US2371218A - Fluid pressure regulator - Google Patents

Description

arch H3, fi 'ro A QYNTQN 2,3?LT1' FLUID PRESSURE REGULATOR Filed Aug. 27, 1941 Fig 3. ALEXANDER BOYNTO/V, nwsA/ro/v,

Patented Mar. 13, l945 UNITED STATES FLUID rnnssmm anoum'roa Alexander Boynton, San Antonio, Tex; Sida. S. Martin executrix oi said Alexander Boynton,

deceased Application August 2'1, 1941, Serial No. 408,520

11 Claims.

The principal object is to provide a pressure regulator which substitutes an elastic diaphragm member only for the usual metallic valve and valve seat.

Another object is to reduce relatively high pressures to predetermined lower pressures by means of only two parts which flex, portions of each such part remaining stationary.

Another object is to employ a non-metallic means for regulating pressures.

A further object resides in employing few parts of economical construction and exceeding compactness which will be of long life in service and in'which replacements can be made easily and quickly.

This invention is related to and may be considered a continuation in part of my co-pcnding metering diaphragm application Serial No. 408,- 519 flled August 2'7, 1941, which matured into Patent No. 2,341,525, on February 15, 1944.

Briefly stated, the invention consists of a metering diaphragm constructed of an elastic material. The diaphragm has a central passage normally open while the diaphragm is uncompressed, a spring being employed to support it in that position when it is not in operation and during times of near equality in pressures prevailing upon opposite sides of the diaphragm. The low pressure is always in contact with the downstream side of the diaphragm and controls its operation while the other side is exposed to atmospheric pressure. A nipple attached to the upstream side of the diaphragm has communication with the central passage through the diaphragm and is slidable through a stuffing box upon the high pressure supply conduit. At a predetermined relatively low pressure, the diaphragm flexes in the direction of the high pressure and flattens or straightens its arched portion to close the passage through it; all of which will be understood more fully from an examination of the following specification and the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. l is a longitudinal section through the assembled regulator.

Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line 2-2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an outside view of the regulator turned 90 degrees from the position shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is mainly a longitudinal section through a modified form of hermetic telescopic means.

Similar characters of reference are employed to designate similar parts in the several views.

The diaphragm housing I has the internal circular shoulder Id against which the elastic diaphragm 2, which may be of rubber, is locked by the grip ring I! secured by the swaged nipple ll having threaded engagement within the housing. The diaphragm, which may be reenforced by having the snail-shaped spring 20 vulcanized into it,

5 has an annular axial extension 2a within which the annularly ribbed end of the intake tube 3 is pressed and further secured by the sleeve 4 threadedly or otherwise connected over the extension 2a so that this extension cannot expand l0 and release the tube 3 when the diaphragm exerts a pulling force upon the tube, due to the gripping force of the packing 9 when the diaphragm resumes its normal position as shown in Fig, 1 after it has been compressed, as will 16 be explained under Operation. The other end of the tube 3 is slidable closely within the nipple Ill.

The packing 9 is adapted to be compressed against the tube 3 by the gland ring 8, actuated 20 by the cap 1 having threaded engagement over the inner end of the nipple Ill which has threaded engagement through the end boss Ic of the housing I.

The coil spring 5, housed within the chamber 2! le formed within the housing I and its internal the spring, the tube a being slidable through the plug. The opening 6a through the plug 6 provides that atmospheric pressure will prevail within the chamber le and upon the outer or upstream surface of the diaphragm.

The transverse passage 21; through the diaphragm is aligned with the passage through'the tube 3 which passage has communication with the high pressure supply conduit l2 shown connected to the nipple III by the conventional union 0 l3. The low pressure discharge conduit It has connection with the swaged nipple M by means of the other conventional union ll.

The arms lb support the end boss la in spaced I relation to the internal boss la, and the lock nut H is adapted to secure the nipple l0 within the boss lc so that the plug 6 and the cap I will be also in spaced relation to each other; while the tube 3 and the nipple ill will be secured in true alignment, so that the tube will be free to move through the packing 9 and within the nipple H1 in response to the movements of the diaphragm 2.

Manifestly the nipple Ill may be considered as a portion of the high pressure conduit l2. Likewise the swaged nipple Il may be consideredas Operation Pressure fluid entering the nipple it via the high pressure supply conduit l2 will flex the diaphragm 2 upstream or toward the conduit l2; thereby causing the tube 3 to slide in the same direction through the packing 9 and within the nipple Hi. When the diaphragm has been flexed upstream, or counter to the direction indicated by the arrows, a predetermined distance, the passage 2b will be closed, due to the flattening of the umbrella-shaped rubber diaphragm. As the force upon the downstream side of the diaphragm diminishes to a predetermined value, the diaphragm will expand and again open the passage 20, and so on.

Manifestly, the force required to close the passage 2b can be regulated by means of the spring having its force adjustable by the plug 8. If pressure fluid be confined within the chamber le either to supplement the spring 5 or to replace it, it is apparent that varying the force of this fluid will accomplish the same purpose as varying the force of the spring. Of course, the valve l8, the spring IS, the ring 20, and the plug will be omitted if no pressure fluid is employed within the chamber I c.

It will be observed that the diaphragm is shown to be thinner toward the center. This thinning toward the center causes the passage 2b to close at less force exerted upon the downstream side than would be required to close the passage if the central portion were made thicker. Those skilled in the art will known that many different forms of the diaphragm member will be equivalents of each other.

Referring to Fig. 4, the intake tube 3A is a modification, without change except for the slight annular solder contact cuts under the solder 21a of the intake tube 3, the enlarged, annularly ribbed end of each tube being adapted to be secured within the diaphragm as has been explained. The nipple IOA is a modification of the nipple l0 and, like the latter nipple is adapted to be secured within the end boss Ic.

The bellows 2| may be secured hermetically upon the intake tube 3A by the solder or weld 2m and upon the gland ring 22 by the other solder or weld Zia, said tube ring being slidable within said gland ring. The packing 23 is compressi-ble between the gland ring 22 and the end of the nipple IUA by force of the clamp ring 24 having threaded engagement over the nipple I 0A.

This construction provides for hermetically slidable engagement between the intake tube 3A and the nipple IDA and overcomes the frictional resistance ofi'ered by the packing 9 in Fig. 1, it being understood that only very slight force will be required to compress the bellows 2| far enough to accommodate slight flexing movement of the diaphragm.

Thus, it is apparent that any desired pressure less than that obtained within the supply conduit l2 can be maintained within the discharge conduit l6.

Obviously the diaphragm 2 may be placed in operative relation with a latch upon the tube 3 (see, for example, the latch construction shown in Fig. 15 of Pat. No. 2,262,750, issued Nov. 18, 1941) or in any other suitable place to provide a snap action if desired. With such construction fluid flow is fully maintained until the desired pressure is exceeded.

Obviously, many minor changes in construction can be made and equivalents substituted for the parts shown, and I reserve the right to make such changes and substitutions within the scope and purpose of the foregoing specification as illustrated by the accompanying drawing.

I claim:

1. In a fluid pressure regulator: a diaphragm housing having an internal shoulder, an internal boss, and arms supporting an end boss; a diaphragm transverse of said housing; a grip ring in said housing, and bearing against said diaphragm; a first nipple connected to the downstream end of said housing arranged to force said grip ring to hermetically engage said diaphragm upon said internal shoulder; a second nipple secured within said end boss: a low pressure dischargeconduit connected to said first nipple; a high pressure supply conduit connected to said second nipple; an axial extension upon the upstream side of said diaphragm; an intake tube having a ribbed end secured in said axial extension and the other end slidable in said second nipple; a sleeve securing said ribbed end in said extension; packing upon said second nipple and around said tube; a spring within said in- I temal boss; a plug in said internal boss and sup- 0 ing, said other plug adjustably engaging said last spring upon said valve; a chamber within said internal boss, said chamber extending to the upstream side of said diaphragm; compressed air within said chamber; a passage through said diaphragm and first mentioned plug, said passage conveying fluid from said high pressure supply conduit to said low pressure discharge conduit and arranged to be closed by a predetermined force of fluid in said low pressure discharge conduit.

2. In a fiuid pressure regulator: a diaphragm housing having an internal shoulder, an internal boss, and arms supporting an end boss; a diaphragm transverse of said housing; a grip ring in said housing and bearing against said diaphragm; a nipple connected to the downstream end of said housing and forcing said grip ring to hermetically engage said diaphragm upon said internal shoulder; a second nipple secured within said end boss; a low pressure discharge conduit connected to said first nipple; a high pressure supply conduit connected to said second nipple; an axial extension upon the upstream side of said diaphragm; an intake tube having one end secured in said axial extension and the other end slidable in said second nipple; a sleeve adapted to secure said first mentioned end in said extension; packing upon said second nipple and around said tube; a spring within said internal boss, a plug in said boss and supporting said spring against said sleeve, said plug arranged to adjust the force of said spring; an opening through said plug; a passage through said diaphragm and plug. said passage constructed to convey fluid from said high pressure supply conduit to said low pressure discharge conduit, said diaphragm comprising an elastic construction the deformation of which under fluid pressure controls the eii'ectivecrosssectional area of said passage.

3. In a fluid pressure regulator: high and low pressure conduits; a diaphragm housing connected between said high pressure and said low pressure conduits; a deformable diaphragm having substantial thickness and mounted transverse of said housing and hermetically sealed therewith; an axial extension upon the upstream side of said diaphragm; an intake tube, one end of said tube having annular projections secured in said extension, the other end of said tube being hermetically slidable in said high pressure conduit; a sleeve over said extension to secure said flrst mentioned end of said tube within-said extension; a spring arranged to flex said diaphragm downstream; means to adjust the force of said spring; said diaphragm and extension having a passage therethrough, saidpassage communicating with the passage through said tube; and means exposing the upstream side of said diaphragm to atmospheric pressure, whereby excess pressure on said low pressure side of said diaphragm deforms the diaphragm and decreases the effective cross-sectional area of the passage therethrough.

4. In a fluid pressure regulator: high and low pressure conduits; a diaphragm housing connected between said high pressure and said low pressure conduits; a deformable diaphragm having substantial thickness and mounted transtherewith; an axial extension upon the upstream side of said diaphragm; an intake tube, one end thereof having an annular .projection'secured in said axial extension, the other end of said tube being hermetically slidable in said high pressure conduit; a sleeve over said extension to secure said first mentioned end of said tube within said extension; a passage through said diaphragm and extension, said passage communicating with the passage through said tube; a closed chamber communicating with the upstream side of said diaphragm; and compressed air in said chamber, whereby excess pressure on the low pressure side of said diaphragm deforms the diaphragm and the wall of the passage therethrough,'thus decreasing the effective cross-sectional area of said passage.

5. In a pressure regulator: high pressure 'and low pressure conduits; a diaphragm housing adapted to be connected between said high pressure and said low pressure conduits; a deformable diaphragh transverse of said housing; an intake tube, one end of said tube secured in said diaphragm, the other end of said tube being her-i metically slidable in said high pressure conduit; said diaphragm having a passage therethrough, a portion of the wall of said passage within said diaphragm being collapsible and arranged to collapse progressively as said diaphragm is deformed under action of pressure on the low pressure side of said diaphragm. said passage communicating with the passage through said tube; and means exposing the upstream side of said diaphragm to atmospheric pressure.

6. In a pressure regulator: a diaphragm having a passage therethrough having deformable walls, the passage within said diaphragm adapted to be closed when said diaphragm is sufliciently flexed, a high pressure port, and hollow means to receive fluid under relatively low pressure. said diaphragm being hermetically secured between said high pressure port and said means receiving said fluid after the pressure thereof is reduced; yieldable means between said diaphragm and said high pressure port, said yieldable means having an opening therethrough communicating with said passage; and means for varying the pressure upon one side of said diaphragm.

7. An article of manufacture: comprising a metering diaphragm of elastic material having a tubular member hermetically secured thereto and a passageway therethrough registering with said tubular member, said tubular member extending only part way into said diaphragm, the wall of that portion of the passageway within said diaphragm and beyond said tubular member being collapsible, whereby the effective cross-sectional area of said portion of said passageway is altered upon flexing said diaphragm, said diaphragm and said tubular member constituting an integral structure.

8. In a pressure regulator: a high pressure conduit and a low pressure conduit; a diaphragm housing connected between said conduits; a deformable diaphragm in said housing and hermetically sealed therewith, said diaphragm having a normally open passage through the same, the wall of which passage is adapted to collapse to close, at least partly, the said passage upon application of fluid pressure upon one side of said diaphragm and to expand again to open said passage when said pressure is reduced; means to conduct fluid from said high pressure conduit to the adjacent side of said diaphragm for. passage therethrough; and means continuously tending to force said diaphragmto open said passage.

9. In a pressure regulator: a high pressure conduit and a low pressure conduit; a diaphragm housing connected between said conduits; a deformable diaphragm in said housing and hermetically sealed therewith, one side of said diaphragm being exposed to atmospheric pressure, said diaphragm having a normally open passage through the same, the wall of which passage is adapted to collapse to close, at least partly, the said passage upon application of fluid pressure upon one side of said diaphragm and to expand again to open said passage when said pressure is reduced; means to conduct fluid from said high pressure conduit to the adjacent side of said diaphragm for passage therethrough; and means continuously acting against the atmosphere exposed side of said diaphragm to open said passage.

10. In a pressure regulator: a high pressure conduit and a low pressure conduit; a diaphragm housing connected between said conduits; a deformable diaphragm in said housing and hermetically sealed therewith, said diaphragm having a normally open passage through the same, the wall of which passage is adapted to collapseto close, at least partly, the said passage upon applicaton of fluid pressure upon one side of'said diaphragm and to expand again to open said passage when said pressure is reduced; means to conduct fluid from said high pressure conduit to the adjacent side of said diaphragm for passage therethrough, said fluid conducting means including an intake tube carried by said diaphragm in constant communication with said passage and in slidable connection with said high pressure conduit; and means continuously tending to force said diaphragm to open said passage.

11. In a pressure regulator: a high pressure conduit and a low pressure conduit; a diaphragm housing connected between said conduits; a deformable diaphragm in said housing and hermeti- 4- I as'nma caiiy sealed therewith. said diaphragm having a normally open e through the same, the wall of which passage is adapted to collapse to close, at least partly. the said passage upon appii- V therethrough, said fluid conducting means including an intake tube carried by said diaphragm in constant communication with said passage and in slidable connection with said high pressure conduit; means hermetically sealing said intake tube to said high pressure conduit; and means continuously tending to force said diaphragm open said passage.

manna BOYNTON.

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