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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Rotary valve

Rotary \Ro"ta*ry\, a. [L. rota a wheel. See Roll, v., and cf. barouche, Rodomontade, Rou['e], Round, a., Rowel.] Turning, as a wheel on its axis; pertaining to, or resembling, the motion of a wheel on its axis; rotatory; as, rotary motion.

Rotary engine, steam engine in which the continuous rotation of the shaft is produced by the direct action of the steam upon rotating devices which serve as pistons, instead of being derived from a reciprocating motion, as in the ordinary engine; a steam turbine; -- called also rotatory engine.

Rotary pump, a pump in which the fluid is impelled by rotating devices which take the place of reciprocating buckets or pistons.

Rotary shears, shears, as for cloth, metal, etc., in which revolving sharp-edged or sharp-cornered wheels do the cutting.

Rotary valve, a valve acting by continuous or partial rotation, as in the four-way cock.

Wikipedia
Rotary valve

A rotary valve is a type of valve in which the rotation of a passage or passages in a transverse plug regulates the flow of liquid or gas through the attached pipes. The common stopcock is the simplest form of rotary valve. Rotary valves have been applied in numerous applications, including:

  • Changing the pitch of brass instruments.
  • Controlling the steam and exhaust ports of steam engines, most notably in the Corliss steam engine.
  • Periodically reversing the flow of air and fuel across the open hearth furnace.
  • Loading sample on chromatography columns.
  • Certain types of two-stroke engines.
  • Most hydraulic automotive power steering control valves.