Multi-port valve
First Claim
1. A valve for regulating, as a function of ambient air having varying wind velocity and wind direction in an open-field control area, the distribution in a variety of patterns of a fluid in a fluid distribution system, the valve comprising:
- a multi-port housing having an inlet for receiving a fluid, said inlet being in fluid communication with a stationary plate that cooperates with said housing to form a chamber, said stationary plate having a plurality of outlets therethrough disposed in a first pattern of outlets and at least one second pattern of outlets, said stationary plate further including attachment means for connecting each of the outlets in said first and second patterns, respectively, to a separate one of a plurality of tubes each having a respective distal end disposed adjacent the circumference of said open-field control area at a point spaced from other tubes in the plurality of tubes;
a movable plate disposed in facing relationship with said stationary plate, said movable plate having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough disposed in a first pattern of apertures and at least one second pattern of apertures, said first pattern of apertures being selectively alignable relative to said first pattern of outlets and said at least one second pattern of apertures being selectively alignable relative to said second pattern of outlets, said first pattern of apertures having a predetermined orientation with said at least one second pattern of apertures;
said valve further including rotatable means operatively connected to selectively rotate said movable plate to a predetermined number of positions relative to said plurality of outlets, whereby in a first of such positions all of the outlets in the first pattern of outlets are open and all of the outlets in the second pattern are closed thereby to equally distribute fluid to the open-field control area.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-port valve for regulating, as a function of ambient air having varying wind velocity and wind direction in an open-field control area, the distribution of a fluid, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) gas, in a fluid distribution system so that the control area remains generally at an elevated fluid concentration or level of said fluid. The multi-port valve generally includes a multi-port housing having a plurality of outlets therethrough disposed in a first pattern of outlets and at least one second pattern of outlets, and a movable plate having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough disposed in a first pattern of apertures and at least one second pattern of apertures. The first pattern of apertures being alignable with the first pattern of outlets and the at least one second pattern of apertures being alignable with the second pattern of outlets. The first pattern of apertures has a predetermined orientation with the at least one second pattern of apertures. For an open-field control area subject to ambient wind having a low velocity from any direction, the movable plate is positioned to equally distribute the supply of fluid in a fluid distribution system to the open-field control area. For an open-field control area subject to ambient wind having a high velocity from a given direction, the movable plate is positioned to generally distribute a supply of fluid in a fluid distribution system to that portion of the open-field control area located upwind.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A valve for regulating, as a function of ambient air having varying wind velocity and wind direction in an open-field control area, the distribution in a variety of patterns of a fluid in a fluid distribution system, the valve comprising:
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a multi-port housing having an inlet for receiving a fluid, said inlet being in fluid communication with a stationary plate that cooperates with said housing to form a chamber, said stationary plate having a plurality of outlets therethrough disposed in a first pattern of outlets and at least one second pattern of outlets, said stationary plate further including attachment means for connecting each of the outlets in said first and second patterns, respectively, to a separate one of a plurality of tubes each having a respective distal end disposed adjacent the circumference of said open-field control area at a point spaced from other tubes in the plurality of tubes; a movable plate disposed in facing relationship with said stationary plate, said movable plate having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough disposed in a first pattern of apertures and at least one second pattern of apertures, said first pattern of apertures being selectively alignable relative to said first pattern of outlets and said at least one second pattern of apertures being selectively alignable relative to said second pattern of outlets, said first pattern of apertures having a predetermined orientation with said at least one second pattern of apertures; said valve further including rotatable means operatively connected to selectively rotate said movable plate to a predetermined number of positions relative to said plurality of outlets, whereby in a first of such positions all of the outlets in the first pattern of outlets are open and all of the outlets in the second pattern are closed thereby to equally distribute fluid to the open-field control area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification