Piston valve with annular passages

• US 10,633,262 B1
• Filed: 06/15/2018
• Issued: 04/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chandler Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Chandler Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Chandler, Jr., William D., Wolfe, Aaron R., Harbaugh, Cody A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tietjen, Marina A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gray, Paul J
• Application Number:
  US16/009,376
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• Field of Search: 210190, 210191, 210278, 137269, 137597, 13762567, 13762568, 13762569
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 49/85 Controlling or regulating devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/004 using large scale industrial sized filters
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/42 by ion-exchange ion-exchange in general B01J
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/78 with ozone C02F1/4672 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/425 using cation exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/002 Grey water, e.g. from clothes washers, showers or dishwashers
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/005 Valves
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/006 comprising a software program or a logic diagram
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/02 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/03 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/05 Conductivity or salinity
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/40 Liquid flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/16 Regeneration of sorbents, filters
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/07 with cylindrical slides
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/0716 with fluid passages through the valve member F16K11/0704, F16K11/0708, F16K11/0712 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/04 using a motor
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/5286 comprising a sliding valve
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/53 : with toothed gearing

Abstract

A control valve (10) includes a valve body with a plurality of ports (A, B, C, D, E, F) and a plurality of annular flow passages (53, 55,57). A piston (34) which includes a plurality of annular flow passages and a longitudinal flow passage is selectively movable within a bore (32) within the valve body through operation of a valve controller (70). The valve controller is selectively operative to control the position of the piston so as to enable liquid flow through a plurality of flow paths. The valve controller further includes a installable and removable valve controller housing (74) which is releasibly engageable with a valve base (72). The valve may include a changeable piston and changeable injector and plug components to adapt the valve to different flow and fluid mixing requirements.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a valve body, wherein the body includes

a first external port,

a second external port, wherein the first port is fluidly connected to the second port through a first passage within the body,

a third external port,

a fourth external port, wherein the third port is fluidly connected to the fourth port through a second fluid passage within the body,

a third passage within the body, wherein the third passage extends fluidly between the first passage and the second passage,

a first rotatable valve element within the body,

a first rotatable valve stem operatively connected to the first valve element, wherein the first valve stem is accessible from outside the body,

wherein the first valve element is rotatably positionable via rotation of the first valve stem to fluidly connect

the first and second ports only (position A), or

the first port and the third passage only (position B),

a second rotatable valve element within the body,

a second rotatable valve stein operatively connected to the second valve element, wherein the second valve stem is accessible from outside the body and is adjacent the first valve stem,

wherein the second valve element is rotationally positionable via rotation of the second valve stem to fluidly connect

the third and fourth ports only (position C), or

the third port and the third passage only (position D),

a first removable manually engageable handle, wherein the first valve stem is releasably engageable with the first removable manually engageable handle, wherein the first valve element is changeable between positions A and B through manual movement of the first handle,

a second removable manually engageable handle, wherein the second valve stem is releasably engageable with the second removable manually engageable handle,

wherein the second valve element is changeable between positions C and D through manual movement of the second handle,

an actuator, wherein with the first and second handles disengaged from the first and second valve stems respectively, the body is engageable with the actuator, wherein the actuator includes

a unitary actuator housing,

at least one motor within the actuator housing,

wherein with the actuator housing operatively engaged with the first and second valve stems, the actuator is selectively operative to

rotate the first valve stem to selectively position the first valve element in position A or position B,

rotate the second valve stem to selectively position the second valve element in position C or position D.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the first valve element in position B is operative to prevent flow through the first passage between the first and second ports, but to fluidly connect the first passage and the third passage, and

wherein the second valve element in position C is operative to prevent flow between the third passage and the second passage while the third and fourth ports only are in fluid communication through the body, and with the first valve element in position B, the first and second ports are not in fluid communication with any other ports through the body.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein in position B the first valve element fluidly separates the second port within the body from both the first port and the third passage.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein in position D the second valve element fluidly separates the fourth port within the body from both

the third port and the third passage.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the actuator housing includes therein a first gear and a second gear,

wherein the first gear is axially movable into operative connection with the first valve stem, and wherein the second gear is axially movable into operative connection with the second valve stem,

wherein with movement of the actuator housing, the first gear and first valve stem and the second gear and second valve stem are concurrently axially movable into operative engagement,

wherein the first and second gears in engagement with the first and second valve stems respectively, are independently rotationally movable.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the actuator housing includes therein a first gear and a second gear,

wherein the first gear is axially movable into operative connection with the first valve stem, and wherein the second gear is axially movable into operative connection with the second valve stem,

wherein with movement of the actuator housing, the first gear and first valve stem and the second gear and second valve stem are concurrently axially movable into operative engagement,

wherein the first and second gears in engagement with the first and second valve stems respectively, are independently rotationally movable,

a first motor within the actuator housing, wherein the first motor is in operative connection with the first gear,

a second motor within the actuator housing, wherein the second motor is in operative connection with the second gear,

wherein the first gear and the second gear are independently rotationally movable responsive to the first motor and the second motor respectively.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the actuator housing includes therein a first gear and a second gear,

wherein the first gear is axially movable into operative connection with the first valve stem, and the second gear is axially movable into operative connection with the second valve stem,

wherein with movement of the actuator housing, the first gear and first valve stem and the second gear and second valve stem are concurrently axially movable into operative engagement,

wherein the first and second gears in engagement with the first and second valve stems respectively, are independently rotationally movable,

a first motor within the actuator housing, wherein the first motor is in operative connection with the first gear,

a second motor within the actuator housing, wherein the second motor is in operative connection with the second gear,

wherein the first gear and the second gear are independently rotationally movable responsive to the first motor and the second motor respectively,

wherein the actuator housing includes a first cylindrical bore, wherein the first bore is bounded by a first circular top surface,

wherein the actuator housing includes a second cylindrical bore, wherein the second bore is bounded by a second circular top surface,

wherein the first gear is in operative fixed connection with a first cylindrical hub, wherein the first hub is rotatable in the first bore,

wherein the first bore is in operative connection with at least one first radially outwardly biased finger, wherein the at least one first finger is movable in engaged relation with the first circular top surface and is operative to hold the first hub axially positioned within the first bore,

wherein the second gear is in operative fixed connection with a second cylindrical hub, wherein the second hub is rotatable in the second bore,

wherein the second bore is in operative connection with at least one second radially outwardly biased finger, wherein the at least one second finger is movable in engaged relation with the second circular top surface and is operative to hold the second hub axially positioned within the second bore.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5

wherein the actuator housing includes a first cylindrical bore, wherein the first bore is bounded by a first circular top surface,

wherein the actuator housing includes a second cylindrical bore, wherein the second bore is bounded by a second circular top surface,

wherein the first gear is in operative fixed connection with a first cylindrical hub, wherein the first hub is rotatable in the first bore,

wherein the first bore is in operative connection with at least one first radially outwardly biased finger,

wherein the at least one first finger is movable in engaged relation with the first circular top surface and is operative to hold the first hub axially positioned within the first bore,

wherein the second gear is in operative fixed connection with a second cylindrical hub, wherein the second hub is rotatable in the second bore,

wherein the second bore is in operative connection with at least one second radially outwardly biased finger, wherein the at least one second finger is movable in engaged relation with the second circular top surface and is operative to hold the second hub axially positioned within the second bore.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising

a liquid treatment system, wherein the liquid treatment system includes

a liquid treatment tank including liquid treatment media therein,

a liquid treatment valve in operative connection with the liquid treatment tank, wherein

the liquid treatment valve includes an inlet valve port adapted to receive untreated liquid, an outlet valve port adapted to deliver treated liquid,

a drain valve port adapted to be connected to a waste liquid drain,

a first tank valve port and a second tank valve port each connected to the liquid treatment tank on fluidly opposed sides of the liquid treatment media,

wherein the second port of the body is fluidly connected directly to the inlet valve port and the fourth port of the body is fluidly connected to the outlet valve port,

wherein the first port of the body is connected to a liquid source,

wherein the third port of the body is connected to at least one liquid use device,

wherein the actuator selectively enables

liquid from the liquid source to

be available at the inlet valve port, treated by passing through the liquid treatment tank and delivered from the third port of the body,

not be available at the inlet valve port and either

not delivered to any of the second, third or fourth ports of the body, or

be bypassed without treatment in the tank by passing through the third passage and delivered from the third port of the body.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 and further comprising:

a further valve body, wherein the further valve body includes

a further first external port,

a further second external port, wherein the further first port is fluidly connected to the further second port through a further first passage within the further body,

a further third external port, and

a further fourth external port, wherein the further third port is fluidly connected to the further fourth port through a further second fluid passage within the further body,

a further third passage within the further body, wherein the further third passage extends fluidly between the further first passage and the further second passage,

a further first rotatable valve element and a further second rotatable valve element,

a further actuator, wherein the further actuator is in operative connection with further first valve element and further second valve element,

a further liquid treatment system, wherein the further liquid treatment system includes

a further liquid treatment tank including liquid treatment media therein,

a further liquid treatment valve in operative connection with the further liquid treatment tank, wherein the further liquid treatment valve includes

a further inlet valve port adapted to receive untreated liquid,

a further outlet valve port adapted to deliver treated liquid,

a further drain valve port adapted to be connected to a further waste liquid drain,

a further first tank valve port and a further second tank valve port each connected to the further liquid treatment tank on fluidly opposed sides of the liquid treatment media,

wherein the further second port of the further body is fluidly connected directly to the further inlet valve port and the further fourth port of the further body is fluidly connected to the further outlet valve port,

wherein the further first port of the further body is connected to a further liquid source,

wherein the further third port of the further body is connected to at least one further liquid use device,

wherein the further actuator selectively enables liquid from the further liquid source to

be available at the further inlet valve port, treated by passing through the further liquid treatment tank and delivered from the further third port of the further body,

not be available at the further inlet valve port and either

not delivered to any of the further second, further third, or

further fourth ports of the further body, or

be bypassed without treatment in the further tank by passing through the further third passage and delivered from the further third port of the further body,

and further including

an inlet manifold fluidly connected to the liquid source and the respective first port of the body and the further first port of the further body,

an outlet manifold fluidly connected to the at least one liquid use device and the third port of the body and the further third port of the further body,

wherein the actuator and the further actuator are selectively operative to cause the liquid treatment system and the further liquid treatment system to deliver treated liquid to the outlet manifold either concurrently or at different times.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the first valve element in position B is operative to prevent flow through the first passage between the first and second ports, and to fluidly connect the first passage and the third passage,

wherein the second valve element in position C is operative to prevent flow between the third passage and the second passage, while the third and fourth ports only are in fluid communication through the body, and with the first valve element in position 13, each of the first and second ports are not in fluid communication with any other ports of the valve through the body,

wherein in position B the first valve element fluidly separates the second port within the body from both the first port and the third passage, and

wherein in position D the second valve element fluidly separates the fourth port within the body from both the third passage and the third port.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the first valve element in position B is operative to prevent flow through the first passage between the first and second ports, and to fluidly connect the first passage and the third passage,

wherein the second valve element in position C is operative to prevent flow between the third passage and the second passage while the third and fourth ports only are in fluid communication through the body, and with second valve element in position C and the first valve element in position B, each of the first and second ports are not in fluid communication with any other ports of the valve through the body, and

wherein in position B the first valve element fluidly separates the second port within the body from both the first port and the third passage.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the first valve element in position B is operative to prevent flow through the first passage between the first and second ports, and to fluidly connect the first passage and the third passage,

wherein the second valve element in position C is operative to prevent flow between the third passage and the second passage while the third and fourth ports only are in fluid communication through the body, and with the second valve element in position C and the first valve element in position 13, each of the first and second ports are not in fluid communication with any other ports through the body, and

wherein in position D the second valve element fluidly separates the fourth port within the body from both the third passage and the third port.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein in position B the first valve element fluidly separates the second port within the body from both the first port and the third passage, and

wherein in position D the second valve element fluidly separates the fourth port within the body from both the third passage and the third port.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the first valve element is rotatably positionable to selectively fluidly separate

the first port from all other ports of the valve, or

the second port from all other ports of the valve.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the second valve element is rotatably positionable to selectively fluidly separate

the third port from all other ports of the valve, or

the fourth port from all other ports of the valve.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the first port is in direct operative fluid connection with at least one liquid use device,

wherein the second port is in direct operative fluid connection with a liquid source,

wherein the fourth port is blocked,

wherein the third port is in direct operative fluid connection with a liquid drain, wherein the actuator is selectively operative to

position the first valve element in position A and the second valve element in position C, wherein liquid is available from the source at the second port is passed to the at least one liquid use device from the first port, and no liquid passes through the body to the drain from the third port,

position the first valve element in position B and the second valve element in position C, wherein no liquid available from the source at the second port passes through the body, no liquid passes through the body to the drain from the third port, and the first port is fluidly separated within the body from any other port of the body,

position the first valve element in position B and the second valve element in position D, wherein no liquid available from the source at the second port passes through the body, and the first port is in operative fluid connection through the body with the third port and the drain.

18. Apparatus comprising:

a valve including a body, wherein the body includes

a first external port,

a second external port, wherein the first and second ports are fluidly connectable through a first passage within the body,

a third external port,

a fourth external port, wherein the third and fourth ports are fluidly connectable through a second passage within the body,

a first rotatable valve element positioned in fluid connection with the first passage,

a second rotatable valve element positioned in fluid connection with the second passage,

a third passage extending within the body, wherein the third passage is fluidly connectable to each of the first valve element and the second valve element,

wherein the first valve element is selectively rotationally positionable between rotational positions wherein

the first and second ports are fluidly connected through the first passage,

and the third passage is fluidly connected to the first and second ports (position A),

the first and second ports are not fluidly connected within the body, and the first port is fluidly connected to the third fluid passage (position 13),

wherein the second valve element is selectively rotationally positionable between rotational positions wherein

the third port and the fourth port are fluidly connected through the second passage within the body, and the third passage is not fluidly connected within the body to either the third port or the fourth port (position C),

wherein the third port and the fourth port are not fluidly connected within the body and the third fluid passage is fluidly connected within the body to the third port (position D),

wherein the first valve element is in operative connection with a first rotatable stem that is accessible outside the body, wherein rotation of the first stein causes rotation of the first valve element,

a first manually engageable handle and second manually engageable handle,

an actuator,

wherein the actuator includes a unitary actuator body,

wherein the second valve element is in operative connection with a second rotatable stem that is accessible outside the body, wherein rotation of the second stem causes rotation of the second valve element,

wherein the first stem and the second stem are both alternatively releasably engageable with either

the first and second manually engageable handles respectively, wherein the first and second handles are usable to selectively manually position the first and second valve elements, or

the actuator, wherein the actuator body is operative to simultaneously engage both the first and second valve stems and to selectively position the first and second valve elements responsive to electrical signals.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, and further comprising

a liquid treatment system, wherein the liquid treatment system is operative to treat liquid,

wherein the liquid treatment system includes an untreated liquid inlet and a treated liquid outlet,

wherein the second port is directly fluidly connected to the untreated liquid inlet, and the fourth port is directly fluidly connected to the treated liquid outlet,

wherein the first port is directly fluidly connected to an untreated liquid source, and the third port is directly fluidly connected to at least one liquid use device,

wherein the actuator is operative to selectively position the first valve element in position A and the second valve element in position C, wherein liquid from the untreated liquid source passes through the liquid treatment system and treated liquid passes to the at least one liquid use device,

wherein the actuator is operative to selectively position the first valve element in position B and the second valve element in position D, wherein the untreated liquid from the source passes through the third passage within the valve and not through the liquid treatment system, whereby untreated liquid passes to the at least one liquid use device.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein

the second port is directly fluidly connected to a liquid source,

the first port is directly fluidly connected to at least one liquid use device,

the fourth port is blocked, and

the third port is directly fluidly connected to a drain,

wherein the actuator is selectively operative to

position the first valve element in position A and the second valve element in position C, wherein liquid from the liquid source passes through the body to the at least one liquid use device and no liquid passes through the body to the drain,

position the first valve element in position B and the second valve element in position C, wherein no liquid available from the source passes from the second port through the body, and no liquid passes through the body to the drain,

position the first valve element in position B and the second valve element in position D, wherein no liquid available from the source at the second port passes through the body, and liquid is enabled to return from the at least one liquid use device and pass into the first port and through the body and the third fluid passage, and from the body through the third port to the drain.

21. Apparatus comprising:

a valve body, wherein the body includes

a first external port,

a second external port, wherein the first port is fluidly connected to the second port through a first passage within the body,

a third external port,

a fourth external port, wherein the third port is fluidly connected to the fourth port through a second fluid passage within the body,

a third fluid passage within the body, wherein the third passage extends fluidly between the first passage and the second passage,

a first rotatable valve element within the body,

a first rotatable valve stem operatively connected to the first valve element, wherein the first valve stem is accessible from outside the body,

wherein the first valve element is rotatably positionable via rotation of the first valve stem to fluidly connect

the first and second ports only (position A), or

the first port and the third passage only (position B),

a second rotatable valve element within the body,

a second rotatable valve stem operatively connected to the second valve element, wherein the second valve stem is accessible from outside the body and is adjacent the first valve stem,

wherein the second valve element is rotationally positionable via rotation of the second valve stem to fluidly connect

the third and fourth ports only (Position C), or

the third port and the third passage only (Position D),

at least one removable manually engageable handle, wherein the first valve stem is releasably engageable with the at least one handle, wherein the first valve element is changeable between positions A and B through manual movement of the at least one handle,

wherein the second valve stem is releasably engageable with the at least one handle, wherein the second valve element is changeable between positions C and D through manual movement of the at least one handle,

an actuator, wherein with the at least one handle disengaged from the first and second valve stems, the actuator is operatively engageable with the first and second valve stems, wherein the actuator includes

a unitary actuator housing,

at least one motor within the actuator housing,

wherein with the actuator operatively engaged with the first and second valve stems, the actuator is selectively operative to

rotate the first valve stem to selectively position the first valve element in position A or position B,

rotate the second valve stem to selectively position the second valve element in position C or position D,

a liquid treatment system, wherein the liquid treatment system includes

a liquid treatment tank including liquid treatment media therein,

a liquid treatment valve in operative connection with the liquid treatment tank, wherein the liquid treatment valve includes

an inlet valve port adapted to receive untreated liquid,

an outlet valve port adapted to deliver treated liquid,

a first tank valve port and a second tank valve port each connected to the liquid treatment tank on fluidly opposed sides of the liquid treatment media,

wherein the second port of the body is fluidly connected directly to the inlet valve port and the fourth port of the body is fluidly connected to the outlet valve port,

wherein the first port of the body is connected to a liquid source,

wherein the third port of the body is connected to at least one liquid use device,

wherein the actuator selectively enables

liquid from the liquid source to

be available at the inlet valve port, treated by passing through the liquid treatment tank and delivered from the third port of the body,

not be available at the inlet port and either

not delivered to any of the second, third, or fourth ports of the body, or

be bypassed without treatment in the tank by passing through the third passage and delivered from the third port of the body.

22. Apparatus comprising:

a valve body, wherein the body includes

a first external port,

a second external port, wherein the first port is fluidly connected to the second port through a first passage within the body,

a third external port,

a fourth external port, wherein the third port is fluidly connected to the fourth port through a second fluid passage within the body,

a third fluid passage within the body, wherein the third passage extends fluidly between the first passage and the second passage,

a first rotatable valve element within the body,

a first rotatable valve stem operatively connected to the first valve element, wherein the first valve stem is accessible from outside the body,

wherein the first valve element is rotatably positionable via rotation of the first valve stem to fluidly connect

the first and second ports only (position A), or

the first port and the third passage only (position B),

a second rotatable valve element within the body,

a second rotatable valve stem operatively connected to the second valve element, wherein the second valve stem is accessible from outside the body and is adjacent the first valve stem,

wherein the second valve element is rotationally positionable via rotation of the second valve stem to fluidly connect

the third and fourth ports only (position C), or

the third port and the third passage only (position D),

at least one removable manually engageable handle, wherein the first valve stem is releasably engageable with the at least one handle, wherein the first valve element is changeable between positions A and B through manual movement of the at least one handle,

wherein the second valve stem is releasably engageable with the at least one handle, wherein the second valve element is changeable between positions C and D through manual movement of the at least one handle,

an actuator, wherein with the at least one handle disengaged from the first and second valve stems, the actuator is operatively engageable with the first and second valve stems, wherein the actuator includes

a unitary actuator housing,

at least one motor within the actuator housing,

wherein with the actuator operatively engaged with the first and second valve stems, the actuator is selectively operative to

rotate the first valve stem to selectively position the first valve element in position A or position B,

rotate the second valve stem to selectively position the second valve element in position C or position D,

wherein the first port is in direct operative fluid connection with at least one liquid use device,

wherein the second port is in direct operative fluid connection with a liquid source,

wherein the fourth port is blocked,

wherein the third port is in direct operative fluid connection with a liquid drain, wherein the actuator is selectively operative to

position the first valve element in position A and the second valve element in position C, wherein liquid is available from the source at the second port and is passed to the at least one liquid use device from the first port, and no liquid passes through the body to the drain from the third port,

position the first valve element in position B and the second valve element in position C, wherein no liquid available from the source at the second port passes through the body, no liquid passes through the body to the drain from the third port, and the first port is fluidly separated within the body from any other port of the body,

position the first valve element in position B and the second valve element in position D, wherein no liquid available from the source at the second port passes through the body, and the first port is in operative fluid connection through the body with the third port and the drain.

23. Apparatus comprising:

a valve including a body, wherein the body includes

a first external port,

a second external port, wherein the first and second ports are fluidly connectable through a first passage within the body,

a third external port,

a fourth external port, wherein the third and fourth ports are fluidly connectable through a second passage within the body,

a first rotatable valve element positioned in fluid connection with the first passage,

a second rotatable valve element positioned in fluid connection with the second passage,

a third passage extending within the body, wherein the third passage is fluidly connectable to each of the first valve element and the second valve element,

wherein the first valve element is selectively rotationally positionable between rotational positions wherein

the first and second ports are fluidly connected through the first passage, and the third passage is fluidly connected to the first and second ports (position A),

the first and second ports are not fluidly connected within the body, and the first port is fluidly connected to the third fluid passage (position B),

wherein the second valve element is selectively rotationally positionable between rotational positions wherein

the third port and the fourth port are fluidly connected through the second passage within the body, and the third passage is not fluidly connected within the body to either the third port or the fourth port (position C),

wherein the third port and the fourth port are not fluidly connected within the body and the third fluid passage is fluidly connected within the body to the third port (position D),

wherein the first valve element is in operative connection with a first rotatable stem that is accessible outside the body, wherein rotation of the first stem causes rotation of the first valve element,

wherein the second valve element is in operative connection with a second rotatable stem that is accessible outside the body, wherein rotation of the second stem causes rotation of the second valve element,

at least one removable manually engageable handle,

an actuator,

wherein the first stem and the second stem are both alternatively releasably engageable with either

the at least one handle,

wherein the at least one handle is usable to selectively manually position the first and second valve elements, or

the actuator,

wherein the actuator includes a unitary actuator body, wherein the actuator is operative to simultaneously operatively engage both the first and second valve stems and to selectively position the first and second valve elements responsive to electrical signals,

wherein the second port is directly fluidly connected to a liquid source,

the first port is directly fluidly connected to at least one liquid use device,

the fourth port is blocked, and

the third port is directly fluidly connected to a drain,

wherein the actuator is selectively operative to

position the first valve element in position A and the second valve element in position C, wherein liquid from the liquid source passes through the body to the at least one liquid use device and no liquid passes through the body to the drain,

position the first valve element in position B and the second valve element in position C, wherein no liquid available from the source passes from the second port through the body, and no liquid passes through the body to the drain,

position the first valve element in position B and the second valve element in position D, wherein no liquid available from the source at the second port passes through the body, and liquid is enabled to return from the at least one liquid use device and pass into the first port and through the body and the third fluid passage, and from the body through the third port to the drain.

24. Apparatus comprising:

a valve including a body, wherein the body includes

a first external port,

a second external port, wherein the first and second ports are fluidly connectable through a first passage within the body,

a third external port,

a fourth external port, wherein the third and fourth ports are fluidly connectable through a second passage within the body,

a first rotatable valve element positioned in fluid connection with the first passage,

a second rotatable valve element positioned in fluid connection with the second passage,

a third passage extending within the body, wherein the third passage is fluidly connectable to each of the first valve element and the second valve element,

wherein the first valve element is selectively rotationally positionable between rotational positions wherein

the first and second ports are fluidly connected through the first passage, and the third passage is fluidly connected to the first and second ports (position A),

the first and second ports are not fluidly connected within the body, and the first port is fluidly connected to the third passage (position B),

wherein the second valve element is selectively rotationally positionable between rotational positions wherein

the third port and the fourth port are fluidly connected through the second passage within the body, and the third passage is not fluidly connected within the body to either the third port or the fourth port (position C),

wherein the third port and the fourth port are not fluidly connected within the body and the third fluid passage is fluidly connected within the body to the third port (position D),

wherein the first valve element is in operative connection with a first rotatable stem that is accessible outside the body, wherein the first stem is configured to be rotatable from outside the body, wherein rotation of the first stem causes rotation of the first valve element,

wherein the second valve element is in operative connection with a second rotatable stem that is accessible outside the body, wherein the second stem is configured to be rotatable from outside the body, wherein rotation of the second stem causes rotation of the second valve element,

an actuator,

wherein the actuator includes a unitary actuator body,

wherein the actuator is operatively releasably engageable simultaneously with the first stem and the second stem,

wherein with the actuator operatively engaged with both the first stem and the second stem, the actuator is operative to simultaneously selectively position the first and second valve elements, and

wherein with the actuator disengaged from both the first stem and the second stem, the first and second stems are configured to be separately operatively engaged outside the body to selectively position the first and second valve elements.