Patent ID: 6240946
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: C10B,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A valve for directing incoming fluid to a selected one of a plurality of outlets, the valve comprising:a valve body including a body inlet port and a plurality of body outlet ports, the valve body defining a valve seat thereon integral with the valve body and spaced circumferentially about each of the plurality of body outlet ports;a ball member moveable within the valve body for diverting fluid to a selective one of the plurality of body outlet ports, the ball member having a ball inlet continually in fluid communication with the body inlet port and a ball outlet for selected fluid communication with one or more of the plurality of body outlet ports;a valve stem rotatable with respect to the valve body for rotating the ball member within the valve body, the valve stem being opposite the inlet port with respect to a center of the ball member; anda biasing member adjacent the body inlet port and exerting a biasing force on the ball member for maintaining sealing engagement with the valve seat regardless of selected outlet port from the plurality of body outlet ports.