Patent ID: 6581622
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: F15B,G05D,Y10T

Abstract:
A divider-combiner valve comprising:a valve body including a spool bore having a central portion and first and second end portions, a first port disposed in communication with the first end portion of the spool bore, a second port disposed in communication with the second end portion of the spool bore, and a third port disposed in communication with the central portion of the spool bore; a spool slidably received in the spool bore and being movable between the first and second end portions of the spool bore; the spool having first and second end sections, a central section, and an axial bore that extends through the spool; the spool further including a central hole formed in the central section of the spool and disposed to provide communication between the third port of the valve body and the axial bore of the spool, a first combiner hole formed in the spool adjacent the central section of the spool and disposed to provide communication between the first port of the valve body and the axial bore of the spool through the first end portion of the spool bore, a second combiner hole formed in the spool adjacent the central section of the spool and disposed to provide communication between the second port of the valve body and the axial bore of the spool through the second end portion of the spool bore, a first divider hole formed in the spool adjacent the first end section of the spool and disposed to provide communication between the first port of the valve body and the axial bore of the spool, and a second divider hole formed in the spool adjacent the second end section of the spool and disposed to provide communication between the second port of the valve body and the axial bore of the spool; a first orifice disposed in the axial bore of the spool between the central hole and the first end section of the spool; a second orifice disposed in the axial bore of the spool between the central hole and the second end section of the spool; combiner check valves disposed to prevent flow through the first and second combiner holes when flow is directed toward the first and second ports of the valve body; and divider check valves disposed to prevent flow through the first and second divider holes when flow is directed toward the third port of the valve body.