Importance

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Abstract

The fluid valve essentially comprises a support structure designed rotatably to support an inlet within a certain oscillatory ambit and stationarily supporting a plurality of outlets within the oscillatory ambit, and operative means for effecting fluid-tight communication seriatim between the inlet and one of the outlets. The inlet is preferably a blunt needle provided with a side port and each of the outlets comprises an inverted 'Y'-shaped member formed of an entrance portion and a pair of leg portions. The needle is designed to be thrust into the entrance portion, so that its side port establishes fluid-tight communication with one of the leg portions. Means are provided, including a pneumatic cylinder, for effecting relative motion between the inlet and the outlets. There is also a means for normally closing off all the entrance portions of the outlets except the selected one, and only during the entry of the blunt needle therein. Such means includes a plurality of pinch rods and a cylindrical cam mounted about the pneumatic cylinder and provided with a channel to cooperate with one end of the pinch rods so as to open the selected outlet when the needle is thrust therein. Means are also provided for selectively indexing the needle within the oscillatory ambit which comprises both electrical and mechanical parts.

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First Claim