Pressure regulator and method for regulating fluid pressure - Patents.com

Abstract

The gas regulator includes a valve chamber body that houses the regulator's two valves. A valve element that moves to open and close the two valves is received in the valve chamber body through the same opening, and the valve chamber body is closed by a plug. The plug can define a first valve seat and a piercing element used to pierce the compressed gas cylinder. A retainer can hold a gasket to the valve seat as well as provide a bore or other support for the valve element and valve element spring.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 253,871, filed October 8, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] FIELD OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to pressure regulators, such as multi-stage gas pressure regulators, used to regulate an input gas at a relatively high pressure to an output gas at a relatively low pressure. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Aspects of the invention relate to pressure regulators, such as regulators that receive gas at a relatively high pressure, for example, 1000-3000 psi, and output gas at a lower pressure, such as 10-50 psi. In some embodiments, the regulators may be employed with compressed gas cylinders, such as cylinders that contain liquid carbon dioxide, and may also be included as part of a gas delivery device, such as a tire inflation device, beverage dispensing equipment, or other pneumatic or hydraulic devices that use a pressure regulated fluid source.

[0004] In some embodiments, the pressure regulator includes a valve chamber body defining a cavity extending from a first opening at a first end of the valve chamber body to a second opening at a second end of the valve chamber body. The valve chamber body can define a second valve seat within the cavity adjacent the second opening, e.g., opposite the first opening. A second stage valve element can be configured to be received within the cavity via the first opening and movable within the cavity to open and close the second stage valve at the second valve seat. Additionally, a first stage valve element can be configured to be received within the cavity via the first opening and movable within the cavity to open and close the first stage valve, thereby controlling the flow of pressurized gas into the cavity. By configuring the first stage valve element and the second stage valve element to be received within the valve chamber body via a common opening into the cavity of the valve chamber body, manufacturing and assembly of the regulator can be simplified.

[0005] In some embodiments, a plug can be engaged with the first end of the valve chamber body, the plug defining a first valve seat contacted by the first stage valve element to open and close the first stage valve. In some cases, the first valve seat can be inside the plug in the cavity, and the plug can include a piercing element located outside the plug outside the cavity and configured to pierce a gas outlet of a gas cylinder. The plug can have a gas path extending from the piercing element to the first valve seat, thus delivering gas received from a gas cylinder or other source at the piercing element, for example, to the first valve seat. In some embodiments, the plug can define a first bore within which the first valve seat is disposed, and a portion of the first stage valve element can be slidably movable within the first bore relative to the first valve seat. In some embodiments, the first stage valve element can sealingly engage with the first bore to form and maintain an airtight seal throughout a range of motion of the first stage valve element relative to the first bore. Additionally or alternatively, the first stage valve element, in some embodiments, may sealingly engage an inner surface of the cavity to form and maintain an air-tight seal throughout the range of motion of the first stage valve element relative to the valve chamber body.

[0006] In some cases, the first stage spring can be configured to bias the first stage valve element toward the second end of the valve chamber body to open the first stage valve. In some cases, gas pressure in the cavity can bias the first stage valve element to move against the bias of the first stage spring toward the first end of the valve chamber body to close the first stage valve.

[0007] In some embodiments, the retainer can define a second bore received within the cavity and within which the second stage valve element is movable relative to the second valve seat. A second stage spring can be provided within the second bore and configured to bias the second stage valve element toward the second valve seat to close the second stage valve. In some cases, a second valve gasket can be configured to engage the second stage valve element and form a seal to close the second stage valve. The retainer can be configured to hold the second valve gasket in contact with the valve chamber body near the second valve seat. In some embodiments, the second stage valve element can include a ball and the first stage valve element can include a piston.

[0008] In some embodiments, the second stage piston can be arranged to move relative to the valve chamber body to open and close the second stage valve. The second stage piston can have an interior and an exterior, with a portion of the valve chamber body received inside the second stage piston. In some cases, the second stage piston can include a plunger configured to extend into the second opening and contact the second valve element to open the second stage valve. The second stage piston spring can be configured to bias the second stage piston to open the second stage valve. Gas pressure inside the second stage piston can bias the second stage piston to move against the bias of the second stage piston spring to close the second stage valve. The second stage piston, the second stage piston spring, and the valve chamber body can be disposed within a housing.

[0009] In some aspects, the pressure regulator includes a valve chamber body defining a cavity extending from a first opening at a first end of the valve chamber body, and a plug engaged at the first end of the valve chamber body. The plug can define a first valve seat inside the plug within the cavity and can have a piercing element located outside the plug outside the cavity and configured to pierce a gas outlet of the gas cylinder. A gas path can extend from the piercing element to the first valve seat. The first stage valve element can be movable within the cavity to engage and disengage from the first valve seat to control the flow of pressurized gas into the cavity, thereby opening and closing the first stage valve. By providing both the piercing element and the first valve seat on the plug, the regulator can be made more compact and the number of components exposed to high gas pressures can be reduced.

[0010] In some embodiments, the plug can define a first bore within which a first valve seat is disposed, and a portion of the first stage valve element can be slidably movable within the first bore relative to the first valve seat, for example, to open and close the first stage valve. In some cases, the first stage valve element is sealingly engaged with the first bore to form and maintain an airtight seal throughout the range of movement of the first stage valve element relative to the first bore. Additionally or alternatively, the first stage valve element can sealingly engage with an inner surface of the cavity to form and maintain an airtight seal throughout the range of movement of the first stage valve element relative to the valve chamber body.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first stage spring can be configured to bias the first stage valve element toward the second end of the valve chamber body to open the first stage valve. Gas pressure in the cavity can bias the first stage valve element to move against the bias of the first stage spring and into contact with the first valve seat to close the first stage valve.

[0012] In some embodiments, the cavity can extend from the first opening to a second opening at a second end of the valve chamber body, the valve chamber body defining a second valve seat within the cavity adjacent the second opening. A second stage valve element, in some embodiments, can be received within the cavity and movable within the cavity to open and close the second stage valve on the second valve seat.

[0013] In some cases, the retainer can be received within the cavity and define a second bore within which the second stage valve element is movable relative to the second valve seat. A second stage spring can be received within the second bore and configured to bias the second stage valve element toward the second valve seat to close the second stage valve. A second valve gasket can be configured to engage the second stage valve element and form a seal to close the second stage valve, and the retainer can be configured to hold the second valve gasket in contact with the valve chamber body near the second valve seat. In some cases, the first stage valve element and the second stage valve element can be received within the cavity via the first opening.

[0014] In some cases, the second stage piston can be disposed to move relative to the valve chamber body to open and close the second stage valve, the second stage piston having an interior and an exterior, and a portion of the valve chamber body received inside the second stage piston. In some cases, the second stage piston includes a plunger configured to extend into the second opening and contact the second valve element to open the second stage valve. The second stage piston spring can be configured to bias the second stage piston to open the second stage valve. Gas pressure inside the second stage piston can bias the second stage piston to move against the bias of the second stage piston spring to close the second stage valve. The second stage piston, the second stage piston spring, and the valve chamber body can be disposed within a housing.

[0015] Various exemplary embodiments of the device are further shown and described below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] Each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a gas delivery device including a regulator having features described herein. [Diagram 2] 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a multi-stage fluid pressure regulator in an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Although aspects of the invention are described below with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the aspects of the invention should not be narrowly construed in light of the specific embodiments described. Thus, the aspects of the invention are not limited to the embodiments described herein. Also, the various aspects of the invention may be used alone and / or in any suitable combination with each other, and thus the various embodiments should not be construed as requiring a particular combination or combination of features. Instead, to the extent not mutually exclusive, one or more features of the described embodiments may be combined with any other suitable features. For example, some aspects are described in which first and second stage valve elements may be provided in a valve body cavity through the same opening, and other aspects are described in relation to a plug for a valve body cavity that includes both a first stage valve seat and a piercing element. These aspects may be used together or individually in regulators or other valve configurations. Similarly, an aspect is described in relation to a gasket retainer that not only defines a bore or otherwise supports a valve element and a spring, but also retains a gasket to a valve seat. This aspect may likewise be used alone or in combination with other aspects in regulators or other valves.

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a gas delivery device 100 that can receive and use pressurized gas for any suitable purpose, such as inflating a tire, a life jacket, or other article, pressurizing or repressurizing a fizzy drink container, providing pressurized gas into a wine bottle to force wine out of the bottle, etc. The device 100 includes a regulator 1 that can have one or more features described herein. The regulator 1 can be fluidly coupled to a pressurized gas cylinder 14 or other suitable source of pressurized gas, such as a hose or fitting connected to a container that holds the pressurized gas. The pressurized gas source can provide gas to the regulator 1 at a relatively high pressure, such as 1000 psi or more. In some embodiments, the regulator 1 can have a piercing lance or element 42 that can pierce or puncture a metal cap or other gas outlet 141 of the gas cylinder 14 when the gas outlet 141 and the piercing element 42 are engaged. The cylinder 14 and the piercing element 42 can be biased into engagement in various manners, such as by a linkage, a lever, a hydraulic ram, etc. In some embodiments, the gas cylinder 14 may be received in a holder 13 configured to engage with the regulator 1 or other portion of the device housing 11 to engage the cylinder 14 with the regulator 1. For example, the holder 13 may be threadably engaged with the device housing 11 such that tightening the holder 13 onto the housing 11 forces the gas outlet 141 onto the piercing element 42, thereby opening the outlet 141 and delivering pressurized gas to the piercing element 42. The regulator 1 may reduce the pressure of gas received from the cylinder 14 or other gas source to a pressure of, for example, 1000 psi to 3000 psi or more, and output the gas at a desired pressure, such as 5 psi to 50 psi. The outlet 84 of the regulator 1 may be fluidly coupled to a gas conduit 16 that may conduct the pressurized gas output from the regulator 1 to any suitable portion of the device 100, such as the gas outlet 12 of the device 100. The gas outlet 12 may have a valve that is normally closed but may be opened to release the pressurized gas for receipt by another item, such as a bicycle tire.For example, gas outlet 12 can be pressed into contact with a valve stem or other portion of an article receiving pressurized gas, causing a valve to open and deliver pressurized gas to the article. Indicator 15 can provide an indication of the gas pressure in conduit 16, such as by displaying a numerical or other visual indication of the pressure in conduit 16. This pressure indication can indicate the pressure being output from regulator 1 and / or the pressure of an article (such as a tire or bottle) that is fluidly coupled to gas outlet 12 and receives pressurized gas from device 100. It should be understood that FIG. 1 illustrates only one exemplary device 100 that can employ regulator 1 including the features described herein, and that regulator 1 can be employed in any suitable device and for any suitable purpose.

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a two-stage pressure regulator 1 incorporating one or more features described herein. In some embodiments, the pressure regulator 1 has two stages for regulating the pressure of the gas output by the regulator 1. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a first stage 10 and a second stage 20 that operate to reduce the pressure from a gas cylinder 14 (which may output gas at about 2600-3000 psi or more) received in a piercing element 42. The first stage 10 can reduce the pressure of the gas received from the gas cylinder 14 to a first level, e.g., in the range of 30-60 psi, and the second stage 20 can reduce the pressure of the gas received from the first stage 10 to an even lower level, e.g., in the range of 15-30 psi, that is delivered to a gas outlet 84 of the regulator 1. While the embodiment of FIG. 2 includes two stages for pressure regulation, the regulator 1 may be implemented as a single stage or a three or more stage regulator. Additionally, although the embodiments described herein are used with pressurized gas cylinders containing carbon dioxide (CO2) gas, other pressurized gases or fluids such as argon, nitrogen, or oxygen may be used, as well as other types of gas sources such as gas containers having operable valves on outlets other than the pierceable gas outlet 141.

[0020] In some embodiments, regulator 1 can have a valve chamber body 3 that houses two valves of the regulator, for example, both a first stage valve 10 and a second stage valve 20, or the first stage valve 10 and an on / off outlet valve 20. This can provide a compact arrangement and / or easier assembly of regulator 1. For example, valve chamber body 3 can define a cavity 31 that extends from a first opening 32 at a first end of valve chamber body 3 to a second opening 33 at a second end of the valve chamber body. Both a first stage valve element 5 and a second stage valve element 6 can be received within cavity 31 via first opening 32, which can be covered by a plug 4 that engages valve chamber body 3 at a first end and captures the first and second stage elements within cavity 31. During assembly of regulator 1, second stage valve element 6 may be provided in cavity 31 first, followed by first stage valve element 5, and then plug 4 may be engaged with valve chamber body 3. First stage valve element 5 may be movable within cavity 31 to open and close first stage valve 10, and second stage valve element 6 may be movable within cavity 31 to open and close second stage valve 20. In some embodiments, plug 4 may define a first valve seat 41, and first stage valve element 5 may be movable within cavity 31 toward and away from first valve seat 41 to open and close first stage valve 10, thereby controlling the flow of pressurized gas from piercing element 42 into cavity 31. For example, the first stage valve element 5 can move toward the first valve seat 41 such that a portion of the first stage valve element 5 contacts the first valve seat 41 to close the first stage valve 10, and can move away from the first valve seat 41 out of contact to allow gas flow through the first valve seat 41.In some embodiments, the valve chamber body 3 can define a second valve seat 61 within the cavity 31 adjacent the second opening 33, and the second stage valve element 6 can move toward and away from the second valve seat 61 to open and close the second stage valve 20. For example, the second stage valve element 6 can move toward and into contact with the second valve seat 61 to close the second stage valve 20, and can move away from and out of contact with the second stage valve seat 61 to open the second stage valve 20.

[0021] In some embodiments, the plug 4 can define both a first valve seat 41 and a piercing element 42 (or other feature) that receives high pressure gas. For example, the first valve seat 41 can be inside the plug 4 in the cavity 31, and the piercing element 42 can be located outside the plug 4 outside the cavity 31. A gas path can extend from the piercing element 42 to the first valve seat 41, thus routing high pressure gas received from the gas cylinder at the piercing element 42 to the first valve seat 41. This arrangement can help reduce the need for portions of the regulator 1 other than the plug 4 to withstand relatively high pressures (e.g., 1000-3000 psi) because, for example, only the plug 4 and the portion of the first stage valve element 5 that covers the first valve seat 41 when the first stage valve 10 is closed are subject to such pressures. This is in contrast to regulators that have high pressure gas contained within a chamber within which a first stage or other stage valve element moves to open and close the first stage valve. In an embodiment such as that of FIG. 2, high pressure gas (e.g., the level output from the gas cylinder 14 or other source) is located only within the gas path of the plug 4 that extends from the piercing element 42 to the first valve seat 41. It should be noted that the features of the plug 4 that define both the first stage valve seat and the piercing element need not be used with two-stage regulators or regulators having the specific features shown in FIG. 2. Instead, this feature may be used with single stage regulators and regulators having valves or other configurations different from those shown in FIG. 2. For example, the second stage valve 20 may be configured to be manually opened / closed by a user rather than having a pressure adjustment function.

[0022] Although not required, the plug 4 may define a first bore 43 in which the first valve seat 41 is disposed. A portion of the first stage valve element 5 is slidably moveable within the first bore 43 relative to the first valve seat 41, e.g., may slide up and down along the length of the first bore 43, as shown in FIG. 2. A seal 52 may be provided between the first stage valve element 5 and the first bore 43 such that the first stage valve element 5 sealingly engages the first bore 43 to form and maintain an air-tight seal throughout the range of movement of the first stage valve element 5 relative to the first bore 43. For example, the portion of the first stage valve element 5 within the first bore 43 may move to open and close the first stage valve 10 while always maintaining a seal with the first bore 43 such that gas released by the first stage valve 10 passes through the first stage valve element 5 into the gas path 54 rather than exiting through a space between the first bore 43 and the portion of the first stage valve element 5 within the first bore 43. The first stage valve element 5 may also sealingly engage with an inner surface of the cavity 31 to form and maintain an airtight seal throughout the range of movement of the first stage valve element 5 relative to the valve chamber body 3. For example, a seal 53 may be provided between the first stage valve element 5 and the inner surface of the cavity 31 to maintain a sealing engagement between the first stage valve element 5 and the valve chamber body 3 as the first stage valve element 5 moves to open and close the first stage valve 10. As a result, gas exiting the gas passage 54 at the upper end of the first stage valve element 5 cannot flow downward into the space between the first stage valve element 5 and the valve chamber body 3 because such flow is prevented by the seal 53. Thus, gas pressure in the space above the first stage valve element 5 is trapped unless relieved by the second stage valve 20. This gas pressure in the cavity 31 above the first stage valve element 5 urges the first stage valve element 5 to move downward and into contact with the first valve seat 41 to close the first stage valve 10. For example, the gas path 54 through the first stage valve element 5 may initially extend radially inwardly to a location above the distal end of the first stage valve element 5 that contacts the first valve seat 41.The gas passage 54 extends axially upward from the radially inward portion and extends away from the first valve seat 41 to an upper portion of the first stage valve element 5, which is formed with a concave shape. Gas pressure at the upper end of the gas passage 54, e.g., the concave shape, applies a downward force to the first stage valve element 5 to close the first stage valve 10. Conversely, the first stage valve element 5 is urged upward, i.e., away from the first valve seat 41, to open the first stage valve 10 by the first stage spring 56. The first stage spring 56 is positioned between the plug 4 and the upper portion of the first stage valve element 5, and urges the portion of the first stage valve element 5 within the first bore 43 away from the first valve seat 41. The balance between the force exerted by the first stage spring 56 on the first stage valve element 5 and the gas pressure at the upper end of the first stage valve element 5 affects the pressure regulating function of the first stage valve 10. When the biasing force of first stage spring 56 is greater than the gas pressure urging first stage valve element 5 downward, first stage valve 5 is opened and allows pressurized gas to flow into gas path 54. Conversely, when the gas pressure urging first stage valve element 5 downward to close first stage valve 10 is greater than the force of first stage spring 56, first stage valve 10 closes. As will be appreciated, the spring constant of first stage spring 56 and the size / shape of first stage valve element 5 can be configured to provide the desired gas pressure output by first stage valve 10.

[0023] Gas flows from the gas path 54 of the first stage valve element 5 to the second stage valve 20. In some embodiments, the retainer 6 is received within the cavity 31 (e.g., via the first opening 32) and defines a second bore 63 within which the second stage valve element 7 is movable relative to a second valve seat 61. A second stage spring 71 may be provided within the second bore 63 to bias the second stage valve element 7 toward the second valve seat 61 to close the second stage valve 20. A second valve gasket 62 may be configured to engage the second stage valve element 7 and form a seal to close the second stage valve 20, for example, when the biasing force of the second stage spring 71 and gas pressure in the second bore 63 on the second stage valve element 7 bias the element 7 toward the second valve seat 61. Engagement of the second stage valve element 7 with the gasket 62 may form a seal to close the second stage valve 20. In some embodiments, the gas pressure in the second bore 63 and the force of the second stage spring 71 can force the second stage valve element 7 into contact with the second valve seat 61 to form a second seal in addition to the seal between the second stage valve element 7 and the gasket 62. This can help extend the life of the gasket 62, for example, because the second valve seat 61 and second stage valve element 7 are relatively rigid and can maintain a seal without deforming the valve seat 61 and element 7. This can limit the extent to which the gasket 62 needs to deform to resist the closing force of the second stage valve element 7 while the second stage valve 20 is held closed. In other words, the second valve seat 61 can limit movement of the second valve element 7 during non-operating periods and high pressure conditions such that the gasket 62 is prevented from excessively and / or permanently deforming, i.e., the first valve seat 61 supports the second stage valve element 7 when the second stage valve 20 is closed, thereby enabling long term containment of unused gas.Additionally, this design of the support valve seat allows extremely high pressures and pressure shocks to be reliably contained within the valve chamber body 3, such as is the case when puncturing a compressed gas cartridge, where the initial cartridge puncture can hit the first and second stage valves 10, 20 with high pressure gas. The added benefit of a rigid valve seat that limits movement of the valve elements allows the valve assembly to handle low and high temperatures and temperature fluctuations during use, thereby affecting gasket hardness, as is common when utilizing high pressure compressed gas cylinders, especially at high flow rates where the gas is cold due to its change from a substantially liquid phase within the cylinder to a gas phase as it exits the cylinder. The controlled and limited compression of the gasket 62 prevents the gasket from undergoing permanent compression set, yet still allows for a reliable seal.

[0024] In some embodiments, the retainer 6 may be configured to hold the second valve gasket 62 in contact with the valve chamber body 3 near the second valve seat 61 or otherwise hold the gasket 62 in place to form a suitable seal with the second stage valve element 7. For example, the upper end of the retainer 6 may contact the underside of the gasket 62 to hold the gasket 62 in place when the second stage valve 20 is open and / or closed. It should be noted that the features of the retainer employed to hold the gasket on the valve seat, provide a bore for the movable valve element and the spring biasing the valve element to open and close the valve on the valve seat, or otherwise support the valve element, may be employed alone in any suitable valve configuration and need not be combined with other features described herein. During assembly, the second valve gasket 62 may be first introduced into the cavity 31 and positioned adjacent to the second valve seat 61. Thereafter, the second stage valve element 7 and the second stage spring 71 may be provided in the second bore 63, and the assembled second stage valve element 7, spring 71, and retainer 6 may be provided in the cavity 31. The retainer 6 may be press-fit, glued, fastened, or otherwise secured in place in the cavity 31, for example, by engaging an outer surface of the retainer 6 with an inner wall of the cavity 31. The retainer 6 may have an opening at a lower end of the second bore 63 that allows gas to flow from the gas path 54 to the second bore 63, but is small enough to ensure that the spring 71 and / or the valve element 7 are retained within the second bore 63. The retainer 6 may have a boss or protruding portion that defines a lower end of the second bore 63, and the first stage valve element 5 may be disposed to receive at least a portion of the boss, for example, the boss may be received within a concave shape of an upper end of the first stage valve element 5. This arrangement may provide a more compact design, for example a design in which the length of travel of first stage valve element 5 in the direction of movement to open and close first stage valve 10 is relatively short.

[0025] To open the second stage valve 20, a force must be applied to the second stage valve element 7 to move the element 7 away from contact with the second valve seat 61 (and gasket 62, if provided). This can be done in different ways, such as having a user-operable button, lever, or other element that can cause a user to move the second stage valve element 7 downwardly and out of contact with the second valve seat 61 / gasket 62. In such a case, the pressure of the gas output by the regulator 1 is not regulated by the second stage valve 20, but only by the first stage valve 10. An opening at the lower end of the second bore 63 of the retainer 6 or other portion of the regulator 1 can be configured to resist the flow of gas, for example to act as a flow restrictor, such that a pressure suitable for closing the first stage valve 10 and regulating the gas pressure output can be established in the space between the retainer 6 and the first stage valve element 5, even if the second stage valve 20 is always open. In some embodiments, the second stage valve 20 can be operated to regulate the gas pressure output from the valve 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the second stage piston 8 can be arranged to move relative to the valve chamber body 3 to open and close the second stage valve 20. The second stage piston 8 can have an inner side (e.g., defining a cavity or space in which a portion of the valve chamber body 3 can be received) and an outer side. The second stage piston 8 can have a plunger 81 on the inner side, which is configured to extend into the second opening 33 and contact the second valve element 7 to open the second stage valve 20, for example, when the second stage piston 8 moves downward or toward the valve chamber body 3. The plunger 81 can have a convex end that contacts the second stage valve element 7, which can provide an advantage, particularly when the valve element 7 is configured as a spherical ball. The convex end of the plunger 81 allows the ball element 7 to move in a substantially random direction upon opening, thereby avoiding excessive wear areas on the seat 61 or gasket 62 .The gas pressure inside the second stage piston 8 urges the piston 8 to move upward, allowing the second stage valve 20 to close. (A seal 82 between a portion of the outside of the piston 8 and the inner wall of the regulator housing 2 prevents gas from escaping from inside the piston 8. Thus, gas released from the second stage valve 20 is trapped inside the piston 8 unless it is released through the gas outlet 84.) Meanwhile, the second stage piston spring 83 urges the second stage piston 8 to move downward, opening the second stage valve 20. The force of the second stage piston spring 83 against the piston 8 can be adjusted by rotating the cap 21 that is threadably engaged with the regulator housing 2. As will be appreciated, the balance between the force of the second stage piston spring 83 and the pressure inside the piston 8 controls the pressure of the gas output by the second stage valve 20.

[0026] In some embodiments, including those described above, the first stage valve element 5 includes a piston and the second stage valve element 7 includes a ball, as shown in FIG. 2 for example. However, the valve elements are not limited to these arrangements and may be configured in other ways. The valve chamber body 3 may be supported by the regulator housing 2 by inserting the second end of the valve chamber body 3 (where the second opening 33 is located) into the receiving opening 22 of the housing 2. The body 3 may be engaged with the receiving opening 22 by a friction or interference fit, adhesive, fasteners, threaded engagement, or the like. A seal 23 may be provided between the housing 2 and the body 3 to help prevent leakage of gas pressure from inside the piston 8, for example. The valve chamber body 3 and the receiving opening 22 may have step features (e.g., a change in diameter or other size) so that the body 3 may be securely positioned relative to the housing 2. This may help ensure that the piston 8 may properly interact with the second stage valve element 7. Gas outlet 84 of regulator 1 may be attached to a flexible hose, fitting, or other arrangement to receive gas from regulator 1. For example, this connection may include features that allow gas outlet 84 to move relative to housing 2 as gas outlet 84 extends from piston 8 that is moveable to control the opening and closing of second stage valve 20.

[0027] Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.

Claims

1. a valve chamber body defining a cavity extending from a first opening at a first end of the valve chamber body to a second opening at a second end of the valve chamber body, the valve chamber body defining a second valve seat within the cavity adjacent the second opening; a second stage valve element received within the cavity through the first opening and movable within the cavity to open and close a second stage valve at the second valve seat; a first stage valve element received within the cavity through the first opening and movable within the cavity to open and close a first stage valve, thereby controlling the flow of pressurized gas into the cavity; A pressure regulator comprising:

2. a plug engaged with the first end of the valve chamber body; a piercing element located outside the plug outside the cavity and configured to pierce a gas outlet of a gas cylinder; the plug defines a first valve seat therein that is contacted by the first stage valve element to open and close the first stage valve; 2. The pressure regulator of claim 1, wherein the plug has a gas path extending from the piercing element to the first valve seat.

3. the plug defines a first bore within which the first valve seat is disposed; 3. The pressure regulator of claim 2, wherein a portion of said first stage valve element is slidably movable within said first bore relative to said first valve seat.

4. 4. The pressure regulator of claim 1, wherein the first stage valve element sealingly engages an inner surface of the cavity to form and maintain an airtight seal throughout the range of movement of the first stage valve element relative to the valve chamber body.

5. 10. The pressure regulator of claim 1, further comprising a first stage spring configured to bias the first stage valve element toward the second end of the valve chamber body and open the first stage valve.

6. 6. The pressure regulator of claim 5, wherein gas pressure within the cavity urges the first stage valve element to move toward the first end of the valve chamber body against the bias of the first stage spring to close the first stage valve.

7. 2. The pressure regulator of claim 1, further comprising a retainer received within said cavity and defining a second bore within which said second stage valve element is movable relative to said second valve seat.

8. 10. The pressure regulator of claim 1 or 7, further comprising a second stage spring in the second bore configured to bias the second stage valve element toward the second end of the valve chamber body and close the second stage valve.

9. a second valve gasket configured to engage the second stage valve element and form a seal to close the second stage valve; 8. The pressure regulator of claim 7, wherein the retainer is configured to hold the second valve gasket in contact with the valve chamber body near the second valve seat.

10. the second stage valve element includes a ball; 2. The pressure regulator of claim 1, wherein the first stage valve element comprises a piston.

11. a second stage piston disposed for movement relative to the valve chamber body to open and close the second stage valve; the second stage piston having an inner side and an outer side; 2. The pressure regulator of claim 1, wherein a portion of the valve chamber body is received within the interior of the second stage piston.

12. 12. The pressure regulator of claim 11, wherein the second stage piston includes a plunger configured to extend into the second opening and contact the second valve element to open the second stage valve.

13. 13. The pressure regulator of claim 12, further comprising a second stage piston spring configured to bias the second stage piston to open the second stage valve.

14. 14. The pressure regulator of claim 13, wherein gas pressure inside the second stage piston urges the second stage piston to move against the biasing force of the second stage piston spring to close the second stage valve.

15. The first stage valve element is movable within the cavity toward the first end of the valve chamber body to close the first stage valve; 2. The pressure regulator of claim 1, wherein the second stage valve element is movable within the cavity toward the second end of the valve chamber body to close the second stage valve.

16. A pressure regulator as described in claim 1 or 15, wherein the second stage valve element is positioned between the first stage valve element and the second valve seat.

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