Patent ID: 6119726
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for effecting transfer of fluid from any one of a plurality of fluid sources to a single fluid outlet, comprising:a valve head having (i) a bore longitudinally extending therethrough, (ii) a plurality of radially extending fluid channels, each channel having an inlet in fluid communication with a corresponding fluid source and an outlet in communication with the bore, and (iii) a valve head fluid outlet in communication with the bore;a valve stem movably disposed within the bore of the valve head, the valve stem having an axially extending fluid channel that has a fluid outlet in communication with the valve head fluid outlet and a fluid inlet; anda valve control system for effecting rotation and axial displacement of the valve stem so as to effect fluid communication between the valve stem fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of any one of the radially extending fluid channels, the valve control system being configured to (i) retract the valve stem to terminate fluid communication between the valve stem fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of one of the radially extending fluid channels, (ii) rotate the valve stem so that the valve stem fluid inlet is aligned with a fluid outlet of a particular radially extending fluid channel, and (iii) axially displacing the valve stem so as to effect fluid communication between the valve stem fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the particular radially extending fluid channel.