Patent ID: 7051760

Claim:
A multi-port valve device which can operate in a plurality of predetermined positions which include at least one position that will allow unobstructed flow of a fluid and movement of line-clearing devices selected from the group consisting of pigs, spheres, scrapers, swabs, squeegees, cylinders, and balls through said device, and at least one alternate position which will divert flow of a fluid through said device to a branch port and simultaneously present an in-line barrier to control the movement of a said line-clearing devices comprising; a) a multi-port valve body with at least three ports in the same plane; b) a rotating core member to control flow direction through said valve body comprising; at least one unobstructed flow path through said member and at least one branch flow path through said member which can divert flow of a fluid through said member and incorporates a partial obstruction to control the movement of said line-clearing devices; and c) a means to rotate said core member about an axis perpendicular to said plane whereby said paths through said core member can be made to align with predetermined ports of said valve body.