Systems and methods for controlling pressure of fluids

• US 7,314,059 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2004
• Issued: 01/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: P10 Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Active Power Incorporated
• Inventors: Weaver, Matthew D., Schuetze, Karl T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Krishnamurthy; Ramesh
• Application Number:
  US10/943,328
• Publication Number:
  US 20060060246A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,201 Days
• Field of Search: 137/14, 137/102, 137/487.5, 137/488, 137/565.34, 251/26, 251/31
• US Class Current: 137/487.5
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 27/02 characterised by the use of electric means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0396 Involving pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2544 Supply and exhaust type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7761 Electrically actuated valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7762 Fluid pressure type

Abstract

Systems and methods for using a dual-path fluid routing system that uses a flow restriction device to enhance temperature and pressure control of fluid are provided. Systems and methods for using a setpoint pressure control system to accurately control the setpoint pressure of a regulator are also provided.

Claims

1. A system for controlling the setpoint pressure of a regulator, said system comprising:

a setpoint pressure node;

a first valve having an inlet connected to receive a fluid and an outlet connected to said setpoint pressure node;

a second valve having an inlet connected to said setpoint pressure node and an outlet connected to atmosphere;

a third valve having an inlet connected to said setpoint pressure node and an outlet coupled to atmosphere, said third valve operative to automatically open in the event of a failsafe condition; and

control circuitry operative to selectively OPEN and CLOSE said first and second valves to control the pressure of fluid applied to said setpoint pressure node.

2. The system defined in claim 1, wherein the pressure provided to said pressure node is the setpoint pressure.

3. The system defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a pressure regulator connected to a fluid source and to the inlet of said first valve, said pressure regulator regulates fluid received from said fluid source.

4. The system defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a pressure regulator connected to received fluid from a fluid source, said pressure regulator regulates said received fluid to a predetermined pressure; and

an accumulator connected to said pressure regulator and to the inlet of said first valve, said accumulator minimizes pressure swings as said first and second valves OPEN and CLOSE.

5. The system defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a fluid source, wherein said first valve is connected downstream of said fluid source; and

a regulator coupled to receive fluid from said fluid source, said regulator having a setpoint pressure port connected to said setpoint pressure node and operative to provide fluid downstream based on the pressure of fluid applied to said setpoint pressure port.

6. The system defined in claim 1, wherein said first, second, and third valves are electronically actuated solenoid valves.

7. The system defined in claim 6, wherein said first and second valves are normally CLOSED solenoid valves.

8. The system defined in claim 6, wherein said third valve is a normally OPEN solenoid valve.

9. The system defined in claim 1, wherein said first, second, and third valves are bubble tight solenoid valves.

10. The system defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second valves are CLOSED and said third valve is OPEN when said system is operating in a standby mode.

11. The system defined in claim 1, wherein said third valve is CLOSED when said system is controlling the pressure being applied to said setpoint pressure node.

12. The system defined in claim 1, further comprising:

an amplifying regulator having an inlet connected to receive fluid, an amplifier setpoint port connected to said setpoint pressure node, and an amplifier outlet, said amplifying regulator amplifies the pressure applied to said amplifier setpoint port to an amplified pressure and provides said amplified pressure to said amplifier outlet, said amplified pressure is the setpoint pressure.