Variable control orifice valve

Abstract

To provide an apparatus for controlling flow through a flow body (100).SOLUTION: An apparatus comprises: an intake opening (102) and an output opening (108) in a flow body; a cavity with a first cross-sectional shape and an opening; and a diaphragm (114) or bellows, wherein the diaphragm or the bellows seals the opening of the cavity and the diaphragm or the bellows includes a hole. The apparatus comprises a plunger (106A) with the cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cavity, wherein the plunger is longitudinally movable in the cavity, and a plunger portion (106B) forms an orifice with the cavity portion. The apparatus comprises a rod (104A) coupled with the plunger for facilitating the longitudinal movement of the plunger, wherein the rod comprises a rod cross section that corresponds to the hole in the diaphragm or the bellows.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1B

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure provides means for controlling and regulating the flow of gases and fluids by means of an adjustable orifice. More specifically, the present disclosure addresses the drawbacks of current methods used to adjust or maintain gas and fluid flow paths, regardless of pressure, in order to provide the desired results.

Background Art

[0002] In almost all markets that require accuracy with respect to the flow of gases and fluids, the process requires precise control and handling of the substances used. In order for downstream processes to deposit, mix, and create final products as needed to meet the user's requirements, it is necessary to accurately control the relevant gases and fluids. Currently, in situations where it is necessary to apply the flow of gases and fluids on a larger scale, such as in oil and gas applications, there is sufficient room for sophisticated and complex systems to control the flow through adjustable orifices (automatic, semi-automatic, and manual). Furthermore, since the flow of dangerous and toxic gases and fluids is controlled, it is essential that systems containing these substances do not leak under any circumstances.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the diameter of the system is less than 3 inches (7.62 centimeters), especially when the diameter is less than 2000 microns and less than 100 microns, due to size limitations, it becomes much more difficult to create a leak prevention system such as an adjustable orifice system to control the flow of gas and liquid.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a leak prevention system that enables accurate control of the flow of fluids and gases from an orifice less than 3 inches (7.62 centimeters) in diameter, especially down to micron-sized openings.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] In at least one embodiment, the present disclosure includes an intake opening and an output opening of a flow body, a cavity having a first cross-sectional shape and an opening, a diaphragm or bellows for sealing the opening of the cavity, the diaphragm or bellows having a hole, a plunger having a second cross-sectional shape corresponding to the first cross-sectional shape of the cavity, the plunger being longitudinally movable within the cavity, a part of the plunger forming an orifice together with a part of the cavity, the plunger, and a rod coupled to the plunger to facilitate longitudinal movement of the plunger, the rod having a rod cross-section corresponding to the hole of the diaphragm or bellows.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present disclosure provides solutions to deficiencies in the design and implementation of flow control systems when the flow line is less than 3 inches (7.62 cm) and the size of the flow path decreases such that the diameter of the flow path is in the micron size range. Further, the present disclosure provides means by which corrosive, toxic, and dangerous gases and fluids can move and can be completely sealed from the external environment. The present disclosure also implements means for controlling the flow paths of gases and fluids outside of a sealed body within which the gases and fluids move.

[0009] Adjustable orifices can also be used in large-scale systems that allow for more sophisticated drive mechanisms. In the embodiments described herein, it is possible for a user to change the orifice size without shutting down the system, opening the flow paths within the flow control system, or changing physical orifices. This allows the system to accommodate adjustments to the orifices and provide a constant flow characteristic within the flow path while responding to a decrease in the pressure level within the flow path (i.e., a decrease in vacuum), thereby shortening the switching time.

[0010] The present disclosure enables actuation to perform adjustment of an orifice within a flow path body using actuation of a rod from outside of a flow body by a diaphragm or bellows. The diaphragm or bellows can be composed of a non-metallic part, a metallic part, or a combination of a metallic part and a non-metallic part, and can bend without accessing outside of a boundary of the flow path. A metallic or non-metallic diaphragm or bellows can be welded to the flow path body to completely protect the flow path from interaction with an external environment (i.e., outside of the flow path). In the case of other important applications such as semiconductor systems, a metal seal can be used between the diaphragm or bellows and the body and can be compressed with specially designed bolts or compression brackets.

[0011] To enable changing the size of the orifice, the rod and the actuation device connected to the diaphragm or bellows are used to move in front of the flow path. The rod or device can have a pointed shape to control the flow characteristics at the sealed surface above the pointed feature. The gas and fluid inlets are at the lower part of the geometry and the outlets are at the upper part of the geometry past the sealed area. As the device descends, the distance between the wall and the pointed shape decreases and the flow reduces, so the gas or fluid flow decreases. This configuration can provide a better seal in applications where gas and vacuum are used downstream of the orifice. The previous pointed shape or perradius can be made from seal materials such as metals, most plastic and rubber materials, PTFE, EPTFE, nylon, PVC, PVDF, PP, NBR, FKM, and EPDM. As the device continues to descend, the flow rate decreases until the seal surface of the plunger or device contacts the seal surface of the body, and as a result, the flow is completely blocked. The seal surface can be made of materials including but not limited to metals, most plastics, rubber materials, PTFE, EPTFE, nylon, PVC, PVDF, PP, NBR, FKM, and EPDM. The seal surface of the body can be smooth, raised, or raised bumps to improve the sealing function. When the seal surface contacts the surface of the wall of the flow body, the flow can be completely closed against the gas or fluid outlet port. On the downstream side of the flow, an exact raised ring at the openings of the outlet port and the inlet port helps the valve seal against the body. The flow body can be made of any suitable material for the gas and fluid passing through the flow body, such as stainless steel, polymers, or other metals.

[0012] In some embodiments, due to the positive pressure inside the cavity, the diaphragm or bellows is in the first position (for example, a force is applied to the diaphragm or bellows in a direction away from the orifice / flow path). The drive mechanism is used to move the orifice actuation mechanism within the enclosure to a "closed" position or a "more closed" position.

[0013] FIG. 1A is a side view of a flow body 100 including an inhalation opening 102 and a rod 104 coupled to a plunger 106 within a cavity of the flow body 100.

[0014] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1A, showing the flow path to the inhalation opening 102 and to the flow body 100, the flow path passing through plunger 106A and plunger tip 106B within the cavity of the flow body. The flow path continues outside the flow body through an output opening 108. Plunger 106A can be coupled to a rod 104A used to move plunger 106A and plunger tip 106B (along with another rod 104B coupling plunger 106A to plunger tip 106B) along an axis indicated by arrow A1. Rod 104A can be coupled to an actuator (not shown in FIGS. 1A - 1B). Plunger tip 106B can contact a seal surface 110 integral with the flow body. The plunger can also include a weld portion 112 (i.e., a weld) and a diaphragm 114. Weld portion 112 can couple rod 104A to diaphragm 114. Weld portion 112 can also weld diaphragm 114 to the flow body (e.g., a weld around the perimeter / edge of diaphragm 114). In some embodiments (not shown), plunger 106A and plunger tip 106B can be a single element. In some embodiments, rod 104 can be coupled to diaphragm 114 using other methods, such as a screw connection, an adhesive connection, or other suitable connection methods.

[0015] The sealing surface 110 shown in FIG. 1B may also be referred to as a "bump" seal or a "knife edge" seal. The bump seal can refer to various configurations of the sealing surface 110 that have a rounded cross-sectional shape (shown in FIG. 1B). The knife edge seal can refer to other configurations of the sealing surface 110 that have a more pointed cross-sectional shape (e.g., triangular; more distinct sharpness / edge like a knife). When the diaphragm 114 moves, the plunger 106A and the plunger tip 106B can also move (e.g., longitudinally in the direction indicated by arrow A1) to create a seal with the sealing surface 110, and the plunger tip 106B can contact the sealing surface 110. The plunger tip 106B can deform to conform to the profile of the sealing surface 110 (as shown in FIG. 1B) to block the flow path from the intake opening 102 to the output opening 108. The sealing surface 110 can be made of the same material as the plunger tip 106B or a different material than the plunger tip 106B. If the sealing surface 110 is not made of the same material as the plunger tip 106B, the sealing surface 110 can also be a single element.

[0016] The diaphragm 114 can move due to the bending of the material resulting from the material properties or physical configuration of the diaphragm. For example, the diaphragm 114 can include one or more ridges 115 shown in FIG. 1C, which is a top view of the diaphragm 114 that allows for additional bending (i.e., movement) of the diaphragm. FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of the diaphragm of FIG. 1C taken along A-A, which also shows the ridge 115. The ridges 115 can be arranged on both sides of the diaphragm (as shown in FIGS. 1C - 1D), on only one side of the diaphragm (not shown), or on only the opposite side of the diaphragm (not shown). The movement of the diaphragm can be used to move the rod 104A. The diaphragm shown in FIG. 1C can also include a hole for the rod 104A to pass through. Other embodiments of the diaphragm (not shown) can omit the hole, and two different rods 104 can be coupled to the diaphragm - one rod on one side of the diaphragm for coupling to the drive mechanism and another rod on the opposite side of the diaphragm for coupling to the plunger 106. The rods can be coupled to the diaphragm via any suitable method including welding.

[0017] The intake opening 102 and the output opening 108 can be offset (i.e., not in a straight line) to minimize the amount of movement required of the plunger 106 to change the different flow rates through the flow path. Offsetting the intake opening 102 and the output opening 108 can be beneficial with respect to how the system is pressurized and where a vacuum can occur. For example, if a vacuum exists near the output opening 108, making the output opening 108 lower than the intake opening 102 (as shown in FIG. 1B) can help maintain the desired pressure of the system near the plunger 106. In another embodiment (not shown) where a vacuum exists near the intake opening 102, it may be beneficial to make the intake opening lower than the output opening.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1B, the portion of the plunger 106 farthest from the rod 104 can have a tip, for example, in the shape of a triangle, and the portion of the cavity adjacent to the tip can correspond in shape to the tip shape. Other shapes are also possible for the tip of the plunger (e.g., square, rounded, etc.).

[0019] FIG. 1E is a side view of a bellows consistent with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In embodiments where more movement of the plunger 106 is required, the bellows 150 can be used instead of the diaphragm 114. The bellows can be configured to allow expansion and contraction from a first shape to a second shape through its shape and structure. Here, the change from the first shape to the second shape can result in a change in the distance between the first bellows end 152 and the second bellows end 154. The change in distance can be used to move the plunger (e.g., plunger 106) longitudinally. The bellows 150 can be a thicker element compared to the diaphragm 114 and can include a series of ridges that allow the bellows 150 to expand and contract by a larger amount (e.g., a larger amount of longitudinal movement) compared to the diaphragm 114. The bellows 150 can be made of metal, polymer, a combination of the two, or any suitable material that allows the desired compressibility / expansion.

[0020] FIG. 1F is an isometric cross-sectional view of the flow body 100 of FIGS. 1A - 1B, and the flow body 100 includes an intake opening 102, a rod 104, a plunger 106 within the cavity of the flow body 100, an output opening 108, a seal surface 110, and a weld 112 that couples the rod 104 to the diaphragm 114.

[0021] One embodiment of the present disclosure enables adjustment of the flow path by a drive mechanism such as a linear motor, a servo motor, a pneumatic device, a piezoelectric motor, and similar actuation devices. The drive mechanism can be connected to the outer portion of the diaphragm or bellows to enable movement of the orifice actuation mechanism inside the enclosure (e.g., the cavity of the flow body).

[0022] Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes an option of an orifice with adjustable step movement. In this option, the user can select the position of the rod, move the rod to a preset and calibrated position, and move from one orifice size to another to switch the system between different flow characteristics. The setpoint can be manually adjusted using a screw or an accurate positioning dial (or other similar mechanisms and / or methods), and the diaphragm or bellows can be pushed or pulled until the desired setpoint is achieved at the orifice. This switching can be performed using pneumatic, magnetic, and / or electric drive actuators. This method can reduce the cost of the drive system.

[0023] Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure includes an option of a manually adjustable orifice mechanism. In this option, the user can manually move the position of the rod and then change the orifice size to the desired flow rate setpoint. This method reduces the cost of the drive system while eliminating the need to disassemble the body to change the physical orifice and flow characteristics.

[0024] Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view of the flow body, showing a flow path that enters the flow body 200 through the suction opening 202 and passes through the plunger tip 206B inside the cavity of the flow body 200, and a flow path that exits the flow body 200 through the output opening 208. The plunger 206A can be coupled to a rod 204A used to move the plunger 206A and the plunger tip 206B (along with another part of the rod 204B that couples the plunger 206A to the plunger tip 206B) along the axis indicated by arrow A2. The rod 204A can be coupled to an actuator (not shown in FIGS. 2A-2B). The plunger tip 206B can contact a sealing surface 210 integral with the flow body. The plunger can also include a welded portion 212 (i.e., a weld) and a diaphragm 214. The welded portion 212 can couple the rod 204 to the diaphragm 214. In some embodiments (not shown), the plunger 206A and the plunger tip 206B can be a single element.

[0025] The plunger 206 can be made of any suitable material, including stainless steel, PTFE, or other suitable materials. Figure 2B is an isometric cross-sectional view of the flow body of FIG. 2A, and the flow body includes a suction opening 202, a rod 204, a plunger 206 inside the cavity of the flow body 200, an output opening 208, a sealing surface 210, and a welded portion 212 that couples the rod 204 to the diaphragm 214. The sealing surface 210 can be made of the same material as the plunger tip 206B or a different material from the plunger tip 206B. If the sealing surface 210 is not made of the same material as the plunger tip 206B, the sealing surface 210 can also be a single element.

[0026] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 2A-2B differ from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B, for example, in that they do not have a bump seal feature on the flow body near the plunger. In FIGS. 2A-2B, the plunger is not provided with a portion that deforms when contacting the bump seal. Instead, a portion of the plunger 106 contacts a portion of the flow body 200, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, to block the flow path from the suction opening 202 to the output opening 208.

[0027] To calibrate the two-flow characteristic, a mold block or other flow measuring device can be used to achieve the set point position of the plunger. The set value can be adjusted manually until the desired set value is achieved.

[0028] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a flow body 300, showing a flow path that enters the suction opening 302, enters the interior of the flow body 300, and passes through a plunger 306 within the cavity of the flow body 300. Here, the flow path continues outside the flow body 300 through the output opening 308. The plunger 306 can be coupled to a rod 304 used to move the plunger 306 along an axis indicated by arrow A3. The rod 304 can be coupled to an actuator (not shown in FIGS. 3A-3B). The plunger 306 can contact a seal surface 310 integral with the flow body. The plunger can also include a welded portion 312 (i.e., a weld) and a diaphragm 314. The welded portion 312 can couple the rod 304 to the diaphragm 314.

[0029] The inhalation opening 302 and the output opening 308 can be arranged in a row (i.e., linearly) in order to facilitate the adjustment of the flow rate through the flow path using the longitudinal movement of the plunger 306. As shown in FIG. 3A, the portion of the plunger 306 furthest from the rod 304 can have a tip, for example, in the shape of a rectangle, and the portion of the cavity adjacent to the tip can be shaped to correspond to the tip shape. Other shapes are also possible for the tip of the plunger (e.g., square, rounded, etc.).

[0030] FIG. 3B is an isometric cross-sectional view of the flow body of FIG. 3A, the flow body comprising an inhalation opening 302, a rod 304, a plunger 306 within the cavity of the flow body 300, an output opening 308, a seal surface 310, and a weld 312 coupling the rod 304 to the diaphragm 314. One embodiment of the present disclosure provides an adjustable orifice. This embodiment can use the plunger (through movement of the rod) to block the flow path using several options depending on the application, the type of fluid or gas, and the pressure with a pressurized system or a downstream vacuum application.

[0031] One embodiment of the present disclosure can use a diaphragm or bellows to seal the outside of the body from the inside while allowing movement from the outside of the body to be transmitted to the inside of the flow body.

[0032] Another embodiment of the present disclosure uses welding to weld a diaphragm or bellows to the body and to prevent flammable, corrosive, toxic, and dangerous gases and fluids from leaking outside the flow body.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the flow body 400. The flow body 400 includes a cavity 416 of the flow body 400 and a diaphragm 414 or bellows (not shown, for example, bellows 150) coupled to the flow body 400 (via a weld 412). The diaphragm 414 can be coupled to, for example, a plunger (not shown in FIG. 4). The flow body can include an inlet opening 402 and an outlet opening 408. The movement of the diaphragm (by direct contact with the diaphragm) can be converted to a plunger (not shown) as described herein to adjust the flow path through the flow body.

[0034] Another embodiment of the present disclosure uses a specially designed bolt having an opening at the center, or a bracket providing access to the center, and uses a seal that fits the diaphragm or bellows and the body. The seal is made of materials including, but not limited to, metals, most plastic and rubber materials, PTFE, EPTFE, nylon, PVC, PVDF, PP, NBR, FKM, and EPDM.

[0035] Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of a flow body 500 with a cap 518 and a seal 520. The cap 518 is coupled to the flow body by a plurality of fasteners 522, and the seal 520 is compressed between the cap 518 and the flow body 500. The cap includes an opening configured to allow the rod 504 to pass through. The rod 504 can be coupled to, for example, a plunger (not shown in Figure 5A). The seal 520 can be compressed between the cap 518 and a portion of the flow body 500, and the plurality of fasteners 522 can maintain the compression of the seal 520. In some embodiments (not shown) of Figure 5A, for example, referring to Figures 1B and 1E, a bump seal or a knife edge seal can be used instead of the seal 520. To create a seal when the cap 518 is fixed in place by a plurality of fasteners, at least one of the following must be true: the cap 518 can compress the bump seal or the knife edge, and the cap 518 can deform to conform to the bump seal or the knife edge.

[0036] Figure 5B is an isometric cross-sectional view of the flow body 500 with the cap 518 and the seal 520 of Figure 5A. In Figures 5A - 5B, the inlet opening 502 and the outlet opening 508 are shown to be in the same plane and linear. Other embodiments (not shown) can have offset, non-linear, or differently angled (e.g., substantially perpendicular) inlet and outlet openings.

[0037] Another embodiment of the present disclosure uses a bump or knife edge mechanism on the seal area of the body to seal a diaphragm or bellows to the body. This component allows the diaphragm or bellows to be pushed and sealed to the body using a specially designed bolt with a central opening or a bracket providing central access.

[0038] Another embodiment of the present disclosure enables movement of an orifice actuation mechanism inside an enclosure using a drive mechanism device such as a linear motor, a servo motor, a pneumatic, a piezoelectric motor, and similar actuation devices connected to the outer portion of a diaphragm or bellows.

[0039] Another embodiment of the present disclosure connects a shaft inside a diaphragm or bellows so that the shaft can be moved inside the flow body without accessing the outside of the flow body. The shaft can be coupled (e.g., welded) to a rod (e.g., rod 104) in some embodiments. This is useful because it is difficult to perform welding due to the thin and fragile material thickness of the diaphragm / bellows and the small amount of material present.

[0040] Another embodiment of the present disclosure uses a rod connected to a diaphragm or bellows to move the end of the rod in front of the flow path. Another embodiment of the present disclosure uses a rod or device having a pointed shape that approaches or moves away from a similar matching shape on the flow body to control flow characteristics.

[0041] Another embodiment of the present disclosure uses a pointed matching shape such that the gas and fluid inlets are at the top of the geometry and the outlets can be at the bottom of the geometry past the sealed region. For details, see, for example, FIGS. 1B and 1F and the related description.

[0042] Another embodiment of the present disclosure uses a pointed device (e.g., plunger tip 106B) made from a sealing material including rubber or polymer, or metal, or a combination of these materials.

[0043] In another embodiment, the seal surface can be made of materials including, but not limited to, metal, most plastic and rubber materials, PTFE, EPTFE, nylon, PVC, PVDF, PP, NBR, FKM, and EPDM.

[0044] Another embodiment of the present disclosure uses a circular or oval ring raised at the openings of the outlet port and the inlet port to help the valve seal against the flow body. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a flow body 600 with bolts 624 and seals 620. Here, the bolts 624 are coupled to the flow body 600 by screw connections, and the seals 620 are compressed by a part of the bolts 624 and a part of the flow body 600. The bolts 624 can be provided with an opening configured to allow the rod 604 to pass through the bolts 624. The rod 604 can be coupled to a plunger (not shown) within the cavity 616 of the flow body 600 to facilitate the longitudinal movement of the plunger within the cavity 616 and control the flow from the suction opening 602 through the cavity 616 to the outlet opening 608.

[0045] The seal 620 can be compressed by a part of the bolts 624 when the bolts 624 are coupled to the flow body 600. In some embodiments of FIG. 6A (not shown) (for example, see FIGS. 1B and 1E), a bump seal or a knife edge seal can be used instead of the seal 620. And at least one of compressing the bump seal or the knife edge by the bolts 624 and deforming the bolts 624 to match the bump seal or the knife edge is possible to generate a seal when the bolts 624 are fixed in place by the bolt screws coupled to the flow body 600.

[0046] FIG. 6B is an isometric cross-sectional view of the flow body 600 with the bolts 624 and seals 620 of FIG. 6A. Another embodiment of the present disclosure uses a bump or knife-edge machine (not shown in FIGS. 6A-6B in the seal area of the flow body (e.g., flow body 600)) to seal a diaphragm or bellows (e.g., diaphragm 614) to a flow body (e.g., flow body 600). This component compresses the diaphragm or bellows and uses a specially designed bolt (e.g., bolt 624) with a central opening or a bracket providing central access to seal the diaphragm or bellows to the flow body 600.

[0047] Another embodiment of the present disclosure uses a drive mechanism device such as a linear motor, servo motor, pneumatic, piezoelectric motor, and similar actuation devices connected to the outer portion of the diaphragm or bellows to enable movement of the orifice actuation mechanism inside the enclosure.

[0048] Another embodiment of the present disclosure connects a shaft inside a diaphragm or bellows to enable the shaft to move inside the flow body without accessing the outside of the flow body.

[0049] Another embodiment of the present disclosure uses a rod connected to a diaphragm or bellows to move the end of the rod in front of the flow path. Another embodiment of the present disclosure uses a rod or device having a pointed shape and a seal surface on top of the pointed surface.

[0050] Another embodiment of the present disclosure uses a rod connected to a diaphragm or bellows where the rod is partially or fully profiled to move the end of the rod in front of the flow path. Different profile shapes can change the flow characteristics of the gas or fluid (e.g., turbulent flow, etc.).

[0051] Another embodiment of the present disclosure uses a pointed shape of the plunger (e.g., plunger tips 106B, 206B), and the sealing surface of the plunger (e.g., plunger tip 106B) can be made of a material different from the sealing surface of the flow body (e.g., rubber or polymer). For details, refer to, for example, FIGS. 2A-2B and the related description.

[0052] Another embodiment of the present disclosure uses a raised ring (not shown) that can be machined on the flow body (e.g., flow body 600) to enable the sealed surface of the pointed device to contact the flow path and completely seal the flow path.

[0053] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the sealing surface can be made of materials including but not limited to metals, most plastic and rubber materials, PTFE, EPTFE, nylon, PVC, PVDF, PP, NBR, FKM, and EPDM.

[0054] FIGS. 7A-7D are side views of the ends of the rod (e.g., rods 104, 204, 304, 404, 504, and / or 604), showing exemplary opening (i.e., hole) profiles including a portion of an ellipse (e.g., rod 704A in FIG. 7A), a portion of a square (FIG. 7B, rod 704B), a portion of a triangle (e.g., rod 704C in FIG. 7C), and a portion of a circle (FIG. 7D, rod 704D). Other shapes are also possible for the profile. The opening profile can be the same shape and / or size at both ends of the passage (when viewed in side cross-section; not shown), or the opening profile can be of different sizes and / or shapes. The opening profile can be located at the end of the rod or at another location on the rod (e.g., near the end of the rod). In some embodiments (not shown), the opening can be located at the end of the plunger (e.g., plungers 106, 206, 306, etc.) or at another position on the plunger (e.g., close to the end of the plunger. See, for example, FIGS. 8A-8E).

[0055] Another embodiment of the present disclosure uses a portion of the shaft to block the flow path and adjust the flow characteristics. The profile of the holes of the openings can include, but is not limited to, circular, elliptical, triangular, square, hexagonal, and other similar shapes.

[0056] When the rod moves longitudinally within the cavity, based on the amount of the opening(s) (e.g., the portion of the opening not blocked by a part of the flow body or another element) that is more or less exposed to the flow path, a flow is generated from the suction opening(s) (e.g., suction openings 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602), through the cavity (e.g., cavities 116, 216, 316, 416, 516, 616), and out of the output opening(s) (e.g., output openings 108, 208, 308, 408, 508, 608).

[0057] Figures 8A - 8E are side views of the end of the rod showing exemplary partial opening profiles, which can include a circle (e.g., Figure 8A, rod 804A), a square (e.g., Figure 8B, rod 804B), a triangle (e.g., Figure 8C, rod 804C), a pentagon (e.g., Figure 8D, rod 804D), a hexagonal portion (not shown), a polygonal portion (not shown), and a rounded rectangular portion (e.g., Figure 8E, rod 804E). The openings can be the same shape and / or size on both sides of the passageway (when viewed in a side cross - sectional view (not shown)), or the opening profiles can be of different sizes and / or shapes.

[0058] Another embodiment of the present disclosure uses partial or complete openings with varying profiles. The openings can transition from small openings to relatively large openings, or from relatively large openings to small openings. For example, the openings on the suction opening side of the flow body can be made relatively larger, and the openings on the output opening side of the flow body can be made relatively smaller. Or the openings on the suction opening side of the flow body can be made relatively smaller, and the openings on the output opening side of the flow body can be made relatively larger.

[0059] Figures 9A-9C are cross-sectional views of an end of a rod showing exemplary opening profiles for passages through the rod. The openings can be of various shapes as described above and shown in FIGS. 7A-7D and FIGS. 8A-8E. The passage can be tapered from relatively large to relatively small along the flow path (e.g., FIG. 9A where the passage walls converge along the flow path), can be tapered from relatively small to relatively large along the flow path (FIG. 9B where the passage walls diverge along the flow path), and can be non-tapered (FIG. 9C where the passage walls are parallel). The size of the opening of the passage at the output side (near the end of the flow arrow in FIGS. 9A-9C) can be matched to the desired maximum flow rate of the fluid or gas through the flow body.

[0060] The output opening can be sized to allow an upper limit (i.e., maximum flow rate) of gas or fluid flow, and the actuation of the shaft and / or diaphragm or bellows can reduce the flow of fluid or gas through the flow body and prevent the flow from exceeding the maximum flow rate controlled by the size of the output opening.

[0061] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides an adjustable orifice with various options depending on the fluid or gas application and type, and a pressurization system or pressure with downstream vacuum applications.

[0062] It should be understood that the details of the foregoing embodiments provided for illustrative purposes are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Although some embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without substantially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such changes are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure, which is further defined in the appended claims and the converted utility application. Further, although many embodiments can be envisioned that do not achieve all of the advantages of some embodiments, particularly the preferred embodiments, it is recognized that not having a particular advantage does not necessarily mean that such an embodiment is outside the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

[Claim 1] 2. Apparatus as herein described or shown in the drawings.

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