Patent ID: RE40721

Claim:
A duplex strainer for straining a fluid comprising : a unitary housing having an inlet port through which material enters the housing and an outlet port through which strained material leaves the housing , ; a first strainer chamber defined by the housing for straining said fluid having first and second ports in separate fluid communication with the housing , ; a first strainer positioned substantially within the first strainer chamber; a second strainer chamber defined by a body detachable from the housing for straining said fluid having a third port opposing said first port and a fourth port which opposes said second port in separate fluid communication with said housing , ; a second strainer positioned substantially within the second strainer chamber; a first valve chamber defined by the housing between said first port and said third port, said first chamber in communication with said inlet port; a second valve chamber defined by the housing between said second port and said fourth port, said second chamber in communication with said outlet port; a first three-way ball valve supported by the housing and adapted for controlling the flow of fluid between said housing, first port and second third port , and , said first three-way ball valve disposed in said first valve chamber; a second three-way ball valve supported by the housing and adapted for controlling the flow of fluid between said second port and said fourth port , said second three-way ball valve disposed in said second valve chamber; and a coupling for coupling said first three way ball valve to said second three-way ball valve, said coupling causing said first three-way ball valve and said second three-way ball valve to move in unison, causing fluid to flow either entirely through said first strainer chamber, entirely through said second strainer chamber, or through both said first strainer chamber and said second strainer chamber simultaneously , wherein said housing further comprises a divider disposed between said first three-way ball valve and said second three-way ball valve to form said first valve chamber within said housing and said second valve chamber within said housing, said first and third ports communicating solely with said first valve chamber, and said second and fourth ports communicating solely with said second valve chamber, and wherein said first and second ball valves are mounted so that second strainer chamber is detachable while the first and second ball valves remain mounted by the housing .