US4156437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer controllable multi-port valve
Assignee: Applied Biosystems Inc
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Filing: 1978-02-21
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Granted: 1979-05-29
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Expires: 1998-02-21
Abstract
Abstract Developed primarily as a selector for use with a system for analyzing gases from any one of sixteen remote positions, the valve includes a platen containing on one surface sixteen circumferentially aligned input ports and one central output port. Rotatable adjacent the opposite surface of the platen is a selector manifold having a conduit that connects the central output port with any one of the input ports. To rotate the manifold to a new position, a solenoid connected to the rotating shaft on the manifold lifts the manifold from the platen while simultaneously engaging a clutch on a continuously rotating motor shaft. When the selector manifold reaches the desired sample position, identified precisely by the position of a digital encoder disc, the solenoid is released and a spring disengages the motor clutch and forces the selector manifold to seal against the selected port in the platen.
Inventors
- 👤 Clyde C. Chivens
- 👤 Wayne J. Whistler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:54
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K11/00; F16K11/02; F16K11/06; F16K11/072; F16K11/074; F16K11/0743; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8158; Y10T137/8225; Y10T137/8242; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86389; Y10T137/86445; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86815; Y10T137/86823; Y10T137/86863
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
An electrically controllable multi-port fluid valve comprising: a platen having on its first surface a centrally positioned first port and a plurality of second ports equally spaced from said first port; a rotatable selector manifold positioned adjacent the second surface of said platen, said manifold having a conduit adapted to interconnect and seal against said first port and one of said second ports; a motor; a clutch coupled to the shaft of said motor; a rotatable shaft interconnecting said rotatable selector manifold with said clutch; electrically actuated means for lifting said rotatable selector manifold from the second surface of said platen, the lifting of said manifold being transmitted through said rotatable shaft to force engagement of said clutch; and means for urging said manifold against the second surface of said platen upon de-energization of said electrically actuated means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
An electrically controllable multi-port fluid valve comprising: a platen having on its first surface a centrally positioned first port and a plurality of second ports equally spaced from said first port; a rotatable selector manifold positioned adjacent the second surface of said platen, said manifold having a conduit adapted to interconnect and seal against said first port and one of said second ports; a motor; a clutch coupled to the shaft of said motor; a rotatable shaft interconnecting said rotatable selector manifold with said clutch; electrically actuated means for lifting said rotatable selector manifold from the second surface of said platen, the lifting of said manifold being transmitted through said rotatable shaft to force engagement of said clutch; and means for urging said manifold against the second surface of said platen upon de-energization of said electrically actuated means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The valve claimed in claim 1 further including position indicating means coupled to said rotatable shaft for identifying the position of said manifold.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The valve claimed in claim 2 wherein said electrically actuated means comprises a solenoid having a rotatable solenoid shaft coupled between said clutch and said manifold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The valve claimed in claim 3 wherein said manifold is sealed against the second surface of said platen with resilient "O" rings positioned around the terminals of said conduit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The valve claimed in claim 4 further including a purging port in said platen for removing from the valve fluids that were not selected by said manifold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The valve claimed in claim 5 wherein said rotatable manifold includes a dummy port and "O" ring for balancing said manifold.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The valve claimed in claim 4 wherein said position indicating means comprises a shaft position to digital encoder disc having a binary count capable of identifying the position of each of said second ports, said disc further having indicia for precisely identifying the location of each of said second ports.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The valve claimed in claim 7 wherein said encoder disc is encoded with a reflective code pattern sensed by LED/detector elements positioned adjacent said reflective pattern.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-05-28 | 1982-11-27 | 1983-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-05-28 | 1986-11-27 | 1987-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-05-28 | 1990-11-27 | 1991-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |