Patent ID: 9739382
Date: 2017-08-22
CPC Classifications: F04B,F16K,Y10T

Claim:
1. A fluid distribution valve, comprising: a valve housing defining a fluid distribution chamber, the valve housing including a top wall connected to a side wall; a valve head movably arranged in said fluid distribution chamber, the valve head being connected to a valve stem; a plurality of first fluid ports defined by a plurality of first channels through the side wall of the valve housing, the plurality of first fluid ports being configured to fluidly connect a low-pressure fluid reservoir or a high-pressure fluid manifold to the fluid distribution chamber; a plurality of second fluid ports defined by a plurality of second channels through the side wall of the valve housing, the plurality of second fluid ports being configured to fluidly connect a low-pressure fluid reservoir or a high-pressure fluid manifold to the fluid distribution chamber; and a third fluid port configured to fluidly connect a pumping cavity to the fluid distribution chamber; wherein the top wall of the valve housing is positioned opposite the third fluid port and the side wall of the valve housing is positioned circumferentially about the valve stem; wherein the plurality of first channels and the plurality of second channels are alternatingly disposed around a circumference of the fluid distribution valve; wherein each of the first fluid ports, the second fluid ports and the third fluid port is connected to the fluid distribution chamber; wherein said second fluid ports are configured to be selectively connected to said first fluid ports and/or said third fluid port through said distribution chamber; and wherein said valve head is movable between a first position and a second position; wherein said third fluid port is fluidly connected to said first fluid ports when said valve head is in said first position; wherein said third fluid port is fluidly connected to said first fluid ports and said second fluid ports when said valve head is in said second position; wherein said third fluid port's connection to the distribution chamber is not arranged between said first fluid ports' connections to the distribution chamber and said second fluid ports' connection to the distribution chamber; and wherein said third fluid port is fluidly connected to said distribution chamber independent of the current state of the fluid distribution valve.