Patent ID: 8631822

Claim:
A dual flow valve comprising: an outer valve body including an internal chamber; a valve element rotatably disposed within the internal chamber and including a first passage and a plurality of second passages, wherein each of the second passages is isolated from the first passage; a first valve seat disposed within the internal chamber and slidingly engaging the valve element, wherein the first valve seat includes a first fluid conduit extending therethrough and a plurality of second fluid conduits extending therethrough; and a second valve seat disposed within the internal chamber and slidingly engaging the valve element, wherein the second valve seat includes a first fluid conduit extending therethrough and a plurality of second fluid conduits extending therethrough; wherein the valve element is configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position; and wherein, when the valve element is in the open position: the first passage, the first fluid conduit of the first valve seat, and the first fluid conduit of the second valve seat are in fluid communication and define a first flow path through the valve element and the first and second valve seats; and the second passages, the second fluid conduits of the first valve seat, and the second fluid conduits of the second valve seat are in fluid communication and define a second flow path through the valve element and the first and second valve seats, wherein the second flow path is isolated from the first flow path; wherein the outer valve body includes a first end configured to couple to a first member of a drilling apparatus, and a second end configured to couple to a second member of the drilling apparatus, and wherein the second flow path includes a first annular passage radially positioned between the outer valve body and a first pipe extending from the first valve seat and a second annular passage radially positioned between the outer valve body and a second pipe extending from the second valve seat.