Regulated gas supply system

• US 20040025943A1
• Filed: 07/31/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVeris Training Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: FATS, Inc. (Meggitt-USA, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fleming, Paul Heath, Wilson, Henry Martin Jr., Metcalfe, Corey Howard
• Granted Patent: US 6,854,480 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/505.25
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/06 Recoil simulators
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 11/56 the magazine also housing a gas cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: F41B 11/724 for gas pressure reduction
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 16/103 the sensing element placed between the inlet and outlet multiple-way valve G05D16/101
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7504 Removable valve head and seat unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7801 Balanced valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7808 Apertured reactor surface surrounds flow line
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7811 Also through reactor surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86574 Supply and exhaust
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8667 Reciprocating valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86678 Combined disk or plug and gate or piston
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86686 Plural disk or plug

Abstract

A regulated gas supply system having a body defining a pressurized gas reservoir connected to a high-pressure regulator that regulates the high pressure gas from the gas reservoir to disperse the gas at a desired pressure. The regulating assembly includes a piston chamber with a piston slidably positioned in the piston chamber. A spring is positioned between one side of the piston and the piston chamber, with the piston including a piston channel to allow pressurized gas to flow through the piston. Pressure is developed on the piston opposite the spring that is proportional to the force of the spring, providing a balanced piston. The system is miniature and self-contained to fit inside any number of small pneumatically operated devices.

Claims

1. A miniature regulated gas supply system for distributing highly pressurized gas at a desired pressure, said system comprising:

a body defining a gas reservoir and a gas outlet, said gas reservoir containing a pressurized gas; and

a regulating assembly positioned in said body between said gas reservoir and said gas outlet, said regulating assembly controlling the pressure of the gas dispersed.

2. The regulated gas supply system as defined in claim 1 wherein said regulator assembly comprises:

a piston chamber defined in said body, said piston chamber having

a uppermost surface;

a seat opposing said uppermost surface; and

a chamber wall between said uppermost surface and said seat;

a piston slidably positioned in said piston chamber, said piston having

a piston flange engaging said chamber wall; and

a piston channel traversing said piston;

a spring between said piston flange and said seat, where said spring urges said piston flange away from said seat.

3. The regulated gas supply system as defined in claim 2 further comprising:

a secondary chamber;

a central channel traversing said piston;

wherein said piston includes a piston extension having a first end and a piston body having a second end, said central channel extending from said first end of said piston extension to said second end of said piston body;

wherein said piston extension slidably engages said secondary chamber.

4. The regulated gas supply system of claim 1 further comprising a vent aperture through said body, said vent aperture proximate said spring.

5. A method for controlling the pressure of gas provided from a regulated gas supply system comprising the steps of:

a) providing a body defining a gas reservoir and a piston chamber, said gas reservoir connected to said piston chamber by a channel, said piston chamber having an uppermost surface, a seat, and a chamber wall connecting said uppermost surface with said seat;

b) providing a piston in said piston chamber, said piston having a first end, a second end, and a piston flange, said piston flange contacting said chamber wall;

c) urging said piston away from said seat with a spring;

d) releasing gas from said gas reservoir into said piston chamber, said gas flowing through a piston channel through said piston; and

e) exerting said gas from said body through a gas outlet.

6. The method as described in claim 5 wherein after step e) further comprising the steps of:

applying a pressurized force on said piston flange opposite said spring; and

forcing said piston into contact with said seat of said piston chamber to obstruct the flow of said gas through said piston channel.

7. The method as described in claim 5 further comprising the steps of:

providing a secondary chamber;

providing a central channel traversing said piston from a first end of said piston to a second end of said piston;

engaging said secondary chamber with a first end of said piston; and

distributing gas through said central channel into said secondary chamber to balance said piston.

8. A discrete gas regulator for distributing highly pressurized gas at a desired pressure, said regulator comprising:

a cartridge defining a high-pressure gas reservoir and a gas outlet for dispersing gas at a desired pressure; and

a regulating assembly positioned within said cartridge between said gas reservoir and said gas outlet, said regulating assembly controlling the pressure of the gas dispersed through said gas outlet from said gas reservoir.

9. The discrete gas regulator as defined in claim 8 wherein said regulator assembly comprises:

a piston chamber defined in said body, said piston chamber having

a uppermost surface;

a seat opposing said uppermost surface; and

a chamber wall between said uppermost surface and said seat;

a piston slidably positioned in said piston chamber, said piston having a piston flange engaging said chamber wall and a piston channel traversing said piston; and

a spring between said piston flange and said seat, where said spring urges said piston flange away from said seat.

10. The discrete gas regulator as defined in claim 9 further comprising:

a secondary chamber;

a central channel traversing said piston;

wherein said piston includes a piston body and a piston extension, said central channel traversing said piston from an edge of said piston body to an edge of said piston extension;

wherein said piston extension slidably engages said secondary chamber.

11. The discrete gas regulator of claim 8 further comprising:

a vent traversing said cartridge;

wherein said cartridge has an outer periphery, and said vent extends from said outer periphery to said piston chamber proximate said spring.