Patent ID: 6536471
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: F17D,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A stream switching system comprising:a housing having an exterior, said housing defining a common stream path, a first port, a second port, and a third port, wherein said first, second, and third ports each connect said common stream path to said exterior of said housing at different locations; a first flow switch connected on a first side to said first port and connected on a second side to a first fluid source, said first flow switch being actuatable between an open position that allows flow of fluid from said first fluid source through said first flow switch and a closed position that prevents the flow of fluid from said first fluid source, wherein said first switch is in either an open position or a closed position according to the application of electrical power, said first switch being in a closed position in the absence of electrical power applied to said first switch; a second flow switch connected on a first side to said second port and connected on a second side to a second fluid source, said second flow switch being actuatable between an open position that allows flow of fluid from said second fluid source through said second flow switch and a closed position that prevents the flow of fluid from said second fluid source, wherein said second switch is in either an open position or a closed position according to the application of electrical power, said second switch being in a closed position in the absence of electrical power applied to said second switch; a third flow switch connected on a first side to said third port and connected on a second side to a third fluid source, said third flow switch being actuatable between an open position that allows flow of fluid from said third fluid source through said third flow switch and a closed position that prevents the flow of fluid from said third fluid source, wherein said first switch is in either an open position or a closed position according to the application of electrical power, said third switch being in a closed position in the absence of electrical power applied to said third switch; a first sample shut off channel defined by said housing; a fourth port defined by said housing, said fourth port connecting said first sample shut off channel to said exterior of said housing; a fourth flow switch connected to said fourth port on a first side and to said common stream path on a second side, said fourth flow switch being actuatable between an open position that allows flow of fluid from said common stream path through said fourth flow switch and a closed position that prevents the flow of fluid from said common stream path, said fourth flow switch being in a closed position in the absence of electrical power; a heating channel defined by and inside said housing; tubing having a first end and a second end, said tubing being connected by said first end to said common stream path and by said second end to said fourth flow switch, said tubing traveling through said heating channel.