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An improved sequencing fluid control valve comprising a housing having inlet and outlet ports, a valve seat disposed within the housing, a collapsible valve member disposed within the housing and forming a chamber and a bulb. A sequencing means disposed within the chamber that controls the axial mot

An improved sequencing fluid control valve comprising a housing having inlet and outlet ports, a valve seat disposed within the housing, a collapsible valve member disposed within the housing and forming a chamber and a bulb. A sequencing means disposed within the chamber that controls the axial motion of the valve member in response to application of fluid pressure at the inlet such that the motion of valve member alternates between an open free flowing state and a closed restricted flow state. Housing and valve member cooperate in the open position to provide an annular flow path that does not require the fluid flow direction to substantially change while flowing from inlet to outlet. Housing and valve member bulb cooperate in the closed position to form a circumferential seal to restrict the fluid flow. Alternative embodiments including viscous damping means and variations on the housing mount are described.

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1. A fluid flow apparatus comprising: a housing having an inlet end and an outlet end;a flow control disposed within the housing;a sequencing mechanism containing viscous fluid for dampening movement of the flow control, the sequencing mechanism configured to sequence the fluid flow apparatus from a

1. A fluid flow apparatus comprising: a housing having an inlet end and an outlet end;a flow control disposed within the housing;a sequencing mechanism containing viscous fluid for dampening movement of the flow control, the sequencing mechanism configured to sequence the fluid flow apparatus from a current state to a different one of a plurality of states in response to removal and restoration of pressure at the inlet end, the plurality of states including: a first state wherein the sequencing mechanism maintains the flow control in a substantially open position to allow fluid to flow through the apparatus between the inlet and outlet ends of the housing; anda second state wherein the sequencing mechanism maintains the flow control in a substantially closed position to resist fluid flow between the inlet end and the outlet end of the valve housing;wherein the flow control includes undulations configured to provide for expansion and contraction of the flow control in an axial direction, the sequencing mechanism being encircled by at least a portion of the undulations; andwherein the flow control includes a plurality of support rings, each support ring of the plurality of support rings disposed in an undulation of the undulations to reduce the risk that external pressure will cause the undulations to collapse radially. 2. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 1, wherein movement of the flow control causes viscous fluid displacement within the sequencing mechanism such that the movement of the flow control is responsive to persistent external pressure changes and non-responsive to brief pressure variations. 3. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flow control includes an inside surface defining a chamber and the sequencing mechanism is disposed within the chamber. 4. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flow control includes a bulb configured to substantially seal to an inside surface of the housing in the closed state. 5. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flow control forms a circumferential seal with an inside surface of the housing in the closed state. 6. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flow control and an inside surface of the housing cooperate to form an annular fluid flow path in the open position. 7. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 6, wherein the annular fluid flow path is substantially aligned with an axis defined by the inlet and outlet of the housing and a fluid flow direction is aligned within 45 degrees of the axis at all points between the inlet and outlet. 8. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 6, wherein the annular fluid flow path has a substantially constant cross sectional area perpendicular to the fluid flow direction. 9. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flow control is a compressible valve having a dual function including a first function whereby the valve (1) protects the sequencing mechanism from particulates and (2) opens and closes in response to cycled pressure at the inlet. 10. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sequencing mechanism confines motion of the flow control to a linear axial motion relative to the housing. 11. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 1, wherein a motion of the flow control does not rely on a pressure differential applied between the inlet end and the outlet end of the housing. 12. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sequencing mechanism further comprises at least one extension stop configured to restrict the motion of the flow control to provide a visual identification of the instant state of the valve. 13. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sequencing mechanism sequences the fluid flow apparatus from a current state to a different one of the plurality of states in a predetermined pattern. 14. A fluid flow apparatus comprising: a housing having an inlet end, an outlet end, and an inside surface;a valve disposed within the housing;a sequencing mechanism containing viscous fluid for dampening movement of the valve, the sequencing mechanism configured to sequence the fluid flow apparatus from a current state to a different one of a plurality of states in response to removal and restoration of pressure at the inlet end, the plurality of states including: a first state wherein the sequencing mechanism maintains a spacing between the valve and the inside surface of the housing to allow fluid to flow through the apparatus between the inlet and outlet ends of the housing; anda second state wherein the sequencing mechanism substantially seals the valve to the inside surface of the housing to resist fluid flow between the inlet end and the outlet end of the valve housingwherein the outer valve surface includes undulations enabling the valve to expand and contract in an axial direction, the undulations encircling the sequencing mechanism; andwherein the outer valve surface includes a plurality of support rings, each support ring of the plurality of support rings being disposed in an undulation of the undulations to reduce the risk that external pressure will cause the undulations to collapse radially. 15. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 14, wherein the motion of the valve causes viscous fluid displacement within the sequencing mechanism such that the motion of said valve is responsive to persistent external pressure changes and non-responsive to brief pressure variations. 16. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 14, wherein the valve includes an inside surface defining a chamber and the sequencing mechanism is disposed within the chamber. 17. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 14, wherein the valve includes a bulb configured to substantially seal to the inside surface of the housing in the closed state. 18. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 14, wherein the valve forms a circumferential seal with the inside surface of the housing in the closed state. 19. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 14, wherein the valve and inside surface of the housing cooperate to form an annular fluid flow path in the open position. 20. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 19, wherein the annular fluid flow path is substantially aligned with an axis defined by the inlet and outlet and a fluid flow direction is aligned within 45 degrees of the axis at all points between the inlet and outlet. 21. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 19, wherein the annular fluid flow path has a substantially constant cross sectional area perpendicular to a fluid flow direction. 22. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 14, wherein the valve is a compressible valve having a dual function including a first function whereby the valve (1) protects the sequencing mechanism from particulates and (2) provides a valve sealing surface. 23. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 14, wherein the sequencing mechanism confines motion of the valve to a linear axial motion relative to the housing. 24. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 14, wherein a motion of the valve does not rely on a pressure differential applied between the inlet end and the outlet end of the housing. 25. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 14, wherein the sequencing mechanism further comprises at least one extension stop configured to restrict the motion of the valve to provide a visual identification of the instant state of the valve. 26. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 14, wherein the sequencing mechanism sequences the fluid flow apparatus from a current state to a different one of the plurality of states in a predetermined pattern. 27. A fluid flow apparatus comprising: a housing having an inlet end, an outlet end, and an inside surface;a valve having an outer valve surface and an inside surface defining a chamber;a sequencing mechanism configured to sequence the fluid flow apparatus from a current state to a different one of a plurality of states in response to removal and restoration of pressure at the inlet end, the plurality of states including: a first state wherein the sequencing mechanism maintains a spacing between the outer valve surface and the valve seat to allow fluid to flow through the apparatus; anda second state wherein the outer valve surface seals to the valve seat to resist fluid flow between the inlet end and the outlet end of the valve housing; anda sequencing control cooperatively attached to the sequencing mechanism and configured to alter the sequence of the valve to an alternative instant state;wherein the outer valve surface includes a plurality of support ring, each support ring disposed adjacent an inner surface of an undulation of the undulations to reduce the risk that external pressure will cause the undulations to collapse radially. 28. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 27, wherein the outer valve surface includes a bulb that forms a circumferential seal with the valve seat in the second state. 29. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 27, wherein the outer valve surface includes undulations enabling the valve to expand and contract in an axial direction, the undulations encircling the sequencing mechanism. 30. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 27, wherein the valve comprises a single flexible member forming a closed vessel that defines the chamber and protects the sequencing mechanism, the sequencing mechanism being entirely positioned within the closed vessel. 31. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a mount connected to the housing; andwherein the sequencing control is cooperatively attached to the sequencing mechanism via the mount. 32. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 27, wherein the sequencing mechanism sequences the fluid flow apparatus from a current state to a different one of the plurality of states in a predetermined pattern. 33. A fluid flow apparatus comprising: a housing having an inlet end, an outlet end, and an inner surface;a valve having an outer surface configured to: cooperate with the housing inner surface to form an annular fluid flow path when the valve is in an open state; andform a circumferential seal with the housing inner surface when the valve is in a closed state; anda sequencing mechanism containing viscous fluid for dampening movement of the valve, the sequencing mechanism configured to sequence the fluid flow apparatus from a current state to a different one of a plurality of states in response to removal and restoration of pressure at the inlet endwherein a lower end of the outer surface is configured to engage the housing inner surface when the valve is in a closed state;wherein the sequencing mechanism is disposed between the lower end of the outer surface and the outlet end; andwherein the sequencing mechanism is positioned completely within the outer surface of the valve. 34. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 33, further comprising a sequencing control cooperatively attached to the sequencing mechanism and configured to alter the sequence of the valve to one of the plurality of states. 35. The fluid flow apparatus of claim 33, wherein the housing and valve cooperate in the open state such that the annular fluid flow path does not require a fluid flow direction to substantially change from inlet to outlet.