Four-way clevis valve and method

• US 4,046,061 A
• Filed: 12/03/1975
• Issued: 09/06/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
• Original Assignee: The Garrett Corporation
• Inventors: Stokes, Richard F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Irwin C.
• Application Number:
  US05/637,441
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 91/459, 91/467, 91/466, 91/464, 137/625.31, 137/625.21, 137/625.65, 137/625.61, 137/625.25, 137/625.2, 137/625.28, 137/625.45
• US Class Current: 91/459
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/044 operated by electrically-controlled means, e.g. solenoids, torque-motors
• CPC Class Codes: F15C 3/14 the jet the nozzle being intercepted by a flap
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86622 Motor-operated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86855 Gate

Abstract

A four-way fluid flow control valve for selectively interconnecting opposite sides of a fluid motor with a source of fluid pressure and a low pressure return line for driving the motor in opposite directions. A clevis-like, bifurcated metering member has opposed, cup-shaped elements at its bifurcated end which are shiftable across opposed, flat surfaces to produce the desired fluid flow interconnections. The cup-like elements present fluid transfer zones for selectively interconnecting different fluid flow passages.

Claims

1. In combination with a fluid control system including a source of pressurized fluid, a low pressure reservoir, and a fluid operated motor having a pair of motor ports communicating with opposed fluid chambers of the motor;

a closed center flow control valve comprising;

a housing having an internal cavity, an inlet port communicating with said source of fluid, an exhaust port communicating with said reservoir, and a pair of work ports communicating with said motor ports, said internal cavity communicating with one of said inlet and outlet ports;

means in the housing defining a pair of substantially flat, opposed, transversely spaced surfaces exposed to said cavity, said means having a first passage therein communicating with the other of said inlet and outlet ports, and second and third passages therein communicating with said work ports, each of said first, second and third passages opening onto both of said opposed surfaces at laterally spaced locations therealong with said first passage disposed intermediate said second and third passages;

a longitudinally extending control member in said housing having a bifurcated end straddling said means defining said opposed surfaces, said member pivotally mounted to said housing whereby said bifurcated end shifts primarily laterally along said surfaces as the member pivots;

a pair of cup elements affixed to said bifurcated end of the control member, each of said cup elements having a continuous, flat peripheral wall slightly spaced from the adjacent surface and cooperating therewith to define a fluid transfer zone between the cup element and the adjacent surface;

said member pivotal to shift said cup elements laterally in one direction from a first central position wherein said peripheral walls substantially cover said second and third passages toward a second position wherein said first and second passages are interconnected through said fluid transfer zones while said third passage is open to said internal cavity, said member pivotal to shift said cup elements laterally in an opposite direction from said first position toward a third position wherein said first and third passages are interconnected through said fluid transfer zones while said second passage is open to said internal cavity; and

solenoid operated actuator means carried by said housing and operable upon the end of said control member opposite said bifurcated end for selectively pivoting said control member to shift said cup elements in said one and said opposite directions, said peripheral walls of the cup elements operable to variably meter fluid communication of said first passage respectively with said second and third passages through said fluid transfer zones while providing substantially balanced flows through said transfer zones as said cup elements respectively shift in said one and said opposite directions, said peripheral walls being of slightly less width than the openings on said surfaces communicating with said second and third passages to permit restricted communication directly between each of said second and third passages and said cavity in said first central position of said member.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said internal cavity is in continuous communication with said inlet port, and said first passage is in continuous communication with said exhaust port.

3. A fluid flow control device, comprising:

a housing having an internal cavity and a port connected thereto, a pair of spaced, opposed surfaces, and first, second, and third internal fluid passages separate from said cavity, each of said passages opening onto both of said opposed surfaces at laterally spaced locations therealong, said first passage disposed intermediate said second and third passages;

a bifurcated member in said cavity mounted for pivotal movement and having a section disposed exteriorly adjacent each of said opposed surfaces, each of said sections having a closed side, an open side facing the adjacent surface of the housing, and a continuous peripheral wall at said open side cooperating with said adjacent surface to define a transfer zone between said closed side and said surface; and

means for effecting relative pivotal movement between said member and said housing in opposite directions, away from a first, central position wherein said peripheral walls substantially cover the openings on said surfaces communicating with said second and third passages, respectively toward second and third positions interconnecting said first passage respectively with said second and said third passage through both of said transfer zones while providing substantially balanced flows through said transfer zones,

said peripheral walls being of slightly less width than said openings on the surfaces to permit restricted communication directly between each of said second and third passages and said cavity in said first, central position.