Rotary pinch valve
First Claim
1. A random-access pinch valve adapted to selectively pinch and release a plurality of fluid conduits, comprising:
- a valve body adapted to retain the fluid conduits;
an actuator arm;
a plurality of toggle mechanisms associated with respective flexible conduits retained by the valve body, each toggle mechanism including latching means responsive to actuation by the actuator arm for positioning the toggle mechanisms in latched or unlatched states, and means for pinching the flexible conduit associated with the toggle mechanism when the toggle mechanism is in one of the latched or unlatched states and for releasing the flexible conduit associated with the toggle mechanism when the mechanism is in the other of the latched or unlatched states;
means for positioning the actuator arm with respect to the toggle mechanism; and
means for actuating the arm to change the state of the toggle mechanism actuated by the arm.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A random access rotary pinch valve for controlling fluid flow through a plurality of fluid conduits. The valve is adapted to receive and retain the fluid conduits and includes, for each of the conduits, a toggle mechanism comprising a piston and a toggle. The piston and toggle can be latched to pinch the associated fluid conduit to a non-conducting state or may be latched with the conduit in a fluid conducting state. An actuator arm is selectively positioned over the toggle mechanisms and is displaced so as to actuate the toggles from one state to another, thus changing the state of fluid conduction through the associated flexible conduit. In the embodiment disclosed herein, the fluid conduits are arranged about the periphery of an annular valve body and the actuator arm is pivoted by means of the stepper motor over the toggle mechanisms.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A random-access pinch valve adapted to selectively pinch and release a plurality of fluid conduits, comprising:
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a valve body adapted to retain the fluid conduits; an actuator arm; a plurality of toggle mechanisms associated with respective flexible conduits retained by the valve body, each toggle mechanism including latching means responsive to actuation by the actuator arm for positioning the toggle mechanisms in latched or unlatched states, and means for pinching the flexible conduit associated with the toggle mechanism when the toggle mechanism is in one of the latched or unlatched states and for releasing the flexible conduit associated with the toggle mechanism when the mechanism is in the other of the latched or unlatched states; means for positioning the actuator arm with respect to the toggle mechanism; and means for actuating the arm to change the state of the toggle mechanism actuated by the arm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A pinch valve for use with a flexible fluid conduit, comprising:
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a valve body including retaining means for receiving and holding the flexible conduit, backing means for supporting the conduit when the conduit is pinched, and a guide channel generally perpendicular to the conduit; a piston slidably retained within the guide channel; a toggle retained within the valve body having first, second and third cams, the first cam including a lobe adapted to be displaced into an over-center position against the piston so as to latch the toggle in the over-center position; means for displacing the second cam to displace the piston into a position wherein the conduit is pinched; and means for displacing the third cam to release the piston into a second position wherein the conduit is not pinched. - View Dependent Claims (9)
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10. A pinch valve for use with a flexible fluid conduit, comprising:
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a valve body including retaining means for receiving and holding the flexible conduit, backing means for supporting the conduit when the conduit is pinched, and a guide channel generally perpendicular to the conduit; a piston slidably retained within the guide channel; a toggle rotatably retained within the valve body having first, second and third cams, the first cam including a lobe adapted to be displaced into an over-center position against the piston so as to latch the toggle in the over-center position and pinch the conduit between the backing means and the piston; an actuator arm including diverging projections at one end of the arm spaced apart a distance greater than the distance between the second and third cams; means for pivoting the actuator arm about a second end of the arm and for positioning the diverging projections over the second and third cams; and means for pressing the actuator arm into contact with the second or third cams for latching or unlatching the toggle and thereby pinching or releasing the conduit.
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Specification