Patent ID: 6213149
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: F16K,F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
A valve assembly for directing fluid flow therethrough comprising:a body having a generally-annular run portion which extends axially along a first axis from a first end opening configured to define a first fluid port of said valve assembly to a second end opening, and at least one generally-annular transverse portion which extends radially from said run portion intermediate said first and said second end opening along a second axis disposed generally perpendicular to said first axis to a third end opening configured to define a second fluid port of said valve assembly; anda generally cylindrical plug member extending coaxially with the run portion of said body along said first axis from a first end received internally within said body intermediate said first and said third end opening thereof to a second end extending externally beyond the body second end opening and configured to define a third fluid port of said valve assembly aligned coaxially with said first fluid port and adapted for connection with a distal tube end, said plug member being rotatable within said body about said first axis and the tube end when said tube end is connected to said third fluid port, and having a first fluid passageway formed therein coaxially with said first axis through said first and said second end which first fluid passageway defines with said first and said third fluid port a first fluid flow path through said valve assembly, and said plug member having at least one second fluid passageway formed therein along a third axis disposed generally perpendicular to said first axis which second fluid passageway communicates with said first fluid passageway and defines with said first fluid flow path and said second fluid port a second fluid flow path through said valve assembly, said second end of said plug member being hand-accessible for rotating said plug between a first angular position wherein said third axis of said second fluid passageway is aligned coaxially with said second axis of said body transverse portion to open said second fluid flow path, and a second angular position wherein said third axis is angularly displaced relative to said second axis to close said second fluid flow path.