Patent ID: 7544293
Filing Date: 2009-06-09
Classification: B01D,F16K,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A multi-port rotary valve assembly having structurally aligned components for simultaneously directing a plurality of liquid flows comprising a rotatable first plate having a plurality of partially threaded bores arranged in two concentric arrays of equal number, the number of bores in each said array being equal to the number of potential liquid flows a rigid plate composed of a fluorocarbon polymer having an inner and an outer surface, joined immovably at its inner surface to the side of the first plate opposite of said threads, said rigid plate being lapped on its outer surface to a flatness tolerance of not greater than 15 microns, and said rigid plate further having bores in corresponding spatially registered alignment to the bores of the first plate a stationary interfacing plate comprising an inner and an outer surface having bores partially threaded from the outer surface and disposed in registered alignment common to the bores of the first said plate and said joined rigid plate, said interfacing plate bearing on its inner surface a pair of continuous recesses providing cavities extending concentrically around the plate adapted to receive in said cavities a gasket, the area of resistance provided circumferentially by the size and shape of said recess perpendicular sides resistant to forward movement of rotation being sufficient to withstand deformation or displacement of such gasket, wherein the inner and outer array bores are centered in each corresponding recess; and a fabric entrained gasket material accommodated to the size and shape of said recesses, the thickness of the gasket being greater than the depth of said recess cavities, whereby to form a sealing engagement between the gasket and said rigid plate when the first plate and joined rigid plate are rotated against said stationary interfacing plate gasket under sealing pressure applied to the aligned valve assembly components; and means to apply uniform pressure across said plates so as to attain a hydraulic seal.