Selective Fluid Discharge System And Control Valve Means Therefor

Abstract

A fluid supply system for alternately supplying to a discharge control nozzle a primary fluid and a fluid intermix which includes the primary fluid. A first control valve is interposed between a pressurized source of the primary fluid and the discharge nozzle, and is responsive to a predetermined change in fluid pressure at the discharge nozzle due to opening and closing of the nozzle to control a second valve which effects alternate supply to the discharge nozzle of a fluid intermix which includes the primary fluid.

Description

The present invention relates generally to fluid supply systems, and more particularly to a fluid supply system having novel fluid control valve means for selectively alternately supplying a primary fluid and an intermix of the primary fluid with a secondary fluid to a discharge nozzle or the like.

It is frequently desirable in cleaning processes and the like to apply a first fluid rinse, such as water, to an article being cleaned, thereafter apply a cleaning solution which may comprise an intermix of the first liquid with a detergent additive, and then again apply the unmixed liquid rinse. For example, in self-service car wash systems, water is generally supplied to a manually controlled discharge nozzle to wash the loose dirt and road dust from the car. Thereafter, a control valve is selectively activated, generally in response to energizing a solenoid, to supply a mixture of water and a detergent to the car for removing the remaining dirt and grime. The control valve is then again activated to supply only water to the discharge nozzle to provide a final rinse. A common method for adding a detergent to a relatively high pressure water line is to provide in the fluid delivery line a mixing valve for effecting an intermix of detergent with the water flow as it passes to the discharge nozzle. In one known system, the supply of detergent to the mixing valve is selectively controlled by a solenoid activated shut-off valve. The solenoid control switch, however, is located on a control panel remote from the discharge nozzle so that an operator wishing to switch from a clear water solution to a detergent solution must move to the control panel to activate the solenoid control switch.

The known fluid supply systems for alternately supplying a water rinse and detergent-water intermix have the disadvantage that means other than merely the discharge nozzle must be manipulated or activated to provide alternate liquid solutions. Moreover, the known wash systems have the further disadvantage that they rely on electrical control means which are highly susceptible to electrical system failure due to their being employed in moist atmospheres. The present invention overcomes the disadvantages in the known fluid supply systems of the aforedescribed type by providing a fluid supply system that is responsive to a change in fluid pressure effected by actuation of a discharge nozzle to selectively alternately provide a first fluid, such as water, and a second fluid which comprises an intermix of the water with a secondary fluid such as a detergent. One application of the fluid supply system in accordance with the present invention is in alternately supplying to a discharge nozzle water and a mixture of water with a detergent to clean an article such as an automobile, the alternate fluid supply being effected by means of manual control of the discharge nozzle. In accordance with the present invention, the operator can control the application of detergent solution and rinse solution by merely opening and closing the discharge nozzle whereby the solutions are alternately discharged from the nozzle.

Accordingly, one of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a fluid supply system for selectively alternately supplying a first fluid and an intermix of the first fluid with a second supplemental fluid to a discharge nozzle in response to a change in pressure in the supply line established by actuating the discharge nozzle between open and closed positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid supply system as described wherein novel fluid control valve means are operative in response to a change in pressure in a discharge nozzle supply line upon opening and closing of the nozzle to alternately supply a first fluid under pressure and an intermix of the first fluid with a second or auxiliary fluid.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid supply system having novel fluid control valve means wherein a by-pass valve is connected in a primary fluid supply line and is responsive to a predetermined pressure in the primary fluid supply line to by-pass fluid from the primary supply line, and wherein a second valve means is operatively connected to the by-pass valve and is adapted to effect selective intermixing of a secondary fluid with the primary fluid, the second valve means being alternately opened and closed as the fluid pressure in the primary fluid supply line successively reaches the predetermined pressure.

A further object of the present invention is to provide fluid control valve means as described wherein the second valve means includes a slide plate member movable between positions to open and close a secondary fluid supply line, the slide plate member having a cam surface thereon engageable by a control rod so that the slide plate is alternately moved between its opened and closed positions in response to the fluid pressure in the primary fluid supply line reaching the predetermined pressure

Further objects and advantages of the present invention, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of a fluid supply system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the valve means as employed in the fluid supply system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the by-pass valve portion of the valve means of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of the control valve portion of the valve means of FIG. 2 for controlling the flow of a secondary fluid, a portion of the housing being broken away for clarity;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the portion of the control valve shown in FIG. 4, taken generally along the line 5--5 of FIG. 4, the valve slide plate member being shown in closed position;

FIG. 6 is a partial detail view of the slide plate member shown in FIG. 5, the slide member being illustrated in cooperation with the control rod as the slide plate member is moved to an open position;

FIG. 7 is a partial side elevational view generally similar to FIG. 5 but showing the slide member in an open position;

FIG. 8 is a detail view generally similar to FIG 6 but showing the valve plate member being moved to a closed position by the control rod;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 9--9 of FIG. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view taken generally along the line 10--10 of FIG. 7.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, a fluid supply and discharge system in accordance with the present invention is schematically illustrated generally at 11. The fluid supply and discharge system 11 includes a source 13 of a first or primary fluid which is to be selectively discharged through a conventional discharge nozzle 15 manually operable between open and closed positions. The discharge nozzle 15 may be of the type adapted to receive the primary fluid from the source 13 and discharge the primary fluid in the form of a spray as might be used in wash systems or painting systems.

The source 13 of primary fluid is connected to the input of the discharge nozzle 15 through first conduit means including a flow conduit 17 which interconnects the first source 13 of a primary fluid to a fluid pressure pump 19 of conventional design. The fluid pressure pump 19 may be of the centrifical or positive displacement type and has an output port connected to first valve means 21 through a flow conduit 23. The first valve means 21 comprises a by-pass valve to be described in greater detail hereinbelow. The output port of the pump 19 is also connected through a fluid flow conduit 25 to a conventional mixing valve 27. The mixing valve 27, in turn, has an output port connected to the discharge nozzle 15 through a fluid flow conduit 29. The flow conduits 17, 23, 25 and 29 comprise the first flow conduit means serving to interconnect the source 13 of primary fluid to the discharge nozzle 15.

As thus far described, it will be understood that the discharge nozzle 15 is adapted to discharge the primary fluid from the source 13 when the discharge nozzle is selectively opened, the fluid pressure at the input of the discharge nozzle being normally constant when the discharge nozzle is open. When the discharge nozzle 15 is closed to prevent discharge of the primary fluid from the discharge nozzle, the fluid pressure within the flow conduits 23, 25 and 29 will increase. The by-pass valve 21 is connected to the conduits 23 and 25 through a conventional T-connection (not shown) and is set to effect by-pass of the primary fluid from the output side of the pump 19 through a flow conduit 31 back to the inlet side of the pump 19 when the fluid pressure at the input of the discharge nozzle 15 reaches a predetermined value, as will become apparent below.

The fluid supply and discharge system 11 includes a source 33 of a secondary or auxiliary fluid which is connected through a flow conduit 35 to second valve means 37. The second valve means 37 has an output port connected to the mixing valve 27 through a flow conduit 39. The second valve means 37 comprises a secondary fluid control valve to be described in greater detail hereinbelow, the secondary control valve being mechanically interconnected to the first valve means 21 as indicated schematically by dash line 41. As will become more apparent hereinbelow, the second valve means 37 is operatively associated with the first valve means 21 and is adapted to alternately open and close in response to successive actuations of the discharge nozzle from its open to its closed positions. Stated in an alternative manner, assuming the discharge nozzle 15 to be open and the valve means 37 to be in a closed condition so as to prevent intermixing of the secondary fluid from the source 33 with the primary fluid at the mixing valve 29, the valve means 37 is automatically moved to an open position on the next successive actuation of the discharge nozzle 15 to a closed condition. Thereafter, opening of the discharge nozzle 15 will effect discharge of the primary fluid intermixed with the secondary fluid. When the discharge nozzle 15 is again closed, the valve means 37 will automatically be actuated to a closed position so that only the primary fluid is discharged when the discharge nozzle is again opened.

The discharge nozzle 15 and mixing valve 27, per se, form no part of the present invention and will not be described in greater detail herein. The discharge nozzle 15 may be of conventional design having means for allowing manual operation thereof, such as a control trigger for hand operation. Similarly, the mixing valve 27 may be of a conventional design which allows intermixing of first and second fluids separately supplied thereto for discharge in an admixed condition.

Noting FIGS. 2 and 3, the first or by-pass valve means 21 includes a generally cylindrical tubular body 45 having internal threaded open end portions, one end of which has an input connector 47 threadedly secured therein, and the other end of which has a plug member 49 threadedly secured therein. The connector 47 is connected to the aforementioned T-connection (not shown) which interconnects the by-pass valve 21 to the flow conduits 23 and 25. The tubular body 45 also has a threaded opening 51 disposed generally mid-length thereof in transverse relation to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body. The threaded opening 51 serves as an output port and receives a coupling 53 therein for connection to the by-pass flow conduit 31. The tubular body 45 has a cylindrical counterbore 55 therein which slidingly receives a cylindrical valve member 57. The valve member 57 has a conically shaped nose portion 59 which is biased to seat against the circular edge of an axial flow passage 61 in the input connector 47 by a compression spring 63 having its opposite ends abutting the cylindrical valve member 57 and the end plug 49. With the valve member 57 positioned as shown in FIG. 3, it can be seen that fluid flow from the pump 19 through the conduit 23 will not pass through the by-pass valve means 21 until the valve member 57 is unseated from its flow blocking position. The compression spring 63 exerts an axial force on the valve member 57 sufficient to maintain the nose portion 59 seated against the input connector 47 until a predetermined fluid pressure is established in the conduits 23 and 25 by closing the discharge nozzle 15. When this predetermined fluid pressure is reached, the fluid pressure acting on the effective area of the nose portion 59 of the valve member 57 disposed within the axial flow passage 61 unseats the valve member 57 and allows fluid flow through an axial flow passage 65 in the valve 57 and through a transverse flow passage 67 in an actuating rod 69. The actuating rod 69 is biased inwardly against the valve member 57 and extends longitudinally rearwardly through the plug member 49, the outermost end of the actuating rod 69 serving as a mechanical interconnection referred to above at 41 to actuate the secondary fluid control valve means 37, as will be described more fully hereinbelow. The by-pass valve means 21 is of generally known construction and is adapted to by-pass fluid from the conduit 23 back to the inlet of the fluid pump 19 through the flow conduit 31 when the fluid pressure between the pump 19 and the discharge nozzle 15 reaches the aforereferenced predetermined fluid pressure. In one embodiment, the by-pass valve means 21 was set to open at 350 p.s.i.g.

With reference to FIG. 2, taken in conjunction with FIGS. 4-10, the secondary or auxiliary fluid control valve means 37 includes housing means, indicated generally at 73. The housing means 73 has a block portion 75 having a cylindrical bore 77 therethrough which receives the body portion 45 of the by-pass valve means 21 in supporting relation therein. The block portion 75 of the housing means 73 has a slot 79 therein which intersects th cylindrical bore 77, and has clamping bolts 81 secured thereto which allow tightening of the housing block portion 75 about the by-pass valve means 21 to maintain it in fixed relation relative to the housing means 73. It will be understood that the by-pass valve means 21 may be suitably affixed to the secondary fluid control valve means 37 through any suitable means alternative to the illustrated integral block porton 75 of the housing means 73.

Noting FIG. 4, the housing means 73 has a cylindrical bore 83 which slidingly receives an actuating plunger 85 therein for longitudinal rectilinear movement, the axis of the bore 83 being coincident with the axis of the cylindrical bore 77 in the housing block portion 75. The actuating plunger 85 is biased to a position outwardly from the bore 83 by a compression spring 87, and has an outer generally flat end portion 89 the outer edge of which continually engages the outermost end of the actuating rod 69. It can be seen that with the plunger 85 biased against the outer end of the actuating rod 69, the compression spring 87 also biases the actuating rod 69 of the by-pass valve means 21 inwardly against the valve member 57.

The housing means 73 has a fluid flow inlet passage 91 (FIG. 9) which intersects a fluid flow outlet passage 93, the inlet flow passage 91 having a suitable connector 95 threadedly secured therein for connecting the inlet passage 91 to the flow conduit 35 from the source 33 of secondary fluid. The outlet flow passage 93 has a suitable connector 97 threadedly secured therein for connection to the flow conduit 39 which interconnects the secondary fluid control valve means 37 to the mixing valve 27, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The housing means 73 has a slot 99 therein disposed in transverse relation to the longitudinal axis of the inlet passage 91, the slot 99 intersecting the inlet passage 91 and being defined by parallel spaced planar surfaces formed in the housing means 73. The slot 99 may be formed in the integral housing means 73, or may be defined between a planar surface of the housing means 73 and a spaced planar surface on a block 101 which is secured to the housing means 73 by set screws 103 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The slot 99 receives slide plate means therein comprising a flat slide plate 105 having planar surfaces slideably engaging the opposed surfaces defining the slot 99. The slide plate 105 is supported by the housing means 73 for rotational movement about the axis of a support screw 107 the shank of which is received through a suitable opening in the slide plate and is threadedly secured to the housing means 73. The slide plate 105 is rotatable about the axis of the screw 107 for movement between a first position as shown in FIG. 5 wherein the slide plate is effective to prevent fluid communication between the flow passages 91 and 93, and a second position as shown in FIG. 7 wherein an opening 109 through the slide plate 105 is in registration with the inlet passage 91 so as to allow fluid communication between the inlet and outlet flow passages 91 and 93. Preferably, a pair of O-ring seals 111 are disposed in coaxial relation about the inlet passage 91 adjacent the slot 99 to prevent fluid leakage between the inlet flow passage and the slide plate 105. A pair of screw heads 113 are affixed to the housing means 73 for abutment with surfaces portions 115 and 117 on the slide plate 105 to establish open and closed positions for the slide valve plate 105 when rotated about the axis of the support screw 107. It will be understood that the closed position of the slide plate 105 is established when the slide plate blocks or prevents flow between the flow passages 91 and 93 in the housing means 73, while the open position of the slide plate is established when moved to a position to establish registry of the opening 109 therein with the flow passage 91 to allow fluid flow through the valve means 37.

With the outer end surface of the flat end portion 89 of the actuating plunger 85 being in continual engagmeent with the outer end of the actuating rod 69 of the by-pass valve means 21, the control plunger 85 will undergo longitudinal movement when the actuating rod 69 is moved longitudinally in response to flow by-pass operation of the by-pass valve means 21 as above described. The secondary fluid control valve 37 includes means to alternately move the slide plate 105 to its open and closed positions upon successive movements of the actuating plunger 85 into the bore 83 against the biasing action of the spring 87. Stated alternatively, the secondary fluid control valve means 37 will alternate between opened and closed valve positions upon successive inward movements of the actuating plunger 85 responsive to outward movement of the actuating rod 69 when the aforereferenced predetermined pressure at the discharge nozzle 15 is reached, as when the discharge nozzle 15 is closed. To this end, the slide plate 105 includes cam surface means comprising first and second cam surfaces 119 and 121, respectively, which are engageable by the curved end portion 123 of a control rod 125 to effect selective movement of the slide plate 105 between its open and closed positions.

The control rod 125 is received through a suitable opening 127 in the outer flat end portion 89 of the actuating plunger 85, the end of the control rod opposite the curved end 123 being pivotally seated in a recess 129 in the housing means 73. The control rod 125 is rotatable about the axis of straight portion thereof received through the opening 127 in the plunger 85, and has a cotter pin 131 secured therethrough, as shown in FIG. 4, to prevent accidental withdrawal of the control rod from the recess 129. In this manner, it can be seen that movement of the actuating plunger 85 will effect movement of the upper curved end 123 of the control rod 125 in a corresponding direction, when considered in FIG. 5. With the actuating plunger 85 being biased to an outward position by the compression spring 87, the control rod 125 will be similarly biased to a non-operative position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The housing means 73 has a flat guide plate 133 secured thereto by the screws 113 such that the guide plate 133 immediately underlies the slide plate 105 adjacent the cam surfaces 119 and 121 thereon. The guide plate 133 has a generally V-shaped guide track or cam surface 135 therein which receives the curved end portion 123 of the control rod 125 therethrough. The cam surface 135 in the guide plate 133 serves to limit the movement of the control rod 125 in a direction away from the slide plate 105, and thereby establishes the non-operating position of the control rod when the actuating plunger 85 is in its normal outwardly biased position.

The cam surfaces 119 and 121 on the slide plate 105 intersect at 137 to define a generally V-shape. The point of intersection 137 of the cam surfaces 119 and 121 is located so as to be alternately disposed on either side of a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the control rod 125, considered when the control rod is in its normal rearward position as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and with the slide plate 105 in its open and closed positions. In this manner, when the curved end 123 of the control rod 125 is brought forwardly upon inward movement of the actuating plunger 85, the curved end 123 portion will engage one or the other of the cam surfaces 119 or 121 of the slide plate 105, depending upon whether the slide plate 105 is in its open or closed position. Assuming, for purposes of illustration, that the slide plate 105 is in a closed position as shown in FIG. 5, it can be seen that forward movement of the control rod 125 will cause the curved end portion 123 thereof to engage the cam surface 121 and effect rotational movement of the slide plate 105 about its pivotal axis 107 to move the slide plate to an open position, as shown in detail in FIG 6. Thereafter, e rearward movement of the control rod 125 away from the slide plate 105 will return the control rod to its non-operating position as established by the cam surface 135 on the guide plate 133. A subsequent movement of the control rod 125 toward the slide plate 105 will cause the curved end portion 123 thereof to engage the cam surface 119 on the slide plate 105, as illustrated in FIG. 8, and move the slide plate 105 back to its closed position. Thus, it can be seen that the slide plate 105 is moved alternately between its opened and closed positions upon successive movements of the control rod 125 in response to inward movement of the actuating plunger 85 which, in turn, is moved in response to outward longitudinal movement of the control rod 69 of the by-pass valve means 21.

Having described a preferred embodiment of a fluid supply and discharge system 11, and the secondary fluid control valve means 37 therefore, the operation of the system will now be briefly reviewed. Assuming, for purposes of illustration, that the source 13 of primary fluid comprises a water reservoir or tank, and that the secondary fluid source 33 comprises a liquid detergent, the operator having control of the manually operable discharge nozzle 15 can selectively discharge in alternate fashion a first liquid comprising only the water, and a second liquid comprising an intermix of the primary fluid or water with the secondary fluid or detergent. If the discharge nozzle 15 is initially opened to dispense only water from the source 13, the secondary fluid control valve means 37 being in a closed position, the fluid pressure at the input of the discharge nozzle will essentially equal the output fluid pressure from the pump 19. Should the operator desire an intermix of the water with the detergent solution, he merely releases the operating trigger of the discharge nozzle to close the discharge nozzle. Closing the discharge nozzles causes the fluid pressure at the input of the discharge nozzle to increase. As hereinabove described, the by-pass valve 21 is set to open and by-pass fluid around the pump 19 when the discharge nozzle 15 is so closed and the fluid pressure in the conduit 29 reaches a predetermined pressure.

Opening the by-pass valve means 21 causes the actuating rod 69 thereof to move longitudinally outwardly of the end plug 49, with the end of the actuating rod causing an inward movement of the actuating plunger 85 of the secondary fluid control valve means 37. Inward movement of the actuating plunger 85 causes a corresponding movement of the control rod 125 with the curved end portion 123 thereof engaging the cam surface 121 to move the slide plate 105 to an open position. Thereafter when the operator again opens the discharge nozzle 15 to effect fluid flow from the pump 19 through the mixing valve 27, detergent from the source 33 will move through the secondary fluid control valve 37 to be intermixed with the water at the mixing valve 27 for discharge of a fluid intermix from the discharge nozzle. Thereafter, should the operator desire to again discharge only the primary or water fluid from the discharge nozzle 15, he can momentarily close the discharge nozzle to effect an increase in the fluid pressure within the flow conduit 29 to the predetermined fluid pressure sufficient to open the by-pass valve means 21. Opening the by-pass valve means 21 effects a corresponding inward movement of the actuating plunger 85 of the secondary fluid control valve means 37 which, in turn, effects a corresponding movement of the curved end portion 123 of the control rod 125 to move the slide plate 105 to a closed position. Subsequent opening of the discharge nozzle 15 will effect a discharge of only the primary or water fluid from the source 13, the secondary fluid control valve means 37 then being in a closed position.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, a fluid supply and control system 11 has been provided wherein a novel secondary or auxiliary fluid control valve means is directly actuated by a by-pass valve means which, in turn, is directly responsive to manual opening and closing of a discharge nozzle adapted to effect discharge of either the primary fluid or an intermix of the primary fluid with the auxiliary fluid. Moreover, the operator may effect alternate discharge of the primary fluid and the intermix of the primary fluid with the auxiliary fluid upon successive actuations of the discharge nozzle to closed positions. The fluid supply and discharge system 11 in accordance with the present invention thus eliminates all need for electrically actuated solenoids and associated control circuitry as has heretofore been employed in selective fluid discharge systems. Moreover, the fluid supply and discharge system in accordance with the present invention eliminates the need for remote control panels to which the operator must move when he desires to switch between discharge fluids. The operator employing the fluid supply and discharge system 11 need only actuate the control nozzle 15 to effect such selective alternative discharge of fluids.

The fluid supply and discharge system 11 may find application in the supply and discharge of many types of fluids wherein it is desired to alternately discharge a first fluid from a discharge nozzle, and thereafter discharge a second fluid from the discharge nozzle which comprises an intermix of the first fluid with a second or auxiliary fluid additive upon manually actuating the discharge nozzle between its open and closed positions. For example, in spray cleaning articles wherein it is desired to spray the object with a first fluid, such as water. The secondary fluid from the source 33 may comprise a liquid detergent additive for selective intermixing with the water to assist in cleaning the article. Alternatively, the fluid supply and discharge system 11 might be used in conjunction with painting wherein a first or primary color paint is provided in the primary fluid source 13, and a second color paint for admixture with the primary color paint is provided in the secondary fluid source 33. The operator could then selectively alternate discharge of the primary color paint and an intermix of the primary color paint with the secondary color paint.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broader aspects.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid supply and discharge system for alternately discharging a first fluid and a fluid intermix which includes the first fluid, comprising, in combination, a source of first fluid, a discharge nozzle operable between open and closed positions, first flow conduit means connecting said discharge nozzle to said source of first fluid, first valve means connected to said first conduit means and being responsive to a predetermined fluid pressure created in said first conduit means when said discharge nozzle is closed to by-pass fluid flow away from said discharge nozzle, a source of second fluid, second flow conduit means adapted to connect said source of second fluid to said discharge nozzle, second valve means connected to said second conduit means and operative between open and closed positions to control the flow of said second fluid to said discharge nozzle, said first valve means including an actuating rod longitudinally movable from a normal first position when the fluid pressure in said first conduit means is below said predetermined pressure, to a second position when the fluid pressure in said first conduit means reaches said predetermined pressure, said second control valve means having slide plate means movable between first and second positions to establish said open and closed positions of said second valve means, said slide plate means being operatively connected to said actuating rod to effect alternate movement of said slide plate means between its said first and second positions in response to successive movements of said actuating rod to its said second position.

2. A fluid supply and discharge system as defined in claim 1 wherein said second valve means includes a control rod movable in response to movement of said actuating rod of said first valve means, said slide plate means having cam surface means engagable by said control rod and having a configuration adapted to effect said alternate of said slide plate means to its said first and second positions upon successive engagements with said control rod responsive to movement of said actuating rod of said first valve means.

3. A fluid supply and discharge system as defined in claim 2 wherein said second valve means includes an actuating plunger engagable with said actuating rod and supported for rectilinear movement in response to movement of said actuating rod, said control rod being interconnected to said actuating plunger for movement in response to movement of said plunger.

4. A flow control valve operative between open and closed positions to control a flow of fluid therethrough, comprising, housing means having an inlet port and an outlet port and fluid passage means interconnecting said inlet and outlet ports, slide plate means supported by said housing means for sliding movement between a first position preventing flow between said inlet and outlet ports and a second position allowing flow between said inlet and outlet ports, actuating means including an actuating plunger supported by said housing means for rectilinear movement between first and second positions relative to said housing means, said actuating means further including a control rod operatively associated with said plunger and said slide plate means to effect movement of said slide plate means between its said first and second positions, said slide plate means having cam surface means engagable by said control rod so that said slide plate means is alternately moved between its said first and second positions upon successive movements of said plunger to its said second position.

5. A flow control valve as defined in claim 4 including means biasing said actuating plunger to its said first position.

6. A flow control valve as defined in claim 4 wherein said housing means includes means cooperative with said control rod to define a non-operating position for said control rod wherein said control rod is out of engagement with said cam surface means, and including means biasing said control rod to said non-operating position.

7. A control valve as defined in claim 6 wherein said cam surface means on said slide plate means has a configuration which presents a first engagement surface to said control rod when said slide plate means is in its first position and presents a second engagement surface to said control rod when said slide plate means is in its second position, said control rod being movable in response to movement of said plunger to alternately engage said first and second engagement surfaces said slide plate and effect alternate movement of said slide plate means between its said first and second positions as said plunger is successively moved to its said second position.

8. A flow control valve as defined in claim 4 wherein said housing means includes a slide groove therein intersecting said passage means, and wherein said slide plate means is received within said slide groove and includes an opening therethrough registrable with said passage means only when said slide plate means is in a selected one of its said first and second positions.

9. A flow control valve as defined in claim 8 including stop means supported by said housing means to establish said first and second positions for said slide plate means.