Patent ID: 8322372
Filing Date: 2012-12-04
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A fluid flow control apparatus for effecting fluid communication between ports of a device; said device comprising: a tubular casing having apertures therein comprising a first port located in a wall thereof; a moveable device mounted for reciprocation within said casing and configured to the interior shape of said casing, said moveable device having a sealing edge thereon and reciprocatable between a first and second position, and at least one port therein for registry with said first port when said moveable device is in said second position; at least a second port in said casing to permit fluid communication against at least one operative terminal end of said moveable device; an actuator for effecting reciprocation of said moveable device between said first position and said second position so that when said moveable device is in said first position fluid communication between said first and second ports is inhibited and when in said second position fluid communication between said ports is allowed; Incremental pressure drop passages for allowing incremental flow of fluid between said first and second ports as said moveable device is moving between at least said first and second positions to decrease the pressure differential generated force exerted on said moveable device whereby the energy applied to the actuator for moving the device between the first and second positions may be decreased; and wherein the pressure drop passages include at least one groove located in the movable device in a radial plane perpendicular to the central axis of the movable device and being offset from a terminal end of the movable device.