Pressure regulator for watering system
First Claim
1. A pressure regulator for a drinking system for birds or other animals including a fluid supply conduit, the pressure regulator comprising:
- (a) a housing having an inlet end and an outlet end and defining a valve bore between the inlet and outlet ends and a central channel downstream of the valve bore, the diameter of the central channel being greater than the diameter of the valve bore permitting air to accumulate within the central channel as fluid passes from the valve bore toward the outlet end;
(b) a valve element contained within the housing and moveable between a closed position in which the valve element is substantially within the valve bore and an open position in which at least a portion of the valve element is outside the valve bore;
(c) a spring contained within the housing and associated with the valve element for urging the valve element to the closed position; and
(d) an air exhaust port associated with the housing downstream of the valve bore, the air exhaust port defines an air passageway in fluid flow communication with the central channel to exhaust said accumulated air from the central channel.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pressure regulator for a drinking system for birds or other animals that includes a housing and first and second engaging members for engaging the elongated supports for the fluid supply conduit of the drinking system. The first engaging member includes a pair of ends, each end including a plurality of flexible fingers extending generally parallel to the fluid supply conduit. The second engaging members are adapted to engage the flanges of the elongated supports. The pressure regulator includes a valve element and the housing desirably defines a valve bore for receiving the valve element. The valve element desirably includes a circular seal having a peripheral edge that extends radially inwardly and that includes a lip for sealing the valve bore when the valve element is in the closed position. Desirably, the housing includes a central portion that defines a central channel having a larger diameter than a fluid inlet channel defined by the housing, and an air exhaust port associated with the central portion for exhausting air trapped within the central portion. The housing also desirably is configured to facilitate quick and easy removal and replacement of the seal. The pressure regulator may be used in connection with poultry houses having sloped floors.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A pressure regulator for a drinking system for birds or other animals including a fluid supply conduit, the pressure regulator comprising:
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(a) a housing having an inlet end and an outlet end and defining a valve bore between the inlet and outlet ends and a central channel downstream of the valve bore, the diameter of the central channel being greater than the diameter of the valve bore permitting air to accumulate within the central channel as fluid passes from the valve bore toward the outlet end; (b) a valve element contained within the housing and moveable between a closed position in which the valve element is substantially within the valve bore and an open position in which at least a portion of the valve element is outside the valve bore; (c) a spring contained within the housing and associated with the valve element for urging the valve element to the closed position; and (d) an air exhaust port associated with the housing downstream of the valve bore, the air exhaust port defines an air passageway in fluid flow communication with the central channel to exhaust said accumulated air from the central channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification