Vacuum bias regulator assembly

Claim 1

A vacuum regulating system for controlling a vacuum signal to a vacuum operated exhaust gas recirculation valve comprising: means including a throttle bore slot and a throttle valve movable across the slot to define a first throttle responsive variable vacuum source, means including the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine to define a second variable vacuum source, a pressure regulator housing having a first vacuum conduit thereon connected to the throttle bore slot, said regulator housing including a second vacuum conduit directly intersecting said first conduit for directly communicating said first variable vacuum source to the vacuum operated exhaust gas recirculation valve, said housing including a base forming a first compartment having an upstanding valve seat therein including a bore therethrough directly in communication with said second vacuum conduit, a cover member having a circumferential flange thereon attached to said base, a flexible diaphragm interposed between said cover member and said base for defining a second compartment with said cover and for separating said first compartment from said second compartment, said base including an opening therein for communicating said first compartment with atmosphere, a spring located within said second compartment for biasing said diaphragm towards said seat, an integral valve portion centrally of said diaphram located within said first compartment in overlying relationship to said seat for sealing said seat, means including a third vacuum conduit connected to said cover member for communicating said second compartment with said second variable vacuum source, said diaphragm being responsive to an engine intake manifold vacuum that exceeds a predetermined vacuum level to position said integral valve portion open with respect to said seat thereby to directly communicate said second vacuum conduit with atmosphere to reduce the vacuum signal from said first variable vacuum source to the vacuum operated exhaust gas recirculation valve, said flexible diaphragm being responsive to an intake manifold vacuum level below said predetermined vacuum level to cause said spring to move said diaphragm and the integral valve portion thereon to close said seat thereby to direct the full vacuum signal from said first variable vacuum source to the vacuum operated exhaust gas control valve.