Patent ID: 6755204
Filing Date: 2004-06-29
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A multi-way valve comprising:A) a reciprocation stepper that includes: i) a reciprocation member biased to a relaxed reciprocation state and reciprocable between the relaxed reciprocation state and an extended reciprocation state; and ii) an index member that can assume each of a sequence of at least three index positions through which reciprocation of the reciprocation member advances it; B) a two-way control valve operable between open and closed states thereof; and C) a manifold defining a manifold chamber to whose pressure the reciprocation member is so exposed as to tend to be urged thereby toward its extended reciprocation state, the manifold providing a plurality of ports, including a control port through which the control valve controls flow and at least one controlled port whose flow state the index position of the index member determines, that afford fluid communication with the manifold chamber and together assume, from a sequence of at least three different flow states, a flow state determined by the control valve's state and the index member's index position, whereby, when at least one port is so coupled to at least one source of pressurized fluid that the manifold-chamber pressure is great enough when the control valve is in one said open or closed state thereof, called its pressure-maintenance state, to hold the reciprocation member in its extended reciprocation state but is low enough when the control valve is in its other state, called its pressure-relief state, to permit the reciprocation member to assume its relaxed reciprocation state, the ports can be stepped through the sequence of at least three flow states by operating the control valve between its pressure-maintenance and pressure-relief states.