Patent ID: 7240691

Claim:
A rotary bleed valve assembly for controlling the flow of compressor gases in a gas turbine engine comprises a first passage and a second passage connecting in use with high pressure gases from a compressor and a valve member being adapted for rotary movement on an actuating shaft between said first passage and the second passage to vary flow of compressor gases there around, said valve member being shaped such that, as the valve member moves from a closed position to an open position flow of gas around the valve member induces a rotary torque on said valve member which causes said member to be urged towards said closed position when said valve member is in a preselected range of valve positions and towards said open position otherwise wherein said preselected range of valve positions is a range of positions intermediate between said open and said closed position, said valve member being rotatably received in a cylindrical seating disposed in said housing and between said first passage substantially at right angles thereto, said spool member being shaped in relation to its seating such that in a first angular position of the valve member relative to the seating the valve is closed whilst in a second angular position of the valve member relative to the seating gas can flow from the first passage through around the valve member to the second passage said seating incorporating two sealing bars that are parallel to the actuating shaft and said valve member being adapted to form a seal against said bars when in the second angular position.