Fluid handling – Self-proportioning or correlating systems – Self-controlled branched flow systems
Patent
1997-10-17
1999-05-04
Hepperle, Stephen M.
Fluid handling
Self-proportioning or correlating systems
Self-controlled branched flow systems
13750525, 13750528, G05D 1610
Patent
active
058992219
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Fluid pressure regulators, more specifically a fluid pressure regulator capable of adjustably selecting a cut-off pressure between an upper and a lower limit.
BACKGROUND
Fluid pressure regulators regulate the flow of fluid between a high pressure port and a low pressure port. Typically, regulators are preset to allow fluid to flow when pressure at a low pressure port drops below a predetermined upper limit.
One type of pre-set regulator is known as a piston-type regulator. This regulator typically comprises a valve body, a hollow stem piston and a spring. When fluid pressure at the low pressure port of the valve body drops below a pre-set minimum, a coil spring operating on the underside of the piston head lifts the piston operated stem valve off the high pressure inlet port to provide fluid flow between the inlet port and the outlet port. At the same time, some of the fluids flow up the hollow piston stem to be captured in the cylinder head between the head of the valve body and piston face. As pressure at the outlet port increases, so does back pressure in the cylinder forcing the piston down and the piston stem valve against the high pressure inlet port.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,904 discloses a piston-type pressure regulator having a variable pressure differential adjustability through the use of a camming plate that can adjustably preload the spring which acts on the piston body, tending to force the stem of the piston off the high-pressure valve seat. This is effected by adjusting the preload on the spring against the piston and selectively compressing the spring to achieve the desired pressure differential (cut-off pressure) of the piston stem against the valve seat.
Applicant's invention provides, however, in a unique piston type fluid regulator, the capability of providing in a single regulator a device capable of adjustably selecting a cut-off pressure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Applicant's invention provides a two-piece valve body which allows the distance between the face of the piston operated stem valve of the piston and the high pressure inlet port with which it engages, to be adjustably set. By doing so, the result will be changing the cut-off pressure at the low end port. That is, if the distance between the face of the stem valve and the high pressure inlet port is increased by threadably adjusting the two pieces of the valve body, then greater pressure (the spring would require more linear compression) will be required to shut off the high pressure port. By decreasing the distance between the face of the stem valve and the low end port, less pressure will be required to seat the stem valve against the high pressure port and cut off the high pressure source.
Applicant's embodiments also include one having a movable inlet port orifice. The purpose of the movable inlet port orifice is to help maintain the cut-off pressure at its preset value as the source pressure drops and fluid in the source bottle is used up. This helps avoid the necessity of making small adjustments to the valve body to maintain a preset cut-off pressure.
It is, therefore, the object of Applicant's present invention to provide, in a piston type fluid pressure regulator, a means of randomly selecting a cut-off pressure between an upper and lower limit by utilizing a two-piece valve body capable of adjustably setting the distance between a high pressure port and piston operated stem valve while maintaining a fixed distance between the spring seat and the piston.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a side elevational cut-away view of the piston of Applicant's present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side elevational cut-away view through the center of the first valve body of Applicant's present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side elevational cut-away view through the center of the second valve body, including cylinder head, of Applicant's present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cut-away elevational view of the entire regulator with first and second valve bodies, piston, spring, piston stem, and port sealing means.
FI
REFERENCES:
patent: 614441 (1898-11-01), Burnett
patent: 1045197 (1912-11-01), Schuler
patent: 4181139 (1980-01-01), Martini
patent: 5411053 (1995-05-01), Markham et al.
Holt Daniel A.
Markham Trevor K.
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