Patent ID: 11898644
Assignee: nan
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F  E | IPC E  F

Claim 0:
1. A diverter valve comprising:
a valve body;
an inlet;
a plurality of outlets;
an internal cavity to which the inlet and the outlets are connected; and
a valve member which is movably positioned in the cavity, the valve member comprising a through bore which is configured to connect the inlet with a corresponding one of the outlets for each of a plurality of operative positions of the valve member;
whereby in operation of the diverter valve, the valve member is movable between its operative positions to selectively connect the inlet with any one of the outlets;
wherein the through bore comprises a first end which is connected to the inlet and a second end which is connectable to a respective outlet for each operative position of the valve member;
wherein the valve member is rotatably supported in the cavity about an axis of rotation which is coaxial with the inlet;
wherein the valve member comprises a spherical portion and the through bore comprises an inlet branch which extends through the valve member coaxially with the inlet and an outlet branch which extends through the spherical portion from the inlet branch;
wherein the valve member is supported in the cavity between first and second retainer members which are secured to the valve body on axially opposite ends of the valve member, wherein the inlet extends through the first retainer member, and wherein the valve member is connected to a valve stem which extends through the second retainer member; and
wherein the first retainer member is positioned in a first bore which extends through an outer surface of the valve body coaxially with the inlet, and wherein the first retainer member is removable through the first bore to thereby provide access to the valve member.