Fluid handling – Line condition change responsive valves – With separate connected fluid reactor surface
Patent
1998-04-27
2000-04-11
Hepperle, Stephen M.
Fluid handling
Line condition change responsive valves
With separate connected fluid reactor surface
137510, G05D 1602
Patent
active
060477288
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application relates to pressurized fluid systems and more particularly to an apparatus for regulating the pressure in the system. The invention will be described with particular reference to a pressure regulator containing a spring loaded bellows assembly but it will be appreciated that selected aspects of the invention may have application in related fluid environments and uses.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,734 discloses a predecessor regulator, the disclosure of that patent being hereby incorporated by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, preferred embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the new pressure regulator formed in accordance with the subject invention; and
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a modified regulator used as a back pressure regulator.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention in which high pressure fluid enters inlet port A of body 19 and then continues on to the poppet chamber B. The fluid's passage from chamber B to chamber C through the orifice 20 is controlled by the opening between the movable poppet 22 and the orifice seat 21. After the fluid enters chamber C, it exits the body 19 via the outlet port D. The fluid pressure in chamber C acts against the movable bellows face plate 16, which is connected to the poppet stem 18, which extends through the orifice 20, The poppet stem is, in turn, connected to the poppet 22. The bellows face plate 16 is welded to a flexible bellows 15, which is welded to a bellows support collar 14. The bellows support collar is welded to an upper housing 17, which is welded to a main body 19.
One prefeaed form of bellows 15 includes a series of annular members or diaphragms that are alternately secured at radially inner and outer regions to define an accordion-like arrangement. Such a bellows arrangement has a relatively small stack height in a fully collapsed condition.
The pressure acting on the bellows face plate 16 is counteracted by a regulator spring 7 which pushes on the opposite side of the face plate. When the pressure in chamber C overcomes the force exerted by the regulator spring, the face plate yields to the greater force and moves upward, moving the poppet stem and poppet until the poppet seals against the poppet seat. Once the poppet engages the seat, further flow is stopped and a corresponding increase in pressure occurs. As flow exits chamber C through the outlet port D, the pressure in chamber c is reduced and the regulator spring force then exceeds the fluid force on the face plate. This causes the face plate, the poppet stem, and the poppet to move downward thereby opening the orifice passage and allowing flow to resume.
The pressure setting can be varied by adjusting the amount of regulator spring force. This is accomplished by turning adjusting knob 1 which is attached by set screw 2 to adjusting shaft 3. Threaded onto the adjusting shaft 3 is a spring compression nut 6 which is prevented from turning because its hex points slide in grooves machined into spring housing 5. Hence as the adjusting shaft rotates, the spring compression nut axially advances or retracts applying increased or decreased spring force on the back side of the bellows face plate 16.
In addition to the above main concept, the regulator has a mechanism for preventing oscillations or vibrations. This is accomplished by an O-ring 10 housed in an O-ring catch 9 that fits tight over a damper shaft 12. This arrangement exerts a slight resistance to movement of the bellows face plate 16 as it responds to rapid pressure changes. The damper shaft 12 is provided with a taper so that just as the poppet is about to close, the O-ring's tight fit diminishes so as not to resist the sealing force n
REFERENCES:
patent: 2318721 (1943-05-01), Siver
patent: 2770251 (1956-11-01), Goddard
patent: 3812877 (1974-05-01), Fleischhacker et al.
patent: 3941508 (1976-03-01), Worden
patent: 4308888 (1982-01-01), Gordon
patent: 4327767 (1982-05-01), Fehrenbach et al.
patent: 4424738 (1984-01-01), Leighton
patent: 4431020 (1984-02-01), Kowalski
patent: 4693267 (1987-09-01), Patterson
patent: 4744387 (1988-05-01), Otteman
patent: 4760862 (1988-08-01), Mutou et al.
patent: 5065788 (1991-11-01), McManigal et al.
patent: 5234026 (1993-08-01), Patterson
patent: 5303734 (1994-04-01), Eidsmore
patent: 5407329 (1995-04-01), Bueser et al.
Hepperle Stephen M.
Swagelok Company
LandOfFree
Spring loaded bellows regulator does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Spring loaded bellows regulator, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Spring loaded bellows regulator will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1169686