Switch for an operating material

{
  "publication_number": "US9732865B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Switch for an operating material",
  "abstract": "The invention relates to a switch (1) for an operating material, comprising an inlet opening (3) for introducing an operating material into an inlet side (2), and several outlet openings (5) for discharging the operating material to an outlet side (4). An actuator (6) comprising a connecting channel (7) is arranged between the inlet side (2) and the outlet side (4), said actuator can be adjusted such that the connecting channel (7) can connect the inlet opening (3) to one of the outlet openings (5). Said actuator (6) consists of at least two parts (9, 10), and the connecting channel (7) is defined, at least in sections, by both parts (9, 10) of the actuator (31, 32, 33, 34).",
  "claims": [
    "1. A switch for an operating material, comprising an inlet opening for supplying an operating material at an inlet side, and a plurality of outlet openings for discharging the operating material at an outlet side, wherein an actuator having a connecting channel is provided between the inlet side and the outlet side, and is adjustable in such a way that an option for connecting the inlet opening to one of the outlet openings can be provided via the connecting channel, wherein the actuator is made up of at least two parts, each part will contact the operating material when the operating material is discharged, the connecting channel being defined, at least in areas, by both parts of the actuator.",
    "2. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the connecting channel is defined by at least one recess in one of the parts of the actuator.",
    "3. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the connecting channel is defined, at least in sections, by recesses in two adjoining parts of the actuator.",
    "4. The switch according to claim 2, wherein the recesses of both parts are mirror-symmetrical, at least in areas.",
    "5. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the recesses extend from a contact surface of the parts into at least one of the parts in a direction of extent, wherein the clearance of the recess from the surface in the direction of extent is constant or becomes smaller.",
    "6. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is rotatable about a rotational axis.",
    "7. The switch according to claim 6, wherein the contact surface of the parts extends in parallel to the rotational axis.",
    "8. The switch according to claim 6, wherein the rotational axis extends through the opening of the connecting channel at the side of the actuator facing the inlet side.",
    "9. The switch according to claim 6, wherein the connecting channel extends from the side of the actuator facing the inlet side to the opposite side of the actuator facing the outlet side, such that the distance of the connecting channel from the rotational axis increases, at least in areas.",
    "10. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the actuator has at least one pressure medium channel which opens into the connecting channel via a channel opening to be able to supply a pressure medium into the connecting channel.",
    "11. The switch according to claim 2, wherein the connecting channel is defined, at least in sections, by recesses in two adjoining parts of the actuator.",
    "12. The switch according to claim 2, wherein the recesses extend from a contact surface of the parts into at least one of the parts in a direction of extent, wherein the clearance of the recess from the surface in the direction of extent is constant or becomes smaller.",
    "13. The switch according to claim 3, wherein the recesses extend from a contact surface of the parts into at least one of the parts in a direction of extent, wherein the clearance of the recess from the surface in the direction of extent is constant or becomes smaller.",
    "14. The switch according to claim 4, wherein the recesses extend from a contact surface of the parts into at least one of the parts in a direction of extent, wherein the clearance of the recess from the surface in the direction of extent is constant or becomes smaller.",
    "15. The switch according to claim 2, wherein the actuator is rotatable about a rotational axis.",
    "16. The switch according to claim 3, wherein the actuator is rotatable about a rotational axis.",
    "17. The switch according to claim 4, wherein the actuator is rotatable about a rotational axis.",
    "18. The switch according to claim 6, wherein the actuator is rotatable about a rotational axis.",
    "19. The switch according to claim 7, wherein the rotational axis extends through the opening of the connecting channel at the side of the actuator facing the inlet side.",
    "20. The switch according to claim 1, comprising: a rear plate disposed around the inlet opening, the rear plate having a face adjacent the actuator at the inlet side, the rear plate face defining a gap radially spaced from the inlet opening and extending circumferentially around at least part of the inlet opening; a pressure medium channel disposed within the actuator and fluidly connected to the connecting channel and the rear plate gap."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a switch for an operating material, in particular a bulk material, in particular a granulate. These types of switches are used in particular in the form of tube switches for bulk materials, in particular in pneumatic conveyor systems, and are used for either converting two or more conveying lines into one conveying line, or vice versa. There are many possible design principles and types of construction for such switches. In particular sliding switches, hose switches, rotary switches, or rotational switches are known in the prior art which are used depending on the intended purpose.\n\nFor example, DE 202012101232 U1 discloses a sliding tube switch for a granulate, comprising a housing, a first, second, and third connector provided on the housing, a valve body which is movably guided back and forth in the housing, and which in a first position connects the first connector to the second connector, and in a second position connects the first connector to the third connector, at least one pressure chamber which is delimited by the housing and the valve body, and an antitwist element which secures the valve body from twisting about the sliding axis.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16K 11/074",
    "B29B 9/16",
    "B65G 53/56",
    "Y10T 137/86493",
    "Y10T 137/86847"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B65G 53/56",
    "F16K 11/074",
    "B64C 25/50",
    "F16K 27/04"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Henkel AG and Co KGaA"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Andreas Henke"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2013-12-03",
  "publication_date": "2017-08-15",
  "grant_date": "2017-08-15",
  "priority_date": "2012-12-20",
  "application_number": "US-201314654036-A",
  "family_id": "49713078",
  "cited_by_count": 4,
  "citations": [
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    "WO2005108831A2",
    "US20050236051A1",
    "US7631661B2",
    "WO2013105021A1",
    "DE202012101232U1"
  ]
}