AU2016204053B2

AU2016204053B2 - Pressure regulator and associated spray system

Info

Publication number: AU2016204053B2
Application number: AU2016204053A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Sebastien Baron; Laetitia LAVILLE
Original assignee: Exel Industries SA
Current assignee: Exel Industries SA
Priority date: 2015-06-16
Filing date: 2016-06-16
Publication date: 2021-11-11
Anticipated expiration: 2036-06-16
Also published as: CN106257115B; FR3037670A1; CN106257115A; FR3037670B1; PL3106957T3; EP3106957A1; AU2016204053A1; EP3106957B1; ES2818099T3

Abstract

Pressure regulator and associated spray system This pressure regulator (14) comprises a device (24) for regulating the pressure of a fluid and a main body (22) that [sic] a circumferential wall defining a housing for receiving the regulating device. The regulating device (24) is positioned in the housing and includes: - a seat (48) body, - a gate (50) movable relative to the seat body (48), along the central axis (Z1) of the seat body (48), - a spring (56) for pressing the membrane (52) against the seat body (48), able to exert a bearing force on the membrane (52), and - a member (58) for adjusting the pressure of the fluid, the adjusting member (58) comprising a butt (100) including a contact wall (114) extending radially to the central axis (Z1), the spring (56) being positioned between the membrane (52) and the contact wall (114). The adjusting member (58) comprises a part (102) for adjusting the position of the butt (100) relative to the seat body (48), the adjusting part (what a two) defining at least two positions maintaining the butt (100) relative to the seat body (48), offset relative to one another along the central axis (Z1). Figure 4 18 416 00 00 0To C"-3

Description

00 00

To

C"-3

Australian Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARDPATENT

Invention Title Pressure regulator and associated spray system

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:

I

The invention relates to a pressure regulator for a fluid and a spray system that includes such a pressure regulator. In the field of spraying a fluid, such as water, it is known to use a pressure regulator positioned between a fluid reservoir and a spray nozzle for the fluid, in order to regulate the pressure of the sprayed fluid. The pressure regulator makes it possible to deliver a constant fluid pressure to the spray nozzle, and is for example integrated into a spraying system, such as a high-pressure cleaner. A pressure regulator is thus known from EP-A2-1,672,458 that includes a device for regulating the pressure of a fluid and a main body provided with an inlet for receiving the fluid, a housing for receiving the regulating device and an outlet for dispensing the fluid. In such a regulator, the regulating device is positioned between the inlet and the outlet and makes it possible to regulate the pressure of the fluid dispensed on the outlet. The regulating device in particular comprises two means for regulating the pressure of the fluid, i.e., a first regulating means making it possible to activate or not activate the pressure regulation and a second regulating means making it possible to choose the outlet pressure of the fluid from among two predetermined values. However, the structure of such a regulator remains complex, while the adjustment of the pressure of the fluid delivered at the outlet remains difficult to do. Embodiments of the invention may resolve these drawbacks in providing a pressure regulator having a simplified structure and for which the adjustment of the pressure of the fluid delivered at the outlet is facilitated. To that end, in one aspect the invention provides a pressure regulator comprising a device for regulating the pressure of a fluid and a main body comprising an inletfor receiving the fluid, a circumferential wall defining a housing for receiving the regulating device, and a dispensing outlet for the fluid, the regulating device being positioned in the housing between the inlet and the outlet and comprising: - a seat body defining a fluid passage orifice, - a gate movable relative to the seat body, in the direction of the central axis of the seat body, between a closed position in which the gate obstructs the orifice and an open position in which the gate frees the orifice, - a membrane mechanically secured to the gate, - a bearing spring for pressing the membrane against the seat body, able to exert a bearing force on the membrane, the membrane being movable relative to the seat body between an open position, in which the membrane defines, with the seat body, a passage space for fluid having passed through the passage orifice, able to guide the fluid toward the outlet, and a closed position in which the membrane is in tight contact with the seat body and obstructs the passage space, - an adjusting member for adjusting the pressure of the fluid, the adjusting member comprising a butt including a contact wall extending radially to the central axis and in contact with the spring, the spring being positioned between the membrane and the contact wall, wherein the adjusting member comprises an adjusting part for adjusting the position of the butt relative to the seat body, the adjusting part defining at least two maintaining positions for maintaining the butt in position relative to the seat body, offset relative to one another in the direction of the central axis and corresponding to two different positions of the contact wall relative to the seat body, wherein the butt comprises a skirt extending in the direction of the central axis and positioned between the circumferential wall and the seat body, and, wherein for one of the maintaining positions of the butt, the skirt defines, with the circumferential wall or the seat body, a fluid circulation space connecting the inlet to the outlet. In embodiments of the invention, the structure of the regulator and the adjustment of the pressure of the fluid delivered at the outlet are simplified. Indeed, the fact that the adjusting member defines at least two maintaining positions for the butt, corresponding to two different positions of the contact wall relative to the seat body, makes it possible to adjust the pressure of the fluid delivered at the outlet simply by moving the butt relative to the adjusting part, without having to separate the butt from the rest of the pressure regulator. It is therefore not necessary for the butt and the adjusting part to be mounted to be removable relative to the rest of the pressure regulator. According to advantageous but optional aspects of the invention, such a pressure regulator comprises one or more of the following features, considered alone or in any technically allowable combination: - the adjusting part defines at least three maintaining positions for the butt offset relative to one another in the direction of the central axis, and, for two of the maintaining positions for the butt, the skirt is in tight contact with the circumferential wall and the seat body via sealing means; - the sealing means comprise first and second sealing gaskets, the seat body being provided with a first peripheral groove for receiving the first sealing gasket, which is able to bear against the skirt, and the skirt being provided with a second peripheral groove for receiving the second sealing gasket, which is able to bear against the circumferential wall; - the spring is configured so that, for a given distance over which the spring extends between the membrane and the contact wall, the moving gate is in the closed position and the membrane is in the open position when the fluid exerts a force on the moving gate and the membrane greater than a first predetermined threshold value, and so that the membrane is in the closed position and the moving gate is in the open position when the fluid exerts a force on the moving gate and the membrane that is below a second predetermined threshold value, the first predetermined threshold value being higher than the second predetermined threshold value; - the seat body is a separate part from the main body; - the adjusting part is mechanically secured to the seat body and the butt is movable relative to the adjusting part; - the butt or the adjusting part, respectively, comprises a slug extending radially to the skirt, while the adjusting part or the butt, respectively, comprises a peripheral contour provided with a guide slot for guiding the slug inside which the slug is positioned, and the slot defines the maintaining positions, the slug being movable in the guide slot between the different maintaining positions; - the adjusting member comprises a button for changing the position of the butt mechanically secured to the butt; - the slot comprises an end open toward the outside of the adjusting part in the direction of the central axis, opposite the button, while the main body comprises a tongue extending radially to the circumferential wall, the button comprising a slit for receiving the tongue inside which the tongue is positioned, and when the slug is positioned at the open end, the tongue is in contact with an edge of the slit that keeps the button in position; - the guide slot comprises a side forming several maintaining surfaces for the slug offset relative to one another in the direction of the central axis, each maintaining surface defining one of the maintaining positions of the butt, in which the slug is in contact with said maintaining surface. In another aspect, the the invention also provides a spray system comprising a fluid reservoir, a spray nozzle for the fluid and a pressure regulator mounted between the fluid reservoir and the spray nozzle. According to this aspect of the invention, the pressure regulator is as defined above. The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in light of the following description, provided solely as a non-limiting example and done in reference to the appended drawings, in which: - figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a spray system that comprises a pressure regulator according to one embodiment of the invention; - figure 2 is a perspective illustration of the pressure regulator of the system of figure 1; - figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the pressure regulator of figure 2;

- figure 4 is a sectional view of the pressure regulator along plane IV in figure 2; - figure 5 is a partial perspective illustration with cutaway of the pressure regulator of figures 2 to 4 in a first configuration; and - figure 6 is a view similar to figure 5 of the pressure regulator in a second configuration. The spray system 10 shown in figure 1 comprises a fluid F reservoir 12, a pressure regulator 14 according to a first embodiment of the invention and a spray nozzle 16. The spray system also comprises a first conduit 18 able to transmit the fluid F from the reservoir 12 toward the pressure regulator 14 and a second conduit 20 able to transmit the fluid F having traversed the pressure regulator 14 to the spray nozzle 16. The spray system 10 is for example a high-pressure cleaner, and the fluid F is for example water. The pressure regulator 14 is able to regulate the pressure of the fluid F originating from the reservoir 12 in the first conduit 18 and to deliver the fluid F to the spray nozzle 16, via the second conduit 20, at a regulated pressure. In other words, the pressure regulator 14 is mounted between the fluid reservoir 12 and the first conduit 18 on the one hand, and the second conduit 20 and the spray nozzle 16 on the other hand. The spray nozzle 16 is configured to spray the fluid F. The spray nozzle 16 for example comprises a member, not shown, for manually controlling the spraying of the fluid F and able to spray the fluid F based on the vision of the manual control member. As shown in more detail in figures 2 to 6, the pressure regulator 14 comprises a main body 22 and a device 24 for regulating the pressure of the fluid F. The main body 22 includes an inlet 26 for receiving fluid F and an outlet 28 for dispensing fluid F. The main body 22 comprises a circumferential wall 30 defining a housing 32 for receiving the regulating device 24 centered on an axis Z1, which is vertical in figures 2 to 4. The main body 22 comprises, in the direction of the axis Z1, an open end 34 for assembling the pressure regulating device 24 with the main body 22 and a closed end 36. The main body 22 comprises a first fluid F intake part 40 received on the inlet 26 in the housing 32 and a second part 42 connecting the housing 32 to the outlet 28. The main body 22 further comprises a tongue 43 extending radially to the circumferential wall 30. The tongue 43 protrudes from the rest of the main body 22, toward the outside of the main body 22, i.e., in a direction opposite the axis Z1. The inlet 26 comprises means, not shown, for connecting the main body 22 to the first conduit 18.

A

The outlet 28 comprises an end-piece 44 for fastening to the second conduit 20. The circumferential wall 30 connects the open end 34 and the closed end 36. The circumferential wall 30 defines a first cylinder portion 46 and a second cylinder portion 47. In the direction of the axis Z1, the first cylinder portion 46 extends between the closed end 36 and the second cylinder portion 47, while the second cylinder portion 47 extends between the first cylinder portion 46 and the open end 34. The diameter of the first cylinder portion 46 is smaller than the diameter of the second cylinder portion 47. The regulating device 24 is positioned in the housing 32 between the inlet 26 and the outlet 28. The regulating device 24 comprises a seat body 48, a gate 50 movable relative to the seat body 48 in the direction of the central axis Z1 of the seat body 48, and a membrane 52 mechanically secured to the gate 50. The central axis Z1 extends substantially parallel to the axis Z1, is combined with the axis Z1 in figures 2 to 6 and bears the same reference below. The regulator device 24 also comprises a buffer 54, a spring 56 for pressing the membrane 52 against the seat body 48 and a member 58 for adjusting the pressure of the fluid F defining a space 60 for receiving the spring 56. The seat body 48 comprises a first seat 62 that defines an orifice 64 for passage of the fluid F and that is associated with the moving gate 50. More specifically, the first seat 62 surrounds the passage orifice 64. The seat body 48 comprises a second seat 66 associated with the membrane 52. The seat body 48 comprises a peripheral wall 70, which defines a zone 72 for receiving the membrane 52 and an end of the adjusting member 58. The peripheral wall 70 is cylindrical. The seat body 48 comprises, along the peripheral wall 70, a peripheral groove 76 for receiving a first sealing gasket 78 able to bear against the adjusting member 58. The first sealing gasket 78 is an O-ring, for example made from elastomer. The seat body 48 also comprises, at the peripheral wall 70, a through orifice 79, along a direction radial to the central axis Z1, which is connected to the outlet 28.

The seat body 48 is a separate part from the main body 22. It is therefore not in a single piece with the main body 22. The seat body 48 is mechanically secured to the main body 22. It is for example welded to the main body 22. The gate 50 is movable between a closed position in which the gate 50 obstructs the orifice 64 and is in tight contact with the first seat 62 and an open position in which the gate 50 frees the orifice 64. The gate 50 comprises an upstream end 80, a downstream end 82 and a rod 84, which connects the upstream end 80 to the downstream end 82. The upstream end 80 has a shape suitable for bearing against the first seat 62, so as to obstruct the passage orifice 64 when the gate 50 is in the closed position. The downstream end 82 comprises a bulge 85 intended to cooperate with the buffer 54 in order to be fastened to the buffer 54. The rod 84 extends through the passage orifice 64. The membrane 52 is mechanically secured to the gate 50. The membrane 52 is movable between an open position, in which the membrane 52 defines, with the seat body 66, a passage space 86 for the fluid F having traversed the passage orifice 64, and a closed position, in which the membrane 52 is in tight contact with the second seat 66 and obstructs the passage space 86. In figure 4, the membrane 52 is shown in the closed position. The passage orifice 64 is centered on the central axis Z1. The fluid F traverses the passage orifice 64 parallel to the central axis Z1 and the passage space 86 substantially radially to the central axis Z1. The membrane 52 comprises a bearing web 88 against the second seat 66, extending radially to the central axis Z1. The membrane 52 also comprises an outer cylindrical wall 90 and an inner cylinder wall 92, which extend from the bearing web 88 toward the open end 34. The membrane 52 is for example made from elastomer. The bearing web 88 is able to bear against the second seat 66, under the effect of a bearing force El exerted by the spring 56 on the membrane 52, toward the second seat 66. The bearing force El is exerted in a direction opposite a flow direction of the fluid F through the regulating device 24, at the orifice 34. The outer cylinder wall 90 is jammed, radially to the central axis Z1, between the peripheral wall 70 and the adjusting number 58.

The inner cylindrical wall 92 is jammed radially to the central axis Z1, between the buffer 54 and the downstream end 82, so as to be mechanically secured to the moving gate 50 and the buffer 54. Thus, the membrane 52 ensures the sealing between the seat body 48 and the space 60 for receiving the spring 56, owing to the bearing web 88 and the jamming of the outer cylindrical wall 90 between the peripheral wall 70 and the adjusting number 58 and of the inner cylindrical wall 92 between the buffer 54 and the downstream end 82. The buffer 54 acts as an interface between the spring 56 on the one hand and the membrane 52 on the other hand, and in particular the bearing web 88. The buffer 54 comprises a housing 94 for receiving the downstream end 82 and the inner cylindrical wall 92 and a contact web 96 with the bearing web 88. The buffer 54 is able to transmit the bearing force El to the membrane 52 and the gate 50. The housing 94 comprises, in the direction of the central axis Z1, toward the open end 34, a first cylindrical part 94A and a second cylindrical part 94B extending the first cylindrical part 94A. The second cylindrical part 94B receives a piece of the downstream end 82 and cooperates with the bulge 85, so as to mechanically secure the gate 50 to the buffer 54. The first cylindrical part 94A has a diameter larger than that of the second cylindrical part 94B and receives the downstream end 84 and the inner cylindrical wall 92, which is mechanically secured to the buffer 54 and to the moving gate 50 by jamming between the downstream end 82 and an inner wall of the first cylindrical part 94A. The contact wing 96 comprises a contact face 96A with the spring 56, on which the spring 56 exerts the bearing force El. The contact face 96A is in contact with the spring 56. The contact wing 96 also comprises, opposite the contact face 96A, another contact face 96B with the bearing web 88. The spring 56 is able to exert the bearing force El on the membrane 52 and the gate 50 through the buffer 54. The spring 56 is positioned in the direction of the central axis Z1 between the contact face 96A and the adjusting member 58 and exerts the bearing force El on the buffer 54, which transmits it to the membrane 52 and the gate 50. More specifically, the spring 56 is positioned in the receiving space 60 and isjammed between the contact face 96A and the adjusting member 58. The spring 56 is configured so that, for a given distance over which the spring extends between the contact face 96A and the adjusting member 58, the moving gate 50 is in the closed position and the membrane 52 is in the open position when the fluid F exerts a force on the moving gate 50 and the membrane 52, in the direction of the central axis Z1, greater than a first predetermined threshold value. Likewise, the spring 56 is configured so that, for a given distance over which the spring extends between the contact face 96A and the adjusting member 58, the membrane 52 is in the closed position and the moving date 50 is in the open position when the fluid F exerts a force on the moving gate 50 and the membrane 52, in the direction of the central axis Z1, lower than a second predetermined threshold value. The spring 56 is also configured so that, for a given distance over which the spring extends between the contactface 96A and the adjusting member 58, when the fluid F exerts a force on the moving gate 50 and the membrane 52, in the direction of the central axis Z1, comprised between the first predetermined threshold value and the second predetermined threshold value, the upstream end 80 being separated from the first seat 62 and the bearing web 88 or separated from the second seat 66. In this configuration, the fluid F then crosses through the orifice 64 and the passage space 86. In otherwords, the stiffness and/or length of the spring 56 are for example configured so that, for a given distance over which the spring extends between the contact face 96A and the adjusting member 58, the moving gate 50 and the membrane 52 are in the positions described above depending on the force exerted by the fluid F on the moving gate 50 and the membrane 52. The first predetermined threshold value is for example equal to 13.5 Newton and corresponds to a fluid F pressure of 1.2 bars and is greater than the second predetermined threshold value, which is for example equal to 11.3 Newton and corresponds to a pressure of the fluid F of 1 bar, when the given distance over which the spring extends between the contact face 96A and the adjusting member 58 is equal to 13.6 cm. The adjusting member 58 comprises a moving part 100, in the direction of the central axis Z1, relative to the seat body 48 and a part 102 for adjusting the position of the butt 100 relative to the seat body 48. The adjusting member 58 comprises a button 104 for changing the position of the butt 100 relative to the seat body 48. The butt 100 comprises a main wing 105 across from the open end 34 and a peripheral skirt 106 extending in the direction of the central axis Z1 from the main wing 105 toward the closed end 36. The butt 100 also comprises an inner hub 108 extending in the direction of the central axis Z1 from the main wing 105 toward the seat body 48, a slug 112 extending radially to the skirt 106 and a contact wall 114 extending radially to the skirt 106.

The spring 56 is positioned between the buffer 54 and the contact wall 114. More specifically, the contact wall 114 is in contact with one end of the spring and the contact face 96A is in contact with another end of the spring 56. The skirt 106 is positioned between the circumferential wall 30 and the peripheral wall 70. Thus, the first sealing gasket 78 is able to bear against the peripheral skirt 106. The skirt 106 comprises, relative to the open end 34 and the main wing 105, a proximal cylindrical part 116 extended, in the direction of the central axis Z1, by a distal cylindrical part 118. The proximal cylindrical part 116 is positioned across from the second cylinder portion 47 and the distal cylinder part 118 is positioned across from the first cylindrical part 46. The proximal cylindrical part 116 is provided with a peripheral groove 120 for receiving a second sealing gasket 122. The peripheral groove 120 and the second seal 122 are positioned, in the direction of the central axis Z1, near the open end 34, i.e., for example 2 cm from the open end. The second seal 122 is able to be in tight contact against an inner face of the second cylinder portion 47, irrespective of the position of the butt 100. The second seal 122 ensures the sealing between the circumferential wall 30 and the skirt 106 with respect to the outset environment of the pressure regulator 14 on the one hand, and in particular the air surrounding the pressure regulator 14, and fluid having traversed the passage space 86 and the through orifice 79 and circulating toward the outlet 28 on the other hand. The distal cylindrical part 118 is provided with a peripheral groove 124 for receiving a third sealing gasket 126. The peripheral groove 124 and the third seal 126 are positioned, in the direction of the central axis Z1, near the first seal 78. The third seal 126 is able to be in tight contact against an inner face of the first cylinder portion 46, irrespective of the position of the butt 100. The third seal provide sealing between the circumferential wall 30 and the skirt 106, with respect to the fluid originating from the inlet 26 and circulating toward the seat body 48. The second 122 and third 126 seals are O-rings, for example made from an elastomer. The adjusting part 102 is mechanically secured to the seat body 48, and is for example welded to the seat body 48. The adjusting part 102 is positioned inside the skirt 106.

a

The adjusting part 102 comprises, in the direction of the central axis Z1, a first open end 128 across from the membrane 52 and a second open end 130 for passage of the inner hub 108. The adjusting part 102 also comprises a peripheral contour 132 provided with a slot 134 for guiding the slug 112, inside which the slug 112 is positioned and movable. The adjusting part 102 further comprises an outer peripheral groove 136 for receiving a fourth sealing gasket 138 able to bear against an inner face of the skirt 106. The fourth seal 138 ensures the sealing between the skirt 106 and the adjusting part 102 with respect to the fluid F having traversed the passage space 86 and the through orifice 79 and circulating toward the outlet 28. The fourth seal 138 is an O-ring, for example made from elastomer. In the example of figures 2 to 6, the adjusting part 102 defines three positions maintaining the butt relative to the seat body, offset relative to one another in the direction of the central axis Z1 and corresponding to three different positions of the contact wall 114 relative to the seat body 48. The three maintaining positions each correspond to maintaining positions of the butt 100, where the butt 100 is immobilized relative to the seat body 48, for which the bearing force El exerted by the spring 56 on the membrane 52 and the moving gate 50 is different. More specifically, the guide slot 134 defines the three maintaining positions of the butt 100 that correspond to three positions of the slug 112 in the slot 134. As shown in figures 5 and 6, the guide slot 134 comprises a side 140 defining two surfaces 142, 144 for maintaining the slug 112, which extend in a plane perpendicular to the central axis Z1 and which are offset relative to one another in the direction of the central axis Z1. Advantageously and as shown in figures 5 and 6, the side 140 has a serrated shape, such that when the slug 112 is in contact with one of the maintaining surfaces 142, 144, the slug 112 is immobilized and kept in contact with said maintaining surface 142, 144. The guide slot 134 also comprises an open end 146, in the direction of the central axis Z1, toward the outside of the adjusting part 102 across from the main wing 105 and the button 104. The slot 134 thus defines three maintaining positions for the butt offset relative to one another, respectively corresponding to the position of the slug 112 at the open end 146 of the slot 134, in contact with the maintaining surface 142, and in contact with the maintaining surface 144. In other words, the slug 112 is movable in the slot 134 between three positions respectively corresponding to the position of the slug 112 at the open end 146 of the slot

1 ()

134, in contact with the maintaining surface 142, and in contact with the maintaining surface 144. When the slug 112 is positioned at the open end 146 of the slot 134, the butt 100 is in a first maintaining position, shown in figure 6, and the skirt 106 and the first sealing gasket 78 define a fluid circulation space 150 connecting the inlet 26 to the outlet 28. The pressure of the fluid F is then not regulated and the fluid F circulates freely between the inlet 26 and the outlet 28. When the slug 112 is positioned at the maintaining surface 142, the slug 100 is in a second maintaining position, the first sealing gasket 78 is in tight contact against the skirt 106 of the butt 100 and the bearing force El has a first predetermined value. The pressure of the fluid F is then regulated to a first property, for example equal to 1 bar. When the slug 112 is positioned at the maintaining surface 144, the slug 100 is in a third maintaining position, shown in figure 5, the first sealing gasket 78 is in tight contact against the skirt 106 of the butt 100 and the bearing force El has a second predetermined value. The pressure of the fluid F is then regulated to a second property greater than the first property, for example equal to 3 bar. In general, the second predetermined value is greater than the first predetermined value. The movement of the slug 112 in the slot 134 and therefore of the butt 100 relative to the seat body 48 makes it possible to compress the spring 56 and thus to adjust he bearing force El exerted by the spring 56 on the membrane 52 and the gate 50. The button 104 is secured to the butt 100. More specifically, the button 104 is for example fastened to the butt 100 via two fastening tabs 151A, 151B, shown in figure 3 and extending in the direction of the central axis Z1 through an orifice traversing the contact wall 114. The fastening tabs 151A, 151B for example comprise portions, not shown, for maintaining the position of the tabs on the central axis Z1, which extend radially to the central axis Z1 and cooperate with the contact wall 114. The button 104 comprises a slit 152 for receiving the tongue 43 inside which the tongue 43 is positioned. The slit 152 has a shape complementary to the guide slot 134 such that when the slug 112 moves in the guide slot 134, the tongue 43 moves in the slit 152. More specifically, the slit 152 is configured so that when the slug 112 is positioned at the open end 146 of the guide slot 134, the tongue 43 is positioned bearing against an edge of the slit 152 that keeps the button 104 in position. Thus, the slug 112 is kept in the guide slot 134 and the butt 100 remains assembled with the adjusting part 102.

1 1I

The fact that the adjusting member 102 defines several maintaining positions for the butt 100, which correspond to different positions of the contact wall 114 relative to the seat body 48, makes it possible to adjust the pressure of the fluid delivered at the outlet simply from the adjusting member 58, and in particular from manipulating the button 104. This makes it possible to facilitate the adjustment of the pressure of the fluid F at the outlet 28, since it suffices to manipulate the button 104 without separating the butt 100 from the rest of the pressure regulator 14, i.e., without disassembling the pressure regulator and in particular the regulating device 24 from the main body 22. Furthermore, the use of the slug 112 associated with the guide slot 134 makes it possible to position the butt 100 simply relative to the seat body 48 and maintain the position of the butt 100 relative to the seat body 48 in the desired position. Furthermore, the fact that the butt 100 is able to be moved into a position where the seat body 48 and the skirt 106 define a fluid circulation space 150 connecting the inlet 26 to the outlet 28 makes it possible to deactivate the use of the pressure regulator 14 and to allow the fluid F to circulate freely between the inlet 26 and the outlet 28. In the example of figures 2 to 6, the adjusting part 102 defines three positions for maintaining the butt 100 and allows both an adjustment of the pressure of the fluid at the outlet between two predetermined values and the activation or deactivation of the pressure regulator, all from a single adjusting member 58 and in particular via the manipulation of a single button 104. The use of the pressure regulator 14 is therefore simplified. Furthermore, the fact that the seat body 48 is separate from the main body 22 makes it possible to simplify the structure and manufacture of the main body 22. Furthermore, the fact that the seat body 48 is not in a single piece with the main body 22 also allows a unilateral assembly, i.e., by a single side, of the different elements making up the regulating device 24 in the receiving space 60. Thus, it is not necessary for both ends of the main body in the direction of the axis Z1 to be open, and an opening on only one side, i.e., at only the end 34, if necessary, the end 36 being closed. Furthermore, the use of the sealing gasket 78 between the seat body 48 and the circumferential wall 30 makes it possible to facilitate the assembly of the seat body 48 on the main body 22 and to guarantee sealing between the circumferential wall 30 and the peripheral wall 70. The seat body 48, moving gate 50, membrane 52 and spring 56 make it possible to guarantee the regulation of the pressure of the fluid delivered to the outlet 28. Indeed, the seat body 48, the moving gate 50, the membrane 52 and the spring 56 make it possible to deliver, on the outlet 28, a fluid at a constant pressure, the pressure of which depends on the characteristics of the spring 56, such as the stiffness and the length of the spring, as well as the distance, measured in the direction of the central axis Z1, between the contact wall 114 and the contact face 96A. Furthermore, the set of sealing gaskets and the fact that the membrane 52 provides sealing of the receiving space 60 with respect to the fluid having traversed the passage orifice 64, make it possible to have a precise regulation of the pressure when the slug is in contact with one of the maintaining surfaces, since the fluid flows only through the passage orifice 64, the passage space 86 and the through orifice 79. It is thus primarily the bearing force El applied by the spring 56 that determines the pressure of the outlet fluid 28. Thus, the passage orifice 64, the passage space 86 and the through orifice 79 define a fluid circulation conduit connecting the inlet 26 to the outlet 28 and make it possible to deliver the fluid F at a regulated pressure on the outlet 28, while the membrane 52 forms a tight wall of said circulation conduit. Lastly, the slit 152 and the tongue make it possible to optimize the movement along the central axis Z1 of the butt 100 for adjusting part 102 with a predetermined height along the central axis Z1. Indeed, this makes it possible to position the slug 112 at the open end 146 while keeping the slug 112 positioned in the slot 134. In an alternative that is not shown, the adjusting part 102 comprises the slug, while the butt 100 comprises the guide slot. According to another alternative, the first sealing gasket 78 is in tight contact against the skirt, irrespective of the position of the butt 100. In this alternative, the shape of the circumferential wall 30 is appropriate so that when the butt 100 is in the first maintaining position, the skirt 106 and the circumferential wall 30 define a fluid circulation space connecting the inlet 26 to the outlet 28, while when the butt is in the second and third positions, the skirt 106 is in tight contact with the circumferential wall 30. According to another alternative, the guide slot 134 defines a single maintaining surface. In this alternative, the guide slot 134 then also defines two maintaining positions of the butt 100 that correspond to two positions of the slug 112 in the slot 134. The two positions of the slug 112 respectively correspond to the position of the slug 112 at the open end 146 and in contact with the sole maintaining surface. According to another alternative, the guide slot 134 defines more than two maintaining surfaces.

According to another alternative, the guide slot 134 does not comprise an open end 146 and defines two maintaining surfaces 142, 144. According to another alternative, an air exhaust vent is provided at the butt 100 while the modification of the position of the butt that causes the compression of the spring 56 does not create air compression in the receiving space 60. According to another alternative, the different positions of the butt 100 are triggered by a helical rotational adjustment, like a screw. In this alternative, the adjusting button for example comprises a circumferential wall able to be screwed on the second cylindrical portion 47. The adjusting button is then able to exert a movement force on the butt 100, parallel to the central axis Z1, to move the butt 100 relative to the seat body 48. The different maintaining positions may be indicated by mechanical blocking, mechanical noise, or visual indicators. The embodiments and alternatives considered above can be combined with one another to create new embodiments of the invention. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1.- A pressure regulator, comprising: - a device for regulating the pressure of a fluid and a main body comprising an inlet for receiving the fluid, a circumferential wall defining a housing for receiving the regulating device, and a dispensing outlet for the fluid, the regulating device being positioned in the housing between the inlet and the outlet and comprising: - a seat body defining a fluid passage orifice, - a gate movable relative to the seat body, in the direction of the central axis of the seat body, between a closed position in which the gate obstructs the orifice and an open position in which the gate frees the orifice, - a membrane mechanically secured to the gate, - a bearing spring for pressing the membrane against the seat body, able to exert a bearing force on the membrane, the membrane being movable relative to the seat body between an open position, in which the membrane defines, with the seat body, a passage space for fluid having passed through the passage orifice, able to guide the fluid toward the outlet, and a closed position in which the membrane is in tight contact with the seat body and obstructs the passage space, and - an adjusting member for adjusting the pressure of the fluid, the adjusting member comprising a butt including a contactwall extending radially to the central axis and in contact with the spring, the spring being positioned between the membrane and the contact wall, wherein the adjusting member comprises an adjusting part for adjusting the position of the butt relative to the seat body, the adjusting part defining at least two maintaining positions for maintaining the butt in position relative to the seat body, offset relative to one another in the direction of the central axis and corresponding to two different positions of the contact wall relative to the seat body, wherein the butt comprises a skirt extending in the direction of the central axis and positioned between the circumferential wall and the seat body, and, wherein for one of the maintaining positions of the butt, the skirt defines, with the circumferential wall or the seat body, a fluid circulation space connecting the inlet to the outlet.

2.- The regulator according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting part defines at least three maintaining positions for the butt offset relative to one another in the direction of the central axis and in that, for two of the maintaining positions for the butt, the skirt is in tight contact with the circumferential wall and the seat body via sealing means.

1 r,

3.- The regulator according to claim 1, wherein the sealing means comprise first and second sealing gaskets, the seat body being provided with a first peripheral groove for receiving the first sealing gasket, which is able to bear against the skirt, and the skirt being provided with a second peripheral groove for receiving the second sealing gasket, which is able to bear against the circumferential wall.

4.- The regulator according to claim 1, wherein the spring is configured so that, for a given distance over which the spring extends between the membrane and the contact wall, the moving gate is in the closed position and the membrane is in the open position when the fluid exerts a force on the moving gate and the membrane greater than a first predetermined threshold value, and so that the membrane is in the closed position and the moving gate is in the open position when the fluid exerts a force on the moving gate and the membrane that is below a second predetermined threshold value, the first predetermined threshold value being higher than the second predetermined threshold value.

5.- The regulator according to claim 1, wherein the seat body is a separate art from the main body.

6.- The regulator according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting part is mechanically secured to the seat body and the butt is movable relative to the adjusting part.

7.- The regulator according to claim 6, wherein the butt or the adjusting part, respectively, comprises a slug extending radially to the skirt, in that the adjusting part or the butt, respectively, comprises a peripheral contour provided with a guide slot for guiding the slug inside which the slug is positioned, and in that the slot defines the maintaining positions, the slug being movable in the guide slot between the different maintaining positions.

8.- The regulator according to claim 7, wherein the adjusting member comprises a button for changing the position of the butt mechanically secured to the butt.

9.- The regulator according to claim 8, wherein the slot comprises an end open toward the outside of the adjusting part in the direction of the central axis, opposite the button, in that the main body comprises a tongue extending radially to the circumferential wall, the button comprising a slit for receiving the tongue inside which the tongue is

1 r, positioned, and in that when the slug is positioned at the open end, the tongue is in contact with an edge of the slit that keeps the button in position.

10.- The regulator according to claim 7, wherein the guide slot comprises a side forming several maintaining surfaces for the slug offset relative to one another in the direction of the central axis, each maintaining surface defining one of the maintaining positions of the butt, in which the slug is in contact with said maintaining surface.

11.- A spray system comprising a fluid reservoir, a spray nozzle for the fluid and a pressure regulator mounted between the fluid reservoir and the spray nozzle, wherein the pressure regulator is as claimed in any one of claim 1 to 10.

'17