Flow control valve

• US 9,383,035 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2013
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SkoFlo Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: SkoFlo Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Kirchner, Mark W., Tomlinson, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCCALISTER, WILLIAM M
• Application Number:
  US13/926,642
• Publication Number:
  US 20140131598A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• Field of Search: 137/501, 137/625.3, 137/625.38, 137/625.39, 137/613, 251/327, 251/121, 251/127
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 47/04 for decreasing pressure or noise level, the throttle being incorporated in the closure member
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/014 using sliding elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2597 Variable choke resistance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7788 Pressures across fixed choke
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7791 Pressures across flow line valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7792 Movable deflector or choke
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86734 With metering feature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86799 With internal flow passage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86807 Sequential opening or closing of serial ports in single flow line
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87917 Flow path with serial valves and/or closures

Abstract

In one embodiment, a constant-flow valve assembly is provided that comprises a first fluid passageway carrying fluid at a first fluid pressure, a piston chamber, and a second fluid passageway connected to the chamber and carrying fluid at a second fluid pressure. A third fluid passageway is configured to carry fluid at a third fluid pressure. An adjustable valve member is provided between the chamber and the third passageway to provide constant fluid flow to the third passageway. An adjustable restrictor assembly is positioned between the first and second fluid passageways. An inlet portion of the restrictor assembly receives fluid at the first fluid pressure and directs the fluid to a restrictor. An outlet portion receives fluid from the restrictor and directs the fluid to the second fluid passageway at the second fluid pressure. The restrictor is movable to adjust the position of entry and exit portions relative to the inlet and outlet portions to adjust a fluid flow rate through fluid pathway to the second fluid passageway, thereby adjusting the flow rate through the valve assembly.

Claims

1. A flow valve assembly, comprising:

a fluid inlet portion with a fluid inlet;

a fluid outlet portion with a fluid outlet;

a fluid passageway between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet; and

an adjustable restrictor having the fluid passageway extending therethrough, the restrictor having an entry portion defining a portion of the fluid passageway that receives fluid from the fluid inlet portion, the restrictor having an exit portion that directs fluid along the fluid passageway toward the fluid outlet portion, the restrictor being movable to adjust the position of the entry and exit portions relative to the fluid inlet and fluid outlet, the fluid passageway includes the entry portion defined by a plurality of blind notches interconnected by at least one blind channel and in fluid communication with a through passage between the entry and exit portions, the restrictor being movable to allow the fluid inlet portion to interfere with at least a portion of the entry portion to adjustably restrict the fluid flow into the blind notches, blind channel, or through hole and to control the fluid flow rate through the adjustable restrictor.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the restrictor comprises a sleeve with an interior area and a central member disposed in the interior area, the through passage extends through the sleeve and around the central member.

4. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising an external adjustment device coupled to the restrictor, the adjustment device being manipulatable to move the restrictor to change the position of the plurality of blind notches of the restrictor relative to the fluid inlet portion.

2. The assembly of clam 1 wherein the restrictor has an outer surface, and the plurality of blind notches are formed in the outer surface and are in fluid communication with the through passage.

5. A constant-flow valve assembly, comprising:

a body with a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a fluid passageway therebetween;

an adjustable flow restriction coupled to the fluid passageway and being configured to provide a substantially constant fluid flow to the fluid outlet substantially independent of a pressure differentials between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet; and

an adjustable restrictor assembly having the fluid passageway extending therethrough, the restrictor assembly having an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a restrictor with a fluid pathway extending therebetween, the inlet portion being positioned to direct the fluid to the restrictor, and the outlet portion being positioned to receive fluid from the restrictor and direct fluid toward the fluid outlet, the restrictor having an entry portion and an exit portion of the fluid pathway, the entry portion defined by a plurality of blind notches interconnected by at least one blind channel and in fluid communication with fluid pathway between the entry and exit portions, the restrictor being movable to adjust the position of the entry and exit portions relative to the inlet and outlet portions to adjust a fluid flow rate of fluid through fluid pathway to fluid outlet.

7. The assembly of claim 5, further comprising an external adjustment device coupled to the restrictor assembly, the adjustment device being manipulatable to move the restrictor assembly to change the position of the restrictor relative to the inlet portion.

8. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the restrictor has an outer surface, the fluid pathway includes the exit portion defined by at least one a blind notch in the outer surface and in fluid communication with a through hole, the restrictor being movable to allow the outlet portion to interfere with at least a portion of the exit portion to adjustably restrict the fluid flow into through the restrictor.

9. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the restrictor has an outer surface, and the plurality of blind notches are formed in the outer surface and are in fluid communication with the through passage.

10. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the restrictor has an outer surface, and the plurality of blind notches are formed in the outer surface and are in fluid communication with the through passage.

11. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the restrictor comprises a sleeve with an interior area and a central member disposed in the interior area, the through passage extends through the sleeve and around the central member.

6. The assembly of clam 5 wherein the restrictor is movable to allow the inlet portion to interfere with at least a portion of the entry portion to adjustably restrict the fluid flow into the blind notches, blind channel, or through hole.

12. A constant-flow valve assembly, comprising:

a first fluid passageway configured to carry fluid at a first fluid pressure;

a chamber having at least a portion configured to receive fluid at a second fluid pressure less than the first fluid pressure;

a second fluid passageway connected to the portion of the chamber and configured to carry fluid at the second fluid pressure;

a third fluid passageway configured to carry fluid at a third fluid pressure less than the first and second fluid pressures; and

an adjustable restrictor assembly between the first and second fluid passageways, the restrictor having an entry portion defining a fluid passageway portion that receives fluid from the first fluid passageway, the restrictor having an exit portion that directs fluid along the fluid passageway portion toward the second fluid passageway, the restrictor being movable to adjust the position of the entry and exit portions relative to the first and second fluid passageways, the entry portion having a plurality of blind notches interconnected by at least one blind channel and in fluid communication with a through passage between the entry and exit portions, the restrictor being movable to allow the fluid inlet portion to interfere with at least a portion of the entry portion to adjustably restrict the fluid flow into the blind notches, blind channel, or through hole and to control the fluid flow rate through the adjustable restrictor.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the restrictor has an outer surface, and the plurality of blind notches are formed in the outer surface and are in fluid communication with the through passage.

14. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the restrictor comprises a sleeve with an interior area and a central member disposed in the interior area, the through passage extends through the sleeve and around the central member.

15. The assembly of claim 12, further comprising an external adjustment device coupled to the restrictor, the adjustment device being manipulatable to move the restrictor to change the position of the plurality of blind notches of the restrictor relative to the fluid inlet portion.