Hays Fluid Controls, division of ROMAC Industries, Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Alston & Bird LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
10인용 특허 :
12
초록▼
A bi-directional flow-control device includes a housing defining a flow passage and first and second orifices installed in the passage, each orifice being tubular and having a seat, each seat having a plurality of circumferentially spaced flow-control channels, the seat of the second orifice being a
A bi-directional flow-control device includes a housing defining a flow passage and first and second orifices installed in the passage, each orifice being tubular and having a seat, each seat having a plurality of circumferentially spaced flow-control channels, the seat of the second orifice being axially spaced from and facing the seat of the first orifice. A resiliently deformable diaphragm is disposed between the seats, whereby flow through the passage in a first direction urges the diaphragm against the seat of the first orifice and flow through the passage in an opposite second direction urges the diaphragm against the seat of the second orifice. The diaphragm in each case deforms into the channels in the seat to varying degrees as a function of pressure differential such that in either flow direction the flow is regulated to a substantially constant volumetric flow rate over a range of pressure differentials.
대표청구항▼
1. A bi-directional flow control device for regulating a fluid flow to a substantially constant volumetric flow rate, the device comprising:a housing defining a flow passage therethrough;first and second orifices formed separately from the housing and installed in the passage thereof, each orifice b
1. A bi-directional flow control device for regulating a fluid flow to a substantially constant volumetric flow rate, the device comprising:a housing defining a flow passage therethrough;first and second orifices formed separately from the housing and installed in the passage thereof, each orifice being tubular and having a seat defined at one end thereof, each seat having a plurality of flow-control channels extending transversely therein and spaced apart circumferentially, the seat of the second orifice being axially spaced from and facing the seat of the first orifice;a resiliently deformable non-foraminous diaphragm disposed in the passage between the seats of the orifices, whereby flow through the passage in a first direction urges the diaphragm against the seat of the first orifice and flow through the passage in an opposite second direction urges the diaphragm against the seat of the second orifice, the diaphragm in each case deforming into the channels in the seat to varying degrees as a function of pressure differential across the diaphragm such that in either flow direction the flow is regulated to a substantially constant volumetric flow rate over a range of pressure differentials; anda cage formed separately from the housing and installed in the flow passage for holding the diaphragm generally coaxially aligned with the orifices and allowing the diaphragm to float freely between the seats of the orifices. 2. The bi-directional flow control device of claim 1, wherein the cage comprises a first spider and a second spider joined with the first and second orifices, respectively, each spider comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced, axially extending legs each having a fixed end joined to the respective orifice and extending toward the other orifice and terminating in a free end, the spiders cooperating to hold the diaphragm generally coaxially aligned with the orifices and allow the diaphragm to float freely between the seats of the orifices, the legs of the first spider being circumferentially spaced from and axially overlap with the legs of the second spider. 3. The bi-directional flow control device of claim 1, wherein the flow-control channels of the first orifice are of substantially different configuration from the flow-control channels of the second orifice such that the substantially constant volumetric flow rate in the first direction substantially differs from the substantially constant volumetric flow rate in the second direction. 4. The bi-directional flow control device of claim 1, wherein the diaphragm has a first face opposing the seat of the first orifice and a second face opposing the seat of the second orifice, and a generally cylindrical side wall extending between the first and second faces. 5. The bi-directional flow control device of claim 4, wherein the diaphragm is symmetrical such that the first and second faces have an identical configuration and the diaphragm can be installed in the housing with either face facing either of the seats without affecting the volumetric flow rates of the device. 6. The bi-directional flow control device of claim 1, wherein each orifice has a generally cylindrical outer surface in which an annular groove is formed and a resiliently deformable O-ring is installed in each groove, the O-rings being radially inwardly compressed by an inner surface of the housing to prevent flow between the outer surfaces of the orifices and the inner surface of the housing. 7. The bi-directional flow control device of claim 2, wherein each orifice and the respective spider joined thereto are molded as a one-piece structure. 8. The bi-directional flow control device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a one-piece structure having a tubular central portion and tubular first and second end portions joined to opposite ends of the central portion, the central portion having a substantially constant diameter from one end to the other end thereof and the end portions each ta pering to a substantially smaller diameter than that of the central portion, an assembly comprising the diaphragm and the orifices residing substantially within the central portion. 9. The bi-directional flow control device of claim 8, further comprising a pair of retainers inserted into the passage of the housing on opposite sides of said assembly to assist in fixing said assembly axially within the passage. 10. The bi-directional flow control device of claim 9, wherein the retainers comprise finger spring washers. 11. The bi-directional flow control device of claim 8, wherein the diaphragm is symmetrical such that opposite faces thereof have an identical configuration and the diaphragm can be installed in the housing with either face facing either of the seats without affecting the volumetric flow rates of the device. 12. A bi-directional flow control device for regulating a fluid flow to a substantially constant volumetric flow rate, the device comprising:a housing defining a flow passage therethrough, the passage having a generally cylindrical inner surface;a first tubular orifice inserted axially into the passage so as to be coaxial with the passage, and a first retainer inserted axially into the passage from one end thereof and fixed therein to prevent the first orifice from moving axially toward said one end of the passage, the first orifice defining a seat facing toward an opposite end of the passage, the seat comprising a sculptured flow-control surface having a plurality of transverse flow-control channels therein;a second tubular orifice inserted axially into the passage so as to be coaxial with the passage, and a second retainer inserted axially into the passage from said opposite end thereof and fixed therein to prevent the second orifice from moving axially toward said opposite end of the passage, the second orifice defining a seat facing toward said one end of the passage and axially spaced from the seat of the first orifice, the seat of the second orifice comprising a sculptured flow-control surface having a plurality of transverse flow-control channels therein; anda resiliently deformable non-foraminous diaphragm inserted axially into the passage and disposed between the seats of the first and second orifices so as to float freely therebetween, whereby flow through the passage in a first direction urges the diaphragm against the seat of the first orifice and flow through the passage in an opposite second direction urges the diaphragm against the seat of the second orifice, the diaphragm in each case deforming into the channels in the seat to varying degrees as a function of pressure differential across the diaphragm such that in either flow direction the flow is regulated to a substantially constant volumetric flow rate over a range of pressure differentials. 13. The bi-directional flow control device of claim 12, wherein the retainers comprise generally disk-shaped members inserted into the passage such that outer peripheries of the retainers frictionally engage the inner surface of the passage to fix the retainers in place axially in the passage, the retainers having flow passages therein. 14. The bi-directional flow control device of claim 13, wherein the retainers are each configured such that the retainer axially slides relatively easily in the passage in one direction but sliding of the retainer axially in an opposite direction causes the outer periphery of the retainer to frictionally grip the inner surface of the passage to a greater degree so as to substantially prevent further sliding of the retainer in the opposite direction. 15. The bi-directional flow control device of claim 14, wherein the outer periphery of each retainer is formed such that frictional forces on the outer periphery when sliding the retainer in said opposite direction tend to cause the outer periphery to increase in diameter and thereby increase the frictional forces. 16. The bi-directional flow control device of claim 15, wherein the retainers comprise finger spring washers each having a central passage therethrough and a plurality of generally radially extending fingers that in an undeformed condition extend to an outer diameter slightly greater than that of the passage in the housing, whereby insertion of the retainer into the passage in said one direction deforms the fingers generally in said opposite direction. 17. The bi-directional flow control device of claim 12, further comprising a first spider connected with the first orifice and a second spider connected with the second orifice, the spiders holding the diaphragm generally coaxially aligned with the seats of the orifices. 18. The bi-directional flow control device of claim 17, wherein each of the spiders comprises a plurality of generally axially extending legs attached to the respective orifice and spaced apart circumferentially. 19. The bi-directional flow control device of claim 18, wherein each of the legs of each spider has a fixed end attached to the respective orifice and an opposite free end. 20. The bi-directional flow control device of claim 19, wherein the legs of the first spider are circumferentially spaced from and axially overlap with the legs of the second spider. 21. The bi-directional flow control device of claim 17, wherein each orifice and the spider connected therewith comprise a one-piece molded structure.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (12)
Liberfarb Zilek, Bi-directional flow control valve.
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