Balanced valve

Abstract

A balanced valve for controlling the flow of fluids in conduits, the valve comprising: (a) a casing formed of sidewalls and a casing top and bottom, defining an interior; (b) a fluid inlet in a sidewall of the casing and a fluid outlet in an opposite sidewall of said casing; (c) four similar inner walls positioned in square configuration within the interior and configured to define together with a chamber top and bottom, an enclosed central chamber, each wall having a fluid port of similar size; (d) a fluid channel within the interior of the casing, commencing at the fluid inlet and branching to provide equal flows of fluid to fluid ports in opposite inner walls and a fluid channel extending from the fluid outlet and extending within the interior, branching to provide equal flows of fluid to the fluid ports of a different pair of opposite inner walls; (e) a frame linearly movable within said central chamber between an open and a closed position; and (f) four gates supported in square configuration on said frame, one gate corresponding to each of the fluid ports, the gates constructed and positioned on the frame so that when the frame is in closed position, the gates seal off their corresponding fluid ports to prevent flow of fluid through the fluid channels within the housing, and when it is in open position, the gates are clear of their corresponding fluid ports so as to permit full flow of fluid through the fluid channels.