Fluid flow rate selector

Details Fluid flow rate selector Fluid flow rate selector

2001-09-26

2003-12-16

Patel, Harshad (Department: 2855)

Measuring and testing

Volume or rate of flow

Reexamination Certificate

active

06662668

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to fluid flow rate selectors, and more particularly, to a fluid flow rate selector using internal seals located on a flat surface instead of on a cylindrical surface to form an axial flow path.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A fluid flow rate selector is used to select a fluid flow rate. A conventional fluid flow rate selector is marketed by Ottico Meccanica Italiana SpA under part number VP256 as depicted in
FIG. 1
as reference number
100
.
As depicted in
FIG. 1
, a flow rate selector knob
110
is rotated to select either a low or a high flow rate. The flow rate selector
100
has a fluid inlet
105
which can be attached to a source of pressure (not shown) using an NPT (National Pipe Thread) fitting (not shown). An outlet having a bayonet fitting
120
is connectable to a bayonet coupling
200
. As explained below, when the bayonet coupling
200
is fully mated to the bayonet fitting
120
, and the inlet is connected to the source of pressure, fluid or gas will flow through the fluid flow rate selector at the flow rate at the selected flow rate. The fluid flow rate selector
100
has a stationary cylindrical body
150
and the knob
110
is rotated relative thereto to select the desired flow rate. A cover
130
is pivoted relative to the knob
110
to expose the bayonet fitting
120
.
As depicted in
FIG. 2
, the bayonet coupling
200
has a central fitting portion
205
having a pair of ramps
210
for engagement with the bayonet fitting
120
and a forwardly extending portion
220
. A hose
230
connects the central fitting portion
205
to a user.
Refer now to
FIG. 3
which is a cross-sectional view of the fluid rate flow selector
100
of FIG.
1
. Positioned within the cylindrical body
150
is a poppet assembly portion
305
, connected to the bayonet fitting
120
opposite the inlet
105
. The central poppet assembly
305
is biased in a direction towards the bayonet fitting
120
. The flow rate selector knob
110
includes a spring loaded ball assembly
320
which is biased radially inwardly to form a seal as explained below. The poppet body assembly
305
includes two or more orifices which extend radially outwardly from a chamber within which the poppet assembly
305
is located. The ball assembly
320
is brought into an engagement with an O-ring
340
which is mounted on an outer cylindrical surface of the poppet body assembly
305
. As depicted in
FIGS. 1 and 3
, the fluid flow rate selector
100
has a high and a low flow rate. Thus, the flow rate selector knob
110
can be rotated to one of two positions in which the orifice
330
is not sealed and the other orifice
310
is sealed. The forwardly extending portion
220
of the bayonet coupling
200
is brought into engagement with the poppet
350
of the poppet assembly
305
causing the poppet to unseat so that fluid can flow around the poppet through the orifice and past the poppet
305
.
Disadvantageously, in the fluid flow rate selector of
FIGS. 1 and 3
flow rate selector, the sealing O-rings
340
are mounted on a cylindrical surface of the knob
110
. The natural shape of the O-rings
340
is planer or flat and in order to be shaped or to conform to the outer cylindrical surface, have to be deformed. Because the O-rings
340
have to be deformed, and attempt to return to their original shape, the O-rings need to be fixed to the outer cylindrical surface using adhesive. Even using the adhesive, there are significant sealing problems associated with the prior art arrangement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a fluid flow rate configured such that moving internal seals are kept in their natural planar shape.
These and other objects of the present invention are provided by a fluid flow rate selector utilizing an inlet mounted on a retaining piece having at least two flow orifices of differing cross-sectional areas such that each flow orifice is capable of limiting fluid flow to a different rate. The flow orifices are formed in a flat planar surface of the retaining piece. On the retaining piece, a flow rate selector body is mounted such that it is free to rotate relative to the retaining piece. A set of seals is mounted on the flat surface of the rotatable flow rate selector body. The flow rate selector body is rotated to align the seals to block the flow orifices, thereby selecting a desired flow rate.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a flow rate selector having a high flow position and a low flow position. The flow rate selector has a flow selector knob having a web. The web has a flat surface. At least two seals are mounted on the flat surface of the web. A retaining piece has two orifices of differing cross-sectional areas. The flow selector knob is rotatable relative to the retaining piece such that at least one seal can be aligned with either of the orifices to prevent fluid flow there through while allowing fluid flow through the other orifice.
The foregoing and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a flow rate selector having a high flow position and a low flow position. The flow rate selector has a flow selector knob having a web. The web has a flat surface. A seal is mounted on the flat surface of the web. A force balancing element is mounted on the flat surface of the web. A retaining piece has two orifices of differing cross-sectional areas. The flow selector knob is rotatable relative to the retaining piece such that the seal can be aligned with either of the orifices to prevent fluid flow there through while allowing fluid flow through the other orifice.
The foregoing and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a flow rate selector having a high flow position and a low flow position. The flow selector knob has a web. The web has a flat surface. A seal is mounted on the flat surface of the web. A force balancing element is mounted on the flat surface of the web. An outer shell has two orifices of differing cross-sectional areas located an equal distance from a center of the outer shell. The outer shell also has a cylindrical extension enclosing part of the flow selector knob. The flow selector knob is rotatable relative to the outer shell such that the seal can be aligned with either of the orifices to prevent fluid flow there through while allowing fluid flow through the other orifice.
Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein the preferred embodiments of the invention are shown and described, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description thereof are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.


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patent: 3949966 (1976-04-01), Fabish
patent: 4037623 (1977-07-01), Beswick
patent: 4328832 (1982-05-01), Inada et al.
patent: 4546921 (1985-10-01), McCormack
patent: 4572477 (1986-02-01), Phlipot et al.
patent: 4723567 (1988-02-01), Phlipot et al.
patent: 5014750 (1991-05-01), Winchell et al.
patent: 5107886 (1992-04-01), Taylor
patent: 6095491 (2000-08-01), Kriesel
patent: 2 110 322 (1995-05-01), None
patent: 2001007120 (2002-11-01), None
“Drip-Feed Apparatus with Flow Rate Selector and Air Embollism Prevention System”, Kenneth Mason, Research Disclosure, No. 322, Feb. 1, 1991, p. 105.

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