Patent ID: 7276107

Claim:
An indexing rotary dual valve for use in a pressure swing adsorption system (PSA) having at least two beds operating in multiple steps in a PSA cycle comprising: a first valve assembly comprising a first stationary section having apertures adapted such that each aperture accommodates a different gas feed line from a PSA bed; a first rotatable valve section having at least two spaced-apart openings separated at a preselected arcuate degree setting and at least one channel disposed on the first valve section connected to at least one of the openings adapted for providing regulation of the pressurization of a gas between PSA beds and a second stationary section and all sections form the first valve assembly having a gas output opening adapted for exiting a gas product; a second valve assembly comprising a third stationary section, a second rotatable valve section having at least two spaced-apart openings separated at a preselected arcuate degree setting, and a fourth stationary section having aperture adapted such that each aperture accommodates a different gas feed line from a PSA bed, and all sections from the second valve assembly having a gas input opening adapted for receiving a feed gas and providing a constant equal feed flow to one PSA bed or unequal feed flow to more than one PSA bed; an indexing drive mechanism adapted for providing a preselected index setting and capable of controlling the interval of each step in the PSA cycle; and a rotatable shaft having the top portion secured to the first valve assembly, the bottom portion secured to the second valve assembly, and the indexing drive mechanism secured to the shaft and disposed between the two valve assemblies.