Fluid handling – Line condition change responsive valves – Line flow effect assisted
Utility Patent
1999-05-20
2001-01-02
Hepperle, Stephen M. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Line condition change responsive valves
Line flow effect assisted
C137S505460
Utility Patent
active
06167905
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to gas pressure regulators of the diaphragm type and, more particularly, to an improved valve subassembly for such a regulator.
Gas pressure diaphragm-type regulators are well known in the art. In such regulators, a valve disk and a mating seat assembly are positioned between an upstream and a downstream portion of a flow path for controlling downstream pressure and gas flow by varying the valve opening, that is, the amount by which the valve disk is displaced from its associated valve seat. Gas pressure and flow regulation are achieved by modulating the valve opening to maintain the required downstream pressure while delivering the quantity of gas demanded by the load. The popular, low cost, single stage regulator includes a diaphragm assembly that acts as both the measuring and the actuation device, with the downstream pressure being applied to one side of a diaphragm against the force of an opposed, adjustable regulator spring. The spring force initially holds the diaphragm and an attached stem linkage mechanism in such a position so as to retract the valve disk from the valve seat, thereby maintaining the valve in a full open condition. As upstream pressure is introduced, gas flow occurs through the seat-to-disk opening and into the downstream side of the device. The downstream pressure force is applied against the diaphragm and enables the diaphragm to overcome the opposing regulator spring force, thereby moving the stem linkage and the valve disk to a position closer to the valve seat. In this manner, the adjustment of the regulator spring loading determines the downstream control pressure as a force equilibrium is achieved between the loading force of the spring and the force on the diaphragm from the downstream pressure. The linkage mechanism provides a mechanical advantage which enables a small diaphragm actuated by very low downstream control pressures to close the valve disk against the valve seat despite the relatively high pressure acting to push the disk away from the valve seat.
It would be desirable to have such a regulator wherein the valve subassembly including at least the stem linkage and the valve disk are constructed as a single subassembly which can be assembled outside the regulator body and then dropped as a unit into the regulator body, in order to reduce manufacturing and maintenance costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a drop-in valve subassembly for a diaphragm-type gas pressure regulator which includes a plunger guide having a body portion with an interior chamber and a mounting portion adapted to be secured to the interior of the gas pressure regulator. The body portion has an opening for gas communication with the interior chamber. A plunger valve member is arranged for linear sliding motion within the interior chamber of the plunger guide and a seal member is secured to a first end of the plunger valve member. The seal member is adapted to cooperate with an inlet orifice valve seat so as to regulate gas flow into the regulator. A control lever having a through-bore and first and second portions each remote from the through-bore is provided and a lever pin extends through the control lever through-bore. The lever pin is mounted to the plunger guide mounting portion to define a pivot axis for the control lever which is orthogonal to the line of motion of the plunger valve member. The control lever first portion engages the plunger valve member so as to move the plunger valve member as the control lever pivots about the pivot axis and the control lever second portion is adapted to be coupled to the regulator diaphragm.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the plunger guide body portion includes a transverse partition between the plunger guide body portion opening and the interior chamber. The partition is formed with the inlet orifice valve seat as a unitary part thereof and a passage extending through the partition and the valve seat. The passage provides all gas communication between the plunger guide body portion opening and the interior chamber. Accordingly, the drop-in subassembly includes the orifice as a part thereof.
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Malloy Patrick S.
Schweitzer George E J
Stewart Timothy J.
American Meter Company
Davis David L.
Hepperle Stephen M.
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