USRE21597E - Service regulator - Google Patents

Description

7 Oct. 8, 1940' NIESEMANN Re. 21,597

SERVICE REGULATOR Original Filed July 23, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 0d. 8, 1940- F NlESEMANN Re. 21,597

SERVICE REGULATOR Original Filed July 23, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 \l H H I I W @WL 9 Q wis w i in X rrrr 3 0 m 200 300 44 .500 600 700 8D A vowmsmcuesc. FEH PERHouk-Apb Fri-{Z Niedemam,

Ream-ed on. s, 1940 "UNITED STATES SERVICE REGULATOR Fritz Niesemann, Pittsburgh, Pa; aasignor to Pittsburgh Equitable Meter Company. Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Original No. 2,182,701, dated December 5, 1939, Se-

rial No. 228,224, September 2, 1938, which is a division of Serial No. 736,595, July 23, 1934. Application for reissue December 5, 1939, Serial Claims.

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for regulating gas pressures, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for 4 regulating pressures in response to changes in I, fiow in the type of apparatus commonly known to the trade as service regulators. I

In certain weight loaded or spring loaded regulators of this type as heretofore constructed, as the flow through the regulator increases, the

10 outlet pressure drops, this drop being caused, among other things, by change in effective area of the diaphragm, the impact effect of the gas, and the swirling and internal losses of the gas in passing from the regulator body into the line; and in the spring loaded type, aifurther drop is caused by expansion of the spring, which changes the spring load on the diaphragm. However, regulators of this type are intended to keep the outlet pressure constant within the whole range of the capacity of the regulator, and in some cases it is desired even to increase the outlet pressure with increased rate of flow to compensate for line pressure drop between the regulator and point of application of the gas.

This tendency of the outlet pressure to fall oil! heretofore has been overcome by using a suitable loading or boosting device in which the regulator chamber is sealed from the valve, the valve operating means passing through a relatively loose stufllng box or small sealing diaphragm, and a differential pressure creating device in the outlet of the regulator is connected with the diaphragm chamber. However, such devices are complicated, expensive to manufacture and too costly for use on small sized pipe lines, where simplicity of construction is very desirable.

Further, unless the regulator is properly designed, there is a. tendency of the diaphragm to pulsate and cause rapid fluctuations in the rate of flow from the outlet.

According to the present invention, the regulator chamber is connected to the outlet of the regulator; and the incoming gas to the regulatoris directed at a relatively high non-swirling velocity through the regulator chamber into the outlet pipe of the regulator, thereby aspirating the regulator chamber, and the movement of the regulator to maintain the pressure constant in-the regulator chamber further opens the valve, thereby causing a higher outlet pressure of the regulator or loading of the line pressure. The flow capacity of the regulator also is increased; It is my theory that the non-confined flow of gas in the space between the inlet and outlet of the regulator assumes the form of a streamline flow with a vena contraeta similar to the flow in a Venturi tube, and the aspirating effect is due to the high velocity at the vena contracta.

Another possible theory is that the inner film of gas adheres or clings to the surface of the valve as it passes there-along, from the inlet to s the outlet, the suction effect in the outlet preventing excessive spreading of the outer film of the gas stream so as to produce an aspiratlng eflect. According to this theory it is necessary only to guide, direct or induce the gas to-fiow along one surface only, such as the valve surface, the gas being maintained in its direction of flow by adhesion to the valve surface causing it to assume a streamline flow. This unconfined streamline flow, whatever may be the theoretical explanation thereof, I call a directed unconfined flow. However, I do not wish to be confined to this theory in claiming my invention. With my construction it is not necessary to shape the walls of the space between the inlet and outlet of the regulator to confine the gas to a Venturi form, and consequently this space becomes a part of the regulator chamber, and the valve operating means can be passed through the regulator chamber without the use of a stufling box or other sealing means to separate the regulator chamber from the inlet or outlet.

Where a. spring is employed for loading the diaphragm in a regulator designed according to my invention, the spring load on the diaphragm is decreased because of the expansion of the spring which follows the travel of the diaphragm. I overcome this decrease in spring load by using a spring designed so that its change in length produces a relatively small change in the pressure exerted thereby on the diaphragm. The tendency of the diaphragm to pulsate is overcomeby providing a damping air chamber or relatively small volume on the side opposite the regulator chamber with a relatively small vent therefor. Further, I employ a valve seating material which has the required toughness to resist cutting by the valve and is soft enough to provide complete shutoff at relatively low closing pressures.

In the preferred embodiment of the inventlon I provide a. regulator having its inlet and outlet in substantial alignment and a valve assembly wherein the valve is surrounded by a fixed sleeve which terminates short of the outlet and gives to the incoming gas its form and spring within the limit of directs it into the outlet pipe. The diaphragm chamber is directly connected to the space between the inlet and outlet which forms a part thereof and is aspirated by the gas flowing therethrough. Thisaspiration of the diaphragm chamber increases with increase in flow and thereby permits further movement of the diaphragm in the direction to open the valve.

The aerodynamically designed sleeve of this invention can be applied to regulators already in use whereby such regulators will operate to increase the outlet pressure with increased rate of flow and it is within the scope of my present invention to modify existing regulators by the addition of this novel sleeve.

The valve is fully opened when the valve closure is at a distance from the valve seat of about one-fourth the diameter of the inlet oriflce, and the movement of the diaphragm therefore is this distance times the leverage connecting the diaphragm to the valve. The spring employed for loading the diaphragm has such properties that a change in elongation of the spring equal to the movement of the diaphragm between full open and full closed positions of the valve causes a change in loading effect of the boost caused by the aspirator elfect in the regulator. In this way the outlet pressure may be maintained constant or an actual boost in outlet pressure can be accomplished. The spring is initially compressed to provide a fixed minimum or initial load on the diaphragm, and the length of the compressed spring is such as to provide for adjustment of outlet pressures over a wide range while maintaining the spring load on the diaphragm within the limits of boost of the regulator. The stlifer the spring the greater the range of adjustment possible within certain limits.-

In the spring loaded type pulsation is eliminated by having the cover closely conform to the diaphragm thereby providing a small air chamber for damping which has a small vent to the atmosphere. In the weight loaded type of regulator this is not feasible because it often is desired to change the number of weights. Accordingly, in this type I provide a cover for the weights and the cover for the diaphragm closely conforms to the weight cove In this way a change in the number of weights does not change the damping eil'ect.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of regulating pressures to overcome the tendency for the outlet pressure to drop with increase in load, by passing gas at a relatively high velocity through the regulator chamber into the outlet to produce an aspirator eilect tending to lower the pressure in the regulator chamber.

Another object is the provision of an apparatus regulating gas pressures in which means is provided for passing gas at a relatively high velocity through the regulator chamber into the outlet in a form to produce an aspirator eifect tending to lower the pressure in the regulator chamber.

Another object is the provision of a regulator having an increased flow capacity.

A further object is the provision of a regulator the diaphragm chamber and outlet.

A further object is the provision of a damping air chamber over the diaphragm of relatively small volume and having a relatively small vent illustrated in Figures ing an adjustment: and

sure regulator in its chamber. A

to the atmosphere to prevent pulsation of the diaphragm.

Still another object is the provision of a spring loaded regulator in which the spring has a small change in loading eflect through the range of operative elongation.

Still another object is the provision oi a valve seat having the required degree of toughness and softness to give complete closing of the valve over a long period of time.

Still another object of my present invention is the provision of a novel valve assembly com prising an aerodynamically designed sleeve which can be applied to regulators already in use to improve the operating characteristics of such regulators so that in operation the supply pressure will increase with an increased rate of ilow.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a pressure regulator responsive to flow conditions which is of simple design, inexpensive to manufacture and is eil'icient in operation. Other objects will be apparent from a consideration of the following description taken in connection with the annexed drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of my invention in vertical section;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary section view of the casing on line 11-11 of Figure l, the lever and valve being shown in elevation;

Figure 3 is an enlarged section of the valve and seat taken on line III-III of Figure 1:

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic enlarged view of a regulator having my invention applied thereto, the valve being shown in open position and the flow of the fluid being indicated Figure 5 is a similar diagrammatic enlarged view of a regulator without the invention, the lines showing the flow of the fluid;

Figure 6 shows a vertical section of a modiilcation of my invention using loading weights:

Figure 'I shows curves representing the relation of flow to outlet pressure of the regulators 4 and 5;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view in section show- Figures 9 and 10 are form of adjustment.

This application is a division of my co-pending4 application, Serial No. 736,595, filed July 23, V19

Referring to Figure l of the drawings, the presgeneral construction is of comprises a lower shell or detail views oi a modified well known form and casing I and a cover 2 detachahly secured thereto 7 by bolts or similar means. A 3 is clamped at its periphery flexible diaphragm between the cover and lower casing and an attachment lug 4 is secured thereto by a screw I diaphragm I, the washer 5 and plates I and I in well known manner. The bottom chamber I is subject to the outlet pressure of the gas, and the upper chamber II is vented to the atmosphere by a small vent hole Ii. The cover 2 leaves a relatively small air space above the diaphragm, and in conjunction with the small vent hole effectively damps or prevents pulsation of the diaphragm.

The lower shell is tapped and threaded to provide an inlet connection I! and an outlet connection II, the outlet connection being in constant communication with the regulator chamber I through a suitable large lateral passage 5' which may be considered as part of the regulator valve assembly comprises a hollow valve member I (Figures 1 and 3) passing through the bushingor which is threaded into the inlet until sealing shoulder Ii is abutted. The valve member It has a reduced portion I which is tapered at its end to provide a sharp edge I1, and it will be seen that in the open position gas flows through inlet l2 and valve orifice or passage ll of the valve member ani out through outlet i9.

Thepassage Ilisadaptedtobeclosedor throttled by a valve seat member I. of the valve assembly comprising a cup like shell 2| within which is secured the valve seat. This seat comprises a disc 22 of steel or other suitable material having an undercut groove 29 and a seat of "paraprene" is vulcanized thereto and inserted in the shell 2|, and is retained in place by striking out or punching the metal cup 2i opposite the undercut portion, or in any other suitable manner. "Paraprene is an imitation or synthetic rubber product produced by polymerization of divinyl and contains sufllcien't mineral filler to give it a density of about 75 or 80 by durometer test. It is highly resistant to gasoline and other aliphatic hydrocarbons. A spring wire retainer 24 passes through a hole in the side of shell 2i and is coiled about the inside thereof around the steel disc which has a reduced end to.

accommodate the same.- The opposite end of the wire is reversely bent in hairpin shape and passes through a hole 29 in lever 29 which is pivoted at 21 to the lower shell I and is pivotally secured at its other end to the bifurcated attaching lug 4. As shown in Figure 2, the end of lever 29, to which the valve I9 is secured, is of less width than the diameter of the valve and thus lies substantially within the confines of the gas stream, which, as explained below, is of tubular form.

A sleeve 30 forming part of the valve assembly surrounds the valve member I4 and seat member l9 being secured thereto by a set screw 29, and is spaced sufllciently from the seat member I9 to provide an annular area ll whereby gas can flow from the inlet I! through the passage 9' when the valve is open. The sleeve 30 and valve member Il may be in the form of an integral fitting if it is so desired. The annular passage Si is substantially in alignment with the outlet l9 so that gas flows at relatively high velocity through the annular area 8|, across passage 9 and into the outlet I3 thereby producing an ejector or aspirator effect within chamber 9 tending to aspirate or exhaust the same so that the actual pressure within the chamber 9 is less than the gas pressure within the outlet passage it. It is therefore, evident, as shown in Figure 4, that a tubular flow of the fluid is first induced followed by an expansion of the fluid stream into the form of a solid cylindrical body. The sleeve preferably at all times projects above the bottom of the valve seat so that regardless of the amount the valve is opened the area of the annular space or inlet 3| remains nearly or substantially constant. The greater the flow of gas through the ejector sleeve 30 the lower will be the pressure in chamber 9. A threaded cap or cover 32 is located at the side of the casing and provides access to the valve member l9 and fulcrum 21 for assembling the parts.

The ring 90 may be readily applied to existing regulators, the form of mounting shown permitting such replacement to be readily made. The top of the fitting which corresponds to valve member It in existing regulators may be shaped to receive the ring 99, or a fitting similar to fitting It may be provided.

The cover 2 carries a spring 29 within a suitable recess, and an adjustment nut ll within the sleeve is set to develop the desired pressure upon the diaphragm 3. This sleeve is adapted to be closed and sealed by a cover ll. The spring is designed so that it is initially compressed to about two-thirds of its length to provide its normalworking pressure and the full adjustment range between high and low outlet pressures is made by a variation of one-third of the length of the pring.

In operation, the inlet I2 is connected to a gas main and the outlet pipe leads to a gas burner or other domestic gas consuming appliance. In the closed position of valve ll, l9, and with no gas being consumed the predetermined pressure of the spring I! is balanced by the gas pressure in chamber 9. As soon as a burner is turned on and gas flows thereto the pressure in chamber 9 is reduced and no longer balances spring 35 whereupon the spring forces the diaphragm 2' downward, pivoting lever 29 about its fulcrum 21 and causing the seat II to rise and open passage II. This permits gas to flow into the regulator chamber 9 to restore the pressure.

Referring to Figure 5, it will be seen that in the ordinary type service regulator the gas spreads out into the connecting passage 9' in more or less swirling flow, and is even apt to strike the diaphragm thereby raising the same against the action of the spring. Raising the diaphragm has the effect of reducing the outlet pressure, and thus, in this construction. the outlet pressure falls oil. rapidly as the flow increases. Heretofore it was thought necessary to restrict or seal the passage 9' to prevent this action.

Referring to Figure 4, it will be seen that the gas is directed through the annular space it into the outlet in streamline form with a vena contracta, or an expansion of the fluid stream,

-which aspirates the chamber 9' through the passage 9'. This evacuating or aspirating eil'ect tends to pull down on the diaphragm and increases the outlet pressure with increase of flow.

The action of the regulators shown in Figures 4 and 5 will be better understood by a comparison of the test curves shown in Figure '1. The regulators are identical except that the one shown in Figure 4 has the sleeve or ring Ill applied thereto. Curve A represents the outlet pressure of a inch spring type regulator employing my invention as shown in Figure 4, and curve B represents the outlet pressure of the regulator with the ring 99 removed, as shown in Figure 5. Curve C represents the outlet pressure of a regulator employing the ring 99 of my invention, but spring 95 has been replaced with a spring of usual form. The outlet pressure is set for five inches of water. It will be seen from curves A and C that there is a marked diilerence in the outlet pressure as the volume flow increases. In curve A the outlet pressure remains close to 5" of water until the flow gets to about 250 cubic feet per hour, and then rises, whereas in curve B the outlet pressure rapidly falls after about 150 cubic feet per hour flow. Curve C is substantially parallel with curve A after the flow gets to about 400 cubic feet per hour. It will be seen from a comparison of curves A and C that the combined effect of spring 35 and ring 90 of the present invention is to shift curve C upwardly. Further, it will be seen that the capacity of the regulator shown in Figure 4 is greatly increased. Capacity is measured as the volume flow at a pressure not less than one inch below the set pressure, and according to curve B the capacity is about 280 cubic feet per hour permit movement of the diaphragm with a small factor of safety in the clearance. The volume of whereasthecurveflshowsthecapacitytobewell abcvemcubicfeetperhour.

Inthemodiflcationshowninl'igure0,aseries ofweishtsisemplwedtolcadtheregulatordiaphragm. IAkepartsin-thismodiflcationarecorrespondingly numbered. The diaphragm I is clampedbetweenthebodylandacoverl',which ishighenoughtopermittheinsertionofaweight cssefluponthediaphragm-Ascrewtlpames through the weight case. the bottom of which is usedtoreplaceupperpiate1,andpassesthrough thediaphragm landlower plate l,theattachmentluglbeingsecuredtheretorapluralityof weights arelocatedintheweightcasefcrloadingthediaphragmandthecaselscoveredbya suitable friction cover llheldinplace byanut I! threadedonthesc'rew.

Itwillbe'observed thatthecover I close conformstotheshapeandsiseoftheweightcase asoastoleavearelativelysmallairspace therebetween, and the vent ll isalsovery small. The clearance at the top is lust about enough to air in this chamber is very small and the'movement of the diaphragm and weight casing produces a high compression in the chamber which escapes only slowly and produces a damping action on the diaphragm movements.

Thestructureshowninl'lgure lisdesignedto give substantially the maximum pressure boost in the outlet of the regulator. and in some cases an adjustment of the amount by which the outlet,

pressure increases as the flowincreases may be desirable. Figures 8. 9 and 10 disclose adjusting means which may be applied to the regulator of Figure l or the modified regulator ofl'lgure 6.

Referring to Figure 8, a vane or shield 48 is carriedbyarodorahaft,-thelatterbeingjournalled in suitable openings in the cover I. The shaft 44 preferably projects outside of the housingsothatitcanbeturnedtoadjusttheposition ofthevanelt. 'lhevaneflmaybepositioned byturningshaftlltodlvertpai'tofthew stream issuing from the ring 3| into the diaphragm chamber, where it creates an impact pressure, thus lowering the amount bywhich the out let pressure will increase with an increased rate of flow. when the vane ll is rotated counterclockwise to the dotted line position, it will not interfere with the stream issuing from the ring ll.

Flgures9and10discloseasimilartypeofatliustment where the adjustable shield or vane is mounted on the lever 28. A vane l is secured to the flat top of the lever 20 by a screw ll. By loosening the screw ll, the vane ll can be set'in the dotted line position to divert a part of the streamissuingfromtheringilintothediaf; phragm chamber. The adjustment shown by I'lguresiland locanbeaddedtotheregulatorin the fleld by substituting a lever it fitted with the vane 45 and the screw it for the lever already the regulator. The invention may be embodied in other speciflc form without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. bodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Whatisclaimed anddesiredtobesecured by United States Letters Patent is:

The present em-' 1. In a pressure regulator or controller, a casingprovidingapressurecontrolchamber,acontrol member adapted to fluctuate in responseto changesinpremirewithinsaidchambenaninlet forfluidunderpressure,anoutletoppositesaid inlet. a valve assembly comprising a valve seat attheinnerendofsaidinletandavalvehaving a face arranged to oil-Operate with said seat for controlling fluid flow into said chamber, said valve assembly comprising means to induce a tubular fluid flow around the face of said valve expanding beyond the valve to form a substantially solid cylindrical stream, and means located between the valve face and the expanded portion of the fluid stream and connecting said control member and said valve to move said valve to and from its seat in response to fluctuations of said control member, saidmeansbeingofawidthlessthanthediameter of said valve whereby said stream directly and substantially uninterruptedly into said outlet to create an aspirating effect in said,

chamber.

2. In a pressure regulator or controller, a casing providing a pressure control chamber, a control member adapted to fluctuate in response to changes in pressure within said chamber, an'inlet for fluid under pressure. an outlet opposite said inlet, a valve assembly comprising a valve seat at the inner end of said inlet and a valve having a face arranged to co-operate with said seat for controlling fluid flow into said chamber, said valve assembly comprising means to induce a tubular fluid flow around the face of said valve expanding beyond the valve to form a substantially solid cylindrical stream, and means located between the valve face and the expanded portion of the fluid stream and connecting said control member and said valve to move said valve to and from said valve seat in response to fluctuations of said control member, said means lying substantially within the conflnes of the tubular portion of said stream whereby said stream directly and substantially uninterruptedly into said outlet to create an aspirating effect in said chamber.

3. In a pressure regulator or controller, a casing providing a pressure control chamber, a control member adapted to fluctuate in response to changes in pressure within said chamber, an inlet for fluid under pressure. an outlet opposite said inlet, a valve assembly comprising a valve seat at the inner end of said inlet and a valve having a face arranged to co-operate with said seat for controlling fluid flow into said chamber, said valve assembly comprising a tubular member surrounding and spaced from said valve seat and valve, and of a length to extend to a point adjacent the seat end of said valve when the valveisinfullopenpositiontoinduceatubular flow around the face of said valve expanding beyond the valve to form a substantially solid cylindrical stream. and means located between the valve face and the expanded portion of the fluid stream and connecting said control member and said valve to move said valve to and from its seat in response to fluctuations of said control member, said means lying substantially within the conflnes of the tubular portion of said stream whereby saidstream passes directly and substantially uninterruptedly into said outlet to create an aspirating effect in said chamber.

4. In a pressure regulator or controller. a casing providing a pressure control chamber, a control member adapted to fluctuate in response to changesinpressurewithinsaidchambehanim let for fluid under pressure, an outlet opposite said inlet, a valve assembly comprising a valve seat at the inner end of said inlet and a valve having a face arranged to co-operate with said seat for controlling fluid flow into said chamber, said valve assembly comprising a collar mounted around said valve seat and extending to a point adjacent the seat end of said valve when the valve is in full open position to induce a tubular flow around the face of said valve expanding beyond the valve to form a substantially solid cylindrical stream, said collar being slightly larger in diameter than said valve seat and valve to deflne an annular space therearound, and means located between the valve face and the expanded portion of the-fluid stream and connecting said control member and said valve to move said valve to and from its seat in response to fluctuations of said control member, said means lying substantially within the confines of the tubular portion of said stream whereby said fluid stream directly and substantially uninterruptedly into said outlet to create an aspirating effect in saidchamber.

5. In a pressure regulator, the combination with a casing having an inlet and an outlet opening in substantial axial alignment. of a diaphragm in said casing disposed at one side of the common axis of said inlet and outlet openings, a valve seat threaded in said inlet opening and having an external annular flange, a valve member co-operating with said seat and operatively connected with said diaphragm, said valve member and diaphragm being mounted in a common chamber within said casing, and said chamber being clear and unobstructed except for said valve member and connections, so that gas may flow freely therethrough, and a hollow cylindrical baffle surrounding saidinlet opening, and said valve member being mounted to reciprocate within said bailie but out of contact therewith, whereby an annular passage between said valve member and baffle is provided, and the latter serves to direct the current of gas toward said outlet opening, and prevent it from impinging upon said diaphragm.

6. In a pressure regulator or controller, a casing providing a pressure control chamber, a diaphragm in said chamber adapted to move in response to changes in pressure within said chamher, a spring biasing said diaphragm in one direction, an inlet for fluid under pressure, an outlet opposite said inlet, a valve assembly comprising a valve seat at the inner end of said inlet and a valve having a face arranged to co-operate with said seat for controlling fluid flow into said chambensaid valve assembly comprising means to induce a tubular flow around the face of said valve expanding beyond the valve to form a substantially solid, cylindrical stream, and means located between the valve face and the expanded portion of the fluid stream and connecting said diaphragm and said valve to move said valve to and from its seat in response to fluctuations of said diaphragm. said means being of a width less than the diameter of said valve, whereby said stream passes directly and substantially uninterruptedly into said outlet to create an aspirating eiIect in said chamber to oii'set the change in load caused by the change in elongation of the spring between full open and full closed positions of the valve. g

7. In a pressure regulator or controller, a casing providing a pressure control chamber, a diaphragm in said chamber adapted to move in response to changes in pressure within said chamber, a spring bi said diaphragm in onedirection, an inlet for fluid under pressure, an outlet opposite said inlet. a valve assembly comprising a valve seat at the inner end of said inlet and I a valve having a face arranged to co-operate with said seat for controlling fluid flow into said chamber, said valve assembly comprising a tubular member to induce a tubular fluid flow around the face of said valve expanding beyond the valve to form a substantially solid cylindrical stream, and means located between the valve face and the expanded portion of the fluid stream and con- .necting said diaphragm and said valve to move said valve to and from its seat in response to fluctuations of said diaphragm, said means being of a width less than the diameter of said valve whereby said stream passes directly and substantially uninterruptedly into said outlet to create an aspirating eifect in said chamber to offset the change in load caused by the change in elongation of the spring between full open and full closed positions of the valve.

8. In a pressure regulator; a pressure responsive chamber, an outlet in communication with said pressure responsive chamber, an inlet to said pressure responsive chamber adapted to project gas toward said outlet at a relatively high velocity to create an aspirating effect in said pressure responsive chamber, pressure responsive means subject to the pressure in said chamber for controlling flow through said inlet, and adjustable means to divert part of the gas stream into said diaphragm chamber.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said adjustable means comprises a pivotally mounted vane adapted to be moved into the gas stream projected from said inlet.

10. In a pressure regulator, the combination with a casing having an inlet and an outlet opening in substantial axial alignment, of a diaphragm in said casing disposed at one side of the common axis of said inlet and outlet openings, a valve assembly comprising a valve seat at the inner end of said inlet, and a second valve assembly having a face arranged to co-operate with said seat for controlling fluid flow into said chamber, a tubular member around said valve and orifice and secured to one of them extending between the seat end of said valve and said orifice when the valve is in full open position to induce a tubular flow around the. face of said valve expanding beyond the valve to form a substantially solid cylindrical stream, said tubular member being slightly larger in diameter than said valve seat and valve to define an annular space therearound, and means located between the valve case and the expanded portion of the fluid stream and connecting said control member and said valve to move said valve to and from its seat. in response to fluctuations of said diaphragm, said means lying substantially within the confines of the tubular portion of said stream whereby said fluid stream passes directly and substantially uninterruptedly into said outlet to create an aspirating effect in said chamber.

nozzle comprising a stationary valve member with the mouth of said noaale providing a valve seat;adiaphragminsaiddiaphragmcompartment responsive to the pressure of said fluid, a movable valve member spaced inwardly from the walls of said valve compartment and having a face of greater area than the noaale opening deflnedbysaidvalveseatlocatedintbedirectpath of flow of the entering fluid. said movable valve member when open causing an abrupt change in the direction of flow of the entering fluid impinging on said face and said face seating on said valve seat when the movable valve member is closed; motion transmitting means interconnecting said diaphragm and movable valve member for actuating the latter in response to pressure changes in said diaphragm compartment; and a deflector on one of said valve members disposed along an edge of said valve face, said deflector having a short fluid deflecting wall extending toward said outlet opening with said wall having a free terminal edge within said valve compartment disposed adjacent said valve members closer to the valve face than to said outlet opening, and said valve compartment being thereby substantiallyfree from obstruction to fluid flow between said deflector and, said outlet opening so that the redirected fluid, after leaving said deflector, is unconflned and capable of free expansion during the remainder of its passage through the valve compartment and creates a low pressure region within said valve compartment between the valve and the outlet opening, and said passage being open to said valve compartment adjacent said low pressure region so that the latter is effective by aspiration through said passage to reduce the pressure in said diaphragm compartment.

12. In a pressure regulator. a caang formed with a valve compartment and a diaphragm compartment, said compartments being interconnected by a passage of suflicient size to allow free exchange of fluid therebetween; an inlet nozzle for introducing high velocity fluid under pressure disposed in one portion of said valve compartment and an outlet opening provided at a spaced portion of said valve compartment. said nozzle comprising a stationary valve member with the mouth of said nomle providing a valve seat; a diaphragm in said diaphragm compartment responsive to the pressure of said fluid, a movable valve member spaced inwardly from the walls of said valve compartment and having a planar face of greater area than the nozzle opening deflned by said valve seat isposed normal to the direction of flow of the entering fluid, said movable valve member when open causing an abrupt change in the direction of flow of the en fluid impinging on said face and said face seating on said valve seat valve member for actuating the latter in response to pressure changes in said diaphragm compartment; and a deflector on one of said valve members surrounding the edge of said valve face, said deflector having a short fluid deflecting wall ex tending toward said outlet opening with said wall having a free terminal edge within said valve sposed adjacent said valve memthe valve face than to said outlet opening, said valve compartment being substantially free from obstruction to fluid flow between said deflector and said outlet opening so that the redirected fluid, after leaving said deflector, is unconflned and capable of free pansion du i g "from said nozzle. said the, remainder of its e through the valve compartment and creates a low pressure region within said valve compartment between the valve and the outlet opening, and said passage being open to said valve compartment adjacent said low pressure region so that the latter is eflective by aspiration through said passage to reduce the pressure in said diaphragm compartment.

13. In a pressure regulator, a casing formed with a valve compartment and a diaphragm compartment, said compartments being in open communication with each other by means of an unobstructed connecting passage of fixed cross-sectional area and suiiicient sin to allow free flow of fluid therebetween; a stationary valve member comprising a fluid inlet nozzle in said valve compartment at one side of said passage and-an outlet opening in said valve compartment at the other side of said passage; a diaphragm in said diaphragm compartment responsive to the pressure of said fluid; .a movable inlet control valve member spaced inwardly from the walls of said valve compartment and operatively connected to said diaphragm and having a face disposed in the direct path of high velocity fluid emerging valve face serving to abruptly change the direction of flow of the incoming fluid; and a deflector on one of said valve members extending closely along an edge of said face, said deflector having a short fluid deflecting wall extending toward said outlet opening with said wall having a free terminal edge within-said valve compartment disposed adjacent said valve members closer to said valve face than to said outlet opening and being located wholly at the same side of said passage as said inlet nozzle, said deflector wall being positioned to intercept said deflected fluid to prevent it from impacting said diaphragm and to redirect said fluid away from said diaphragm and toward said outlet opening, and said valve compartment being substantially free from obstruction to fluid flow beyond said deflector whereby said redirected stream is free and unconflned after leaving said deflector and while traversing that portion of the valve compartment which is adjacent the valve compartment end of said passage, said fluid flow creating an aspirating action eflective through said passage to lower the pressure in said diaphragm chamber.

14. In a pressure regulator, a valve compartment provided with inlet and outlet openings for a high velocltyflfluid under pressure, a diaphragm compartment and a passage of sufllcient size to permit free exchange of fluid between said compartments; a tubular nozzle member flxed in said inlet opening and projecting into said valve compartment, the discharge mouth of said nomle member being formed to provide a valve seat; a diaphragm in said diaphragm compartment. a valve member in said valve compartment spaced from the walls of said compartment and carried wholly by said motion transmitting means and amotion transmitting connection between said valve and diaphragm, said valve member having a flat face disposed normal to the direction of fluid flow through said nozzle; and a short deflector wall mounted on one of said members and completely surrounding said valve face for intercepting fluid deflected by said face and for redirecting said fluid away from said diaphragm and toward said outlet opening, said deflector wall extending toward said outlet opening with said wall having a free terminal edge within said valve compartment disposed adjacent said valve member closer to the valve face than to said outlet opening, and said valve compartment being thereby substantially free from obstruction or restriction to the flow of said fluid between said deflector and the outlet opening and said redirected fluid stream creating an aspirating eflect eflective through said passage to reduce the pressure in said diaphragm compartment.

15. In a pressure regulator, a valve compartment provided with inlet and outlet openings for a high velocity fluid under pressure, a diaphragm compartment and a passage of suflicient size to permit free exchange of fluid between said compartments; a tubular nozzle member fixed in said inlet opening and projecting into said valve compartment, the discharge mouth of said nomle member being formed to provide a valve seat; a diaphragm in said diaphragm compartment, a valve member in said valve compartment spaced trom the walls of said compartment and carried wholly by said motion transmitting means and a motion transmitting connection between said valve and diaphragm, said valve member having a flat face disposed normal to the direction of fluid flow through said nozzle; and a deflector wall comprising a short thin annular collar having an arcuate fluid deflecting surface extending along the edge 01 said valve face mounted on one of said members and completely surrounding said valve face for intercepting fluid deflected by said face and for redirecting said fluid away from said diaphragm and toward said outlet opening, said valve compartment being substantially free from obstruction or restriction to the flow of said fluid between said deflector and the outlet opening and said redirected fluid stream creating an aspirating action eflective through said passage to reduce the pressure in said diaphragm compartment.

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