US3785389A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fluid flow control system
Assignee: Process Systems Inc
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Filing: 1971-08-09
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Granted: 1974-01-15
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Expires: 1991-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of individually actuatable, bistable digital valve elements interconnect an upstream manifold and a downstream manifold. Each valve element has a first orifice with an adjustable cross-sectional area, and a second orifice with a fixed cross-sectional area substantially larger than that of the first orifice. A bistable plug seals the second orifice in one state and clears the second orifice for fluid flow in the other state. The flow rate through the valve element is determined by the area of the first orifice, which comprises a cylindrical passage and an axially movable, tapered slug lying within the passage. The slug is integral with an externally exposed set screw that adjusts the first orifice area. The axis of the slug and screw are transverse to the direction of plug movement. The first orifice is located upstream of the second orifice near the inlet of the valve element. The individual valve elements are removably attached to a main block that houses the upstream and downstream manifold to form a module. A multicomponent mixing system is assembled by coupling the downstream and/or upstream manifolds of different modules to a central mixing block in which the interconnecting conduits and manifolds are formed.
Inventors
- 👤 H Friedland
- 👤 A Langill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:12
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15B; F15B13/00; F15B13/02; F15B13/06; F15B13/08; F15B13/0803; F15B13/0832; F15B11/00; F15B11/02; F15B11/04; F15B11/042; F15B11/0426; F15B13/0807; F15C; F15C1/00; F15C1/02; H; H03; H03K; H03K3/00; H03K3/02; H03K3/53; H03K3/57; F15B2211/00; F15B2211/40; F15B2211/42; F15B2211/426; F15B2211/455; F15B2211/60; F15B2211/665; F15B2211/6656; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/206; Y10T137/2224; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/877; Y10T137/87885
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for calibrating a digital flow control module having a plurality of binary digital valve elements interconnecting a first manifold and a second manifold and means for adjusting the effective orifice areas of the valve elements, the method comprising the steps of: coupling to the first manifold a fluid under sufficient pressure so that for all combinations of states of the valve elements the ratio of the pressure in the first manifold to the pressure in the second manifold exceeds the critical pressure ratio for the fluid; measuring the flow rate of the fluid from the first manifold to the second manifold; opening each valve element in turn and adjusting its effective orifice area while open until the measured flow rate reaches a desired value representative of the weight assigned to such valve element.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for calibrating a digital flow control module having a plurality of binary digital valve elements interconnecting a first manifold and a second manifold and means for adjusting the effective orifice areas of the valve elements, the method comprising the steps of: coupling to the first manifold a fluid under sufficient pressure so that for all combinations of states of the valve elements the ratio of the pressure in the first manifold to the pressure in the second manifold exceeds the critical pressure ratio for the fluid; measuring the flow rate of the fluid from the first manifold to the second manifold; opening each valve element in turn and adjusting its effective orifice area while open until the measured flow rate reaches a desired value representative of the weight assigned to such valve element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, in which the valve elements are individually opened and adjusted, each valve element being closed after its effective orifice area is adjusted.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
119 words
A multicomponent fluid mixing system comprising: a central block in which one or more mixing manifolds and connecting conduits are formed; a plurality of sources of component fluids to be mixed, the sources being coupled to the conduits in the central block; a plurality of digital flow control modules equal in number to the sources each having an upstream manifold coupled to one of the conduits in the central block, a downstream manifold coupled to one of the mixing manifolds in the central block, and a plurality of individually actuatable bistable digital valve elements interconnecting the upstream and downstream manifolds; and a receiver of mixed fluid coupled to one or more of the mixing manifolds of the central block.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
119 words
A multicomponent fluid mixing system comprising: a central block in which one or more mixing manifolds and connecting conduits are formed; a plurality of sources of component fluids to be mixed, the sources being coupled to the conduits in the central block; a plurality of digital flow control modules equal in number to the sources each having an upstream manifold coupled to one of the conduits in the central block, a downstream manifold coupled to one of the mixing manifolds in the central block, and a plurality of individually actuatable bistable digital valve elements interconnecting the upstream and downstream manifolds; and a receiver of mixed fluid coupled to one or more of the mixing manifolds of the central block.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
183 words
A fluid flow control system comprising: a source of fluid under pressure; a fluid receiver at a lower pressure than the source; and a plurality of individually actuatable, binary digital valve elements interconnecting the source to the receiver, each valve element having means for forming a first orifice with an adjustable orifice area, means for forming a second orifice with a fixed orifice area substantially larger than the adjustable orifice area, means for forming a fluid flow passage from the sources to the receiver through the first and second orifices such that the first orifice is upstream of the second orifice in the flow passage and the adjustable orifice area is determinative of the flow rate through the flow passage, and a bistable plug positionable exclusively in a first state or a second state, the plug sealing the second orifice in the first state to cut off fluid flow through the flow passage and clearing the second orifice in the second state to establish fluid flow through the flow passage at a flow rate determined by the orifice area of the first orifice.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
183 words
A fluid flow control system comprising: a source of fluid under pressure; a fluid receiver at a lower pressure than the source; and a plurality of individually actuatable, binary digital valve elements interconnecting the source to the receiver, each valve element having means for forming a first orifice with an adjustable orifice area, means for forming a second orifice with a fixed orifice area substantially larger than the adjustable orifice area, means for forming a fluid flow passage from the sources to the receiver through the first and second orifices such that the first orifice is upstream of the second orifice in the flow passage and the adjustable orifice area is determinative of the flow rate through the flow passage, and a bistable plug positionable exclusively in a first state or a second state, the plug sealing the second orifice in the first state to cut off fluid flow through the flow passage and clearing the second orifice in the second state to establish fluid flow through the flow passage at a flow rate determined by the orifice area of the first orifice.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
124 words
A digital flow control module comprising: a main block having an upstream fluid manifold and a downstream fluid manifold; a plurality of sub-blocks removably attached to the main block, each sub-block housing an individually actuatable, binary digital valve element coupled between the upstream and downstream manifolds, each valve element having a plug that moves back and forth along a first axis between an open position where fluid flow through the element takes place and a closed position where no fluid flow through the element takes place; and an externally exposed adjustment screw for each sub-block, the adjustment screw being movable along a second axis transverse to the first axis to control the effective orifice area of the corresponding valve element in the open position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
124 words
A digital flow control module comprising: a main block having an upstream fluid manifold and a downstream fluid manifold; a plurality of sub-blocks removably attached to the main block, each sub-block housing an individually actuatable, binary digital valve element coupled between the upstream and downstream manifolds, each valve element having a plug that moves back and forth along a first axis between an open position where fluid flow through the element takes place and a closed position where no fluid flow through the element takes place; and an externally exposed adjustment screw for each sub-block, the adjustment screw being movable along a second axis transverse to the first axis to control the effective orifice area of the corresponding valve element in the open position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
92 words
The module of claim 5, in which each sub-block has means for forming a passage through which the fluid flows through the valve element from the upstream manifold to the downstream manifold and means for forming a small orifice in the passage, and the externally exposed adjustment screw comprises a set screw having a threaded connection with the sub-block and a tapered slug integral with the set screw, the slug extending into the small orifice to form an annular space the cross-sectional area of which changes as the set screw is turned.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The module of claim 6, in which each sub-block has means for forming in the passage a sealable orifice with a substantially larger cross-sectional area than the annular space, the plug sealing the sealable orifice in the closed position to prevent fluid flow through the passage and unsealing the sealable orifice in the open position to permit fluid flow through the passage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The module of claim 7, in which the upstream and downstream manifolds are parallel, elongated passages and the sub-blocks are attached to the main block in a row parallel to the manifolds.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
135 words
The module of claim 8, in which the main block has an elongated wiring cavity generally parallel to the manifolds; an electrical terminal board disposed in the wiring cavity; a first plurality of wire carrying conduits corresponding to the respective digital valve elements extending between the wiring cavity and the respective sub-blocks; a second plurality of fluid conduits corresponding to the respective valve elements extending between the upstream manifold and the respective sub-blocks; and a third plurality of fluid conduits corresponding to the respective valve elements extending between the downstream manifold and the respective sub-blocks, the first, second, and third plurality of conduits being parallel to each other and transverse to the manifolds, and each plug being electrically actuated by wires extending to the corresponding sub-block from the wiring cavity through the corresponding wiring conduit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
227 words
A fluid flow control system comprising: a source of fluid at a first pressure; a fluid receiver at a second pressure lower than the first pressure; a plurality of individually actuatable, binary digital valve elements interconnecting the source to the receiver, each valve element having means for forming a fluid flow passage through the valve element, means for forming an orifice in the flow passage, A slug having a tapered surface positioned in the orifice to form a flow determining annular space in the flow passage, means for adjusting the axial position of the slug to change the cross-sectional area of the annular space, and bistable means for controlling the fluid flow through the valve element so the fluid flow through the flow passage is either zero or a value determined by the cross-sectional area of the annular space; a plurality of sources of binary signals corresponding to the respective plurality of digital valve elements and representing together a digital command for establishing the flow rate from the source to the receiver through the digital valve elements; and means for coupling the signal sources to the bistable means of the respective digital valve elements to provide fluid flow that is either zero or a value determined by the cross-sectional area of the annular space depending upon the value of the binary signal from the source coupled thereto.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
227 words
A fluid flow control system comprising: a source of fluid at a first pressure; a fluid receiver at a second pressure lower than the first pressure; a plurality of individually actuatable, binary digital valve elements interconnecting the source to the receiver, each valve element having means for forming a fluid flow passage through the valve element, means for forming an orifice in the flow passage, A slug having a tapered surface positioned in the orifice to form a flow determining annular space in the flow passage, means for adjusting the axial position of the slug to change the cross-sectional area of the annular space, and bistable means for controlling the fluid flow through the valve element so the fluid flow through the flow passage is either zero or a value determined by the cross-sectional area of the annular space; a plurality of sources of binary signals corresponding to the respective plurality of digital valve elements and representing together a digital command for establishing the flow rate from the source to the receiver through the digital valve elements; and means for coupling the signal sources to the bistable means of the respective digital valve elements to provide fluid flow that is either zero or a value determined by the cross-sectional area of the annular space depending upon the value of the binary signal from the source coupled thereto.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
51 words
The digital valve element of claim 10, in which the means for adjusting the axial position of the slug comprises means for forming a threaded bore coaxial with the orifice and a set screw having threads mating with the threads of the bore, the set screw being integral with the slug.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The digital valve element of claim 10, in which the orifice is a circle and the slug is a right cone coaxial with the circle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
75 words
The digital valve element of claim 10, in which the bistable means for controlling the fluid flow through the valve element comprises means for forming in the flow passage a sealing orifice with a cross-sectional area substantially larger than the annular space and a bistable plug positionable exclusively in a first state or a second state, the plug sealing the sealable orifice in the first state and clearing the sealable orifice in the second state.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
213 words
A fluid flow control system comprising: a source of fluid at a first pressure; a fluid receiver at a second pressure lower than the first pressure; a plurality of individually actuatable binary digital valve elements interconnecting the source to the receiver, each valve element having a fluid flow passage through which fluid flows from the source to the receiver a first orifice formed in the fluid flow passage, a second orifice having a substantially larger cross-sectional area than the first orifice formed in the flow passage, all the fluid flowing from the source to the receiver flowing through the first and second orifices, a plug movable into one of two positions to seal the second orifice in one position and to unseal the second orifice in the other position, and means responsive to a binary signal for actuating the plug into one of the two positions; a plurality of sources of binary signals corresponding to the respective digital valve elements and representing together a digital command to determine the flow rate through the system; and means for coupling the sources to the actuating means of the respective digital valve elements to place the plugs of such valve elements in one of the two positions depending upon the value of the corresponding binary signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
213 words
A fluid flow control system comprising: a source of fluid at a first pressure; a fluid receiver at a second pressure lower than the first pressure; a plurality of individually actuatable binary digital valve elements interconnecting the source to the receiver, each valve element having a fluid flow passage through which fluid flows from the source to the receiver a first orifice formed in the fluid flow passage, a second orifice having a substantially larger cross-sectional area than the first orifice formed in the flow passage, all the fluid flowing from the source to the receiver flowing through the first and second orifices, a plug movable into one of two positions to seal the second orifice in one position and to unseal the second orifice in the other position, and means responsive to a binary signal for actuating the plug into one of the two positions; a plurality of sources of binary signals corresponding to the respective digital valve elements and representing together a digital command to determine the flow rate through the system; and means for coupling the sources to the actuating means of the respective digital valve elements to place the plugs of such valve elements in one of the two positions depending upon the value of the corresponding binary signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fluid flow control system of claim 14, in which the plug lies in the fluid stream of the second orifice in the other position.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fluid flow control system of claim 14, in which the cross-sectional areas of the first orifice of at least some of the valve elements vary according to a geometric progression.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The fluid flow control system of claim 14, in which the first orifice lies nearer the source in the flow passage than the second orifice.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fluid flow control system of claim 14, in which the cross-sectional area of the first orifice is adjustable.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
The fluid flow control system of claim 14, additionally comprising for each digital valve element means responsive to a set screw movable transverse to the movement of the plug for adjusting the cross-sectional area of the first orifice.
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) | 1977-01-14 | 1977-07-16 | 1978-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-14 | 1981-07-16 | 1982-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-14 | 1985-07-16 | 1986-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |