US Patent 6874535 Device and method for operating at least two valves

A valve device and a method for operating at least two valves is actuated by an actuator and arranged for controlling fluid flow in at least two separate fluid lines. The two valves are preferably diaphragm operated valves, but may be also piston valves. The valve device includes a pressure release mechanism constructed to change pressure in a diaphragm chamber of each diaphragm operated valve and thereby open or close the valve. The pressure release mechanism may include a fluid passage in communication with each diaphragm chamber, where it is simultaneously controlled by a movement of a single sealing member actuated by a single actuator. The valve device may also include a manual actuator.