US3900045A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fulcrum pressure regulator
Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Co
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Filing: 1973-09-27
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Granted: 1975-08-19
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Expires: 1993-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A pressure regulator includes a casing having a diaphragm therein defining a pressure chamber communicating with an inlet and an outlet, a regulating valve disposed in the casing and operated by the diaphragm and a fulcrum engaging the diaphragm to define a control portion and a valve member operating portion having unequal areas exposed to pressure in the pressure chamber such that the diaphragm pivots about the fulcrum as pressure varies to move the valve member operating portion and thereby control the regulating valve to provide a constant regulated outlet pressure with varying inlet pressure and flow.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald K Murrell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 15:36
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D16/00; G05D16/04; G05D16/06; G05D16/063; G05D16/0675; G05D16/0683; G05D16/0686; F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/12; F16K31/36; F16K31/365; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7781; Y10T137/7793; Y10T137/7822; Y10T137/783; Y10T137/7831
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
A pressure regulator comprising a casing having inlet means and outlet means; diaphragm means mounted in said casing to define a pressure chamber communicating with said inlet means and said outlet means; regulating valve means disposed in said casing and including a valve seat; and fulcrum means mounted at an off-center position in said casing and with an elongate edge engaging said diaphragm means to define a first control portion of said diaphragm means and a second valve member operating portion thereof, such that the first portion of said diaphragm means has a greater area exposed to pressure in said pressure chamber than the second portion thereof, said second portion of said diaphragm means being movable thereby to cooperate with said valve seat and control fluid flow in said casing whereby said diaphragm means pivots about said fulcrum means as pressure in said pressure chamber varies to move said second valve member operating portion relative to said valve seat and regulate pressure at said outlet means; said fulcrum means including means movable along and relative to said diaphragm means to change the ratio of the areas of said first and second portions and adjust the regulated pressure at said outlet means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
A pressure regulator comprising a casing having inlet means and outlet means; diaphragm means mounted in said casing to define a pressure chamber communicating with said inlet means and said outlet means; regulating valve means disposed in said casing and including a valve seat; and fulcrum means mounted at an off-center position in said casing and with an elongate edge engaging said diaphragm means to define a first control portion of said diaphragm means and a second valve member operating portion thereof, such that the first portion of said diaphragm means has a greater area exposed to pressure in said pressure chamber than the second portion thereof, said second portion of said diaphragm means being movable thereby to cooperate with said valve seat and control fluid flow in said casing whereby said diaphragm means pivots about said fulcrum means as pressure in said pressure chamber varies to move said second valve member operating portion relative to said valve seat and regulate pressure at said outlet means; said fulcrum means including means movable along and relative to said diaphragm means to change the ratio of the areas of said first and second portions and adjust the regulated pressure at said outlet means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
223 words
A pressure regulator comprising a casing having inlet means and outlet means, diaphragm means mounted in said casing to define a pressure chamber communicating with said inlet means and said outlet means, regulating valve means disposed in said casing including a valve seat and a valve member movable by said diaphragm means to cooperate with said valve seat and control flow in said casing, fulcrum means engaging said diaphragm means to define first and second portions of said diaphragm means having unequal areas exposed to pressure in said pressure chamber whereby said diaphragm means pivots about said fulcrum means as pressure in said pressure chamber varies to move said valve member relative to said valve seat and regulate pressure at said outlet means, said inlet means with a fitting mounted on said casing and having an internal end defining said valve seat of said regulating valve means, said second portion of said diaphragm means having an area less than said first portion and being aligned with said valve seat to define said valve member of said regulating valve means, and further comprising spring means mounted in compression between said second portion of said diaphragm means and said fitting, said fitting threadedly engaging said casing to permit adjustment of the compression of said spring means to adjust the regulated pressure at said outlet means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
223 words
A pressure regulator comprising a casing having inlet means and outlet means, diaphragm means mounted in said casing to define a pressure chamber communicating with said inlet means and said outlet means, regulating valve means disposed in said casing including a valve seat and a valve member movable by said diaphragm means to cooperate with said valve seat and control flow in said casing, fulcrum means engaging said diaphragm means to define first and second portions of said diaphragm means having unequal areas exposed to pressure in said pressure chamber whereby said diaphragm means pivots about said fulcrum means as pressure in said pressure chamber varies to move said valve member relative to said valve seat and regulate pressure at said outlet means, said inlet means with a fitting mounted on said casing and having an internal end defining said valve seat of said regulating valve means, said second portion of said diaphragm means having an area less than said first portion and being aligned with said valve seat to define said valve member of said regulating valve means, and further comprising spring means mounted in compression between said second portion of said diaphragm means and said fitting, said fitting threadedly engaging said casing to permit adjustment of the compression of said spring means to adjust the regulated pressure at said outlet means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A pressure regulator as recited in claim 2 wherein said diaphragm means defines an atmospheric chamber in said casing on a side opposite said pressure chamber, and said casing has a vent to the atmosphere communicating with said atmospheric chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
189 words
A pressure regulator comprising a casing having inlet means and outlet means; diaphragm means mounted in said casing to define a pressure chamber communicating with said inlet means and said outlet means; regulating valve means disposed in said casing including a valve seat; and fulcrum means mounted at an off-center position in said casing and with an elongate edge engaging said diaphragm means to define a first control portion of said diaphragm means and a second valve member operating portion thereof, such that the first portion of said diaphragm means has a greater area exposed to pressure in said pressure chamber than the second portion thereof, said second portion of said diaphragm means being movable thereby to cooperate with said valve seat and control fluid flow in said casing whereby said diaphragm means pivots about said fulcrum means as pressure in said pressure chamber varies to move said second valve member operating portion relative to said valve seat and regulate pressure at said outlet means; said diaphragm means including a thickened central portion comprised of said first and second portions and said diaphragm means further including a flexing rib.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
189 words
A pressure regulator comprising a casing having inlet means and outlet means; diaphragm means mounted in said casing to define a pressure chamber communicating with said inlet means and said outlet means; regulating valve means disposed in said casing including a valve seat; and fulcrum means mounted at an off-center position in said casing and with an elongate edge engaging said diaphragm means to define a first control portion of said diaphragm means and a second valve member operating portion thereof, such that the first portion of said diaphragm means has a greater area exposed to pressure in said pressure chamber than the second portion thereof, said second portion of said diaphragm means being movable thereby to cooperate with said valve seat and control fluid flow in said casing whereby said diaphragm means pivots about said fulcrum means as pressure in said pressure chamber varies to move said second valve member operating portion relative to said valve seat and regulate pressure at said outlet means; said diaphragm means including a thickened central portion comprised of said first and second portions and said diaphragm means further including a flexing rib.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A pressure regulator as recited in claim 4 and further comprising means for moving said fulcrum means along and relative to said diaphragm means to change the ratio of the areas of said first and second portions and adjust the regulated pressure at said inlet means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
234 words
A pressure regulator comprising a casing having inlet means and outlet means, diaphragm means mounted in said casing to define a pressure chamber communicating with said inlet means and said outlet means, regulating valve means disposed in said casing including a valve seat and a valve member movable by said diaphragm means to cooperate with said valve seat and control flow in said casing, fulcrum means engaging said diaphragm means to define first and second portions of said diaphragm means having unequal areas exposed to pressure in said pressure chamber whereby said diaphragm means pivots about said fulcrum means as pressure in said pressure chamber varies to move said valve member relative to said valve seat and regulate pressure at said outlet means, said inlet means defining said valve seat of said regulating valve means and said second portion of said diaphragm means being aligned with said inlet means to define said valve member, said first portion of said diaphragm means having an area greater than the area of said second portion of said diaphragm means, means for moving said fulcrum means along said diaphragm means to change the ratio of the areas of said first and second portions and adjust the regulated pressure at said inlet means, and said fulcrum moving means including a screw extending through said casing and rotatable to adjust the position of said fulcrum means along said diaphragm means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
234 words
A pressure regulator comprising a casing having inlet means and outlet means, diaphragm means mounted in said casing to define a pressure chamber communicating with said inlet means and said outlet means, regulating valve means disposed in said casing including a valve seat and a valve member movable by said diaphragm means to cooperate with said valve seat and control flow in said casing, fulcrum means engaging said diaphragm means to define first and second portions of said diaphragm means having unequal areas exposed to pressure in said pressure chamber whereby said diaphragm means pivots about said fulcrum means as pressure in said pressure chamber varies to move said valve member relative to said valve seat and regulate pressure at said outlet means, said inlet means defining said valve seat of said regulating valve means and said second portion of said diaphragm means being aligned with said inlet means to define said valve member, said first portion of said diaphragm means having an area greater than the area of said second portion of said diaphragm means, means for moving said fulcrum means along said diaphragm means to change the ratio of the areas of said first and second portions and adjust the regulated pressure at said inlet means, and said fulcrum moving means including a screw extending through said casing and rotatable to adjust the position of said fulcrum means along said diaphragm means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A pressure regulator as recited in claim 6 wherein said diaphragm means defines an atmospheric chamber in said casing on a side opposite said pressure chamber, and said casing has a vent to the atmosphere communicating with said atmospheric chamber.
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) | 1978-08-18 | 1979-02-17 | 1979-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-18 | 1983-02-17 | 1983-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-18 | 1987-02-17 | 1987-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |