Rotary Valve Assembly

Abstract

An exemplary rotary valve is disclosed and includes a first valve member having a first aperture and a second valve member having a second aperture, the first and second apertures being at least partially aligned to define an extent of overlap. The rotary valve also includes a first driving mechanism and a third valve member having a third aperture disposed between the other valve members. The first driving mechanism drives the third valve member in movement to move the third aperture along a path across the extent of overlap to cooperate with the other apertures. The third valve member blocks a passage of fluid between the first and second apertures when it is spaced from the extent of overlap. The rotary valve also includes a second driving mechanism engaged with the first or second valve member and operable to drive that valve member in movement to change the overlap.

1 . A rotary valve comprising:
 a first valve member having a first aperture;   a second valve member having a second aperture, said first aperture and said second aperture at least partially aligned to define an extent of overlap for receiving and guiding a fluid stream;   a first driving mechanism;   a third valve member having a third aperture and disposed between said first valve member and said second valve member, wherein said first driving mechanism drives said third valve member in movement such that said third aperture travels along a path across and beyond said extent of overlap and thereby cooperates with said first aperture and said second aperture for receiving and guiding a fluid stream and wherein said third valve member blocks a passage of fluid between said first aperture and said second aperture through said extent of overlap when said third aperture is at a position along said path spaced from said extent of overlap; and   a second driving mechanism engaged with one of said first valve member and said second valve member and operable to drive said one of said first valve member and said second valve member in movement to change said extent of overlap.   
     
     
         2 . The rotary valve of  claim 1  wherein said path is arcuate. 
     
     
         3 . The rotary valve of  claim 2  wherein said path is circular. 
     
     
         4 . The rotary valve of  claim 3  wherein said first driving mechanism is operable to selectively drive said third valve member in movement such that said third aperture travels along said path in opposite directions. 
     
     
         5 . The rotary valve of  claim 4  wherein said extent of overlap is less than half of said path. 
     
     
         6 . The rotary valve of  claim 1  wherein:
 said first valve member further comprises a fourth aperture; 
 said second valve member further comprises a fifth aperture, said fourth aperture and said fifth aperture at least partially aligned to define a second extent of overlap for receiving and guiding a fluid stream; 
 said second extent of overlap is positioned along said path; and 
 said first driving mechanism drives said third valve member in movement such that said third aperture travels along all said path and passes across and beyond said second extent of overlap and thereby cooperates with said fourth aperture and said fifth aperture for receiving and guiding a fluid stream and wherein said third valve member blocks a passage of fluid between said fourth aperture and said fifth aperture through said second extent of overlap when said third aperture is at a position along said path spaced from said second extent of overlap. 
 
     
     
         7 . The rotary valve of  claim 6  wherein further
 said first aperture and said fifth aperture are at least partially aligned to define a third extent of overlap for receiving and guiding a fluid stream; 
 said third extent of overlap is positioned along said path; and 
 said first driving mechanism drives said third valve member in movement such that said third aperture travels along all said path and passes across and beyond said third extent of overlap and thereby cooperates with said first aperture and said fifth aperture for receiving and guiding a fluid stream and wherein said third valve member blocks a passage of fluid between said first aperture and said fifth aperture through said third extent of overlap when said third aperture is at a position along said path spaced from said third extent of overlap. 
 
     
     
         8 . The rotary valve of  claim 7  wherein:
 said fourth aperture and said second aperture are at least partially aligned to define a fourth extent of overlap for receiving and guiding a fluid stream; 
 said fourth extent of overlap is positioned along said path; and 
 said first driving mechanism drives said third valve member in movement such that said third aperture travels along all said path and passes across and beyond said fourth extent of overlap and thereby cooperates with said fourth aperture and said second aperture for receiving and guiding a fluid stream and wherein said third valve member blocks a passage of fluid between said fourth aperture and said second aperture through said fourth extent of overlap when said third aperture is at a position along said path spaced from said fourth extent of overlap. 
 
     
     
         9 . The rotary valve of  claim 8  wherein said third valve member further comprises a sixth aperture and wherein said first driving mechanism drives said third valve member in movement such that said sixth aperture travels along said path and thereby places one of said first and fourth apertures in fluid communication with one of said second and fifth apertures. 
     
     
         10 . The rotary valve of  claim 1  wherein said second valve member further comprises a seventh aperture, said first valve member being moveable by said first driving mechanism to selectively position said first aperture and said second aperture into at least partial alignment to define said extent of overlap or to position said first aperture and said seventh aperture into at least partial alignment to define a fifth extent of overlap for receiving and guiding a fluid stream. 
     
     
         11 . The rotary valve of  claim 1  wherein said first and second apertures are C-shaped in cross-section. 
     
     
         12 . The rotary valve of  claim 1  wherein said second driving mechanism includes a reversible electric motor. 
     
     
         13 . The rotary valve of  claim 1  wherein said second driving mechanism includes a synchronous electric motor. 
     
     
         14 . The rotary valve of  claim 1  wherein said second driving mechanism is further defined as including a detent mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . The rotary valve of  claim 1  wherein said second driving mechanism is further defined as including a clutch operably engaged with said first driving mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . A method of valving comprising the steps of:
 at least partially aligning a first aperture of a first valve member with a second aperture of a second valve member to define an extent of overlap for receiving and guiding a fluid stream;   disposing a third valve member having a third aperture between the first valve member and the second valve member;   driving the third valve member for movement with a first driving mechanism such that the third aperture travels along a path across and beyond the extent of overlap and thereby cooperates with the first aperture and the second aperture for receiving and guiding a fluid stream and wherein the third valve member blocks a passage of fluid between the first aperture and the second aperture through the extent of overlap when the third aperture is at a position along the path spaced from the extent of overlap; and   driving one of the first valve member and the second valve member in movement with a second driving mechanism engaged with one of the first valve member and the second valve member to change the extent of overlap.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said driving the third valve member is further defined as:
 driving the third valve member continuously such that the first aperture and the second aperture are repeatedly blocked from communicating with one another. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said driving the third valve member is further defined as:
 driving the third valve member at a constant speed such that the first aperture and the second aperture are blocked from communicating with one another at regular intervals. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said driving the third valve member is further defined as:
 driving the third valve member at different speeds such that the first aperture and the second aperture are repeatedly blocked from communicating with one another at irregular intervals. 
 
     
     
         20 . A combination comprising:
 said rotary valve of  claim 1 ;   a first fluid passageway extending between first and second ends with at least one of said first and second ends disposed in fluid communication with said rotary valve;   at least one fluid flow generators disposed at a position along said first fluid passageway;   a second fluid passageway extending between first and second ends with at least one of said first and second ends disposed in fluid communication with said rotary valve;   a first reservoir disposed at a position along said first fluid passageway;   a third fluid passageway extending between first and second ends with at least one of said first and second ends disposed in fluid communication with said rotary valve; and   a second reservoir disposed at a position along said first second passageway.