Pipes and tubular conduits – With flow regulators and/or baffles – Restrictors
Patent
1995-03-20
1996-12-10
Scherbel, David
Pipes and tubular conduits
With flow regulators and/or baffles
Restrictors
138 46, F15D 102
Patent
active
055822100
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a flow control apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flow control apparatus which uses a plurality of deformable metal springs and which can be manufactured to occupy the small space of deforming rubber flow controls.
Flow control devices are generally known in the art. Current designs of flow control devices include both a rubber molded flow control device or a metal material flow control device which uses coil springs.
The molded rubber flow control devices used today are very compact and relatively inexpensive. The rubber flow control device operates successfully because the rubber material deforms under the pressure generated by the flow of the liquid. The deformability of the rubber can change drastically over time, thus adversely affecting the operation of the flow control during extended operating conditions. In addition, differing chemistries of the flowing liquid can affect the flexibility of the rubber material and again adversely affecting the operation of the flow control. As can be seen, the molded rubber flow control devices have certain deficiencies which limit their application in the industry for this type of flow control.
The metal material flow control devices which use coil springs help to solve some of the problems associated with the plurality of the molded rubber flow control devices. Unfortunately, the coil springs which are required to achieve proper function of the flow control device require far too much length to fit in the relatively short length occupied by the deforming molded rubber flow control devices. The excessive length of the coil springs requires a flow control device which is significantly larger than its molded rubber counter part. In applications where space is at a premium, these coiled spring designs of flow control devices are not feasible.
Accordingly, what is needed is a flow control which offers both the durability advantages associated with metal material flow control devices and the packaging advantages associated with the molded rubber flow control devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides the art With a flow control apparatus which uses a plurality of deformable metal springing arms to position a plurality of metal plates which are disposed within the housing of the flow control apparatus. The metal flow control apparatus thus has the durability advantages associated with the metal flow control devices combined with the packaging advantages associated with the molded deforming rubber flow control devices by replacing the coil springs with deformable metal springing arms. The physical size of the present invention is similar to the physical size of the molded deforming rubber flow control units.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view partially in cross section of a flow control apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side elevation view partially in cross section taken at 90.degree. axially to the view in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an end view of the first moving plate, and part of the springs in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an end view of the middle plate of the flow control apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is an end view of the plate on the right hand side of the flow control apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a side elevation view partially in cross section of the flow control apparatus of FIG. 1 when the flow control apparatus is in operation.
FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship of flow and pressure in to flow out of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a flow control apparatus designated as reference numeral 10 in accordance with the present invention. The flow control apparatus comprises a housing 20, a circular front plate 40, a circular middle plate 50, a circular end plate 70, a first spring member 90 and a second spring member 92.
Housing 20 has an interior wall 32 which defines a generally cylindrical chamber 34. Cylindrical chamber 34 has a generall
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Hook James F.
Proprietary Technology, Inc.
Scherbel David
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