Patent ID: 8596302

Claim:
A valve device for a multi-path circulation system, the system including a hollow connector body presenting structure defining first and second fluid circulation paths in selective fluid communication with each other, the valve device being movably mounted between the first and second fluid circulation paths, and movable through the hollow connector body along an axis such that the first and second fluid circulation paths either communicate or not with each other depending on position of the valve device mounted therebetween, the valve device being selectively shiftable along the axis within the connector body between an open position, a closed position, a first cleaning position, and a second cleaning position, the valve device comprising: first and second valve flaps, the second valve flap being coupled to or belonging to a hollow movable body, the hollow movably body defining an inner leakage chamber; an actuator assembly for moving the first and second valve flaps along the axis of the connector body, the actuator assembly comprising at least a central shaft operably coupled to the first and second valve flaps, wherein the first and second valve flaps are designed to be mounted within the connector body of the circulation system to— prevent communication between the first and the second fluid circulation paths, when in the closed position, allow communication between the first and second fluid circulation paths, around first and second flaps, when in the open position, prevent communication between said first and second fluid circulation paths, while allowing communication between only one of said paths and the leakage chamber when in the first cleaning position, and allow communication between only the other of said paths and the leakage chamber when in the second cleaning position of the valve device; and a third valve flap positioned between the first and the second flaps, the third valve flap being mounted on the valve device without physical connection to the central shaft such that the third valve flap is freely movable along the axis of the connector between the first and second valve flaps, and independently of direct control movement by the actuator, wherein the third valve flap exhibits a sealed relationship with the first valve flap when in the first cleaning position in which the third valve flap sealingly engages the first valve flap, and with the second valve flap when in the second cleaning position in which the third valve flap sealingly engages the second valve flap, and wherein in the first and second cleaning configurations, two of the first, second, and third valve flaps laterally engage an inner surface of the hollow connector body.