US3712756A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Centrifugally controlled flow modulating valve
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1971-07-22
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Granted: 1973-01-23
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Expires: 1991-07-22
Abstract
Abstract A centrifugally controlled valve assembly for modulating the rate of flow of a fluid includes a hollow annular housing having an inlet and outlet, together with a Bellville washer modified by a plurality of weights attached thereto and disposed within the annular housing for rotation therewith. Increased rotational speed operates to distort the geometry of the washer thereby changing the degree of obstruction which the washer presents to the rate of flow through the housing.
Inventors
- 👤 I Kalikow
- 👤 E Sterling
- 👤 W Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:58
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01D; F01D5/00; F01D5/02; F01D5/08; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T50/00; Y02T50/60; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0971; Y10T137/108; Y10T137/1135
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A valve assembly for modulating the flow of fluid therethrough as a function of rotational speed comprises: a valve housing disposed for rotation about a central axis wherein the walls of the housing define an annular plenum chamber therein and include an inlet port and outlet port therethrough; and at least one Belleville washer having an inner and outer frustoconical surface, wherein the washer is disposed within the plenum chamber for rotation therewith, such that increased rotational speed and centrifugal force operate to modulate the rate of fluid flow through the housing by forcing the frustoconical surfaces of the washer to move toward a radial direction, after which continued increased centrifugal force causes the inner and outer frustoconical surfaces to invert themselves into outer and inner frustoconical surfaces respectively, thereby changing the degree of obstruction which the washer presents to the rate of flow through the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A valve assembly for modulating the flow of fluid therethrough as a function of rotational speed comprises: a valve housing disposed for rotation about a central axis wherein the walls of the housing define an annular plenum chamber therein and include an inlet port and outlet port therethrough; and at least one Belleville washer having an inner and outer frustoconical surface, wherein the washer is disposed within the plenum chamber for rotation therewith, such that increased rotational speed and centrifugal force operate to modulate the rate of fluid flow through the housing by forcing the frustoconical surfaces of the washer to move toward a radial direction, after which continued increased centrifugal force causes the inner and outer frustoconical surfaces to invert themselves into outer and inner frustoconical surfaces respectively, thereby changing the degree of obstruction which the washer presents to the rate of flow through the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The valve assembly of claim 1 wherein the Belleville washer is modified to include a plurality of weights disposed on the inner surface thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The valve assembly of claim 2 as include in a gas turbine engine wherein the valve modulates cooling flow to a turbine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
The valve assembly of claim 2 wherein the inlet port is an annular opening through the outer radial wall of the housing and the outer concentric edge of the washer substantially obstructs the flow of fluid through the inlet port such that increased rotational speed and centrifugal force operate to modulate the rate of fluid flow by forcing the outer concentric edge of the washer away from the inlet port.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
The valve assembly of claim 4 wherein the inner concentric edge of the washer is restrained from axial translation upon increased rotational speed and centrifugal force by engagement within an annular groove in the inner concentric surface of the annular plenum and circumferential slippage between the washer and housing is restrained by an axially extending pin, the opposing ends of which engage a weight of the washer and wall of the housing respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The valve assembly of claim 2 wherein the weights are radially extending finS which project from the inner frustoconical surface of the washer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The valve assembly of claim 2 wherein temperature modulation is included by forming the modified Belleville washer of two layers having different coefficients of thermal expansion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
The valve assembly of claim 2 including a second annular opening axially spaced apart from the first opening and a second modified Belleville washer in back to back relationship with the first washer so that the outer concentric edge of the second washer substantially obstructs the flow of fluid through the second annular opening, wherein increased rotational speed and centrifugal force operate to modulate the rate of fluid flow by moving the outer concentric edges of the washers away from the respective annular inlet openings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |