초록 ▼

In accordance with different embodiments of the present invention, duckbill check valve 10, having an orifice 11, and conical check valve 12, having an orifice 13, are responsive to the differential pressure of fluid F as it flows between inlet 14 and outlet 16. In an innovative aspect of the invent

In accordance with different embodiments of the present invention, duckbill check valve 10, having an orifice 11, and conical check valve 12, having an orifice 13, are responsive to the differential pressure of fluid F as it flows between inlet 14 and outlet 16. In an innovative aspect of the invention, orifice 11 and orifice 13 each have a variable effective diameter. In one embodiment, the duckbill check valve 10 and conical check valve 12 have a conical end that is aligned with the direction of fluid flow. In another embodiment, the duckbill check valve 10 can have a conical end that faces the direction of fluid flow. A pin may traverse orifice 11 or 13.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A valve comprising a variable diameter orifice, wherein the variable diameter orifice is responsive to a difference between an inlet pressure and an outlet pressure, wherein the valve is fluidically connected to a fuel supply and at least one of the inlet and outlet pressures corresponds to a pre

1. A valve comprising a variable diameter orifice, wherein the variable diameter orifice is responsive to a difference between an inlet pressure and an outlet pressure, wherein the valve is fluidically connected to a fuel supply and at least one of the inlet and outlet pressures corresponds to a pressure of the fuel supply, wherein the valve comprises a conical shell, said conical shell has an apex defining the variable diameter orifice and said conical shell's base is sealingly attached to a housing of the valve, wherein a shape of the conical shell is substantially the same after attachment to the housing as before attachment,wherein the valve further comprises a pin connected to the housing and a portion of the pin traverses through the variable diameter orifice, andwherein the orifice expands to allow fuel to flow through an annular opening between the orifice and the pin and contracts to establish a seal between the shell and the pin. 2. The valve of claim 1, wherein the difference between the inlet pressure and the outlet pressure is at least about 0.5 psi. 3. The valve of claim 2, wherein the difference between the inlet pressure and the outlet pressure is at least about 1.0 psi. 4. The valve of claim 3, wherein the difference between the inlet pressure and the outlet pressure is at least about 2.0 psi. 5. The valve of claim 4, wherein the difference between the inlet pressure and the outlet pressure is at least about 5.0 psi. 6. The valve of claim 5, wherein the difference between the inlet pressure and the outlet pressure is at least about 10.0 psi. 7. The valve of claim 1, wherein the orifice expands when the inlet pressure is greater than the outlet pressure. 8. The valve of claim 1, wherein the orifice contracts when the inlet pressure is less than the outlet pressure. 9. The valve of claim 1, wherein the orifice contracts to establish a seal when the inlet pressure substantially equals the outlet pressure. 10. The valve of claim 1, wherein the orifice contracts when the inlet pressure is greater than the outlet pressure. 11. The valve of claim 1, wherein the conical shell comprises a duckbill valve. 12. The valve of claim 1, wherein the fuel supply is a fuel cartridge or a gas-generating apparatus. 13. The valve of claim 1, wherein the other of the inlet and outlet pressures corresponds to a pressure of a fuel cell. 14. A method of controlling flow of a fuel, comprising the steps of: a. providing a conduit comprising an inlet and outlet, wherein the conduit is fluidically connected to a fuel supply at the inlet;b. attaching a conical valve within the conduit, wherein the conical valve comprises a conical end with a variable diameter orifice, and wherein the conical end faces upstream flow; andc. substantially maintaining a shape of the conical end after the conical valve is attached within the conduit as before the conical valve is attached within the conduit;d. allowing the variable diameter orifice to expand or contract in response to the pressure at the inlet. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the conical valve further comprises a pin wherein a portion of the pin traverses through the variable diameter orifice. 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the variable diameter orifice expands when the inlet pressure is at least about 0.5 psi lower than pressure at the outlet. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the variable diameter orifice expands when the inlet pressure is at least about 1.0 psi lower than pressure at the outlet. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the variable diameter orifice expands when the inlet pressure is at least about 2.0 psi lower than pressure at the outlet. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the variable diameter orifice expands when the inlet pressure is at least about 5.0 psi lower than pressure at the outlet. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the variable diameter orifice expands when the inlet pressure is at least about 10 psi lower than pressure at the outlet. 21. The method of claim 14, wherein the variable diameter orifice contracts when the inlet pressure is at least about 0.5 psi higher than pressure at the outlet. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the variable diameter orifice contracts when the inlet pressure is at least about 1.0 psi higher than pressure at the outlet. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the variable diameter orifice contracts when the inlet pressure is at least about 2.0 psi higher than pressure at the outlet. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the variable diameter orifice contracts when the inlet pressure is at least 5.0 psi higher than pressure at the outlet. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the variable diameter orifice contracts when the inlet pressure is at least 10.0 psi higher than pressure at the outlet. 26. The method of claim 14, wherein the fuel supply is a fuel cartridge or a gas-generating apparatus. 27. The method of claim 14, wherein the conduit is fluidically connected to a fuel cell at the outlet.