Pressure regulator

• US 4,715,397 A
• Filed: 08/06/1984
• Issued: 12/29/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Stearns, Charles F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hershkovitz, Abraham
• Application Number:
  US06/638,338
• Time in Patent Office: 1,240 Days
• Field of Search: 137/82, 137/625.62, 137/84, 137/85, 137/86, 137/486
• US Class Current: 137/84
• CPC Class Codes: F02C 9/263 by means of fuel metering valves
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 16/185 using membranes within the main valve
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/03 with auxiliary non-electric power G05D7/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2278 Pressure modulating relays or followers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2365 Plural series units
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7759 Responsive to change in rate of fluid flow

Abstract

A pressure regulator (75) of a flow control system includes a pair of orifices (140 and 145), the effective areas of which are controlled by a pair of flexible closures (150 and 155) unidirectionally stiffened against fluid flow thereagainst. The closures remain flexible in an opposite direction so that when one of the closures is fouled with contaminants, it does not impede the operation of the remaining closure.

Claims

1. A flow control system comprising a fluid operated control device, the operation of said flow control system being at least in part, determined by the setting of said control device in response to a difference in pressure thereacross of control fluid supplied thereto from a source of said fluid, said flow control system including a pressure regulator characterized by:

first and second orifices providing at least in part, fluid communication between said control device and said fluid source, modulation of fluid flow through said orifices determining said pressure difference across said control device;

first and second flappers disposed adjacent said first and second orifices, respectively, for varying the effective cross-sectional area of said orifices, thereby modulating flow therethrough for control of said pressure difference across said control device, said flappers and orifices being subject to fouling by contamination therebetween;

a lever having opposite sides on which said first and second flappers are mounted for the simultaneous positioning thereof with a single mechanical input to said lever;

first and second stiffening means connected to said first and second flappers, respectively, at outer surfaces thereon, each of said stiffening means unidirectionally stiffening a corresponding flapper in a direction parallel to the direction of flow through a corresponding orifice to prevent said flow from mispositioning said flapper while allowing flexure of said corresponding flapper in an opposite direction for minimizing any impediment to the normal operation of the other flapper due to the fouling of said corresponding flapper; and

said stiffening means further comprising stops engageable with outer portions of the ends of said flappers for limiting the travel thereof in directions parallel to said directions of flow through said orifices.

2. The flow control device of claim 1 characterized by said orifices facing one another and said flow therethrough initiating from a location therebetween.

3. The flow control device of claim 2 characterized by said flappers being disposed in mutually parallel orientation between said orifices.

4. The flow control device of claim 1 characterized by said stops comprising integral extensions of an end portion of said lever.