Pressure Regulator

Details Pressure Regulator Pressure Regulator

1999-05-19

2001-02-13

Hepperle, Stephen M. (Department: 3753)

Fluid handling

Line condition change responsive valves

With separate connected fluid reactor surface

C137S505120, C137S505250

Reexamination Certificate

active

06186168

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to pressure regulators, and more particularly to a pressure regulator for regulating the outlet pressure of gaseous fuel from a tank in an alternatively-fueled motor vehicle.
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. Existing pressure regulators, however, are typically disposed remotely from corresponding tanks. Consequently, relatively heavy-duty, thick-walled fuel lines are required between a particular tank and pressure regulator. Furthermore, existing pressure regulators suffer either in that there is some rise or drop of outlet pressure (called droop) over the range of tank pressures and/or the range of flow rates, or in that they have to use multiple stages of pressure reduction. The latter are relatively complex, costly, and unreliable.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention is a regulator for regulating outlet pressure of a fluid contained in a tank. The regulator comprises first and second pistons. The first piston is biased in a first direction and movable against the bias when exposed to pressure in the tank. The second piston is biased in a second direction away from an end of the first piston and movable against the bias when exposed to the outlet pressure. The ends of the pistons are separated by a first distance to allow the fluid to flow out of the tank, and are positioned closer together than the first distance to inhibit flow out of the tank when the outlet pressure reaches a threshold.
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a regulator of the type described above which eliminates the need for high pressure fuel lines.
Another object of this invention is to provide a regulator of the type described above which provides a relatively constant outlet pressure as the tank pressure abates.
Another object of this invention is to provide a regulator of the type described above which accomplishes precision control of the output pressure in a single stage.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


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