WO1994007192A1 - Dispositif de regulation de debit a ressorts metalliques - Google Patents

Dispositif de regulation de debit a ressorts metalliques Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1994007192A1
WO1994007192A1 PCT/US1992/008008 US9208008W WO9407192A1 WO 1994007192 A1 WO1994007192 A1 WO 1994007192A1 US 9208008 W US9208008 W US 9208008W WO 9407192 A1 WO9407192 A1 WO 9407192A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
plate
chamber
flow control
plates
control apparatus
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1992/008008
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Donald Dekle Bartholomew
Original Assignee
Proprietary Technology, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Proprietary Technology, Inc. filed Critical Proprietary Technology, Inc.
Priority to AU26733/92A priority Critical patent/AU2673392A/en
Priority to PCT/US1992/008008 priority patent/WO1994007192A1/fr
Priority to US08/406,889 priority patent/US5582210A/en
Publication of WO1994007192A1 publication Critical patent/WO1994007192A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D7/00—Control of flow
    • G05D7/01—Control of flow without auxiliary power
    • G05D7/0106—Control of flow without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible member, e.g. bellows, diaphragm, capsule

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a flow control apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flow control apparatus which uses a plurality of deformable metal springs and which can be manufactured to occupy the small space of deforming rubber flow controls.
  • Flow control devices are generally known in the art. Current designs of flow control devices include both a rubber molded flow control device or a metal material flow control device which uses coil springs.
  • the molded rubber flow control devices used today are very compact and relatively inexpensive.
  • the rubber flow control device operates successfully because the rubber material deforms under the pressure generated by the flow of the liquid.
  • the deformability of the rubber can change drastically over time, thus adversely affecting the operation of the flow control during extended operating conditions.
  • differing chemistries of the flowing liquid can affect the flexibility of the rubber material and again adversely affecting the operation of the flow control.
  • the molded rubber flow control devices have certain deficiencies which limit their application in the industry for this type of flow control.
  • the metal material flow control devices which use coil springs help to solve some of the problems associated with the plurality of the molded rubber flow control devices.
  • the coil springs which are required to achieve proper function of the flow control device require far too much length to fit in the relatively short length occupied by the deforming molded rubber flow control devices.
  • the excessive length of the coil springs requires a flow control device which is significantly larger than its molded rubber counter part. In applications where space is at a premium, these coiled spring designs of flow control devices are not feasible. Accordingly, . what is needed is a flow control which offers both the durability advantages associated with metal material flow control devices and the packaging advantages associated with the molded rubber flow control devices. Summary of the Invention
  • the present invention provides the art with a flow control apparatus which uses a plurality of deformable metal springing arms to position a plurality of metal plates which are disposed within the housing of the flow control apparatus.
  • the metal flow control apparatus thus has the durability advantages associated with the metal flow control devices combined with the packaging advantages associated with the molded deforming rubber flow control devices by replacing the coil springs with deformable metal springing arms.
  • the physical size of the present invention is similar to the physical size of the molded deforming rubber flow control units.
  • Figure 1 is a side elevation view partially in cross section of a flow control apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a side elevation view partially in cross section taken at 90° axially to the view in Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is an end view of the first moving plate, and part of the springs in Figure 1.
  • Figure 4 is an end view of the middle plate of the flow control apparatus shown in Figure 1.
  • Figure 5 is an end view of the plate on the right hand side of the flow control apparatus shown in Figure 1.
  • Figure 6 is a side elevation view partially in cross section of the flow control apparatus of Figure 1 when the flow control apparatus is in operation.
  • Figure 7 is a graph showing the relationship of flow and pressure in to flow out of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 show a flow control apparatus designated as reference numeral 10 in accordance with the present invention.
  • the flow control apparatus comprises a housing 20, a circular front plate 40, a circular middle plate 50, a circular end plate 70, a first spring member 90 and a second spring member 92.
  • Housing 20 has an interior wall 32 which defines a generally cylindrical chamber 34.
  • Cylindrical chamber 34 has a generally circular inlet 36 and a generally circular outlet 38. Normally the diameter of inlet 36 is larger than the diameter of outlet 38.
  • a central flow path 62 is the portion of the inward flow to flow control 10 which is directed from inlet 36, through the center of flow control
  • Front plate 40 Disposed within cylindrical chamber 34 is circular front plate 40.
  • Front plate 40 defines a central circular bore 42 extending completely through front plate 40 and a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending slots 44. Slots 44 also extend completely through front plate 40 beginning at a radius slightly larger than the radius of circular bore 42 and extending radially outward.
  • a plurality of circumferentially spaced and radially outward extending tabs 46 are located on the outer edge of front plate 40.
  • Front plate 40 is disposed within cylindrical chamber 34 such that tabs 46 generally center plate 40 within chamber 34 as shown in Figure 1. Plate 40 is free to move axially within chamber 34.
  • a first flow path 48 is defined between front plate 40 and cylindrical chamber 34. The width of flow path 48 is defined by the length of the radially extending tabs 46, and slots 44.
  • Circular middle plate 50 is disposed within cylindrical chamber 34 between front plate 40 and outlet 38.
  • Middle plate 50 defines a central bore 52 extending completely through middle plate 50 and a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending slots 54. Slots 54 also extend completely through middle plate 50 beginning at a radius slightly larger than the radius of circular bore 52 and extending radially outward.
  • a plurality of circumferentially spaced and radially outward extending tabs 56 are located on the outer edge of middle plate 50.
  • Middle plate 50 is disposed within cylindrical chamber 34 between front plate 40 and outlet 38 such that tabs 56 generally center plate 50 within chamber 34 as shown in Figure 1. Plate 50 is free to move axially within chamber 34.
  • a second flow path 58 is defined between middle plate 50 and cylindrical chamber 34. The width of flow path 58 is defined by the length of tabs 56, and slots 54.
  • a plurality of circumferentially spaced generally axially extending tabs 60 are located on the inside edge of circular bore 52. Tabs 60 are used in conjunction with first and second spring members 90, 92 to aid in the centering of middle plate 50 as will be described later herein.
  • Circular end plate 70 is disposed within cylindrical chamber 34 between middle plate 50 and outlet 38.
  • End plate 70 defines a central bore 72 extending completely through end plate 70 and a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending slots 74. Slots 74 also extend completely through end plate 70, beginning at a radius slightly larger than the radius of circular bore 72 and extending radially outward.
  • a plurality of circumferentially spaced and radially outward extending tabs 76 are located on the outer edge of end plate 70.
  • End plate 70 is disposed within cylindrical chamber 34, between middle plate 50 and outlet 38 such that tabs 76 generally center plate 70 within chamber 34 as shown in Figure 1. Plate 70 is free to move axially within chamber 34.
  • a final outside flow path 78 is defined between end plate 70 and cylindrical chamber 34.
  • the width of flow path 78 is defined by the length of tabs 76, and slots 74.
  • a plurality of legs 80 are located at the plurality of radially extending slots 74. Legs 80 extend from plate 70 outward towards outlet 38 and chamber 34 as shown in Figure 1. The purpose of legs 80 is to limit the axial travel of end plate 70 as will be described later herein.
  • Springs 90 and 92 are disposed within cylindrical chamber 34 as shown in
  • Spring 92 shown best in Figure 2, has a circular ring portion 94 which is used for locating spring 92 relative to front plate 40. Ring portion 94 is integral with cylindrical portion 96. Cylindrical portion 96 has an outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of central bore 42 of front plate 40 and extends through front plate 40 as shown in Figure 2. A pair of S-shaped spring fingers 108 extend from cylindrical portion 96 of spring 92. Spring 92 is positioned in chamber 34 with circular ring portion 94 being located on the outlet side of front plate 40. Cylindrical portion 96 extends from ring portion 94 through circular bore 42 of front plate 40 towards the inlet side of front plate 40.
  • Spring fingers 108 extend from cylindrical ring portion 96 with the first half of each of the spring fingers extending through a respective slot 44 of front plate 40 and then radially outward and through a respective slot 54 of middle plate 50. The second half of each spring finger 108 extends radially inward in the region marked 100. The second half of each spring finger 108 then extends through a respective slot 74 in end plate 70 and abuts the outlet end of chamber 34 as shown in Figure 2.
  • Spring 90 shown best in Figure 1, has a circular ring portion 104 which is used for locating spring 90 relative to both front plate 40 and spring 92. Ring portion 104 is integral with cylindrical portion 106. Cylindrical portion 106 has an outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameter of cylindrical portion 96 of spring 92 and extends through cylindrical portion 96 as shown in Figure 1. A pair of S-shaped spring fingers 98 extend from cylindrical portion 106 of spring 90.
  • Spring 90 is positioned in chamber 34 with circular ring portion 104 being located on the output side of front plate 40 and spring 92.
  • Cylindrical portion 106 extends from ring portion 104 through cylindrical portion 96 of spring 92 towards the inlet side of front plate 40 and spring 92.
  • Spring fingers 98 extend from cylindrical ring portion 106 with the first half of each of the spring fingers extending through a respective slot 44 of front plate 40 and then radially outward and through a respective slot 54 of middle plate 50.
  • the second half of each spring finger 98 extends radially inward in the region marked 114.
  • the second half of each spring finger 98 then extends through a respective slot 74 in end plate 70 and abuts the outlet end of chamber 34 as shown in Figure 1.
  • Cylindrical portion 96 of spring 92 is first assembled through circular bore 42 of front plate 40. Cylindrical portion 106 of spring 90 is then assembled through the inside diameter of cylindrical portion 96. The free ends of cylindrical portions 96 and 106 of springs 92 and 90, respectively, are then upset to produce circular ring portions 94 and 104, respectively. Ring portion 94 and 104 then locate and position springs 92 and 90, respectively, relative to front plate 40.
  • front plate 40 is shown, and the number of each portion of plate 40 is discussed above.
  • Spring control is by spring interface with plate 70.
  • middle plate 50 is shown, and the number of each portion of plate 50 is discussed above.
  • the input flow F in is composed of flows F Trust F 2 , F 3 and F 4 which depict the different flow paths into and through the device.
  • F is the flow that flows through the slots and around plate 40 and on to join flow F 2 which is the flow around and through the slots of plate 50, and is joined by flow F,.
  • F 3 is the flow around and through the slots of plate 70 and is joined by flows F, and
  • Flow F 4 is the flow through the center of the flow control and joins flow F 5 (which is the sum of flows F l5 F 2 and F 3 ) out of the flow control to provide F ourome which is the total flow through the flow control.
  • Flow F 5 joins through flow F 4 as the flow out, F out .
  • springs 90 and 92, and plates 40, 50 and 70 are dimensioned to produce the desired relationship between the inlet flow F in and the outlet flow F out .
  • any system for which the flow control is designed has a maximum flow of the system without the flow control in the system, and therefore there is a limit to the input flow F in .
  • the flow control limits the flow out, F out as is shown in Figure 7.
  • the operation of the flow control is depicted by the graph shown in Figure 7.
  • the graph shows a limitation of flow due to the operation of the flow control apparatus (solid line) compared to what would be experienced without a flow control apparatus (dotted line).
  • the limiting factor for the dotted line is the available pump capacity.
  • Point A is when there is no flow.
  • the springs 90 and 92 separate plates 40, 50 and 70 as shown in the previous figures.
  • flow/pressure drop around and through plates 40, 50 and 70 begins and the springs 90 and 92 are distorted. This is shown as F l5 F 2 , F 3 and F 4 in Figure 6.
  • the output of the flow control F out is a combination of F 4 and F 5 .
  • F 5 is a combination of F l5 F 2 and F 3 .
  • F is controlled by the size of the first flow path 48
  • F 2 is controlled by the size of the second flow path 58
  • F 3 is controlled by the size of the final flow path 78 and the distance between plate 50 and plate 70.
  • the size relationship between the flow paths is that flow path 48 is the smallest, flow path 58 is the larger and flow path 78 is larger than both flow paths 48 and 58, and the flow path established by legs 80 accommodates all outside and through slot flows, and sets a minimum flow F 5 .
  • the size and configuration of the plates 40, 50 and 70 will change the shape of the curve.
  • the plates can be changed in size to affect flow passages, 48, 58 and 78, cylindrical bores 42, 52 and 72 can be varied in size affecting the value of F 4 and the pressure drop which causes force on plates 40, 50 and 70.
  • the plates may have any combination of bumps, ribs or holes that either add to the strength of the plate or affect the flow around and through the plates, or other features can be provided to tailor the curve shown in Figure 7 to a particular application.
  • the size, quantity and thickness of the spring fingers 98 and 108 can be altered in order to modify the shape of the curve shown in Figure 7 to achieve a desired result.
  • plates 40, 50 and 70 have been shown as three flat plates, it is within the scope of the present invention to have any or all of them conically shaped or to use less than or more than three plates to achieve the desired result.

Abstract

Dispositif (10) de régulation de débit de fluide utilisant une multiplicité de bras métalliques déformables (98, 108) agissant comme des ressorts pour positionner une multiplicité de plaques métalliques (40, 50, 70) dans une chambre (34). Les plaques métalliques (40, 50, 70) définissent une multiplicité de chemins d'écoulement permettant de varier le débit à travers le dispositif (10). En variant la taille et le nombre de chemins d'écoulement différents (F1, F2, F3 et F4), l'on peut adapter le dispositif à chaque application spécifique. Ce dispositif présente donc des avantages tels qu'une durabilité accrue dans la mesure ou il utilise des ressorts en forme de bras métalliques au lieu de ressorts hélicoïdaux, et des dimensions plus faibles dues aux éléments de commande de débit en caoutchouc moulé. Le dispositif utilise la déflexion des ressorts métalliques au lieu de la déformation du caoutchouc, qui peut être modifiée. Le diamètre du dispositif peut ne dépasser le diamètre d'entrée que de 3/8 pouces, et peut présenter une longueur réduite à 3/8 pouces.
PCT/US1992/008008 1992-09-21 1992-09-21 Dispositif de regulation de debit a ressorts metalliques WO1994007192A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU26733/92A AU2673392A (en) 1992-09-21 1992-09-21 Spring metal flow control apparatus
PCT/US1992/008008 WO1994007192A1 (fr) 1992-09-21 1992-09-21 Dispositif de regulation de debit a ressorts metalliques
US08/406,889 US5582210A (en) 1992-09-21 1992-09-21 Spring metal flow control apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1992/008008 WO1994007192A1 (fr) 1992-09-21 1992-09-21 Dispositif de regulation de debit a ressorts metalliques

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1994007192A1 true WO1994007192A1 (fr) 1994-03-31

Family

ID=22231395

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1992/008008 WO1994007192A1 (fr) 1992-09-21 1992-09-21 Dispositif de regulation de debit a ressorts metalliques

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2673392A (fr)
WO (1) WO1994007192A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3995664A (en) * 1975-03-13 1976-12-07 Nelson Walter R Flow control device
US4383552A (en) * 1981-10-16 1983-05-17 Multi-Products Company Adjustable choke
US4887637A (en) * 1983-08-22 1989-12-19 Ketner Eugene N Pressure compensating flow control device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3995664A (en) * 1975-03-13 1976-12-07 Nelson Walter R Flow control device
US4383552A (en) * 1981-10-16 1983-05-17 Multi-Products Company Adjustable choke
US4887637A (en) * 1983-08-22 1989-12-19 Ketner Eugene N Pressure compensating flow control device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2673392A (en) 1994-04-12

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