of a third embodiment
~ .... : " , ~
~ ~3~3~
of a stop valve of the subject invention, the valve being shown in
the open configuration.
Figure 9 is a sectioned side view of the stop valve of
Figure 8, the valve being shown in the closed configuration.
Figure 10 is a sectioned plan view of the stop valve of
Figures 8 and 9, the plan view being for a valve with a cylinder
of rectangular cross-section and being taken on the section C-C of
Figure 8.
Figure 11 is a sectioned side view of a first embodiment
o a diversion valve of the subject invention, the valve being
shown directing flow from a common inlet to a first outlet.
Figure 12 is a sectioned side view of khe diversion
valve of Figure 11, the valve being shown directing flow from the
common inlet to a second outlet.
Figure 13 is a sectioned plan view of the diversion
valve of Figures 11 and 12, the plan view being for a valve with a
cylinder of rectangular cross-section and being taken on the
section D-D of Figure 12.
Figure 14 is a sectioned side view of a second
embodiment of a diversion valve of the subject invention, the
valve being shown directing flow from a common inlet to a first
outlet.
Figure 15 is a sectioned side view of the diversion
valve of Figure 14, the valve being shown directing flow from the
common inlet to a second outlet.
Figure 16 is a sectioned plan view of the diversion
valve of Figures 14 and 15, the plan view being for a valve with a
cylinder of rectangular cross-section and being taken on the
section E-E of Figure 14.
Figure 17 is a sectioned side view of a third embodiment
of a diversion valve of the subject invention, the valve being
shown directing flow from a common inlet to a first outlet.
Figure 18 is a sectioned side view of the diversion
valve of Figure 17, the valve being shown directing flow from the
common inlet to a second outlet.
Figure 19 is a first sectioned plan view oE the
diversion valve of Figures 17 and 18, the plan view being for a
valve with a cylinder of rectangular cross-section and being taken
~3~2~
on the section F-F of Figure 17.
Figure 20 is a second sectioned plan view of the
diversion valve of Figures 17 and 18, the plan view being for a
valve with a cylinder of circular cross-section and being taken on
the section F-F of Figure 17.
Figure 21 is a sectioned side view of a fourth
embodiment of a diversion valve of the subject invention, the
valve being shown directing flow from a common inlet to a first
outlet.
Figure 22 is a sectioned side view of the diversion
valve of Figure 21, the valve being shown directing flow from the
common inlet to a second outlet.
Figure 23 is a sectioned plan view of the diversion
valve of Figures 21 and 22, the plan view being for a valve with a
cylinder of rectangular cross-section and being taken on the
section G-G of Figure 22.
Figure 24 is a sectioned side view of a fifth embodiment
of a diversion valve of the subject invention, the valve being
shown directing flow from a first inlet to a comman outlet.
Figure 25 is a sectioned side view of the diversion
valve of Figure 24, the valve being shown directing flow from a
second inlet to the common outlet.
Figure 26 is a sectioned plan view of the diversion
valve of Figures 24 and 25, the plan view being for a valve with a
cylinder of rectangular cross-section and being taken on the
section H-H of Figure 24.
Figure 27 is a sectioned side view of a sixth embodiment
of a diversion valve of the subject invention, the valve being
shown directing flow from a first inlet to a common outlet.
Figure 28 is a sectioned side view of the diversion
valve of Figure 27, the valve being shown directing flow from a
second inlet to the common outlet.
Figure 29 is a sectioned plan view of the diversion
valve of Figures 27 and 28, the plan view being for a valve ~ith a
3S cylinder of rectangular cross-section and being taken on the
section J-J of Figure 27.
Figure 30 is a sectioned side view of a safety valve of
the subject invention, the valve being shown in the open
~3~ 2~
configuration.
Figure 31 is a sectioned side view of the safety valve
of Figure 30, the valve being shown in the closed configuration.
Figure 32 is a sectioned plan view of the safety valve
of Figures 30 and 31, the plan view being for a valve with a
cylinder of rectangular cross-section and being taken on the
section K-K of Figure 30.
Figure 33 is a sectioned plan view of the safety valve
of Figures 30 and 31, the plan view being for a valve with a
cylinder of circular cross-section and being taken on the section
K-K of Figure 30.
Figure 34 is a partially-sectioned perspective view of
the first embodiment of the diversion valve also shown in Figures
ll, 12 and 13.
Figure 35 is a perspective view of an e~bodiment of a
diversion valve having a hydraulic actuating mechanism for moving
the valve piston between operative positions.
Figure 3~ is a perspective view of another embodiment of
a diversion valve having a hydraulic actuating mechanism for
moving the valve piston between operative positions.
Figure 37 is a partially-sectioned perspective view of
an embodiment of a diversion valve having two angled inlets and a
circular cross-section.
Figure 38 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
diversion valve having a threaded piston rod and a wheel for
moving the valve piston between operative positions.
Figure 39 is a partially-sectioned side view of an
embodiment of a stop valve having a ring assembly secured to the
piston for preventing flow of material between the piston and the
cylinder, the valve being shown in the open configuration.
Figure 40 is a partially-sectioned side view of the stop
valve of Figure 39, the valve being shown in the closed
configuration.
Figure 41 is a perspective view of the ring assembly
utilized with the valve of Figures 39 and 40.
Figure 42 is a side view of the piston utilized with the
valve of Figures 39 and 40, the view being directed along the axis
of the passageway through the piston.
~3~ 6~?~
Figure 43 is a side view of the piston utilized with the
valve of Figures 39 and 40, the view bein~ directed parallel to
the axis of the passageway through the piston.
Figure 44 is a perspective view of a cylindrical piston
having a first type of sealant ~aterial on its sliding surface.
Figure ~5 is a perspective view of a cylindrical piston
having a second type of sealant material on its sliding surface.
Figure 46 is a side view of the sealant material
utilized on the sliding surface of the piston of Figure 45.
Figure 47 is a front view of the sealant material
utilized on the sliding surface of the piston of Figure 45.
Figure 48 is a sectioned side view of a turbine system
utilizing an embodiment of the stop valve of`the subject
invention.
Figure 49 is a sectioned end view of the turbine system
of Figure 48.
With reference to Figures 1 to 3, the stop valve
generally designated 100 is formed from a rectangular cylinder 101
and a piston 102. Piston 102 has an outer cross-sectional area
corresponding to the inner cross-sectional area of cylinder 101.
A cylindrical connector 103 extends from an opposite pair of sides
of cylinder 101. A passageway 104 e~tends through each connector
103, and a passageway 105 of the same size extends through piston
102. Diston 102 may assume two operative positions, one position
in which the passageways 104 are in alignment with the passageway
105, as shown in Figure 1, and another position in which there
exists no contact between the passageways, as shown in Figure 2.
A partially-open valve, in which the passageways 10~ are in
partial but not full alignment with the passageway 105, is also
possible. Piston 102 is moved by the actuation of a connected rod
106, which in turn is connected to a hydraulic or other type of
actuating mechanism as will subsequently be more ~ully described.
Rod 106 extends through one of a pair of integral end members of
cylinder 101, those end members defining the limits of travel of
piston 102 within cylinder 101. Although Figure 3 indicates that
the cross-sectional area of cylinder 101 and piston 102 is
rectangular, those elements could have any cross-sectional shape
that would prevent relative rotation between them. Those elements
--10--
~ 3 ~
could also have a circu]ar cross-section, as will be next
discussed.
Figure 4 illustrates a sectional plan view of the same
type o~ stop valve as in Figures l to 3, but with a piston 107 and
cylinder 108 of circular cross-sectional area. Unlike the
aforementioned rectangular construction, this circular
construction does not have any intrinsic means for preventing
rotation of the piston relative to the cylinder. One way for
preventing relative rotation between the piston and the cylinder
will be described subsequently with respect to the safety valve of
Figures 30, 31 and 33.
Figures 5 to 7 relate to a second embodiment of the stop
valve, the valve being generally designated 110. In the first
embodiment of the valve the flow passageways extend in a plane
oriented normal to the direction of piston motion, whereas the
flow passageways of the second embodiment extend at an angle to
that plane. Figure 7 indicates that piston 111 and cylinder 112
have a rectangular cross-sectional area; those elements might
instead have any other matching cross-sectional areas, including
circular areas.
Figures 8 to 10 relate to a third embodiment of the stop
valve, the valve being generally designated 115. Unlike the first
and second embodiments in which piston passageways 105 and 113,
respectively, are defined by cavities formed in an otherwise solid
piston, piston 116 of the third embodiment is formed from a series
of connected plates.
Figures 11 to 13 relate to a first embodiment of the
diverter valve of the invention, that valve being generally
designated 120. Unlike the previously mentioned stop valves, the
piston 121 moves between two positions both of which allow flow of
material through inlet connector 122. When piston 121 assumes the
position relative to cylinder 123 that is shown in Figure 11,
material flows through passageway 124 in inlet connector 122, then
through passageway 125 in piston 121, and leaves the valve through
passageway 126 in outlet connector 127. When piston 121 assumes
the alternate position shown in Figure 12, material flows through
passageway 124 in inlet connector 122, then through second
passageway 128 in piston 121, and leaves the valve through an
~3~2~
opening 129 in the base 130 of valve 120. Opening 129 is bevelled
so as to act as a funnel in feeding material flow into an outlet
conduit (not shown) which is connected to base 130. The piston
121 is formed from connected plates in an analogous manner to
piston 116 of the preceding stop valve embodiment.
Figures 14 to 16 illustrate a second embodiment of the
diverter valve of the invention, the valve being generally
designated 135. The piston 136 of valve 135 has two flow
passageways, a straight passageway 137 and an arcuate second
passageway 138. Unlike with the construction of piston 121 of
Figures 11 to 13, the passageways 137 and 138 are formed by
cavities in an otherwise solid piston 136. Figures 14 and lS
illustrate the two paths that may be taken by the material flow.
The flow in Figure 14, with piston 136 in a first position in
cylinder 139, is through passageway 140 of inlet connector 141,
then through passageway 137 of piston 136, and finally through
passageway 142 of ou~let connector 143. The flow in Figure lS,
with piston 136 in a second position in cylinder 139, is through
passageway 140 of inlet connector 141, then through passageway 138
of piston 136, and finally through passageway 144 of outlet
connector 145. As was the case with the previously discussed
embodiments of this invention, the two operative piston positions
in this embodiment are defined by the abutment of the piston
against an end member on each end of cylinder 139. Outlet
connector 145 is attached to one of those end members, while
piston rod 146 extends through the other end member.
Figures 17 to 19 represent a similar va]ve construction
to that presented with respect to Figures 14 to 16, except that
` connectors 150 and 151 are attached to cylinder 152 at an angle
relative to the plane that extends normal to the direction of
slide of piston 153. Figure 20 is a sectioned plan view of a
similar valve except that cylinder 155 and piston 156 have a
matching circular cross-section. One means by which relative
rotation between that piston and cylinder may be prevented will be
discussed with respect to the safety valve of Figures 30, 31 and
33.
A further embodiment of the diverter valve of the
invention is illustrated in Figures 21 to 23. The valve, which is
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~3~ ~2~
generally designated as 160, has one inlet connector 161 and two
outlet connectors 162 and 163 attached to cylinder 164. The
piston 165 has two flow passageways, one straight and the other
arcuate. Straight passageway 166 connects the passageway 168 in
inlet connector 161 to the passageway 169 in outlet connector 162,
and arcuate passageway 167 connects -the passageway 168 to the
passageway 170 in outlet connector 163. The spacing and shape
used in forming the passageways 166 and 167 in the otherwise solid
piston 165 create the diversion of the flow material.
Figures 24 to 26 illustrate a diverter valve, generally
designated as 175, having a pair of inlet connectors 176 and 177
extending from a cylinder 178. Inlet connectors 176 and 177 are
positioned on cylinder 178 so as to be in-line with the direction
of slide of piston 179. The cylinder 178 is closed at its ends by
a pair of integral end members; an outlet connector 180 is fixed
to one end member and a piston rod 181 extends through the other
end member. Depending on its position in cylinder 178, piston 179
allows flow communication between connector 180 and either
connector 176 or connector 177; although the latt~r two connectors
have been referred to as inlet connectors, flow through the valve
could of course be in the opposite direction~
A diverter valve that functions in a similar manner to
the valve of Figures 24 to 26 but is constructed with a piston
formed Erom connected plates is generally designated 185 in
Figures 27 to 29. Relative to cylinder 186, piston 187 can assume
either of the two positions that are illustrated in Figures 27 and
28. In Figure 27 piston 187 allows flow communication between a
connector 188 and an opening in a base plate 190, while the
position of piston 187 in Figure 28 allows flow connection between
a second connector 189 and the opening in base plate 190.
Figures 30 to 33 illustrate a safety valve, generally
designated 200, which embodies the stop valve of the subject
invention. Valve 200, which is shown in an open position in
Figure 30 and in a normally-closed position in Figure 31, is
comprised of a cylinder 201, a piston 202, a first connector 203
and a second connector 204 both of which are fixed to cylinder
201, a stop plate 205, and a cylinder head member 206. Stop plate
205 and cylinder head member 206 are bolted to cylinder 201 by a
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~31~2~
series of bolts 207. Valve 200 is also comprised of a lever
support arm 208 connected to head member 206, a lever arm 209
pivotally connected to support arm 208, a piston rod 210 having
its one end connected to piston 202 and its other end pivotally
connected to one end of lever arm 209, a hollow bushing 211
threaded into head member 206 for guiding piston rod 210, and a
spring 212 positioned so as to surround piston rod 210 and having
its one end abutting piston 202 and its other end abutting bushing
211. Piston rod 210 and spring 212 extend through an opening in
stop plate 205. A cap 213 is fitted over cylinder head member 206
and has an opening through which lever arm 209 extends; the
pivotal connection between lever arm 209 and piston rod 210 is
situated within cap 213. In its normal position spring 212
maintains piston 202 in the position shown in Figure 31, but
application of force to the other end of lever arm 209 compresses
spring 212 and moves piston 202 to the position illustrated in
Figure 30.
Figure 32 is a cross-sectional view through the section
K-K of Figure 30. Relative rotation between cylinder 201 and
piston 202 is prevented by matching the rectangular cross-section
of the inside of cylinder 201 with the outside of piston 202. If
the piston and cylinder have a circular cross-section, as
` illustrated by the circular piston 215 and circular cylinder 216
in Figure 33, then relative rotation between those elements must
be prevented by other means. For instance, if piston rod 210 is
fixed to piston 215 in such a way that relative rotation between
them is not possible, then relative rotation between piston 215
and cylinder 216 is prevented by the fixing of lever arm 209 to
support arm 208. Relative rotation between piston 215 and
cylinder 216 could also be prevented by the utilization of a
spline on piston rod 210 and a complementary spllne channel on the
bore through bushing 211; that assumes that relative rotation
between piston rod 210 and piston 215 is prevented. Another means
for preventing relative rotation between circular piston 215 and
circular cylinder 216 is to utilize a spline on piston 215 and a
complementary spline channel on the facing surface of cylinder
216.
Figure 34 is a sectioned, perspective view of the
~3~2~
diverter valve shown in cross-section in Figures 11 to 13 and
previously discussed. Figure 35 illustrates a valve, generally
designated 220~ and one means by which a piston rod 221 connected
to the valve piston (not shown) may be actuated. ~ pair of
hydraulic or pneumatic piston units 222 are utilized, one piston
unit 222 being positioned on each side of piston rod 221 and being
connected to rod 221 by a common arm 223. Connectors 224 and 225,
each of which have a rectangular cross-section, are fixed to the
cylinder 226 of valve 22~ at an angle relative to the plane that
extends normal to the direction of slide of piston rod 221.
Figure 36 is a valve similar to the valve of Figure 35, except
that the connectors 228 and 229 have a circular cross-section and
are fixed to the cylinder 230 so as to extend in the plane that is
normal to the direction of slide of piston rod 221.
Figure 37 illustrates a diverter valve, generally
designated as 235, which can be used to selectively divert the
contents of either pipe 236 or 237 to pipe 238. A piston rod 239
is connected to the piston 240, and an actuation button 241 is
positioned on the outer end of rod 239. Movement of piston 240
results from the application of force to button 241. Figure 38
indicates another means for moving a piston rod, and thus the
piston attached to that rod. A valve generally designated 244 has
a threaded piston rod 245. A wheel 246 with an inner thread
matching that on rod 245 is rotatably mounted on one end of
cylinder 247. Rotation of wheel 246 results in rod 245, and thus
the piston (not shown) of valve 244, moving axial]y through
cylinder 247.
Figures 39 to 43 relate to utilization of a ring
assembly in the valve of the invention. The ring assembly is
generally designated as 250 in Figure 41, and is comprised of a
set of three open rings 251 and a set of four elongated brace
members 252 connecting the rings 251 in the illustrated
cylindrical configuration. Three circular grooves extend around
the periphery of piston 253 for maintaining ring assembly 250 in
position on that piston. As seen in Figures 42 and 43, the three
rings 251 and four brace members 252 define eight rectangular
frames on the circumference of piston 253. The rings 251 and
brace members 252 are sized such that the rectangular frames act
~15-
j ~. I
~ 3 ~ 2 ~
to prevent material flow along the surface of piston 253. Such
material flow is prevented both at times when the passageway 254
of piston 253 is in flow communication with input connector 255
and output connector 256, and at times when passageway 254 is not
in such flow communication (as shown in Figures 39 and 40,
respectively).
Other means for preventing material flow along the
sliding surface between a piston and a cylinder are illustrated in
Figures 44 to 47. In Figure 44 piston 260 is surrounded by a
10 sealant material 261 of uniform thickness, while in Figure 45
piston 260 is surrounded by a sealant material 262 having a
surface defined by hemispherical nodules. The composition of the
sealant materials 261 and 262 are such that they are inert to the
flow material. Figures 46 and 47 illustrate an end view and a
front view of the sealant material 262, respectively.
Figures ~8 and 49 illustrate an application for a large
version of a stop valve of the invention. The valve, which is
generally designated 270, is positioned below a body of water 271
and above a pipe 272. The pipe 272 extends from valve 270 to a
20 turbine 273. When valve 270 is open, water flows from the body of
water 271 through pipe 272 to drive turbine 273. Valve 270
comprises a piston 275 formed from concrete and mounted on a
double set of rollers 276 each roller set riding in a track 277.
Piston 275 moves within a concrete chamber 278 positioned in the
25 floor of the body of water 271. In one position of piston 275, a
passageway 279 in that piston is aligned with a drain opening 280
in chamber 278 and with the channel in pipe 272; in another
position of piston 275, the placement of passageway 279 prevents
flow through pipe 272. Piston 275 has a layer of teflon sealant
281 fixed to its surface for preventing water from flowing along
the face of the piston. Movement of piston 275 is accomplished by
actuation of an hydraulic actuator 282 which is connected to
piston 275 through a beam 283.
The foregoing embodiments are only a few of the many
embodiments in which the subject invention could be utilized, and
it is not intended that the scope of the invention should be
restricted to the particular structure described in those
embodiments.
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