Flow regulator
First Claim
1. A flow regulator for a flow of fluid from an upstream inlet to a downstream outlet comprising an annular socket having an inner wall forming a flow passage, and elastically-deformable means to change the free area of the flow passage through said socket in response to variations of the pressure prevailing in the inlet, characterized in that said means comprises a membrane of elastice material have an imperforate disc-like base having one surface facing the upstream and having its periphery spaced from said inner wall to provide an annular flow passage therebetween, and the opposite surface facing downstream said opposite surface having sector-shaped spacer means providing radial edges extending outwardly thereof to abut said inner wall, at least one radial passage being formed between said sector-shaped spacer means, the outer end of said radial passage extending beyond said base so as to communicate with the upstream side of said membrane through said annular flow passage, siad membrane being sufficiently thin to be deflected by pressure in the inlet to partially restrict said radial passage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flow regulator for controlling the flow of fluid, particularly water, to compensate for changes in pressure. The regulator comprises a fitting having an elastically-deformable membrane providing flow passages through the fitting. Pressure variations deform the membrane to modify the flow area of said passages to automatically compensate for the changes in pressure and thereby reduce or eliminate pressure waves arising in the pipe. The membrane comprises a disc-like base, the downstream surface of which is provided with spacer means leaving a star-like pattern of radial passages for medium flow having their outer ends open upstream for admission of fluid to said passages, the size of which is to be reduced by elastic deformation of said base and said spacer means in response to changes in the pressure in the flow.
46 Citations
12 Claims
- 1. A flow regulator for a flow of fluid from an upstream inlet to a downstream outlet comprising an annular socket having an inner wall forming a flow passage, and elastically-deformable means to change the free area of the flow passage through said socket in response to variations of the pressure prevailing in the inlet, characterized in that said means comprises a membrane of elastice material have an imperforate disc-like base having one surface facing the upstream and having its periphery spaced from said inner wall to provide an annular flow passage therebetween, and the opposite surface facing downstream said opposite surface having sector-shaped spacer means providing radial edges extending outwardly thereof to abut said inner wall, at least one radial passage being formed between said sector-shaped spacer means, the outer end of said radial passage extending beyond said base so as to communicate with the upstream side of said membrane through said annular flow passage, siad membrane being sufficiently thin to be deflected by pressure in the inlet to partially restrict said radial passage.
Specification