초록 ▼

A flow regulator is provided which comprises a housing defining a chamber therein and including inlet and outlet ports that are adaptable to allow fluid to flow into and out of the chamber. A piston assembly, including an orifice defining member in which is formed an orifice, is movably disposed in

A flow regulator is provided which comprises a housing defining a chamber therein and including inlet and outlet ports that are adaptable to allow fluid to flow into and out of the chamber. A piston assembly, including an orifice defining member in which is formed an orifice, is movably disposed in the chamber and is capable of moving in directions toward and away from the outlet port. An urging device, such as a spring, magnetic or electromagnetic device, urges the piston assembly away from the outlet port. As fluid flows into the flow regulator, the fluid flows through the orifice. The clearance between a control surface of the piston assembly and the outlet port automatically adjusts so that an equilibrium condition occurs in the flow regulator in which the difference between the pressure of the fluid upstream of the orifice and the pressure of the fluid downstream of the orifice is maintained essentially constant. This results in the fluid flowing through the orifice, and in turn through the clearance between the control surface of the piston and the outlet port, and subsequently out of the flow regulator, at a flow rate which is relatively unaffected by a change in supply pressure, downstream pressure, and the temperature of the fluid which affects the viscosity of the fluid.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A flow regulator comprising:a housing defining a chamber therein, and comprising inlet and outlet ports in communication with the chamber and being adapted to direct fluid into and out of the chamber, respectively;a piston assembly, movably disposed in the chamber, and be

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A flow regulator comprising:a housing defining a chamber therein, and comprising inlet and outlet ports in communication with the chamber and being adapted to direct fluid into and out of the chamber, respectively;a piston assembly, movably disposed in the chamber, and being movable in a forward direction toward the outlet port and in a reverse direction away from the outlet port, the piston comprising a surface portion and an opening defining portion having an opening therein; andan urging device which provides an urging force to urge the piston assembly in the reverse direction away from the outlet port;the opening in the piston assembly and the urging device being configured such that when the fluid flows into the chamber through the inlet port, an equilibrium condition results in which a clearance between the surface portion of the piston assembly and the outlet port self-adjusts such that the fluid flows through the flow regulator at a flow rate relatively unaffected by a change in supply pressure, downstream pressure, and temperature of the fluid;the piston assembly including a cavity and a control seat and the piston assembly being slidably disposed in the chamber to be urged by the urging device away from the outlet port, the control seat comprising the surface portion.