Fluid handling – With heating or cooling of the system – Circulating fluid in heat exchange relationship
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-18
2001-11-27
Hepperle, Stephen M. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
With heating or cooling of the system
Circulating fluid in heat exchange relationship
C137S505250, C137S507000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321779
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a pressure regulator including a body having at least two longitudinally extending high pressure passages for routing high pressure fluid through the regulator.
BACKGROUND ART
Alternatively-fueled motor vehicles, i.e., those which operate solely or partially on a fuel other than gasoline or diesel fuel, are proliferating. Many such alternate fuel vehicles use fuel injectors that draw fuel from a tank that stores the alternate fuel in a highly pressurized, normally gaseous state. It is known to use a pressure regulator to control fuel pressure supplied to the fuel injectors, wherein the pressure regulator attempts to maintain a constant outlet pressure as tank pressure varies and/or as fuel flow rate varies.
Known pressure regulators typically include a body having a relatively short and straight high pressure fluid circuit for routing fuel from an inlet to a pressure regulating chamber. Such a fluid circuit, however, does not provide much opportunity for heat transfer to occur between the body and the fuel. As a result, it is difficult to sufficiently heat fuel so as to prevent hydrate formation in such regulators.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention addresses the shortcomings of the prior art by providing an improved regulator that significantly increases heat transfer between the regulator and a fluid passing through the regulator. As a result, the regulator of the invention may be used for relatively high flow rate applications.
In one embodiment of the invention, a regulator for regulating outlet pressure of a fluid supplied to the regulator from a fluid source includes a body having an inlet, and a pressure regulating chamber disposed in the body. A high pressure fluid circuit extends between the inlet and the pressure regulating chamber for transmitting the fluid from the inlet to the pressure regulating chamber. The high pressure fluid circuit includes a longitudinally extending high pressure passage that extends longitudinally away from the inlet and beyond the pressure regulating chamber.
With such a configuration, the high pressure fluid circuit causes the fluid to change flow direction between the inlet and the pressure regulating chamber, thereby increasing turbulence in the fluid. As a result, heat transfer between the body and the fluid is improved compared with prior regulators. The high pressure fluid circuit also improves contact between the body and the fluid, thereby improving heat transfer between the body and the fluid. Furthermore, the high pressure fluid circuit may include an additional longitudinally extending high pressure passage disposed between the longitudinally extending high pressure passage and the pressure regulating chamber.
The regulator may also include first and second pistons disposed proximate the pressure regulating chamber and cooperating to regulate the outlet pressure of the fluid. The pistons preferably have a common axis that is offset from a central axis of the body so that sufficient space is provided for the high pressure fluid circuit.
In another embodiment of the invention, a regulator for regulating outlet pressure of a fluid supplied to the regulator from a fluid source includes a body having an inlet, and a pressure regulating chamber disposed in the body. A high pressure fluid circuit extends between the inlet and the pressure regulating chamber for transmitting the fluid from the inlet to the pressure regulating chamber. The high pressure fluid circuit includes at least two longitudinally extending high pressure passages in fluid communication with each other. One longitudinally extending high pressure passage transmits the fluid in a first direction, and another longitudinally extending high pressure passage transmits the fluid in a second direction different than the first direction.
With such a configuration, turbulent flow through the regulator is enhanced. Furthermore, contact between the body and the fluid is significantly improved compared with prior regulators. In other words, the body-surface to fluid-volume ratio is significantly improved.
Preferably, the first direction is axially opposite the second direction. Furthermore, the high pressure fluid circuit may comprise at least five longitudinally extending high pressure passages to further increase heat transfer between the body and the fluid.
The body also preferably includes a heating fluid circuit for routing heating fluid through the regulator. The heating fluid circuit has a configuration that includes at least five portions at which flow of heating fluid changes direction. Thus, the heating fluid circuit enhances turbulent flow through the regulator. More specifically, the heating fluid circuit preferably includes a heating fluid inlet, a heating fluid outlet, at least two longitudinally extending heating fluid passages, and at least five laterally extending heating fluid passages in fluid communication with the longitudinally extending heating fluid passages. The heating fluid passages are disposed between the heating fluid inlet and the heating fluid outlet and are configured to transmit heating fluid between the heating fluid inlet and the heating fluid outlet.
Further under the invention, a regulator for regulating outlet pressure of a fluid contained in a tank includes a body having an inlet adapted to be in fluid communication with the tank. The regulator further includes a pressure regulating chamber disposed in the body, and a high pressure fluid circuit extending between the inlet and the pressure regulating chamber for transmitting the fluid from the inlet to the pressure regulating chamber. The high pressure fluid circuit includes at least two longitudinally extending high pressure passages in fluid communication with each other. One longitudinally extending high pressure passage transmits the fluid in a first direction, and another longitudinally extending high pressure passage transmits the fluid in a second direction different than the first direction. The regulator also includes a first piston having an end disposed proximate the pressure regulating chamber. The first piston is movable in response to pressure in the tank when exposed to the pressure in the tank. In addition, the regulator includes a second piston having an end disposed proximate the pressure regulating chamber. The second piston is movable toward and away from the end of the first piston in response to the outlet pressure. The ends of the first and second pistons are separated by a first distance to allow the fluid to flow out of the tank, and the ends of the first and second pistons are positioned closer together than the first distance to inhibit flow out of the tank when the outlet pressure reaches a threshold.
The first piston preferably further has a first axial bore that defines at least a portion of one of the longitudinally extending passages. Furthermore, the body preferably has an outlet, and the second piston has a second axial bore in fluid communication with the outlet such that fluid flows through the second axial bore before flowing out of the outlet. The regulator may also be configured such that the outlet and the pistons have a common axis.
Moreover, the regulator may be configured such that the body has a first axis, and the pistons have a common second axis offset from the first axis. With such a configuration, significant space is provided for the longitudinally extending high pressure passages.
The regulator may further include a first spring for biasing the first piston away from the second piston, a second spring for biasing the second piston away from the first piston, and an adjuster cooperable with one piston for moving the one piston with respect to the other piston without affecting spring load of either spring. As a result, outlet pressure may be effectively adjusted without pre-loading either spring.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken
Atluri Sathish
Barker Thomas Dean
Carter Stephen A
Miller Gary W
Schultz Garth J
Brooks & Kushman PC
Hepperle Stephen M.
Veritek NGV, Corp.
LandOfFree
Pressure regulator does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Pressure regulator, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Pressure regulator will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2607686