Valve seal for a diverter assembly

Abstract

A valve for controlling the flow of a waste gas stream received from an industrial process is disclosed. The valve includes ducts to permit entry of the stream for removal of harmful VOCs and exit of the treated gas stream to the atmosphere. The valve includes several open frames extending radially from a central axis. A distribution blade mounted on the axis rotates between two positions to control the flow of the stream through the open frames during processing. A seal ring mounted to each open frame forms a seal with the distribution blade when in contact with the frame. Pressurized air delivered within the seal ring during contact with the blade acts to significantly reduce of the gas stream from within the valve to the atmosphere during operation.

1 . A control valve for use in a gas flow installation for controlling a gas stream flowing therethrough, said control valve comprising:
 a. a stationary housing for communicating with the gas flow installation, said housing including a central axis and a plurality of open frames extending in generally radial directions from said axis including a first frame and a second frame, a delivery duct and an exit duct to enable the entry and exit of gas through said installation and a plurality of openings disposed about the housing periphery for controlling gas stream flow;   b. a gas flow distribution blade for alternating the flow of the gas stream through the fluid flow installation, said blade extending radially in at least one direction from said central axis and arranged for rotation on said axis between a first position wherein said blade is in abutting relation with said first open frame to a second position wherein said blade is in abutting relation with said second open frame;   c. a seal ring mounted to each of said first and second open frames, said seal ring adapted to form a seal between said blade and said first or second open frame when said blade is in said first or second position; and,   d. wherein when said blade is in said first position, said delivery duct is in fluid communication with a first opening to define a first gas stream inlet path, and when said blade is rotated to said second position, said delivery duct is in fluid communication with a second opening to define a second gas stream inlet path.   
     
     
         2 . The control valve of  claim 1 , wherein each said seal ring comprises a pair of elongated similarly configured leaves spaced-apart from each other a predetermined distance so as to form a gap therebetween. 
     
     
         3 . The control valve of  claim 2 , wherein a manifold is situated within said gap to supply pressurized gas about said seal ring. 
     
     
         4 . The control valve of  claim 2 , wherein each of said leaves is formed of a flexible material. 
     
     
         5 . The control valve of  claim 2 , wherein each of said leaves includes a fixed end affixed to said frame and a free end extending from said fixed end and arranged for contacting said blade when abutting said frame to form said seal. 
     
     
         6 . The control valve of  claim 4 , wherein said free end of said leaves is bent at a predetermined angle. 
     
     
         7 . The control valve of  claim 1 , additionally comprising third and fourth open frames extending radially from said axis each having a seal ring mounted thereon to form a seal between said blade and said third and fourth open frames, wherein said blade extends radially in two opposite directions from said axis and is arranged for rotation between said first position wherein said blade is in abutting relation with said first and third open frames to a said second position wherein said blade is in abutting relation with said second and fourth open frames. 
     
     
         8 . The control valve of  claim 7 , wherein when said blade is in said first position, said delivery duct is in fluid communication with first opening to form a first gas stream inlet path and said second opening is in fluid communication with an exit duct to form a first gas stream outlet path, and when said blade is in said second position, said delivery duct is in fluid communication with said second opening to form a second gas stream inlet path, and said first opening is in fluid communication with said exit duct to form a second gas stream outlet path. 
     
     
         9 . The control valve of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid flow installation is regenerative thermal oxidizer. 
     
     
         10 . The control valve of  claim 1 , wherein said frames are generally rectangular in shape and include a large rectangular opening. 
     
     
         11 . The control valve of  claim 1 , wherein said blade is reciprocable between said first and second positions. 
     
     
         12 . The control valve of  claim 3 , wherein said manifold is comprised of a length of bar stock having a plurality of through bores extending into said gap, said bores serving as ports to transmit pressurized air from an air source through a plurality of tubes and into said gap. 
     
     
         13 . The control valve of  claim 8 , wherein when said blade is in said first position, flow of gas through the first and third open frames is blocked, and wherein when said blade is in said second position, flow of gas through said second and fourth open frames is blocked. 
     
     
         14 . The control valve of  claim 1 , wherein the gas flow installation is a regenerative thermal oxidizer and the gas stream contains volatile organic compounds.