Pressure regulator

Abstract

To provide a pressure regulator that manages fluid pressure along a pathway between an inlet port and an outlet port.SOLUTION: A poppet opens and closes a pathway within a regulator. In certain regulators, a biasing member biases the poppet in a common direction with the inlet port. In certain regulators, the poppet defines a through-passage to make fluid pass through the biasing member. In certain regulators, an adjustment interface arrangement enables a user to set what fluid pressure level closes the pathway by changing a pre-load applied to the poppet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Background Art

[0001] Some components function best when a certain fluid pressure is maintained within the component. Therefore, a pressure regulator can be placed along a fluid path to adjust the pressure. Certain types of pressure regulators are manufactured to maintain a predetermined pressure. For example, some pressure regulators utilize a poppet with a spring. The magnitude of the fluid pressure required to open and close the poppet depends on the spring force applied to the poppet. Improvements are desired.

Summary of the Invention

[0002] A pressure regulator is configured to receive fluid (e.g., gas) at an inlet port and transfer at least a portion of the fluid to an outlet port. The pressure regulator selectively opens and closes a passage between the inlet port and the outlet port to adjust the fluid pressure at the outlet port. According to a particular aspect of the present disclosure, the fluid pressure is adjusted by a poppet that selectively seals a portion of the passage.

[0003] In a particular embodiment, the inlet port receives fluid along a first direction, and the poppet is biased to an open position along the first direction. In a particular example, the biasing member (biasing member) that biases the poppet in the first direction is not accessible to the technician without disassembling / rendering inoperative the regulator.

[0004] In a particular embodiment, the poppet defines a fluid passageway away from the outlet port. The fluid passing along the fluid passageway acts on the poppet and moves the poppet to a closed position.

[0005] In certain embodiments, the magnitude of the fluid pressure required to move the poppet to the closed position is adjustable without disassembling / making inoperable the regulator. In certain examples, the fluid pressure required to close the passageway is adjustable from the outside of the housing. In certain examples, the threshold fluid pressure is adjusted by moving a stop member (e.g., a spring stop member) within the regulator to vary the bias force applied by a preloading member within the regulator.

[0006] In the following description, aspects related to various additional inventions will be described. Aspects of the invention may relate to individual features and combinations of features. It should be understood that neither the foregoing general description nor the following detailed description is limiting, but merely exemplary and explanatory, of the broad inventive concepts on which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

[0007] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate some aspects of the present disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

[0009]

Figure 2

[0010]

Figure 3

[0011]

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Next, refer in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure shown in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts.

[0013] The pressure regulator 100 includes a housing 102 and a poppet 104 that is movable within the housing 102 along a longitudinal axis A between an open position (see, e.g., FIG. 2) and a closed position (see, e.g., FIG. 4). The housing 102 defines an inlet region 106 and an outlet region 108. The inlet region 106 defines an inlet port 120 that communicates from outside the housing 102 to the inlet region 106. The outlet region 108 defines one or more outlet ports 122 that communicate from the outlet region 108 to the outside of the housing 102. The housing 102 defines a passageway 116 between the inlet region 106 and the outlet region 108. The poppet seals the passageway 116 when disposed in the closed position. The poppet opens the passageway 116 when moved toward the open position.

[0014] In some embodiments, the poppet 104 carries a seal 118 that is pressed against one end of the passageway 116 when the poppet 104 is disposed in the closed position. In such embodiments, the poppet 104 moves the seal 118 to a position spaced from the passageway 116 when the poppet 104 moves toward the open position. In other embodiments, the seal 118 is fixedly attached around the passageway 116, and the poppet 104 is pressed against the seal 118 when the poppet is disposed in the closed position. In such embodiments, the poppet 104 moves away from the seal 118 when moved toward the open position.

[0015] The housing 102 also defines an adjustment region 110. The poppet 104 defines a passage 136 from the outlet region 108 to the adjustment region 110. Thus, when fluid flows from the inlet region 106 through the passage 116 to the outlet region 108, a portion of the fluid also flows along the path 136 to the adjustment region 110. The fluid collected in the adjustment region 110 acts on the poppet 104 to move the poppet 104 to the closed position. In certain embodiments, the pressure of the fluid within the adjustment region 110 acts in a direction opposite to the pressure of the fluid within the inlet region 106.

[0016] In certain embodiments, the poppet 104 is biased towards the open position. For example, a biasing member 124 (e.g., one or more wave springs, coil springs, etc.) may be disposed within the adjustment region 110 to bias the poppet 104 towards the open position. The passage 116 is closed when the pressure of the fluid within the adjustment region 110 increases to a pressure sufficient to counteract the bias of the biasing member 124. As will be described in more detail herein, the biasing member 124 may not be accessible without disassembling the housing 102.

[0017] In certain embodiments, the poppet 104 may be pre-loaded (pre-pressurized) in a direction counteracting the bias of the biasing member 124. For example, the biasing member 124 can be a first biasing member, while a second biasing member 126 is disposed within the adjustment region 110 to bias the poppet 104 towards the closed position. The second biasing member 126 is configured to impart a biasing force smaller than that of the first biasing member 124. Thus, the poppet 104 moves to the closed position only when the fluid pressure within the adjustment region 110 is sufficient to supplement the biasing force of the second biasing member 126 and exceed the biasing force of the first biasing member 124.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the preload force applied to the poppet 104 is adjustable. For example, the second biasing member 126 is supported against a stop member 128 disposed within the adjustment region 110. The biasing force of the second biasing member 126 is proportional to the position of the stop member 128 within the adjustment region 110. As the stop member 128 approaches the poppet 104, the biasing force of the second biasing member 126 increases. As the stop member 128 moves away from the poppet 104, the biasing force of the second biasing member 126 decreases.

[0019] The position of the stop member 128 is adjustable within the adjustment region 110 using a manual adjustment interface mechanism 160. In certain embodiments, it is accessible from the outside of the housing 102. In certain embodiments, the adjustment interface mechanism 160 extends from a first end that contacts the stop member 128, through the housing 102, to a second end outside of the housing 102. In some embodiments, the adjustment interface mechanism 160 is capable of being rotated to move the position of the stop member 128. For example, the adjustment interface mechanism 160 may include a threaded rod 162 and a nut (e.g., a jam nut) 164 (see, e.g., FIG. 3). In other embodiments, the adjustment interface mechanism 160 can shift the position of the stop member 128 through a sliding motion or other type of motion.

[0020] In certain embodiments, the inlet region 106, the outlet region 108, and the adjustment region 110 are aligned along the longitudinal axis A. In certain embodiments, the outlet region 108 is disposed between the inlet region 106 and the adjustment region 110. In some embodiments, the inlet port 120 is directed along the longitudinal axis A. In other embodiments, the inlet port 120 can be angled with respect to the longitudinal axis A in a radial, tangential, or other manner. In certain embodiments, the passageway 116 is small enough such that the pressure from the fluid passing through the passageway 116 from the inlet region 106 to the outlet region 108 has little effect on the movement of the poppet 104. Rather, most of the force applied to the poppet 104 to move the poppet 104 to the open position is applied by the first bias member 124.

[0021] In certain embodiments, each of the one or more outlet ports 122 defines a path extending radially outward from the outlet region 108. In the illustrated example, the housing 102 defines two outlet ports 122 extending in opposite directions from each other. Other outlet port configurations are possible. For example, the outlet ports 122 can be angled with respect to the longitudinal axis A in a tangential, parallel, or other manner.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 102 includes a first housing 140 and a second housing 142. The first housing 140 defines the inlet region 106. In certain embodiments, the first housing 140 also defines the outlet ports 122. The second housing 142 holds the stop member 128 and the adjustment interface mechanism 160. The poppet 104 is interposed between the first housing 140 and the second housing 142. In some embodiments, the first and second housings 140, 142 are removably coupled by a latch, threading, fastening, or other means. In other embodiments, the first and second housings 140, 142 are welded or otherwise non-removably coupled.

[0023] In certain embodiments, the pressure regulator 100 is configured to be attached to a manifold (not shown). The manifold defines an inlet path leading to the inlet port 120 and one or more outlet paths guiding the outflow from the one or more outlet ports 122. The manifold can connect a high-pressure storage tank to a thruster or other components that require a normal pressure source. The pressure regulator 100 is disposed along the manifold and adjusts the magnitude by which the fluid pressure from the inlet path is transmitted to the outlet path.

[0024] In certain embodiments, the pressure regulator 100 is configured to be removably attached to the manifold. For example, the housing 102 can be configured to be attached to the manifold using one or more fasteners 146. In a particular example, the fastener 146 can extend through the first housing 140. In certain embodiments, the housing 102 can be configured to seal against the manifold. For example, the housing 102 can carry one or more radial seals 148. In the illustrated example, two radial seals 148 are located outside the first housing 140 and are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis on both sides of the outlet port 122. In other embodiments, the fastener 146 and / or the seal 148 may be carried by the second housing 142.

[0025] In certain embodiments, the poppet 104 is disposed partially within the adjustment region 110 and partially within the outlet region 108. In certain embodiments, the poppet 104 includes a disk portion 130 disposed within the adjustment region 110 and a stem portion 132 extending into the outlet region 108. In certain examples, the first bias member 124 biases the disk portion 130 of the poppet 104. In certain examples, the bias member 124 is arranged to press the disk portion 130 in a direction common with the fluid passing through the passageway 116 from the inlet region 106 to the outlet region 108. In certain embodiments, the first housing 140 defines a recessed bottom surface on which the first bias member 124 seats together with the disk portion 130 of the poppet 104 mounted on the first bias member 124.

[0026] In certain embodiments, the seal 118 is carried by the stem portion 132. In certain examples, the seal 118 is carried at the axial end of the stem portion 132. In certain embodiments, the inner seal 112 seals between the stem portion 132 and the first housing 140 and blocks the outlet region 108 from the adjustment region 110 except for the passageway 136. In certain embodiments, the stem portion 132 defines a passageway 136 extending between the outlet region 108 and the adjustment region 110. In certain examples, the passageway 136 has a radial passageway portion 136a and an axial passageway portion 136b. In an example, the radial passageway portion 136a is aligned with the outlet port 122 when the poppet 104 is disposed in the closed position. In certain examples, the axial passageway portion 136b expands in diameter as the axial passageway portion 136b extends toward the adjustment region 110.

[0027] In certain embodiments, the poppet 104 seals against the housing 102 at the seal 134 and partially divides the adjustment region 110 into a first sub-region 125 and a second sub-region 127. For example, the disk portion 130 of the poppet 104 can carry a radial seal 134 (e.g., an O-ring) that slides against the housing 102 (e.g., against the second housing 142) as the poppet 104 moves between open and closed positions. In certain embodiments, the first bias member 124 is disposed in the first sub-region 125 and the second bias member 126 is disposed in the second sub-region 127. The passage 136 communicates with the second sub-region 127. The vent 150 communicates from the first sub-region 125 to the exterior of the housing 102. In certain embodiments, the vent 150 allows fluid leaking from the second sub-region 127 to the first sub-region 125 to exit the pressure regulator 100 and suppress an increase in pressure within the first sub-region 125. In certain embodiments, the vent 150 ensures that the fluid pressure contained within the first sub-region 125 is equal to the ambient pressure. Thus, the fluid pressure within the second sub-region 127 required for the poppet 104 to move to the closed position remains constant with respect to the ambient pressure.

[0028] In certain embodiments, the stop member 128 seals against the housing 102 at the seal 138 and further partitions a third sub-region 129. One axial end of the stop member 128 faces at least partially into the second sub-region 127 and the opposite axial end of the stop member 128 faces at least partially into the third sub-region 129. Moving the stop member 128 axially within the adjustment region 110 changes the sizes of the second and third sub-regions 127, 129. Reducing the size of the second sub-region 127 compresses or further compresses the second bias member 126. Thus, less fluid pressure is required to accumulate within the second sub-region 127 of the adjustment region 110 to oppose the bias force of the first bias member 124 and thereby move the poppet 104 to the closed position. In certain embodiments, a vent 152 communicates from the third sub-region 129 to the exterior of the housing 102.

[0029] In some embodiments, the first passage 116 is defined by the first housing 140. In other examples, the first passage 116 is defined by an insert mechanism 145 disposed within a cavity defined within the first housing 140. The insert mechanism 145 is sealed inside the first housing 140 at the seal 114 (e.g., an axial seal, a radial seal, etc.). In certain embodiments, the insert mechanism 145 is formed by a plurality of parts that can be assembled within the cavity of the first housing 140.

[0030] Although the preferred and exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts may readily occur to those skilled in the art. However, such modifications and equivalents are intended to be included within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. The pressure regulator includes a housing, a poppet, and a first biasing member. the housing defines an inlet region, an outlet region, and a conditioning region, the inlet region and the outlet region being separated by a first passageway, the inlet region being configured to receive an inlet pressure along a first direction; a poppet disposed within the housing, the poppet extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end, the first end disposed at the outlet area and the second end disposed at the adjustment area, the poppet movable relative to the housing between an open position and a closed position, the poppet sealing the first passageway when the poppet is disposed at the closed position and opening the first passageway when the poppet is moved toward the open position, the poppet defining a second passageway in communication between the outlet area and the adjustment area; 11. The pressure regulator of claim 10, wherein the first biasing member biases the poppet toward an open position along the first direction.

2. 2. The pressure regulator of claim 1, the poppet carries a seal which presses against a valve seat surrounding the passage when the poppet is in a closed position, and the seal is spaced from the valve seat when the poppet is in an open position.

3. 3. The pressure regulator according to claim 1 or 2, the pressure regulator further includes a stop member and a second bias member; The stop member is disposed in the adjustment area, The pressure regulator of claim 1, wherein the second bias member is disposed between the stop member and the poppet, the second bias member having a biasing force smaller than that of the first bias member.

4. 4. The pressure regulator of claim 3, 11. A pressure regulator as claimed in claim 10, wherein the poppet includes a stem portion extending outwardly from a disk portion, the first and second bias members being disposed on opposite sides of the disk portion.

5. 5. The pressure regulator according to claim 3 or 4, a stop member selectively positionable within the adjustment region;

6. 6. The pressure regulator of claim 5, The pressure regulator, further comprising an adjustment interface mechanism configured to selectively position the stop member within the adjustment region.

7. 7. The pressure regulator of claim 6, 13. A pressure regulator as claimed in claim 12, wherein the adjustment interface mechanism is rotatably configured to select a position of the stop member.

8. The pressure regulator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 11. A pressure regulator comprising: a housing having an inlet region, an outlet region, and an adjustment region, the inlet region, the outlet region, and the adjustment region aligned along a longitudinal axis of the housing; and a poppet moving relative to the housing along the longitudinal axis.

9. The pressure regulator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The pressure regulator of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an outlet port at the outlet region, the outlet port facing in a different direction than the inlet port.

10. 1. A method of operating a pressure regulator, comprising: directing a gas through an inlet of the pressure regulator along a first direction; directing the gas through a passageway to an outlet area of ​​the pressure regulator; directing a first portion of the gas in the outlet region out of the pressure regulator through an outlet; directing a second portion of the gas in the exit region through a poppet to a conditioning region; applying a closing force to the poppet with a second portion of the gas, the closing force being applied in a second direction opposite the first direction; 16. A method of operating a pressure regulator comprising:

11. 11. A method of operating the pressure regulator of claim 10, comprising the steps of: applying a biasing force to the poppet along the first direction; applying a preload force to the poppet along the second direction; The method of operating a pressure regulator, further comprising:

12. 12. A method of operating the pressure regulator of claim 11, comprising the steps of:

13. A method of operating a pressure regulator comprising the step of adjusting a preload force applied to the poppet.

13. 13. A method of operating the pressure regulator of claim 12, comprising the steps of:

11. A method of operating a pressure regulator comprising the step of rotating an adjuster from outside the pressure regulator to adjust the preload force.

14. The pressure regulator includes a housing, a poppet, a first bias member, a stop member, and a second bias member. The housing defines an inlet region, an outlet region, and a conditioning region, the housing also defining a passage between the inlet region and the outlet region; the poppet is disposed within the housing, the poppet being movable relative to the housing along an axis between an open position and a closed position, the poppet sealing the passage when the poppet is disposed in the closed position and the poppet opening the passage when the poppet is moved toward the open position; the first biasing member biases the poppet to an open position; the stop member is disposed in the adjustment region, the stop member being selectively positionable along an axis within the adjustment region; The pressure regulator of claim 1, wherein the second biasing member is disposed between the stop member and the poppet.

15. 15. The pressure regulator of claim 14, the poppet separates at least a portion of the adjustment region into first and second regions, the poppet carrying a radial seal sealing between the first region and the second region; the first bias member is disposed in the first region; The pressure regulator, wherein the second bias member is disposed in the second region.

16. 16. The pressure regulator of claim 15, The pressure regulator further comprising a first vent fluidly connecting the first region to the environment.

17. 16. The pressure regulator of claim 15, The coordination region also has a third region; The pressure regulator according to claim 1, wherein the stop member includes a second radial seal separating the third region from the second region.

18. 20. The pressure regulator of claim 17, The pressure regulator further comprising a second vent fluidly connecting the third region to the environment.

19. The pressure regulator according to any one of claims 14 to 18, further comprising an adjustment rod extending through the housing; The adjustment rod contacts the stop member to position the stop member within the adjustment region.

20. 20. The pressure regulator of claim 19, The pressure regulator of claim 1, wherein the adjustment rod is rotatably actuated to adjust the position of the stop member along the axis of the housing.

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