FLUID FLOW REGULATOR
First Claim
1. A fluid flow regulator comprising:
- a valve assembly defining a fluid passage, the fluid passage including;
a first port;
a second port;
a sensing orifice disposed in the fluid passage between the first and second ports;
a first orifice disposed in the fluid passage between the first port and the sensing orifice, wherein a first flow area of the first orifice varies in response to differential pressure across the sensing orifice as fluid flows through the fluid passage in a first direction from the first port to the second port and is fixed as fluid flows through the fluid passage in a second direction from the second port to the first port;
a second orifice disposed in the fluid passage between the sensing orifice and the second port, wherein a second flow area of the second orifice is fixed as fluid flows through the fluid passage in the first direction and varies in response to differential pressure across the sensing orifice as fluid flows through the fluid passage in the second direction.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid flow regulator includes a valve assembly defining a fluid passage. The fluid passage includes a first port, a second port, a sensing orifice disposed between the first and second ports, a first orifice disposed between the first port and the sensing orifice and a second orifice disposed between the sensing orifice and the second port. A first flow area of the first flow orifice varies in response to differential pressure across the sensing orifice as fluid flows through the fluid passage in a first direction from the first port to the second port. The first flow area is fixed as fluid flows through the fluid passage in an opposite second direction. A second flow area of the second orifice is fixed as fluid flows through the fluid passage in the first direction and varies as fluid flows through the fluid passage in the second direction.
25 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fluid flow regulator comprising:
a valve assembly defining a fluid passage, the fluid passage including; a first port; a second port; a sensing orifice disposed in the fluid passage between the first and second ports; a first orifice disposed in the fluid passage between the first port and the sensing orifice, wherein a first flow area of the first orifice varies in response to differential pressure across the sensing orifice as fluid flows through the fluid passage in a first direction from the first port to the second port and is fixed as fluid flows through the fluid passage in a second direction from the second port to the first port; a second orifice disposed in the fluid passage between the sensing orifice and the second port, wherein a second flow area of the second orifice is fixed as fluid flows through the fluid passage in the first direction and varies in response to differential pressure across the sensing orifice as fluid flows through the fluid passage in the second direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A fluid flow regulator comprising:
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a valve assembly including; a sleeve defining a bore, the sleeve further defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet disposed downstream of the fluid inlet, the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet being in fluid communication with the bore; a spool disposed in the bore of the sleeve, the spool defining a sensing orifice disposed downstream of the fluid inlet; the spool and the sleeve cooperatively defining a variable orifice disposed upstream of the sensing orifice and downstream of the fluid inlet, wherein a flow area of the variable orifice decreases as differential fluid pressure across the sensing orifice increases beyond a limit; wherein the valve assembly is adapted to allow fluid to flow in a first direction and an opposite second direction. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A snubber assembly comprising:
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an actuator assembly having; a housing defining a bore; a piston assembly disposed in the bore, the piston assembly and the bore cooperatively defining a first chamber of the bore and a second chamber of the bore; a fluid flow regulator in fluid communication with the actuator assembly, the fluid flow regulator defining a fluid passage including; a fluid inlet; a fluid outlet downstream of the fluid inlet; a sensing orifice disposed in the fluid passage between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; and a variable orifice disposed upstream of the sensing orifice in the fluid passage, wherein a differential fluid pressure across the sensing orifice affects a flow area of the variable orifice; wherein the fluid flow regulator is adapted to provide bidirectional fluid flow through the fluid passage. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification