초록 ▼

A pressure regulator is capable of automatically regulating the inlet water pressure to a compressed air foam system (CAFS), thereby allowing direct connection between a high-pressure water source, such as a hydrant, and the CAFS. The pressure regulator includes an inlet, a valve that regulates flow

A pressure regulator is capable of automatically regulating the inlet water pressure to a compressed air foam system (CAFS), thereby allowing direct connection between a high-pressure water source, such as a hydrant, and the CAFS. The pressure regulator includes an inlet, a valve that regulates flow from the inlet, and an annular piston that circumscribes the inlet and which is linked to the valve. The relative area of the inlet and the piston determine the maximum pressure that may be attained at the CAFS water inlet, due to pressure on the piston forcing the valve closed.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A pressure regulator, comprising: (a) an inlet comprising an inlet opening;(b) a valve configured to seat against said inlet opening and thereby close said inlet;(c) an annular piston circumscribing said inlet and axially movable with respect to said inlet, wherein said annular piston comprises a

1. A pressure regulator, comprising: (a) an inlet comprising an inlet opening;(b) a valve configured to seat against said inlet opening and thereby close said inlet;(c) an annular piston circumscribing said inlet and axially movable with respect to said inlet, wherein said annular piston comprises a piston surface, and wherein the area of said piston surface is greater than the area of said inlet opening;(d) at least one connecting link connecting said valve to said piston whereby axial movement of said piston causes a corresponding axial movement of said valve whereby said valve may open and close; and(e) an annular guide plate circumscribing said inlet and positioned between said valve and said piston, wherein said guide plate comprises at least one guide hole sized to receive the connecting link therethrough whereby the connecting link may freely move forward and rearward with respect to the annular guide plate along a longitudinal axis of the inlet, and further wherein the guide plate comprises at least one liquid passage whereby liquid may freely move through the guide plate. 2. The pressure regulator of claim 1, further comprising a discharge chamber mounted to said guide plate. 3. The pressure regulator of claim 1, further comprising a discharge chamber circumscribing said inlet opening. 4. The pressure regulator of claim 3, wherein said pressure regulator is configured to increase a volume within said discharge chamber in direct proportion to a volume of liquid introduced as said valve closes said inlet. 5. The pressure regulator of claim 3, further comprising an annular end plate circumscribing said inlet and positioned opposite said piston from said guide plate. 6. The pressure regulator of claim 5, further comprising a cylinder barrel connecting said guide plate and said end plate, wherein said piston forms a watertight seal between said inlet and said cylinder barrel. 7. The pressure regulator of claim 6, further comprising an annular inner piston seal between said inlet and said piston, and an annular outer piston seal between said piston and said cylinder barrel. 8. The pressure regulator of claim 6, further comprising at least one draw bolt connecting said guide plate and said end plate. 9. The pressure regulator of claim 5, wherein said end plate further comprises a vent. 10. The pressure regulator of claim 9, further comprising: (a) a pressure switch in communication with said discharge chamber;(b) a pressurized air source;(c) an air passageway connected to said vent; and(d) a pressurized air valve in communication with said switch, said pressurized air source, and said vent, wherein said valve is opened in response to said switch being in a first position, whereby air from said air source may pass through said air passageway into said vent, and said pressurized air valve is closed in response to said switch being in a second position, whereby air from said air source is blocked from passing through said air passageway into said vent. 11. The pressure regulator of claim 10, further comprising a vent valve in communication with said pressure switch and said air passageway, whereby said vent valve is closed in response to said pressure switch being in said first position, and said vent valve is opened in response to said switch being in said second position. 12. A compressed air foam system (CAFS) pressure regulator, comprising: (a) a foam generator;(b) a discharge chamber connected to said foam generator;(c) a liquid inlet comprising an inlet opening in hydraulic communication with said discharge chamber;(d) a valve configured to seat against said inlet opening and thereby open and close the flow of liquid between said inlet and said discharge chamber;(e) an annular piston circumscribing said inlet and axially movable with respect to said inlet, wherein said annular piston comprises a piston surface, and wherein the area of said piston surface is greater than the area of said inlet opening;(f) at least one connecting link connecting said valve to said piston; and(g) an annular guide plate circumscribing said inlet and positioned between said valve and said piston, wherein said guide plate comprises at least one guide hole sized to receive the connecting link therethrough whereby the connecting link may freely move forward and rearward with respect to the annular guide plate along a longitudinal axis of the inlet, and further wherein the guide plate comprises at least one liquid passage whereby liquid may freely move through the guide plate. 13. The CAFS pressure regulator of claim 12, wherein said CAFS pressure regulator is configured to increase a volume within said discharge chamber in direct proportion to a volume of liquid introduced as said valve closes said inlet. 14. The CAFS pressure regulator of claim 12, further comprising an annular end plate circumscribing said inlet and positioned opposite said piston from said guide plate. 15. The CAFS pressure regulator of claim 14, wherein said end plate further comprises a vent. 16. The CAFS pressure regulator of claim 14, further comprising a cylinder barrel connecting said guide plate and said end plate, wherein said piston forms a watertight seal between said inlet and said cylinder barrel. 17. The CAFS pressure regulator of claim 16, further comprising an annular inner piston seal between said inlet and said piston, and an annular outer piston seal between said piston and said cylinder barrel. 18. The CAFS pressure regulator of claim 16, further comprising at least one draw bolt connecting said guide plate and said end plate. 19. The CAFS pressure regulator of claim 16, further comprising: (a) a pressure switch in communication with said discharge chamber;(b) a pressurized air source;(c) an air passageway connected to said vent; and(d) a pressurized air valve in communication with said switch, said pressurized air source, and said vent, wherein said valve is opened in response to said switch being in a first position, whereby air from said air source may pass through said air passageway into said vent, and said pressurized air valve is closed in response to said switch being in a second position, whereby air from said air source is blocked from passing through said air passageway into said vent. 20. The CAFS pressure regulator of claim 19, further comprising a vent valve in communication with said pressure switch and said air passageway, whereby said vent valve is closed in response to said pressure switch being in said first position, and said vent valve is opened in response to said switch being in said second position.