Fluid handling – Processes – With control of flow by a condition or characteristic of a...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-09
2001-08-14
Hepperle, Stephen M. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Processes
With control of flow by a condition or characteristic of a...
C137S014000, C137S505410, C137S903000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273117
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fluid pressure regulators, and particularly to regulators well suited for controlling the output pressure of elastomeric balloon or mechanical pumps.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pressure regulators that reduce or cut off inlet flow of a fluid when the outlet pressure starts to exceed a predetermined maximum and that open or increase flow when the outlet pressure has been sufficiently reduced are well known in the art. Such regulators generally include a coil spring that biases a valve member open, and a pressure-sensing element responsive to excess inlet pressure which closes the valve member. In this arrangement, increasing liquid pressure compresses the spring to force the valve member towards a valve seat. As the valve member approaches the valve seat, liquid flow through the regulator becomes more restricted. When the defined pressure level is reached, the valve member contacts the valve seat to cut off flow. When the output pressure drops below the defined pressure, the valve member moves away from the valve seat and flow resumes. This cycle is rapidly repeated over and over to maintain the output pressure at the desired setting.
Numerous pressure regulating devices teach the use of a coil spring, such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,412,650 by Stang, U.S. Pat. No. 3,547,427 by Kelly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,603,214 by Murrell, U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,629 by Bauman, U.S. Pat. No. 3,825,029 by Genbauffe, U.S. Pat. No. 4,074,694 by Lee, U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,658 by Buezis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,387 by Otteman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,022 by Black, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,736 by Ollivier. However, a need exists for a pressure regulator device without a spring coil, thereby resulting in a more reliable device with fewer parts which is easier to assemble and costs less.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to provide a simplified pressure regulator having fewer parts thereby making it easier to assemble, less expensive and less likely to break. Instead of having the traditional springs located above and below a flexible diaphragm, a resilient diaphragm is employed that by itself controls input flow and regulates output pressure. The diaphragm is made of an elasticomeric material, and is designed not only to act as a diaphragm but to replace the pressure sensing spring and the valve seat spring.
Preferably, the diaphragm is manufactured to be flat, however, after installation into the regulator, an adjuster is moved to deflect the diaphragm. The amount of deflection corresponds with the desired outlet fluid pressure. The diaphragm resists deflection when outlet pressure is less than the desired level, but flexes towards a closed position when the outlet pressure exceeds this level. Thus, this diaphragm uniquely has the additional advantage of functioning as a spring without having any of the disadvantages.
REFERENCES:
patent: 714143 (1902-11-01), Carlson
patent: 3547427 (1970-12-01), Kelly et al.
patent: 3552431 (1971-01-01), Schmidlin
patent: 3603214 (1971-09-01), Murrell
patent: 3747629 (1973-07-01), Bauman
patent: 3825029 (1974-07-01), Genbauffe
patent: 4074694 (1978-02-01), Lee
patent: 4537387 (1985-08-01), Danby et al.
patent: 4621658 (1986-11-01), Buezis et al.
patent: 4744387 (1988-05-01), Otteman
patent: 5141022 (1992-08-01), Black
patent: 5732736 (1998-03-01), Ollivier
patent: 479042 (1938-01-01), None
patent: 524698 (1955-04-01), None
Hepperle Stephen M.
I-Flow Corporation
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
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