Regulator for liquefied petroleum gas systems

• US 4,016,905 A
• Filed: 02/06/1976
• Issued: 04/12/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John W. Marlatt Sr
• Original Assignee: John W. Marlatt Sr
• Inventors: Marlatt, John W. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weakley, Harold W.
• Application Number:
  US05/656,044
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 137/110, 137/505.41, 137/505.42, 137/505.5, 137/505.13, 137/630
• US Class Current: 137/505.41
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 16/0663 using a spring-loaded membrane with a spring-loaded slideable obturator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7825 Rectilinear valve stem rigid with reactor surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86944 One valve seats against other valve [e.g., concentric valves]

Abstract

A regulator is disclosed for receiving gas from a variable-pressure supply, to safely provide gas as to consuming appliances, in demand quantities and at a regulated pressure. A valve body of the regulator provides a metering passage between high and low pressure chambers, the low pressure chamber being isolated from ambient pressure by a spring-biased diaphragm. A valve stem is affixed to the diaphragm so as to extend through the metering passage and support a valve member for operation in cooperation with a first valve seat that is defined contiguous to the metering passage in the valve body. The valve member also defines a second valve seat and is spring biased for sliding movement on the valve stem so as to provide two distinct valve actions for high and low pressure operation. Accordingly, relatively consistent pressure is maintained over a wide range of flow rates as well as variations in the supply pressure. Also, the configuration of the disclosed embodiment avoids the development of high pressures on the low side in the event it is exposed to excessively high pressures.

Claims

1. A regulator, as for use in a fluid system, comprising:

a valve body defining a high pressure chamber, a vented low pressure chamber and a passage between said chambers with a contiguous first valve seat;

a spring-biased diaphragm means affixed to said valve body for closing said vented low pressure chamber;

a valve stem means affixed to said diaphragm means and extending through said passage so as to be variously positioned therein under control of said diaphragm, said valve stem means including a stud affixed to extend coaxially from said diaphragm means,

valve member means slidably disposed on said valve stem for cooperation with said first valve seat to regulate the flow of gas through said passage from said high pressure chamber to said low pressure chamber,

said valve member means defining a second valve seat for cooperation with said valve stem means whereby a pair of concentric valves are provided in said regulator on said valve stem means, and

a coil spring mounted on said stud between said valve member means and said diaphragm to spring bias said valve member.

2. A regulator according to claim 1 wherein said spring-biased diaphragm means comprises a diaphragm affixed to said valve body to receive the pressure of said low pressure chamber on a side adjacent said valve stem means and ambient pressure on the other side, and further includes a spring means for urging said diaphragm toward said low pressure chamber.

3. A regulator according to claim 2 wherein said valve stem means defines a flared section adjacent said second valve seat.

4. A regulator according to claim 1 wherein said stud defines a flared section remote from said diaphragm for cooperation with said second valve seat.