Importance

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Abstract

A rotary valve and associated method of cleaning, including a generally cylindrical housing (104) defining a central axis, and a rotatable shaft (106) mounted in a first end plate (130) of the housing for rotation by a drive system (108) operating adjacent the first end plate. A vane rotor (102) is connectable to the shaft in an operating position entirely within the housing for transmitting the rotation of the shaft about the axis to the vanes (140) of the rotor. The rotor is selectively axially displaceable relative to the shaft, into a cleaning position entirely outside the housing. This is facilitated by the mounting of the rotor to the other, second end plate (110), such that the disassembly of the second end plate from the housing and the axial displacement thereof away from the first end plate, also displaces the rotor. Thus, the shaft is never disengaged from the drive system and, therefore, the longitudinal and radial positions of the shaft relative to the axis, are not disturbed during disassembly and reassembly.

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First Claim