Patent ID: 8206352

Claim:
An apparatus for selecting a flow rate of a fluid, the apparatus comprising: an axle comprising an elongated cylindrical member having flow paths, each flow path being defined by a corresponding set of radial holes, each set of radial holes comprising at least one radial hole that extends substantially between an outer surface of the axle and an interior cavity of the axle; and a barrel comprising an elongated cylindrical member within which the axle is disposed, the barrel having input ports and an output port, the barrel being configured to enable the axle to rotate about an axis of rotation that extends along a length of the axle, wherein a flow rate of a fluid is selected by rotating the axle to a position so that a set of radial holes is in alignment with one or more ports of the barrel; and a holding reservoir comprising an input port and two or more output ports, wherein the output ports of the holding reservoir are in fluid communication with the input ports of the barrel.