Importance

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Abstract

The improved rotary valve includes a body and a valving block having a valve interface with at least two work ports. A rotatable valve plate is received in the body and has a working face with a land which is in sliding contact with the valve interface. A rotatable stem is received in the valve body and is coupled to the valve plate for causing rotational movement of the plate. The stem has an axial passage in fluid communication with the pressure region of the valve and has at least one metering orifice for intersecting the inlet conductor of the valve and controllably flowing fluid into the pressure region. In one embodiment, used with open center systems, each of the work ports is in fluid communication with the pressure region and the discharge region when the valve plate is in the neutral position. The valve plate and stem are rotatable to an operating position wherein one of the work ports is in fluid communication with only the pressure region and the work port is in fluid communication with only the discharge region. A flow controlling mechanism functions over a range of operating positions to control the flow of fluid from the inlet conductor to a work port. Because of the flow controlling mechanism, the valve has a load sensing capability. An integral relief valve prevents overpressure and provides a path for disabling the rotary valve by use of a solenoid valve without disturbing the position of the valve handle.

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First Claim