Fluid handling – Processes – Cleaning – repairing – or assembling
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-04
2004-03-23
Hepperle, Stephen M. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Processes
Cleaning, repairing, or assembling
C137S505000, C137S505420, C251S337000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06708712
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to pressure regulators, and particularly to a pressure regulator having a disc spring for controlling fluid pressure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pressure regulators are typically used in fluid systems to regulate a flow of fluid through the pressure regulator to maintain downstream fluid pressure at a desired level. Typically, a pressure regulator is used to reduce the pressure of a fluid from a higher pressure down to a lower pressure. For example, some welding systems use pressurized gas either for fuel or to form a gas shield around a weld surface. The gas is stored at a high pressure so that the pressure of the gas within a cylinder is sufficient to cause the gas to flow throughout the system and so that as much gas as possible can be stored within the limited volume of the cylinder. However, welding systems do not operate well at the high pressures associated with the pressurized gas within the cylinder. Therefore, a pressure regulator is typically used to reduce the pressure of the gas down to a lower, more conducive, gas pressure.
Typically, a pressure regulator has an inlet, an outlet and a valve to control the flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet. The regulator senses the pressure downstream and opens the valve to allow additional fluid to flow through the regulator to raise the pressure downstream. The pressure regulator closes the valve once the desired downstream pressure has been achieved. A typical valve for a pressure regulator has a valve stem and a seat surrounding an orifice. When downstream pressure is lower than desired, the valve directs the stem away from the seat to allow fluid to flow through the orifice to raise the pressure of the fluid downstream. When the desired downstream pressure is achieved, the valve urges the stem against the seat to prevent more fluid from flowing through the orifice.
In a typical pressure regulator, several forces act on the stem. A biasing spring is typically used to maintain the stem against the seat when no other forces are acting on the stem, or when the sum of the other forces acting on the stem is zero. A helical regulating spring is typically used to establish the desired downstream pressure. For low pressure applications, a diaphragm is typically used to couple the force of the regulating spring to the stem. A diaphragm is flexible and couples the pressure of the fluid downstream of the regulator to the regulating spring. For higher pressure applications, a movable piston is typically used to couple the force of the regulating spring to the stem. When the force produced by the pressure of the fluid acting on the diaphragm or piston is greater than the force applied by the regulating spring, the diaphragm or piston is positioned so that the stem is seated against the seat. When the force produced by the pressure of the fluid acting on the diaphragm is less than the force applied by the regulating spring, the diaphragm is positioned so that the stem is unseated from the seat, allowing fluid to flow downstream to raise the downstream fluid pressure. Eventually, the rise in pressure downstream will be sufficient to overcome the force of the regulating spring and close the regulator, thereby establishing the downstream pressure. By varying the force applied to the diaphragm or piston by the regulating spring, the downstream pressure can be adjusted. A threaded mechanism is typically used to vary the force applied by the spring by compressing or uncompressing the regulating spring.
Typically, the regulator is configured with a body and a bonnet to house the regulator components. The helical adjusting spring establishes the size of the bonnet because the bonnet must be large enough to receive the helical adjusting spring. Consequently, the bonnet may be very large compared to the body. Furthermore, the body and other internal components must be configured to cooperate with the helical adjusting spring. The larger the adjusting spring, the larger the other components must be to properly cooperate with the adjusting spring.
Further difficulties arise when the pressure regulator is used to regulate very high pressures. For example, a high pressure regulator may be used to reduce an upstream pressure of 10,000 pounds per square inch to a downstream pressure of 6,000 pounds per square inch. The force that must be generated by the adjusting spring to regulate these pressures is very large. This may require a very large helical spring to generate the necessary force to control the pressure.
There exists a need for a pressure regulator valve assembly that solves some or all of the problems outlined above. Specifically, there is a need for a pressure regulator that uses a force provided by a device other than a helical spring to regulate fluid pressure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present technique provides a novel regulator designed to respond to such needs. According to one aspect of the present technique, a pressure regulator comprising a movable stem and at least one disc spring is featured. The movable stem is operable to control fluid flow through the pressure regulator to regulate fluid pressure downstream of the pressure regulator. In a first position of the stem, the stem blocks fluid flow through the pressure regulator. In a second position of the stem, the stem enables fluid to flow through the pressure regulator. Downstream fluid pressure produces a first force to urge the stem towards the first position. The at least one disc spring produces a second force to urge the stem towards the second position.
According to another aspect of the present technique, a pressure regulator to control downstream fluid pressure is featured. The pressure regulator comprises a movable stem, a movable piston, and a disc spring. The movable stem operable to control fluid flow through the pressure regulator. The movable piston is coupled to the stem to direct movement of the stem. Downstream fluid pressure produces a first force acting on the piston and the disc spring produces a second force that acts on the piston.
According to yet another aspect of the technique, a fluid supply system is featured. The fluid supply system comprises a source of pressurized fuel and a pressure regulator. The pressure regulator is fluidicly coupled to the source of pressurized. The pressure regulator comprises a plurality of disc springs and a disc spring compression assembly. The disc spring compression assembly is operable to variably compress the plurality of disc springs. When the plurality of disc springs are compressed they produce a spring force to urge the pressure regulator to open to allow fluid to flow through the pressure regulator from the source of pressurized fluid to raise downstream fluid pressure.
According to yet another aspect of the technique, a method of assembling a pressure regulator is featured. The method comprises placing at least one disc spring within a cavity formed between a first and a second pressure regulator housing, wherein the at least one disc spring provides a spring force to urge the pressure regulator to enable fluid flow through the pressure regulator. The method further comprises securing the first pressure regulator housing to the second pressure regulator housing.
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Hepperle Stephen M.
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Yoder Fletcher
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