Fluid activated flow control apparatus

• US 9,341,281 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2013
• Issued: 05/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Colt Irrigation LLC
• Original Assignee: Colt Irrigation LLC
• Inventors: Hurst, James Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): MCCALISTER, WILLIAM M
• Application Number:
  US13/759,947
• Publication Number:
  US 20130206242A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,197 Days
• Field of Search: 137/119.07, 137/488
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/22 with an actuating member for each valve, e.g. interconnected to form multiple-way valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/385 the fluid acting on a diaphragm
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/012 the sensing element being deformable and acting as a valve
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/018 using rotary sensing element
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/03 with auxiliary non-electric power G05D7/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0379 By fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/268 Responsive to pressure or flow interruption
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7793 With opening bias [e.g., pressure regulator]

Abstract

Embodiments of a fluid flow regulating device and methods of using the same are described. Certain embodiments manages fluid flow between one or more input ports and output ports at least partly in response to fluid pressure changes and/or by a mechanism driven by fluid flow, optionally without using electrical power.

Claims

1. A fluid regulator, comprising:

at least a first fluid inlet configured to receive a first flow of fluid;

at least a first fluid outlet;

a turbine shaft drive;

a turbine configured to be in fluid communication with said first fluid inlet, said turbine connected to said turbine shaft drive;

a speed reducing mechanism connected to said turbine drive shaft such that rotation of said turbine drives said speed reducing mechanism;

a timing control assembly;

a servo valve connected to said timing control assembly;

a valve shaft connected to said speed reducing mechanism and said timing control assembly;

one or more fluid passages;

a threaded adapter wherein the threaded adapter is configured to removably engage a threaded receiving area of an output valve having a housing, the threaded adapter providing a fluid conduit to the output valve housing when the threaded adapter is screwed into the threaded receiving area of the output valve housing;

the threaded adapter having a first port and a second port wherein said first port is fixedly connected to at least one of plurality of tubes such that fluid is transportable between said first port and said one of said plurality of tubes and wherein said first port is configured to be in fluid communication with a diaphragm port of the output valve, and

wherein said second port is connected to one of said plurality of tubes such that fluid is transportable between said second port and said one of said plurality of tubes and wherein said second port is configured to be in fluid communication with an exit port in the output valve;

the fluid regulator configured to, without utilizing an electrically powered component;

open a first output valve to provide a fluid flow path between the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet at least partly in response to;

a flow of fluid received via the first fluid inlet,

a rotation of the turbine and associated turbine drive shaft caused at least in part by the flow of fluid received via the first fluid inlet,

an open first fluid passage interfacing with the first output valve caused at least in part by the rotation of the turbine, and

a fluid flow through the first fluid passage from the output valve;

the fluid regulator further configured to, without utilizing an electrically powered component close the first output valve to obstruct the fluid flow path between the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet at least partly in response to;

a subsequent flow of fluid received via the first fluid inlet,

a rotation of the turbine and associated turbine drive shaft caused at least in part by the flow of fluid received via the first fluid inlet, and

a closed first fluid passage interfacing with the first output valve caused at least in part by the rotation of the turbine.

2. A fluid regulator of claim 1, the fluid regulator further comprising:

a servo activation lever connected to said valve shaft;

at least one spring arm connected to said speed reduction mechanism; and

said at least one spring arm configured to be in transient association with said servo activation lever when said fluid regulator is operating.

3. A fluid regulator of claim 2, the fluid regulator further comprising:

at least one lever rotation stop; and

said lever rotation stop limiting the rotation of said servo activation lever.

4. A fluid regulator of claim 2, the fluid regulator further comprising:

a detent bar;

said detent bar configured to be in transient connection when said fluid regulator is operating with said spring arm such that rotation of at least a portion of said spring arm is retarded when said spring arm is in contact with said detent bar.

5. The fluid regulator of claim 1, wherein said valve shaft is configured to rotate in response to said turbine.

6. A fluid regulator, comprising:

a turbine shaft drive;

a turbine configured to be in fluid communication with at least a first fluid inlet, said turbine connected to said turbine shaft drive;

a servo valve;

a valve shaft;

one or more fluid passages;

the fluid regulator configured to, without utilizing an electrically powered component;

open a first output valve to provide a fluid flow path between the first fluid inlet and at least a first fluid outlet at least partly in response to;

a flow of fluid received via the at least one of the first fluid inlet,

a rotation of the turbine and associated turbine drive shaft caused at least in part by the flow of fluid received via the first fluid inlet,

an open first fluid passage interfacing with the first output valve caused at least in part by the rotation of the turbine, and

a fluid flow through the first fluid passage from the first output valve;

the fluid regulator further configured to, without utilizing an electrically powered component close the first output valve to obstruct the fluid flow path between the first fluid inlet and the at least one of the first fluid outlet at least partly in response to;

a subsequent flow of fluid received via the first fluid inlet,

a rotation of the turbine and associated turbine drive shaft caused at least in part by the flow of fluid received via the first fluid inlet, and

a closed first fluid passage interfacing with the first output valve caused at least in part by the rotation of the turbine;

a threaded adapter having a first port and a second port;

wherein said first port is fixedly connected to one of a plurality of tubes such that fluid is transportable between said first port and said one of said plurality of tubes;

wherein said first port is configured to be in fluid communication with a diaphragm port in the first output valve;

wherein said second port is connected to one of said plurality of tubes such that fluid is transportable between said second port and said one of said plurality of tubes; and

wherein said second port is configured to be in fluid communication with an exit port in the first output valve.

7. A fluid regulator of claim 6, the fluid regulator further comprising:

a servo activation lever connected to said valve shaft;

at least one spring arm; and

said at least one spring arm configured to be in transient association with said servo activation lever when the fluid regulator is operating.

8. A fluid regulator of claim 7, the fluid regulator further comprising:

at least one lever rotation stop; and

said lever rotation stop limiting the rotation of said servo activation lever.

9. A fluid regulator of claim 7, the fluid regulator further comprising:

a detent bar;

said detent bar configured to be in transient connection with said spring arm when the fluid regulator is operating such that rotation of at least a portion of said spring arm is retarded when said spring arm is in contact with said detent bar.

10. A fluid regulator of claim 6, the fluid regulator further comprising:

a timing control knob.

11. The fluid regulator of claim 6, wherein said valve shaft is configured to rotate in response to said turbine.

12. The fluid regulator of claim 6, wherein the first output valve is configured to actuates to the open position and the closed position without using electrical power.

13. A fluid regulator, comprising:

a turbine shaft drive;

a turbine configured to be in fluid communication with at least a first fluid inlet, said turbine connected to said turbine shaft drive;

a servo valve;

a valve shaft;

one or more fluid passages;

the fluid regulator configured to, without utilizing an electrically powered component;

open a first output valve to provide a fluid flow path between the first fluid inlet and at least a first fluid outlet at least partly in response to;

a flow of fluid received via the at least one of the first fluid inlet,

a rotation of the turbine and associated turbine drive shaft caused at least in part by the flow of fluid received via the first fluid inlet,

an open first fluid passage interfacing with the first output valve caused at least in part by the rotation of the turbine, and

a fluid flow through the first fluid passage from the first output valve.

the fluid regulator further configured to, without utilizing an electrically powered component close the first output valve to obstruct the fluid flow path between the first fluid inlet and the at least one of the first fluid outlet at least partly in response to;

a subsequent flow of fluid received via the first fluid inlet,

a rotation of the turbine and associated turbine drive shaft caused at least in part by the flow of fluid received via the first fluid inlet, and

a closed first fluid passage interfacing with the first output valve caused at least in part by the rotation of the turbine;

a threaded adapter having a first port and a second port;

wherein said first port is fixedly connected to one of a plurality of tubes such that fluid is transportable between said first port and said one of said plurality of tubes;

wherein said first port is configured to be in fluid communication with a diaphragm port in the first output valve;

wherein said second port is connected to one of said plurality of tubes such that fluid is transportable between said second port and said one of said plurality of tubes;

wherein said second port is configured to be in fluid communication with an exit port in the first output valve; and

wherein the threaded adapter is configured to removably engage a threaded receiving area of the output valve having a housing, the threaded adapter providing a fluid conduit to the output valve housing when the threaded adapter is screwed into the threaded receiving area of the output valve housing.