Patent ID: 6098661
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A valve for redirecting fluid flow comprisinga valve chamber supporting fluid flow, the valve chamber having an inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet,a flap support,a flap element having a first and a second end, with the first end attached to the flap support and the second end extending at least partially through the valve chamber, the flap element being movable to alternatively block the first outlet and the second outlet,opposing first and a second catch mechanisms for controllably latching the flap element to block respectively the first outlet and the second outlet, with the first and second catch mechanisms having a disabled state for releasing the flap element and an activated state holding the flap element, andan impulse mechanism for kicking the flap element into the valve chamber away from one of the first and second catch mechanisms after one of the first and second catch mechanisms is controllably brought into the disabled state, allowing fluid flow to bring the flap element into catchment range of one of the first and second catch mechanisms in its activated state.