US3702623A

US3702623A - Fluid pressure regulation mechanism having upslope regulating characteristics

Info

Publication number: US3702623A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph Chacko
Original assignee: Sargent Industries Inc
Current assignee: Goodrich Corp; Sargent Industries Inc
Priority date: 1970-08-31
Filing date: 1970-08-21
Publication date: 1972-11-14
Anticipated expiration: 1989-11-14
Also published as: DE2105840A1; FR2101358A5

Abstract

A fluid pressure regulating mechanism for use in bag inflation systems, and the like, which includes an unbalanced piston, poppet arrangement which causes the output pressure of the gas flow regulated thereby to be increased as the pressure of the high pressure gas supplied thereto decreases. A principal advantage of the use of this device in a bag inflation system is that it causes the pressure of the gas supplied to the jets of the aspirator to be increased as the bag is inflated so as to tend to counter the loss in aspirator efficiency which results due to the back pressure which progressively builds up downstream of the aspirator.

Description

United States Patent Chacko [s 1 FLUID PRESSURE REGULATION MECHANIsMIIAvmG UPSLOPE REGULATING CHARACTERISTICS [72] Inventor: Joseph Chacko, San Francisco,

Calif.

[73] Assignee: Sargent Industries, Inc., Los Angles,

Calif.

22 Filed: Aug. 21, 1970 211 Appl.No.: 68,511

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 845,742, July 29,

[ 51 Nov. 14, 1972 Primary Examiner-Henry T. Klinksiek Assistant Examiner-Robert J. Miller Aztomey-Smyth, Roston and Pavitt 57 ABSTRACT A fluid pressure regulating mechanism for use in bag inflation systems, and the like, which includes an unbalanced piston, poppet arrangement which causes the output pressure of the gas flow regulated thereby to be increased as the pressure of the high pressure gas sup- 1969 abandoned plied thereto decreases. A principal advantage of the use of this device in a bag inflation system is that it [52] US. Cl ..137/495 causes the pressure of the gas supplied to the jets of [51] hit. Cl ..F16k 17/40 the aspirator to be increased as the g is inflated so [58] F'eld Search as to tend to counter the loss'in aspirator efficiency 137/4842 which results due to the back pressure which progres- I v v sively builds up downstream of the aspirator. [56] References Cited A g 1 33 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures :1 UNlTED STATES PATENTS I v I 3,400,735 9/1968 Favors et a1. .l37/557 k 28 I 34, 82 I l FROMGAS SOURCE 56 I 6 42 84 7/ 78 s '!-".';'l 5e-' I l 1/ 1/ I 1: P :1 72

' 7 i2:- 36 I 62 t l| 39 x 24 30 v I I 37 38 I \y 4a PATENTED W 14 I972 3.702.623

SHEET 1 BF 2 I4 TRIGGER Fig-1 MECHANISM r /0 COMPRESSED k h INFLATABLE GAS .7 REGULATOR V ASPIRATOR V DEVICE 1I6 PRESSURE 3 80 INDICATOR 3 K \"'\'T' FROM GAS M\L\\ SOURCE 5Q 74 sq I 7- mimmmm z 4 g f I I rs 32 62 1| I I \i m wfli m 0 22 F i922 f TO INFLATABLE DEVICE IN VE N TOR JOSEPH CHACKO l ATTORNEY P ps1: P ps1 TE' 'TED IIIIV 14 m2 SHEET 2 BF 2 I 3000+ \LBQTTLE PRESSURE P Fig-4 TIME IN VE NTOR JOSEPH CHACKO \LJML A T TORNE Y FLUID PRESSURE REGULATION MECHANISM HAVING UPSLOPE REGULATING CHARACTERISTICS This invention is a continuation of application Ser. No. 845,742 (now abandoned) filed by me on July 29, 1969.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to pressure regulating apparatus and, more particularly, to a novel upslope regulator device for use with a compressed gas inflation system.

Self-contained compressed gas inflation systems are commonly used to inflate life rafts, inflatable passenger escape chutes for aircraft, and other types of inflatable devices. Most of these systems include a bottled source of high pressure gas, a manually operated valving mechanism, an aspirator, and an inflatable bag of a certain configuration. Typically, the inflatable bag is formed of a rubber-like material having a fabric either adhesively fastened thereto or molded integral therewith which serves to determine the inflated size of the device.

The inflatable bag is generally folded and packed into some compact packaging arrangement, but upon being unpackaged is substantially free to assume its inflated position. Because of this practically unrestricted freedom to assume its intended shape, it will be noted that for a substantial portion of the inflation period there is very little back pressure created downstream of the aspirating device until the bag begins to approach its filled configuration. As the inflation operation proceeds and pressurization commences, a substantial back pressure begins to form downstream of the aspirating chamber and causes the efficiency of the aspirator to drop off until it stalls. Stall pressures are directly related to the flow rates through the aspirators jets and hence to the regulated pressure. Some type of atmospheric closure means is usually provided to close the atmospheric entrance at some time prior to the aspirator stall so as to allow the remaining contents of the compressed gas container to be dumped directly into the bag thus raising the bag pressure above the stall pressure. At this stage the rate of filling is also related to the regulated pressure and faster filling times are achieved with higher pressures.

One of the most important disadvantages of the prior art systems is that since the aspirator does not operate efficiently during the entire inflation period, a much larger quantity of compressed gas is required than would otherwise be needed if the aspirator could be caused to operate'at peak or near peak efficiency during substantially all of the inflation period. Although it is common practice in these types of systems to provide some type of pressure regulation mechanism for reducing the high pressure gas to some lower pressure suitable for use in the aspirating device, this regulation mechanism is usually only a pressure reduction means for reducing the high pressure gases to some suitable lower fixed pressure. Such a mechanism is required since not only is the pressure of the source gas initially much too high, but the pressure of the compressed gas at the source falls off during the inflation period from a very high pressure to essentially zero pressure as the gas is discharged therefrom.

Regulator means for this type of application have been provided for some time now and one particularly related device is discharged in the US. Pat. No. 3,400,735 to Favors et al. The Favors et al device is fairly typical of certain prior an apparatus in that it provides a constant pressure for application to the aspirator device. This constant pressure apparatus is, however, now considered undesirable since it does not provide any means for assisting the aspirator as the bag approaches full inflation. Thus, an excessive quantity of compressed gas must be supplied and since the pressure of the containers are typically limited to approximately 3,000 pounds per square inch, this means that the size of the high pressure container must be larger than would be necessary if the aspirator efficiency could be maintained high during inflation.

As the size of the inflation apparatus has become very important in modern inflation systems, it is desirable that not only should means be provided for reducing the size of the required gas storage container, but in addition, it is important that all of the fittings, valves, gauges, etc., be designed to take up a minimum of packing space and be as well protected against accidental damage as possible.

By providing a regulator means capable of causing the aspirator to function at near peak efficiency during substantially the entire inflation period, a much smaller quantity of compressed gas will be required and consequently a much smaller storage container can be utilized.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a novel regulating mechanism for use in compressed gas inflation systems, and the like, which causes the pressure of the fluid stream supplied to the aspirator to be increased as the bag is inflated so as to counter the loss in aspirating efficiency which would otherwise result due to the build up of back pressure in the bag during inflation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel pressure regulating apparatus for use in bag inflation systems, and the like, which enables a smaller quantity of compressed gas to be used to inflate a given volume.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel pressure regulating apparatus which is compact in size and is designed so that a substantial portion thereof is adapted for insertion into the compressed gas container.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a novel regulating mechanism is provided for use in bag inflation systems, and the like, which includes an unbalanced piston, poppet arrangement which causes the output pressure of the gas flow regulated thereby to be increased as the pressure of the high pressure gas supplied thereto decreases. The use of this device in a bag inflation system thereby causes the pressure of the gas supplied to the jets of the aspirator to be increased as the bag is inflated so as to tend to counter the reduction in aspirator efficiency which results due to the back pressure which progressively builds up downstream of the aspirator during inflation.

One of the principal advantages of the apparatus of the present invention is that it enables the overall efficiency of the inflation system to be increased while at the same time reducing the storage space required therefor.

Still other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art after having read the following detailed disclosure which makes reference to the several figures of the drawing.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a bag inflation system.

FIG. 2 is an axial cross section taken through an upslope regulation mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross section of the regulator mechanism of FIG. 2 taken along the line 3-3.

FIG. 4 is a pressure diagram illustrating operation of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an axial cross section of the present invention shown in operation.

FIG. 6 is an exploded section of the regulatory orifice indicated in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, there is shown a block diagram of an inflation system of the type utilized to inflate life rafts, aircraft escape chutes, and the like. In these types of systems the filling port of the inflatable device 10 is connected to a source of compressed gas 12 through a gas regulator mechanism 16, having a suitable tn'gger mechanism 14, and an aspirating device 18. A pressure indicator is also typically provided for determining prior to actuation whether the source 12 contains a quantity of gas capable of inflating the device 10 in the manner intended.

Preferred forms of aspirating devices suitable for use in these types of systems are disclosed in the copending U.S. patent applications of Ronald H. Day, Ser. No. 803,178 filed Feb. 28, 1969, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,591,814 and Ser. No. 813,660 filed Apr. 4, 1969, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,533,246. A preferred form of trigger mechanism is disclosed in the U.S. patent application to Joseph Chacko, Ser. No. 801,640 filed Feb. 24, 1969, now abandoned. An improved temperature compensated pressure indicator is disclosed in the U.S. patent application of Ronald I-I. Day. Ser. No. 800,062 filed Feb. 18, 1969, now abandoned. All of the above applications are assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

In inflation systems of this type, the inflatable device 10 is initially deflated and packaged in a suitable stowage configuration with the pressurizing system attached to the filling aperture thereof. Pressure source 12 is generally a high pressure container filled with a gas which is compressed to about 3,000 psi, and a triggerable flow regulating means 16, including a trigger mechanism 14, is usually opened to inflate the device. The regulator 16 acts to maintain the flow of gas into the aspirator at a predetermined rate or, in accordance with the present invention described below, at a changing rate so as to insure optimum operation of the aspirating device.

Turning now to FIG. 2 of the drawing, a pressure regulating mechanism having a housing member 22, in

accordance with the present invention, is shown mounted in the neck of a bottle 24 which serves as the source of high pressure compressed gas. Affixed to the opposite end of the regulator 22 is a trigger mechanism 26 of the type disclosed in the aforementioned copending Chacko application. The regulator mechanism per se is comprised of a generally cylindrical housing including a main body portion 28, an externally threaded coupling portion 30 of a somewhat smaller diameter, and an elongated spring housing portion 32 which is of still smaller diameter.

At the end of the main body portion opposite the spring housing 32, a bore 34 of a relatively large diameter is provided for receiving the base 36 of the trigger mechanism 26. An annular groove 38 is provided in the interior wall of the bore 34 for receiving a lock ring 39 which secures the trigger mechanism 36 within the bore 34. Suitable sealing means 37 are provided as shown for making an airtight seal between the base 36 and the bore 34.

Extending transversally through the main body portion 28 of the housing member 22 is another bore 40, which passes along a diameter of the body 28 and intersects an axial bore 42 which is axially concentric with the bore 34 and provides a low pressure chamber 44. Both extremities of the bore 40 are threaded to receive a threaded plug 46 at one end and a threaded conduit coupling means 48 at the other end. Alternatively, the plug 46 can be replaced with a conduit coupling means where more than one gas line 49 is desirable.

The spring housing portion 32 also includes an elongated bore 50 extending along the axis of the mechanism 22 and having a diameter D which intersects a high pressure chamber 52 of a somewhat larger diameter formed in the main body portion 28. The high pressure chamber 52 is communicated with the low pressure chamber 44 by still another axial bore 54 of diameter D, which has a predetermined smaller diameter than the diameter D, of the bore 50.

Extending into the main body 28 through the threaded coupling portion 30 to intersect the high pressure chamber 52 are a plurality of circumferentially spaced bores 56 which provide communicative paths between the compressed gas container 24 and the high pressure chamber 52. The manner in which the high pressure passages 56 are arrayed around the high pressure chamber 52 is perhaps better illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawing.

Axially disposed within the bore 50 and bore 54 and extending through

chambers

52 and 44 is a poppet 58 having a first piston-like portion 60 with an efiective diameter substantially equal to D and including suitable high pressure sealing means 62 for providing a seal between the piston 60 and the bore 50. The poppet 58 also includes a second piston-like portion 64 of a diameter substantially equal to D and which is received within the bore 54. The bore 54 includes an annular groove 66 for receiving a resilient O-ring sealing member 68 which provides a high pressure seal between the bore 54 and the piston 64. The rightmost end of the poppet 58 includes a stem 72 of a diameter D, which extends into a bore 71 in the trigger mechanism 26 which also serves as an alignment means for maintaining the piston 64 in alignment with the bore 54. The

pistons

60 and 64 are coupled together by a connecting portion 70 of a diameter D.,.

Disposed within the bore 50 is a resilient spring member 74 having one end which bears against the removable stop means 76 and the other end bearing against the leftmost end of the poppet 58. The spring member 74 acts to bias the poppet 58 rightwardly with a predetermined force F,. The poppet 58 is, however, prevented from moving rightwardly by the pivotable lever 78 of the trigger mechanism 26 which serves to lock the poppet 58 in the position indicated until the actuating cable 80 is pulled to rotate the latch 82 off of the end 84 of the latching lever 78. Once the end 84 of the lever 78 is freed, the lever 78 is rotated clockwise by the stem 72 as the poppet 58 is driven to the right by the spring 74 opening the regulatory orifice 100 as indicated in FIG. 5.

It will be noted that because of the difference in the effective end areas 1 and 2 of the

pistons

60 and 64, respectively, a differential force proportional to the pressure in the chamber 52 will be exerted on the poppet 58 in the leftward direction so as to oppose the spring force F, The forces applied to the piston end faces 1, 2 and 3 by the pressure in the

chambers

52 and 44, denoted in FIG. 5 as F F and F respectively, can be expressed as F =1, X A,, and 2 3 r 3 (3) where P, is the bottom pressure which appears in the high pressure chamber 52, P, is the regulation pressure which appears in the low pressure chamber 44 and A A and A represents the effective areas of the respective ends 1, 2 and 3 of the

pistons

60 and 64.

It will be noted from FIG. 2 that before actuation the trigger mechanism 26 prevents the poppet 58 from being driven rightwardly and an airtight seal is provided between the bore 54 and piston 64 by the O-ring 68 so that the pressure in the chamber 52 is the maximum bottle pressure, typically about 3,000 psi, and the pressure in chamber 44 is generally atmospheric'pressure. Therefore, immediately following actuation of the trigger 26 and before the regulatory passage is opened,

7 the forces applied to the poppet 58 may be expressed as r 2 since F, is zero (where P, is referenced to atmospheric pressure).

Because the forces F, and F, are in opposite directions and the difference therebetween is small compared to F,, F, will cause the poppet 58 to be rapidly driven to the right. However, once the piston 64 clears the bore 54, the gas escaping through the opening 100 provided therebetween causes chamber 44 to be pressurized and F is no longer zero.

After equilibrium has been established, the forces applied to the poppet 58 may be expressed as since P, is now of some predetermined finite value. However, in order to sustain this equilibrium relationship, it must be noted that the piston 64 must remain outside of the bore 54 so that gases are allowed to escape into the pressure regulation chamber 44 and thus escape through the conduit 49 into the inflatable device 10. And, since P decreases with time a predetermined changing relationship must exist between P, and P, since A A, and A are constants. Referring now to FIG. 4, it will be noted that the bottle pressure P, dies off substantially linearly from its initial pressure of 3,000 psi as indicated by the curve 85. Thus, the quantity (F F will continually decrease. By referring to equation (5), it will be noted that as the quantity (F, F goes to zero as it must do since P, goes to zero, F must increase proportionally. According to equation (3) the only way in which F can increase is if the pressure P, in the low pressure chamber 44 is increased and because the gases in chamber 44 are being exhausted through conduit 49 the only way in which P, can be increased is if the size of the opening of the regulating orifice is increased. The effect then, is to cause the spring 74 to drive the poppet 58 rightwardly as the bottle pressure P, dies off thus causing P, to increase as indicated by the curve 87. These curves also take into account the fact that as the poppet 58 is driven rightwardly, the force F, is also decreased as the spring 74 is relaxed.

The regulating springs spring rate can be determined by calculating the change in opening 100 for given flow conditions. This gives the linear movement of the poppet relative to bottle pressure. F, can then be solved for two conditions, e.g., at 3,000 psi and 1,000 psi bottle pressure. The change F F together with the linear distance covered gives the spring rates necessary for these conditions.

The regulatory function of the device 22 can perhaps be more clearly understood by noting in FIG. 4 that after the initial rise in pressure in the chamber 44, as the poppet 58 clears the bore 54, the initial regulated pressure P, is, for example, approximately 100 psi. However, as the bottle pressure P, dies off and the poppet 58 is driven farther to the right, the regulated pressure P, increases linearly to a maximum of approximately 200 psi and then dies off exponentially as the pressure P, becomes insufficient to overcome the spring force F, and the poppet 58 is driven to its full open position as indicated in FIG. 5.

The significance of this increasing regulated pressure with decreasing bottle pressure is apparent when we remember that as the bag inflates the back pressure downstream of the aspirator builds up so that in prior art systems the operational efficiency of the aspirator is decreased. However, in using the regulator of the present invention, the increasing pressure supplied to the jets of the aspirator will tend to keep the efficiency of the aspirator high so that the amount of atmospheric air drawn into the system is maintained at as close to optimum as is possible. In other words, wherein the efficiency of prior art aspirating devices having constant pressure inputs thereto have illustrated a marked fall ofi in efiiciency as the bag progressed toward full inflation, the upslope regulator of the present invention provides a means whereby the input pressure supplied to the aspirator jets increases so that the tendency toward loss in efficiency can be counteracted. Thus, not only is the bag inflated faster but a smaller quantity of high pressure gas is required.

The advantages of using such a regulator in a system of the type described will be readily evident to those skilled in the art. For example, because the efficiency of the aspirator is indirectly improved and thus the quantity of compressed gas required to inflate a given bag is reduced, the size of the compressed gas container can likewise be reduced. Moreover, because of the novel manner of construction of the present invention, it will be noted that a large portion of the regulator is designed to extend into the compressed gas bottle so that not only is stowage space conserved and the device streamlined, but the bottle serves as a means for protecting an important part of the regulator structure from accidental damage.

In addition to the features previously described, it will be noted in FIG. 3 that other accessories can be added to the structure of the present invention. For example, a pressure'indicator 21 can be threaded into a bore 86 which extends into the high pressure chamber 52; an over-pressure burst plug 88 can be threaded into a bore 90 which likewise extends into chamber 52; and a fill valve 92 can be provided in the bore 94 which communicates with the high pressure chamber.

Turning again to the drawing, another important aspect of the present invention will be pointed out. In FIGS. 5 and 6 it can be seen that with the device in operation, the piston portion 64 of the poppet 58 is driven from the bore 54 so as to provide a regulator gas orifice 100 therebetween, the opening dimensions of which are varied in accordance with the above described principles, to provide an upslope regulation of the gas supplied to the low pressure chamber 44. However, when the piston 64 is withdrawn into the bore 54 prior to actuation, the seal between the bore 54 and the piston 64 is provided by an -ring 68 which is received within the annular groove 66.

In prior art devices such sealing features have not been found satisfactory because of the tendency for the high velocity gas flow thereacross to cause the 0-ring 68 to become dislodged and be blown into the chamber 44 through the regulatory passage 100. But, in this particular embodiment of the present invention, the regulation does not occur until the piston 64 has been driven some distance beyond the seal 68 since the pop pet 58 has been designed so as to have an abrupt but rounded shoulder 102 which cooperates with the bore 54 to provide the regulatory orifice 100. In addition, the spacing between the bore 54 and the connecting means 70 between the

pistons

60 and 64 is large as compared to the opening 100 so that the high velocity stream of gas connecting the high pressure chamber 52 and the low pressure chamber 44 is substantially restricted to the opening 100 so that the gas passing across the annular seal 68 is of a relatively low velocity. Thus, the aerodynamic lift imparted to the seal 68 as the gases flow from chamber 52 to chamber 44 will not cause the seal 68 to be lifted from its seat so as to be forced through the opening 100 by the high pressure gas.

Moreover, in order to even further negate the possibility of such an occurrence, the 0-ring 68 is made of a relatively stifi or inelastic material so as to reduce the likelihood that it will bounce from the groove 66 as the piston 64 is rapidly driven out of contact therewith. But even so, it will be noted that because of the particular configuration utilized in this area, substantially the entire upper surface of the seal 68 is subjected to the high pressure gases in chamber 52 before the flow passage is opened so that any gases pressurized within the comer 106 will have little eflect in driving the O-ring 68 into the flow path of the high pressure gases. Thus, not only does the present invention provide a novel upslope regulation apparatus but the apparatus itself includes certain novel features which enable the device to function in a manner far superior to other prior art devices.

Although the regulator of the present invention is particularly described above as providing a substantially linear increase in the regulated pressure P,., it is to be understood that the end face 2 could be modified in tapered, stepped or other suitable configurations so that a predetermined non-linear change in P, could be efiected in response to the die-ofi of the bottle pressure P,,.

After having read the above disclosure, it is contemplated that certain alterations and modifications of the invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art. It is therefore to be understood that this description is of a preferred embodiment which is described for purposes of illustration alone and is in no manner intended to be limiting in any way. Accordingly, I intend that the appended claims be interpreted as covering all such modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

l. Fluid pressure regulation apparatus for controlling the pressure of fluid flowing from a pressurized container to compensate for decreases in the pressure of the fluid in the container as the fluid flows from the container, comprising:

a valve housing means forming a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber intercommunicated by a cylindrical bore;

a poppet member including first and second piston portions of differing diameters, the piston portions being coupled together by a connecting member, said first and second piston portions having opposing faces, said second piston portion having a second face, said poppet member being axially concentric with and extending through said bore, said first piston portion being displaceable axially within said high pressure chamber and second piston portion being axially displaceable between said low pressure chamber and said bore, said second piston portion being sealingly received by said bore in one axial position and cooperating with said bore to form a regulatory gas flow orifice between said high pressure chamber and said low pressure chamber in a second axial position, said opposing faces of said first and second piston portions having a differential area to provide for increases in the pressure of the fluid in the low pressure chamber with progressive increases in time upon a displacement of said second piston portion to the second axial position;

biasing means for supplying a biasing force to said poppet member in an axial direction from said high pressure chamber to said low pressure chamber; and

low pressure gas exit means coupled, to said low pressure chamber, the gas in said high pressure chamber acting on the opposing faces of said first and second piston portions and the gas flowing into said low pressure chamber through said orifice acting on the second face of said second piston portion so as to maintain said poppet member in axial equilibrium relationship.

2. Fluid pressure regulation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said opposing faces are dimensionally related to each other such that the gas within said high pressure chamber causes a net force to be exerted on said poppet member axially directed in opposition to said biasing force.

3. Fluid pressure regulation apparatus asrecited in claim 2 wherein said net force on said poppet member when in said one axial position is substantially less than the biasing force exerted on said poppet member by said biasing means.

4. Fluid pressure regulation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein trigger means are provided for selectively maintaining said poppet member in said one axial position so that no gas flow is allowed between said supply means and said exit means. 7

5. Fluid pressure regulation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said intercommunicating bore includes resilient sealing means for engaging said second piston portion when said poppet member is in said one axial position. a

6. An upslope pressure regulating means for use in bag inflation systems, and the like, comprising:

housing means forming a low pressure chamber and a high pressure chamber intercommunicated by a cylindrical bore of a first diameter; high pressure gas supply means coupled to said high pressure chamber for supplying a gas having a pressure P,,; exit means coupled to said low pressure chamber for supplying a pressure regulated gas to a utilization means; poppet means disposed coaxial with said cylindrical bore and including a first piston member axially displaceable within said high pressure chamber and a second piston member axially displaceable within said bore and said low pressure chamber, said second piston member extending axially from the first piston member, said first piston member having an effective end area of A said second piston member having an efleetive end area of A facing the area A of said first piston member and a second effective end area of A biasing means for biasing said poppet means in a direction from said high pressure chamber to said low pressure chamber with a force F,; and

a pressure regulating orifice between said high pressure chamber and said low pressure chamber formed by said second piston member and said cylindrical bore so as to provide a regulated pressure P, in said low pressure chamber when said poppet member is maintained in axial equilibrium in accordance with the expression F, P, X A P XA +P,XA

7. An upslope pressure regulating means as recited in claim 6 wherein said. second piston member sealingly engages said cylindrical bore when axially displaced thereinto so as to prevent any gas flow between said high pressure chamber and said low pressure chamber.

8. An upslope pressure regulating means as recited in claim 7 which includes a trigger means for selectively maintaining said second piston member in sealing engagement with said cylindrical bore.

9. An upslope pressure regulating means as recited in claim 6 wherein said cylindrical bore includes a resilient sealing means for sealingly engaging said second piston member when said second piston member is displaced within said cylindrical bore.

10. An upslope pressure regulating means as recited in claim 6 wherein the eflective end area A, of said first piston member is larger than the effective end area A of said second piston member so that the biasing force F is always larger than the force quantity P X (A, A

11. In combination,

means for initially storing a fluid at a particular pressure and for storing fluid at progressively reduced pressures as the fluid escapes from the fluid-storing means,

inflatable means,

valve means disposed between the fluid-storing means and the inflatable means and having first and second operative relationships and operative in the first relationship to prevent any passage of fluid from the fluid-storing means to the inflatable means and operative in the second relationship to provide for a passage of the fluid from the fluidstoring means to the inflatable means, the valve means having piston portions constructed to provide for progressive changes in the second operative relationship to provide an increasing pressure at progressive instants of time, and

means including resilient means operative upon the valve means for obtaining a change in the valve means from the first operative relationship to the second operative relationship and then progressive changes in the second operative relationship.

12. The combination set forth in claim 1 1 wherein the valve means includes a member movable between first and second positions and having piston portions constructed to prevent any passage of fluid from the fluid-storing means in the first position and to provide for a passage of the fluid from the fluid-storing means to the inflatable means upon an initial displacement from the first position toward the second position and to provide an increasing pressure upon progressive displacements toward the second position.

13. In combination,

means for holding fluid under pressure, the holding means having an opening at one end,

means inflatable by the fluid under pressure in the holding means,

valve means disposedat least partially in the holding means and having a movable member extending at least partially into the holding means through the opening in the holding means, the movable member being movable between a first position and a second position, the movable member being constructed relative to the valve means to inhibit any flow of fluid from the holding means into the inflatable means in the first position and to provide for a flow of fluid from the holding means into the inflatable means in the second position, and triggering means operatively coupled to the movable member on the opposite side of the inflatable means from the valve means for triggering the movable member from the first position to the second position.

14. The combination set forth in claim 13 wherein the holding means provides a decreasing pressure as the fluid escapes from the holding means into the inflatable means upon the displacement of the movable member toward the second position from the first position of the movable member and wherein the valve means are constructed to provide an increasing pressure as the fluid escapes from the holding means into the inflatable means.

15. in combination,

a movable member extending into the opening in the holding means, the movable member being normally disposed in a first position and being movable towards a second position,

valve means including the movable member, the valve means extending at least partially into the opening in the holding means, the valve means having piston portions constructed to prevent any passage of fluid from the holding means through the valve means in the first position of the movable member and to provide increasing pressures as the movable member is progressively displaced towards the second position,

triggering means operatively coupled to the movable member to maintain the movable member in the first position and operative to provide a progressive displacement of the movable member toward the second position, and

means responsive to the fluid passing through the valve means from the holding means to receive such fluid.

16. The combination set forth in claim 15 wherein,

the valve means includes sealing means operatively associated with the movable member in the first position of the movable member to seal the valve means against the passage of fluid from the holding means through the valve means and operatively associated with the movable member, upon progressive displacements of the movable position towards the second member, to maintain the sealing means in a region of low velocity.

17. in combination,

means for holding fluid under pressure, there being an opening at one end in the fluid holding means for the passage of the fluid through the opening,

means displaced from the fluid holding means for becoming inflated,

valve means disposed between the fluid holding means and the inflatable means for controlling the inflation of the inflatable means by the fluid holding means, the valve means having first and second operative relationships and operative in the first relationship to prevent any flow of fluid from the fluid holding means and operative in the second relationship to provide for the flow of fluid from the fluid holding means through the valve means, the valve means extending through the opening in the fluid holding means and being disposed at least partially in the fluid holding means,

a pipe line extending from the valve means to the inflatable means, and

trigger means operatively coupled to the valve means at a position beyond the pipe-line and normally operative to retain the valve means in the first operative relationship and operative to trigger the valve means to the second operative relationship.

' 18. The combination set forth in claim 17 wherein the fluid holding means provide a decreasing pressure with progressive discharges of the fluid from the fluid holding means to the inflatable means and wherein the valve means are constructed to provide progressively increasing pressures in the second operative relationship as the fluid becomes progressively discharged from the fluid holding means.

19. In combination,

means for holding a fluid under pressure, the fluid holding means providing the fluid at decreasing pressure as the fluid passes from the fluid holding means,

a housing,

a member movable between first and second positions,

valve means including the movable member and the housing, the movable member being constructed relative to the housing to provide first and second operative relationships in accordance with the respective disposition of the movable member in the first and second positions, the movable member being disposed relative to the fluid holding means in the first operative relationship to prevent any flow of fluid from the fluid holding means, the movable member having piston portions, the piston portions having particular diameters and being disposed relative to the fluid holding means in the second operative relationship to provide for a flow of fluid from the fluid holding means with progressive increases in pressure at progressive instants of time,

means operatively coupled to the valve means in the second position of the valve means for receiving the fluid passing through the valve means from the fluid holding means, and

trigger means operatively coupled to the movable member to provide normally for the disposition of the movable member in the first position and actuatable to provide for a movement of the movable member toward the second position.

20. The combination set forth in claim 19 wherein at least a portion of the valve means including the movable member is disposed within the fluid holding means.

21. The combination set forth in claim 20 wherein the movable member extends through the receiving means and engages the trigger means and wherein the trigger means is disposed on the opposite side of the receiving means from the fluid holding means.

22. The combination set forth in claim 19 wherein sealing means are included in the valve means for sealing the valve means against the flow of fluid from the fluid holding means in the first operative relationship of the valve means and wherein the sealing means are disposed in the valve means in the second operative relationship of the valve means to receive a low velocity of fluid for insuring that the sealing means do not become displaced in the valve means. 23. The combination set forth in claim 22 wherein the movable member constitutes a piston with portions of different dimensions at displaced positions along the member in a particular relationship to provide for progressively increased pressures in r the valve means with progressive displacements of the piston from the first position toward the second position. v 24. The combination set forth in claim 22 wherein the receiving means for the fluid is inflatable.

25. The combination set forth in claim 17 wherein the valve means is disposed at least partially in the opening in the fluid holding means in the same direction as the opening in the fluid holding means and wherein the valve means extends from the opening in the fluid holding means in the same direction as the opening in the fluid holding means.

26. The combination set forth in claim 25 wherein the valve means is disposed at least partially in the opening in the fluid holding means in the same direction as the opening in the fluid holding means and V holding means in the same direction as the opening in the holding means.

28. The combination set forth in claim 14 wherein the movable member extends into the opening in the holding means in the same direction as the opening in the holding means and wherein the valve means includes a spring disposed in a constrained relationship in the opening in the holding means and operative upon the movable member to move the movable member from the first position to the second position when the triggering means becomes operative.

29. The combination set forth in claim 20 wherein the valve means includes a spring having a constrained relationship in the first operative relationship of the valve means and disposed relative to the movable member to move the movable member from the first position to the second position, the spring being disposed within the fluid holding means.

30. The combination set forth in claim 20 wherein, means are disposed in the housing to seal the movable member relative to the housing in the first position of the movable member and to provide a low velocity of fluid in the second position of the movable member for insuring that the sealing means do not become displaced from the housing. 31. The combination set forth in claim 30 wherein the sealing means are disposed in a recess in the housing and wherein the recess is disposed relative to the movable member to provide fro a low velocity of fluid past the sealing means as the movable member becomes progressively displaced from the first operative relationship to the second operative relationship. 32. The combination set forth in claim 17 wherein, the valve means includes a housing and a member movable within the housing between first and second positions respectively to provide the first and second rative relationshi and wherein means are dig osed in the housifig to seal the movable member relative to the housing in the first position of the movable member and to provide a low velocity of fluid in the second position of the movable member for insuring that the sealing means do not become displaced from the housing.

33. The combination set forth in claim 18 wherein the valve means includes a housing and a member movable within the housing between first and second positions respectively to provide the first and second operative relationships and wherein sealing means are

Claims

1. Fluid pressure regulation apparatus for controlling the pressure of fluid flowing from a pressurized container to compensate for decreases in the pressure of the fluid in the container as the fluid flows from the container, comprising: a valve housing means forming a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber intercommunicated by a cylindrical bore; a poppet member including first and second piston portions of differing diameters, the piston portions being coupled together by a connecting member, said first and second piston portions having opposing faces, said second piston portion having a second face, said poppet member being axially concentric with and extending through said bore, said first piston portion being displaceable axially within said high pressure chamber and second piston portion being axially displaceable between said low pressure chamber and said bore, said second piston portion being sealingly received by said bore in one axial position and cooperating with said bore to form a regulatory gas flow orifice between said high pressure chamber and said low pressure chamber in a second axial position, said opposing faces of said first and second piston portions having a differential area to provide for increases in the pressure of the fluid in the low pressure chamber with progressive increases in time upon a displacement of said second piston portion to the second axial position; biasing means for supplying a biasing force to said poppet member in an axial direction from said high pressure chamber to said low pressure chamber; and low pressure gas exit means coupled to said low pressure chamber, the gas in said high pressure chamber acting on the opposing faces of said first and second piston portions and the gas flowing into said low pressure chamber through said orifice acting on the second face of said second piston portion so as to maintain said poppet member in axial equilibrium relationship.

3. Fluid pressure regulation apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said net force on said poppet member when in said one axial position is substantially less than the biasing force exerted on said poppet member by said biasing means.

4. Fluid pressure regulation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein trigger means are provided for selectively maintaining said poppet member in said one axial position so that no gas flow is allowed between said supply means and said exit means.

5. Fluid pressure regulation apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said intercommunicating bore includes resilient sealing means for engaging said second piston portion when said poppet member is in said one axial position.

6. An upslope pressure regulating means for use in bag inflation systems, and the like, comprising: housing means forming a low pressure chamber and a high pressure chamber intercommunicated by a cylindrical bore of a first diameter; high pressure gas supply means coupled to said high pressure chamber for supplying a gas having a pressure Pb; exit means coupled to said low pressure chamber for supplying a pressure regulated gas to a utilization means; poppet means disposed coaxial with said cylindrical bore and including a first piston member axially displaceable within said high pressure chamber and a second piston member axially displaceable within said bore and said low pressure chamber, said second piston member extending axially from the first piston member, said first piston member having an effective end area of A1, said second piston member having an effective end area of A2 facing the area A1 of said first piston member and a second effective end area of A3: biasing means for biasing said poppet means in a direction from said high pressure chamber to said low pressure chamber with a force Fs; and a pressure regulating orifice between said high pressure chamber and said low pressure chamber formed by said second piston member and said cylindrical bore so as to provide a regulated pressure Pr in said low pressure chamber when said poppet member is maintained in axial equilibrium in accordance with the expression Fs Pb X A1 - Pb X A2 + Pr X A3.

7. An upslope pressure regulating means as recited in claim 6 wherein said second piston member sealingly engages said cylindrical bore when axially displaced thereinto so as to prevent any gas flow between said high pressure chamber and said low pressure chamber.

10. An upslope pressure regulating means as recited in claim 6 wherein the effective end area A1 of said first piston member is larger than the effective end area A2 of said second piston member so that the biasing force Fs is always larger than the force quantity Pb X (A1 - A2).

11. In combination, means for initially storing a fluid at a particular pressure and for storing fluid at progressively reduced pressures as the fluid escapes from the fluid-storing means, inflatable means, valve means disposed between the fluid-storing means and the inflatable means and having first and second operative relationships and operative in the first relationship to prevent any passage of fluid from the fluid-storing means to the inflatable means and operative in the second relationship to provide for a passage of the fluid from the fluid-storing means to the inflatable means, the valve means having piston portions constructed to provide for progressive changes in the second operative relationship to provide an increasing pressure at progressive instants of time, and means including resilient means operative upon the valve means for obtaining a change in the valve means from the first operative relationship to the second operative relationship and then progressive changes in the second operative relationship.

12. The combination set forth in claim 11 wherein the valve means includes a member movable between first and second positions and having piston portions constructed to prevent any passage of fluid from the fluid-storing means in the first position and to provide for a passage of the fluid from the fluid-storing means to the inflatable means upon an initial displacement from the first position toward the second position and to provide an increasing pressure upon progressive displacements toward the second position.

13. In combination, means for holding fluid under pressure, the holding means having an opening at one end, means inflatable by the fluid under pressure in the holding means, valve means disposed at least partially in the holding means and having a movable member extending at least partially into the holding means through the opening in the holding means, the movable member being movable between a first position and a second position, the movable member being constructed relative to the valve means to inhibit any flow of fluid from the holding means into the inflatable means in the first position and to provide for a flow of fluid from the holding means into the inflatable means in the second position, and triggering means operatively coupled to the movable member on the opposite side of the inflatable means from the valve means for triggering the movable member from the first position to the second position.

15. In combination, means for holding fluid under pressure, the holding means having an opening at one end, a movable member extending into the opening in the holding means, the movable member being normally disposed in a first position and being movable towards a second position, valve means including the movable member, the valve means extending at least partially into the opening in the holding means, the valve means having piston portions constructed to prevent any passage of fluid from the holding means through the valve means in the first position of the movable member and to provide increasing pressures as the movable member is progressively displaced towards the second position, triggering means operatively coupled to the movable member to maintain the movable member in the first position and operative to provide a progressive displacement of the movable member toward the second position, and means responsive to the fluid passing through the valve means from the holding means To receive such fluid.

16. The combination set forth in claim 15 wherein, the valve means includes sealing means operatively associated with the movable member in the first position of the movable member to seal the valve means against the passage of fluid from the holding means through the valve means and operatively associated with the movable member, upon progressive displacements of the movable position towards the second member, to maintain the sealing means in a region of low velocity.

17. In combination, means for holding fluid under pressure, there being an opening at one end in the fluid holding means for the passage of the fluid through the opening, means displaced from the fluid holding means for becoming inflated, valve means disposed between the fluid holding means and the inflatable means for controlling the inflation of the inflatable means by the fluid holding means, the valve means having first and second operative relationships and operative in the first relationship to prevent any flow of fluid from the fluid holding means and operative in the second relationship to provide for the flow of fluid from the fluid holding means through the valve means, the valve means extending through the opening in the fluid holding means and being disposed at least partially in the fluid holding means, a pipe line extending from the valve means to the inflatable means, and trigger means operatively coupled to the valve means at a position beyond the pipe-line and normally operative to retain the valve means in the first operative relationship and operative to trigger the valve means to the second operative relationship.

18. The combination set forth in claim 17 wherein the fluid holding means provide a decreasing pressure with progressive discharges of the fluid from the fluid holding means to the inflatable means and wherein the valve means are constructed to provide progressively increasing pressures in the second operative relationship as the fluid becomes progressively discharged from the fluid holding means.

19. In combination, means for holding a fluid under pressure, the fluid holding means providing the fluid at decreasing pressure as the fluid passes from the fluid holding means, a housing, a member movable between first and second positions, valve means including the movable member and the housing, the movable member being constructed relative to the housing to provide first and second operative relationships in accordance with the respective disposition of the movable member in the first and second positions, the movable member being disposed relative to the fluid holding means in the first operative relationship to prevent any flow of fluid from the fluid holding means, the movable member having piston portions, the piston portions having particular diameters and being disposed relative to the fluid holding means in the second operative relationship to provide for a flow of fluid from the fluid holding means with progressive increases in pressure at progressive instants of time, means operatively coupled to the valve means in the second position of the valve means for receiving the fluid passing through the valve means from the fluid holding means, and trigger means operatively coupled to the movable member to provide normally for the disposition of the movable member in the first position and actuatable to provide for a movement of the movable member toward the second position.

22. The combination set forth in claim 19 wherein sealing means are included in the valve means for sealing the valve means against the flow of fluid from the fluid holding means in the first operative relationship of the valve means and wherein the sealing means are disposed in the valve means in the second operative relationship of the valve means to receive a low velocity of fluid for insuring that the sealing means do not become displaced in the valve means.

23. The combination set forth in claim 22 wherein the movable member constitutes a piston with portions of different dimensions at displaced positions along the member in a particular relationship to provide for progressively increased pressures in the valve means with progressive displacements of the piston from the first position toward the second position.

24. The combination set forth in claim 22 wherein the receiving means for the fluid is inflatable.

26. The combination set forth in claim 25 wherein the valve means is disposed at least partially in the opening in the fluid holding means in the same direction as the opening in the fluid holding means and wherein the valve means extends from the opening in the fluid holding means in the same direction as the opening in the fluid holding means and wherein the valve means includes a spring disposed in constrained relationship in the opening in the fluid holding means for providing a change in the operation of the valve means from the first relationship to the second relationship when the trigger means becomes operative to trigger the valve means to the second relationship.

27. The combination set forth in claim 13 wherein the movable member extends into the opening in the holding means in the same direction as the opening in the holding means.

30. The combination set forth in claim 20 wherein, means are disposed in the housing to seal the movable member relative to the housing in the first position of the movable member and to provide a low velocity of fluid in the second position of the movable member for insuring that the sealing means do not become displaced from the housing.

31. The combination set forth in claim 30 wherein the sealing means are disposed in a recess in the housing and wherein the recess is disposed relative to the movable member to provide fro a low velocity of fluid past the sealing means as the movable member becomes progressively displaced from the first operative relationship to the second operative relationship.

32. The combination set forth in claim 17 wherein, the valve means includes a housing and a member movable within the housing between first and second positions respectively to provide the first and second operative relationships and wherein means are disposed in the housing to seal the movable member relative to the housing in the first position of the movable member and to provide a low velocity of fluid in the second position of the movable member for insuring that the sealing means do not become displaced from the housing.

33. The combination set forth in claim 18 wherein the valve means includes a housing and a member movable within the housing between first and second positions respectively to provide the first and second operative relationships and wherein sealing means are disposed in a recess in the housing to seal the movable member relative to the housing in the first position of the movable member and wherein the recess is disposed relative to the movable member to provide for a low velocity of fluid past the sealing means as the movable member becomes progressively displaced from the first position to the second position.