Spirally wound flow control valve
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A fluid flow control valve, comprising:
- (a) a conduit member having an orifice formed therethrough, through which orifice a fluid can be conducted;
(b) first axis extending through said orifice and being oriented substantially aligned with an intended direction of fluid conduction;
(c) an elongated control element having a portion thereof fixed at said first axis, an axial edge, and a remote end, said element being coiled about said first axis with said remote end disposed for revolution about said first axis selectively in opposite directions, wherein, as said remote end is revolved in a first direction, said element is wound tightly radially inwardly toward said first axis so that said axial edge can form a substantially continuous surface occluding said orifice when a sufficient measure of compression is achieved; and
(d) means for imparting said selective revolving motion to said remote end.
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Abstract
A valve (20) having a flow control element (30) with a small dimension in the intended direction of fluid flow is disclosed. The element (30) is wound about an axis (32) so that, when the coils of the element (30) are tightly compressed about the axis (32), a surface (48) occluding a fluid flow aperture (24) is formed.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A fluid flow control valve, comprising:
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(a) a conduit member having an orifice formed therethrough, through which orifice a fluid can be conducted; (b) first axis extending through said orifice and being oriented substantially aligned with an intended direction of fluid conduction; (c) an elongated control element having a portion thereof fixed at said first axis, an axial edge, and a remote end, said element being coiled about said first axis with said remote end disposed for revolution about said first axis selectively in opposite directions, wherein, as said remote end is revolved in a first direction, said element is wound tightly radially inwardly toward said first axis so that said axial edge can form a substantially continuous surface occluding said orifice when a sufficient measure of compression is achieved; and (d) means for imparting said selective revolving motion to said remote end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A fluid flow control valve, comprising:
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(a) a member defining a circular fluid flow passage therethrough, said passage having a diameter and a central longitudinal axis; (b) a spool mounted in said passage and coaxial therewith, said spool having a diameter smaller than said diameter of said passage; (c) a race, coaxial with said passage, positioned axially aligned with said spool, said race having an inner diameter greater than said diameter of said passage to define an annular recess radially intermediate said diameter of said passage and said inner diameter of said race; (d) said spool and said race being disposed for rotational motion with respect to said axis relative to one another; (e) a watchspring-like element having a central portion retained at said spool, opposite ends retained at diameterically opposed locations of said race, and an axial edge, said element being coiled about said spool wherein, as said race is rotated relative to said spool in a first direction, coils of said element are urged inwardly toward said spool, and, as said race is rotated relative to said spool in a second opposite direction, said coils are urged into said recess; and (f) means for selectively imparting said relative rotational motion. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification