Pneumatic valve and regulator
First Claim
1. A pneumatic pressure regulator comprising:
- a housing having an inlet connectable to a source of pressurized air and an outlet connectable to a device utilizing said pressurized air such that a flow path for said pressurized air is established through said housing between said inlet and said outlet;
a means for adjusting the amount of air flow through said regulator which is located within said housing such that said air flow adjustment means is movable between at least two positions to vary the amount of said pressurized air flowing within said flow path, said positions comprising;
(i) a first position in which flow of said pressurized air between said inlet and said outlet is substantially unimpeded by said air flow adjustment means; and
(ii) a second position in which flow of air between said inlet and said outlet is substantially blocked by said air flow adjustment means;
a means for applying a spring force to said air flow adjustment means located within said housing and configured to mechanically engage said air flow adjustment means to move said air flow adjustment means between said first position and said second position;
a temperature compensation means located within said housing and in contact with said spring force applying means to counteract changes in said spring force applied to said air flow adjustment means which are caused by variations in ambient temperature;
wherein said temperature compensation means includes an elastic insert material that expands and contracts with variations in ambient temperature to counteract said changes in said spring force applied to said air flow adjustment means in order to minimize said movement of said air flow adjustment means between said first position and said second position so that said air pressure at said outlet is maintained substantially constant with pressure variations at said air source.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pneumatic valve and regulator, and more particularly to a pneumatic valve and regulator used in a compressed gas powered gun system which is designed to project a fragile liquid-containing spherical unit which bursts upon impact with the intended target. The regulator possesses a pressure balancing device, a temperature compensating device, and relief valve features. The temperature compensator of the temperature compensating device is made of a synthetic compound material which expands and contracts at a rate that equals but is inverse to the rate of change caused by changes in the modulus of elasticity of a helical compression spring caused by a temperature differential. The valve possesses a seal made of pressure-activated material, the outer diameter of the seal is mechanically captured, the inner diameter of the seal is not constrained from moving into the cavity. The application of pressure initiates flow characteristics of the seal at the interface of the inner diameter of the seal and the outer diameter of the poppet. This sealing technique has inherent lubricity, is self-healing, is non-temperature sensitive, and is compatible with all noble gases used.
118 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A pneumatic pressure regulator comprising:
-
a housing having an inlet connectable to a source of pressurized air and an outlet connectable to a device utilizing said pressurized air such that a flow path for said pressurized air is established through said housing between said inlet and said outlet; a means for adjusting the amount of air flow through said regulator which is located within said housing such that said air flow adjustment means is movable between at least two positions to vary the amount of said pressurized air flowing within said flow path, said positions comprising; (i) a first position in which flow of said pressurized air between said inlet and said outlet is substantially unimpeded by said air flow adjustment means; and (ii) a second position in which flow of air between said inlet and said outlet is substantially blocked by said air flow adjustment means; a means for applying a spring force to said air flow adjustment means located within said housing and configured to mechanically engage said air flow adjustment means to move said air flow adjustment means between said first position and said second position; a temperature compensation means located within said housing and in contact with said spring force applying means to counteract changes in said spring force applied to said air flow adjustment means which are caused by variations in ambient temperature; wherein said temperature compensation means includes an elastic insert material that expands and contracts with variations in ambient temperature to counteract said changes in said spring force applied to said air flow adjustment means in order to minimize said movement of said air flow adjustment means between said first position and said second position so that said air pressure at said outlet is maintained substantially constant with pressure variations at said air source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A pressurized air gun system having a pneumatic pressure regulator comprising:
-
a housing having an inlet connectable to a source of pressurized air and an outlet connectable to a device utilizing said pressurized air such that a flow path for said pressurized air is established through said housing between said inlet and said outlet; a means for adjusting the amount of air flow through said regulator which is located within said housing such that said air flow adjustment means is movable between at least two positions to vary the amount of said pressurized air flowing within said flow path, said positions comprising; (i) a first position in which flow of said pressurized air between said inlet and said outlet is substantially unimpeded by said air flow adjustment means; and (ii) a second position in which flow of air between said inlet and said outlet is substantially blocked by said air flow adjustment means; a means for applying a spring force to said air flow adjustment means located within said housing and configured to mechanically engage said air flow adjustment means to move said air flow adjustment means between said first position and said second position; a temperature compensation means located within said housing and in contact with said spring force applying means to counteract changes in said spring force applied to said air flow adjustment means which are caused by variations in ambient temperature; wherein said temperature compensation means includes an elastic insert material that expands and contracts with variations in ambient temperature to counteract said changes in said spring force applied to said air flow adjustment means in order to minimize said movement of said air flow adjustment means between said first position and said second position so that said air pressure at said outlet is maintained substantially constant with pressure variations at said air source. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
Specification