Pressure regulator

• US 6,729,331 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2002
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Luxfer Gas Cylinders Limited (Luxfer Holdings PLC)
• Original Assignee: F.X.K. Patents Limited
• Inventors: Kay, Francis Xavier
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, Henry
• Assistant Examiner(s): KOKABI, AZADEH
• Application Number:
  US10/140,392
• Publication Number:
  US 20030000529A1
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: 128/205.24, 128/201.28, 128/203.11, 128/206.15, 128/207.12, 128/201.27, 128/204.26, 128/204.25, 128/205.22, 128/204.28, 128/207.16, 128/204.18, 137/414, 137/908
• US Class Current: 128/205.24
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/022 Breathing demand regulators SCUBA diving regulators B63C11/22
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/2227 Second-stage regulators B63C11/2245 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 16/0663 using a spring-loaded membrane with a spring-loaded slideable obturator

Abstract

A pressure regulator suitable for use as a breathing demand valve in self-contained breathing equipment comprising a first chamber incorporating an inlet port having an inlet valve therein, preferably in the form of a poppet valve and biased so as to seal of the inlet port, and separated from a second chamber by a diaphragm. The diaphragm co-operates with the end of a stem extending from the poppet valve member of the inlet valve such that, upon inhalation by the user, the diaphragm is deflected towards the inlet valve and exerts a force on the poppet valve stem sufficient to open the poppet valve and, upon exhalation by the user, the diaphragm is deflected away form the inlet valve so that the diaphragm no longer contacts the end of the poppet valve stem and the inlet valve closes. A baffle plate is positioned in between the diaphragm and inlet valve so as to prevent, when the inlet valve is open, a portion of the pressurized fluid flow from impinging upon the underside of the diaphragm and tending to close the inlet valve. Optionally, the end of the diaphragm may incorporate an exhaust port to ambient, which, when the inlet valve is opened, is sealed by the end of the poppet valve stem sealably engaging with a valve seat around the exhaust port.

Claims

1. A pressure regulator suitable for use as a breathing demand valve in various self-contained breathing apparatus, comprising a first chamber having an inlet port and an outlet flow path, the inlet port being connectable to the outlet of a pressurized fluid supply, an inlet valve being positioned within the inlet port and biased so as to seal the first chamber from the pressurized fluid supply, wherein the opening of the inlet valve can be actuated by the thrust due to the deflection of a diaphragm positioned so as to separate the first chamber from a second chamber, a baffle plate positioned in between the diaphragm and inlet port reducing negative feedback to the flow rate through the first chamber by preventing a portion of the pressurized fluid flow released through the open inlet valve from impinging upon, and tending to deflect, the diaphragm in a direction tending to close the inlet valve, and wherein a Venturi tube extends from an outlet flow path such that, upon removal of fluid from the first chamber, along the outlet flow path, the pressure in the gap between the baffle plate and diaphragm is reduced by the Venturi tube accordingly.

2. A pressure regulator according to claim 1, wherein the thrust due to deflection of the diaphragm is sufficiently large to actuate opening of the inlet valve directly, without the need for any sort of lever arrangement.

3. A pressure regulator according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm is positioned such that the necessary deflection of the diaphragm required to open the inlet valve can be achieved by removing fluid from said first chamber.

4. A pressure regulator according to claim 1, wherein the inlet valve arrangement comprises a poppet valve having a valve member and a valve stem, the valve stem extending from said valve member into the first chamber, along an axis passing through the inlet port, said valve member having a shoulder sealably engaging with a bead seat around said inlet port so as to seal the inlet port, biasing means urging the said shoulder against said bead seat.

5. A pressure regulator according to claim 1, further comprising means for introducing fluid to the first chamber.

6. A pressure regulator according to claim 5, wherein the introduction of fluid into the first chamber is via a tube communicating with the interior of said first chamber.

7. A pressure regulator according to claim 6, wherein the introduction of fluid to, and removal of fluid from the first chamber is via a single tube.

8. A pressure regulator according to claim 5 in the form of a breathing demand valve, wherein the introduction of fluid to the chamber is through exhalation by the user.

9. A pressure regulator according to claim 5, including an exhaust port connecting said first chamber with said second chamber, the exhaust port having an exhaust valve positioned therein.

10. A pressure regulator according to claim 9, wherein the exhaust port is positioned opposite said inlet valve, within said diaphragm, said valve stem having, or being connected to, at the end opposite the valve member, an outwardly extending flange, the flange co-operating with a valve seat around the exhaust port so as to function as said exhaust valve, wherein, when the diaphragm is deflected towards the inlet valve, the valve seat is urged against said flange so as to seal the first chamber from the second chamber and open the inlet valve, and when the diaphragm is deflected away from said inlet valve, a gap is formed between the valve seat and flange allowing the exhaust of fluid through the exhaust port into the second chamber.

11. A pressure regulator according to claim 1, wherein the outlet flow path is bounded by a wall and wherein the Venturi tube is positioned adjacent said wall of the outlet flow path such that the flow rate through the Venturi tube is increased by the presence of Boundary Layer Effects.

12. A pressure regulator according to claim 1, wherein the said flow path includes the interior of a tube communicating with the interior of said first chamber.

13. A pressure regulator according to claim 1, wherein the introduction of fluid to, and removal of fluid from the first chamber is via a single tube.

14. A pressure regulator according to claim 1, wherein the baffle plate is constructed from a heat absorbent material whereby, heat exchange can occur between the fluid in said first chamber and the baffle plate.

15. A pressure regulator according to claim 1, further incorporating a load spring positioned so as to deflect the diaphragm and actuate partial opening of said inlet valve.

16. A pressure regulator according to claim 15, wherein the load spring is adjustable.

17. A pressure regulator according to claim 1 in the form of a breathing demand valve, whereby removal of gas from the first chamber via said outlet flow path is through inhalation by the user.

18. A pressure regulator according to claim 1, wherein the relative position and proximity of the inlet port and a removal tube allows fluid to flow along the path between the inlet port and the removal tube at a substantially constant speed.

19. A pressure regulator according to claim 1 suitable for use as a breathing demand valve in various self-contained breathing apparatus, wherein said diaphragm is a convoluted diaphragm, the diaphragm being mounted within said first chamber so as to provide a fluid tight seal around its rim, while isolating the convoluted section of the diaphragm from material distortion due to rim clamping or sealing forces.