Shutter valve

Abstract

A shutter valve for regulating pressure and controlling fluid flow comprising an actuator ring having a plurality of gear teeth, the gear teeth driven by a mating gear or other means. A plurality of obturator pin bosses, each pin boss affixed within an inside circumference of the actuator ring, the pin boss further comprising a hinge pin aperture. The shutter valve further comprises three or more obturator elements, each obturator element defining a petal shape structure including a tongue and groove feature along at least a portion of an outside circumference thereof, and wherein each obturator element is hingedly coupled to a hinge pin aperture of an obturator pin boss. A hook element is located at an apex of said petal shape structure of each obturator element. The shutter value further includes a housing defining a cavity or holding the actuator ring and the three or more obturator elements.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A shutter valve for regulating pressure and controlling fluid flow, comprising:
 an actuator ring comprising a plurality of gear teeth, the gear teeth driven by a mating gear;   a plurality of obturator pin bosses, each pin boss affixed within an inside circumference of the actuator ring, the obturator pin boss further comprising a hinge pin aperture;   three or more obturator elements, each obturator element defining a petal shape structure including a tongue and groove feature along at least a portion of an outside circumference thereof, and wherein each obturator element is hingedly coupled to a hinge pin aperture of an obturator pin boss;   a hook element located at an apex of said petal shape structure of each obturator element; and   a housing defining a cavity for holding the actuator ring and the three or more obturator elements.   
     
     
         2 . The shutter valve of  claim 1 , wherein the petal shape structure of each obturator element further comprises a seal surface along at least a portion of the outside circumference thereof 
     
     
         3 . The shutter valve of  claim 2 , wherein said seal surface of said tongue and groove feature is composed of any one of rubber, plastic, PTFE, and vinyl. 
     
     
         4 . The shutter valve of  claim 3 , wherein said actuator ring comprises a flat surface to mate with a seal. 
     
     
         5 . The shutter valve of  claim 4 , wherein each of said three or more obturator elements is coupled by a hinge to a hinge aperture of an obturator pin boss such that said obturator elements are arranged in a circular array along the inside circumference of the actuator ring. 
     
     
         6 . The shutter valve of  claim 5 , wherein said three or more obturator elements are communally disposable between an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The shutter valve of  claim 6 , wherein in the closed position the seal surface of each obturator element contacts an adjacent obturator element so as to securely void any aperture within the inside circumference of the actuator ring. 
     
     
         8 . The shutter valve of  claim 7 , wherein forces acting on the gear teeth drive the actuator ring, causing the obturator elements to move between the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         9 . A shutter valve for regulating pressure and controlling fluid flow, comprising:
 an actuator ring comprising:
 a) a plurality of gear teeth, the gear teeth driven by a mating gear; 
 b) a plurality of obturator pin bosses, each pin boss affixed within an inside circumference of the actuator ring; and 
 c) a hinge pin aperture located in each obturator pin boss; 
   three or more obturator elements, each obturator element comprising:
 a) a petal shape structure including a tongue and groove feature along at least a portion of an outside circumference thereof; 
 b) a hook element located at an apex of said petal shape structure; and 
 c) a hinged connection to a hinge pin aperture of an obturator pin boss, such that rotational movement of the actuator ring causes movement of the obturator elements; and 
 a housing defining a cavity for holding the actuator ring and the three or more obturator elements. 
   
     
     
         10 . The shutter valve of  claim 9 , wherein the petal shape structure of each obturator element further comprises a seal surface along at least a portion of the outside circumference thereof 
     
     
         11 . The shutter valve of  claim 10 , wherein said seal surface of said tongue and groove feature is composed of any one of rubber, plastic, PTFE, and vinyl. 
     
     
         12 . The shutter valve of  claim 11 , wherein said actuator ring comprises a flat surface to mate with a seal. 
     
     
         13 . The shutter valve of  claim 12 , wherein said obturator elements are arranged in a circular array along the inside circumference of the actuator ring. 
     
     
         14 . The shutter valve of  claim 13 , wherein said three or more obturator elements are communally disposable between an open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The shutter valve of  claim 14 , wherein in the closed position the seal surface of each obturator element contacts an adjacent obturator element so as to securely void any aperture within the inside circumference of the actuator ring. 
     
     
         16 . A shutter valve for regulating pressure and controlling fluid flow, comprising:
 an actuator ring comprising:
 a) a plurality of gear teeth, the gear teeth driven by a mating gear; 
 b) a plurality of obturator pin bosses, each pin boss affixed within an inside circumference of the actuator ring; and 
 c) a hinge pin aperture located in each obturator pin boss; 
   three or more obturator elements, each obturator element comprising:
 a) a petal shape structure including a tongue and groove feature along at least a portion of an outside circumference thereof; 
 b) a hook element located at an apex of said petal shape structure; 
 c) a hinged connection to a hinge pin aperture of an obturator pin boss, such that rotational movement of the actuator ring causes movement of the obturator elements; and 
 d) a protrusion configured for gliding along a track; and 
 a housing defining a cavity for holding the actuator ring and the three or more obturator elements, the housing comprising a plurality of tracks, each track configured for receiving a protrusion of an obturator element, such that the protrusion glides along the track. 
   
     
     
         17 . The shutter valve of  claim 16 , wherein the petal shape structure of each obturator element further comprises a seal surface along at least a portion of the outside circumference thereof 
     
     
         18 . The shutter valve of  claim 17 , wherein said actuator ring comprises a flat surface to mate with a seal. 
     
     
         19 . The shutter valve of  claim 18 , wherein said three or more obturator elements are communally disposable between an open position and a closed position.