Flow regulator

• US 3,958,596 A
• Filed: 07/10/1974
• Issued: 05/25/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bruce Garrard
• Original Assignee: Bruce Garrard
• Inventors: Garrard, Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwadron, Martin P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walton, George L.
• Application Number:
  US05/487,015
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 137/501, 137/504, 137/517, 137/537, 137/498, 138/45, 138/43
• US Class Current: 137/504
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/12 Flow or pressure control devices or systems , e.g. valves, gas pressure control, level control in storage containers
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0133 within the flow-path
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7792 Movable deflector or choke
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7869 Biased open

Abstract

A flow regulator is shown with the inlet aligned with the outlet and with external adjustment of the flow rate accomplished by movement of either the inlet or outlet fitting relative to the main body. A plunger and specially shaped stem regulate flow by engagement of the stem with an outlet hole, the shape of the stem being determined for a particular flow rate and correlated with the area of the outlet hole and the load per inch deflection characteristic of the spring, which biases the plunger toward the inlet, to give a constant rate of flow regardless of wide changes in supply pressure across the regulator. A compression gland, comprising an O-ring, washers and nut, affords locking means for the adjustable outlet.

Claims

1. A fluid flow regulator comprising a main body having a central bore, a plunger operable in said bore, spring means having a chosen load per deflection characteristic and biasing said plunger away from said outlet means, said outlet means including an outlet hole, said plunger including a tapered stem portion extended toward and axially aligned with said outlet hole, there being clearance between the outer end of said tapered stem portion and said outlet hole, said clearance being controlled by the tapered shape and longitudinal position of said tapered stem portion relative to said outlet hole, said plunger including an orifice to permit flow therethrough, a given flow rate through said regulator being correlated with a resultant pressure drop across said plunger orifice and with a specific first force due to said resultant pressure drop tending to move said plunger toward said outlet hole, said plunger being further acted on by a second force in the same said direction due to total pressure drop across the regulator acting on said stem portion, said stem portion having a respective longitudinal position relative to said outlet hole for said given flow rate for each respective value of total pressure drop, due to the combined action of said first and second forces to deflect said spring means a specific amount for each combination of given flow rate and total pressure drop, there being respective values of said clearance corresponding to respective values of total pressure drop that will control said flow to said given rate, said stem portion being so tapered as to provide said respective values of clearance when said stem portion is in each respective longitudinal position corresponding to said given flow rate and to respective values of total pressure drop,

the diameter of said plunger is not less than four times nor more than eight times the diameter of said outlet hole, said outlet means further including a threaded outlet stem portion and an external fitting for connection to a fluid line, said outlet means being externally adjustable inward or outward relative to said main body to respectively reduce or increase said flow rate while said fitting is connected or not connected to said fluid line, and further comprising a locking gland to lock said adjustable outlet means against unintended changes in adjustment, said gland including a compression nut and a rubber, or rubberlike, sealing ring, the tightening inward of said compression nut relative to said main body deforming said sealing ring into high pressure contact with said outlet stem at the inner portion of said sealing ring and into high pressure contact with said main body at the periphery of said sealing ring, both of said contacts having high frictional force and thereby causing a locking bond between the outlet stem, sealing ring and main body.