US3906982A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pressure regulator assembly
Assignee: Tescom Corp
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Filing: 1974-05-20
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1994-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A pressure regulator assembly that includes a valve body, a bonnet mounted on the body and in combination with the body mounting a flexible diaphragm to separate the body control chamber and bonnet chamber, a nozzle and back cap mounted by the body to provide an inlet chamber, a valve stem assembly extended through the inlet chamber and nozzle and resiliently urged toward the bonnet to block fluid flow through the nozzle to the control chamber, a centering disc abutting against the diaphragm and the valve stem assembly to in cooperation with a spring coiled about a circular axis retain the valve stem assembly radially spaced from the nozzle bore and back cap bore, a filter screen in the inlet chamber, and spring mechanism in the bonnet resiliently urging the diaphragm toward the back cap. In one embodiment an eyelet secures the diaphragm support plate to the diaphragm, and in combination with an integral, raised, annular ring portion (boss) on the diaphragm side of the centering disc and abutting against the diaphragm in surrounding relationship to the eyelet provides for a self-relieving feature, while in the second embodiment the diaphragm support plate is not secured to the diaphragm and no raised ring portion is provided on the diaphragm side of the centering disc. In the second embodiment an adjustment knob is threaded to the bonnet and has part of the adjusting spring extended a substantial distance into the knob bore for the purpose of providing more space for the adjusting spring without increasing the size of the bonnet.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph F Fleischhacker
- 👤 Thomas W Hruby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:40
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D16/00; G05D16/04; G05D16/06; G05D16/063; G05D16/0644; G05D16/0663; G05D16/0666; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/2559; Y10T137/2574; Y10T137/2605; Y10T137/2607; Y10T137/261
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
511 words
A pressure regulator assembly comprising a valve body having a control chamber, and outlet and inlet passageways opening to the control chamber in spaced relationship to one another, a bonnet mounted on the valve body and having a bonnet chamber opening toward the control chamber, a diaphragm mounted by the bonnet and valve body for separating the control chamber from the bonnet chamber, first means mounted by the bonnet and extending within the bonnet chamber for resiliently urging the diaphragm toward the control chamber, a nozzle mounted by the body, extending within the inlet passageway and having a bore extending therethrough to permit passage of fluid through the inlet passageway to the control chamber, a plug mounted by the body, extending into the inlet passageway remote from the nozzle and having a plug bore, a valve stem assembly extending within the inlet passageway and through the nozzle bore, said valve stem assembly having a first elongated portion extended through the nozzle bore and into the control chamber; and a second elongated end portion extending into the plug bore, said first assembly portion and second end portion being of cross sectional areas to provide annular clearance spaces with the nozzle and plug bores respectively, said valve stem assembly first portion having a valve stem end portion, said valve stem assembly being mounted for reciprocal movement between a first position permitting fluid flow to and through the nozzle bore to the control chamber and a second position blocking fluid flow to and through the nozzle bore to the control chamber, second means within the inlet passageway for resiliently urging the valve stem assembly to its second position, and third and fourth means abutting against the first and second end portions respectively for centering the valve stem assembly relative the plug anD nozzle bores while permitting reciprocal movement of the valve stem assembly, said third means being in abutting relationship with the diaphragm and including a resilient centering disc having a peripheral edge portion mounted between the diaphragm and valve body and extending across the control chamber, a central portion having a wall defining a recess for centering the first portion relative the nozzle bore, said valve stem end portion extending into said recess in close fitting relationship with the wall defining the recess, and a boss extending toward the diaphragm to space a surrounding portion of the diaphragm from the rest of the centering disc, and an aperture spaced from the boss to place the part of the control chamber on the opposite side of the centering disc from the diaphragm in fluid communication with the space between the diaphragm and centering disc, said diaphragm having an aperture extending therethrough that opens to the space surrounded by said boss, and being movable relative the boss between a first position blocking fluid flow through said disc aperture to said diaphragm paerture and a position for providing a fluid flow path from the disc aperture, through the diaphragm aperture and to the bonnet chamber, said bonnet having a vent aperture opening to the bonnet chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
511 words
A pressure regulator assembly comprising a valve body having a control chamber, and outlet and inlet passageways opening to the control chamber in spaced relationship to one another, a bonnet mounted on the valve body and having a bonnet chamber opening toward the control chamber, a diaphragm mounted by the bonnet and valve body for separating the control chamber from the bonnet chamber, first means mounted by the bonnet and extending within the bonnet chamber for resiliently urging the diaphragm toward the control chamber, a nozzle mounted by the body, extending within the inlet passageway and having a bore extending therethrough to permit passage of fluid through the inlet passageway to the control chamber, a plug mounted by the body, extending into the inlet passageway remote from the nozzle and having a plug bore, a valve stem assembly extending within the inlet passageway and through the nozzle bore, said valve stem assembly having a first elongated portion extended through the nozzle bore and into the control chamber; and a second elongated end portion extending into the plug bore, said first assembly portion and second end portion being of cross sectional areas to provide annular clearance spaces with the nozzle and plug bores respectively, said valve stem assembly first portion having a valve stem end portion, said valve stem assembly being mounted for reciprocal movement between a first position permitting fluid flow to and through the nozzle bore to the control chamber and a second position blocking fluid flow to and through the nozzle bore to the control chamber, second means within the inlet passageway for resiliently urging the valve stem assembly to its second position, and third and fourth means abutting against the first and second end portions respectively for centering the valve stem assembly relative the plug anD nozzle bores while permitting reciprocal movement of the valve stem assembly, said third means being in abutting relationship with the diaphragm and including a resilient centering disc having a peripheral edge portion mounted between the diaphragm and valve body and extending across the control chamber, a central portion having a wall defining a recess for centering the first portion relative the nozzle bore, said valve stem end portion extending into said recess in close fitting relationship with the wall defining the recess, and a boss extending toward the diaphragm to space a surrounding portion of the diaphragm from the rest of the centering disc, and an aperture spaced from the boss to place the part of the control chamber on the opposite side of the centering disc from the diaphragm in fluid communication with the space between the diaphragm and centering disc, said diaphragm having an aperture extending therethrough that opens to the space surrounded by said boss, and being movable relative the boss between a first position blocking fluid flow through said disc aperture to said diaphragm paerture and a position for providing a fluid flow path from the disc aperture, through the diaphragm aperture and to the bonnet chamber, said bonnet having a vent aperture opening to the bonnet chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
506 words
A pressure regulator assembly comprising a valve body having a control chamber, and outlet and inlet passageways opening to the control chamber in spaced relationship to one another, a bonnet mounted on the valve body and having a bonnet chamber opening toward the control chamber, a diaphragm mounted by the bonnet and valve body for separating the control chamber from the bonnet chamber, first means mounted by the bonnet and extending within the bonnet chamber for resiliently urging the diaphragm toward the control chamber, the first means including a diaphragm backup member, said diaphragm and backup member having central portions, an eyelet fixedly attaching the diaphragm and backup member central portions to one another, and having an aperture extending therethrough that opens on the opposite side of the diaphragm from the backup member and to the bonnet chamber, a nozzle mounted by the body, extending within the inlet passageway and having a bore extending therethrough to permit passage of fluid through the inlet passageway to the control chamber, a plug mounted by the body, extending into the inlet passageway remote from the nozzle and having a plug bore, a valve stem assembly extending within the inlet passageway and through the nozzle bore, said valve stem assembly having a first elongated portion extended through the nozzle bore and into the control chamber; and a second elongated end portion extending into the plug bore, said first portion and second end portion being of cross sectional areas to provide annular clearance spaces with the nozzle and plug bores respectively, said valve stem assembly being mounted for reciprocal movement between a first position permitting fluid flow to and through the nozzle bore to the control chamber and a second position blocking fluid flow to and through the nozzle bore to the control chamber, second means within the inlet passageway for resiliently urging the valve stem assembly to its second position, and third and fourth means abutting against the first portion and second end portion respectively for centering the valve stem assembly relative the plug and nozzle bores while permitting reciprocal movement of the valve stem assembly, said third means being in abutting relationship with the diaphragm, and including a resilient centering disc mounted in the control chamber in abutting relationship with the diaphragm, said disc having a peripheral edge portion abutting against the valve body and a central portion having a recessed wall portion defining an aperture that forms a close fit with the valve stem first end portion, said first portion extending into the disc aperture, said plug bore having an annular recessed portion opening Toward the valve stem assembly second end portion, and the fourth means including a spring coiled about a circular axis that abuts against the valve stem assembly second portion for holding the second end portion of contact with a wall defining said plug bore as the valve stem assembly moves from its first position to its second position, said spring abutting against a wall portion of said wall that defines said annular recessed portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
506 words
A pressure regulator assembly comprising a valve body having a control chamber, and outlet and inlet passageways opening to the control chamber in spaced relationship to one another, a bonnet mounted on the valve body and having a bonnet chamber opening toward the control chamber, a diaphragm mounted by the bonnet and valve body for separating the control chamber from the bonnet chamber, first means mounted by the bonnet and extending within the bonnet chamber for resiliently urging the diaphragm toward the control chamber, the first means including a diaphragm backup member, said diaphragm and backup member having central portions, an eyelet fixedly attaching the diaphragm and backup member central portions to one another, and having an aperture extending therethrough that opens on the opposite side of the diaphragm from the backup member and to the bonnet chamber, a nozzle mounted by the body, extending within the inlet passageway and having a bore extending therethrough to permit passage of fluid through the inlet passageway to the control chamber, a plug mounted by the body, extending into the inlet passageway remote from the nozzle and having a plug bore, a valve stem assembly extending within the inlet passageway and through the nozzle bore, said valve stem assembly having a first elongated portion extended through the nozzle bore and into the control chamber; and a second elongated end portion extending into the plug bore, said first portion and second end portion being of cross sectional areas to provide annular clearance spaces with the nozzle and plug bores respectively, said valve stem assembly being mounted for reciprocal movement between a first position permitting fluid flow to and through the nozzle bore to the control chamber and a second position blocking fluid flow to and through the nozzle bore to the control chamber, second means within the inlet passageway for resiliently urging the valve stem assembly to its second position, and third and fourth means abutting against the first portion and second end portion respectively for centering the valve stem assembly relative the plug and nozzle bores while permitting reciprocal movement of the valve stem assembly, said third means being in abutting relationship with the diaphragm, and including a resilient centering disc mounted in the control chamber in abutting relationship with the diaphragm, said disc having a peripheral edge portion abutting against the valve body and a central portion having a recessed wall portion defining an aperture that forms a close fit with the valve stem first end portion, said first portion extending into the disc aperture, said plug bore having an annular recessed portion opening Toward the valve stem assembly second end portion, and the fourth means including a spring coiled about a circular axis that abuts against the valve stem assembly second portion for holding the second end portion of contact with a wall defining said plug bore as the valve stem assembly moves from its first position to its second position, said spring abutting against a wall portion of said wall that defines said annular recessed portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
143 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further characterized in that the disc has a central portion, that the bonnet has a vent aperture placing the bonnet chamber in fluid communication with the ambient atmosphere, that the eyelet aperture places the bonnet chamber in fluid communication with the space between the central portions of the diaphragm and centering disc and that the centering disc has a boss abuttable against the diaphragm in surrounding relationship to the eyelet to form a fluid seal with the diaphragm and a second aperture extending through the disc to place the control chamber in fluid communication with the space between the diaphragm and centering disc on the transverse opposite side of the boss from the eyelet to permit fluid flow from the control chamber to the bonnet chamber when the diaphragm is out of fluid sealing relationship with the boss.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
328 words
A regulator assembly comprising a valve body having a control chamber and inlet and outlet passageways opening to said control chamber in spaced relationship to one another, a bonnet having a bonnet chamber, a diaphragm, a plastic resilient centering disc, said diaphragm and disc having outer peripheral edge portions and central portions, said bonnet being secured to the valve body for mounting the peripheral edge portions in fixed relationship to the valve body with the diaphragm separating the bonnet chamber from the control chamber and the centering disc abutting against the diaphragm with the diaphragm on the opposite side of the centering disc from the control chamber, operable valve means in the inlet passageway operable between a first position permitting fluid under pressure flowing into the control chamber and a second position blocking fluid under pressure flowing into the control chamber, means for resiliently urging the valve means to the second position, selectively adjustable means extending in the bonnet chamber for resiliently urging the diaphragm toward the valve means, said resilient urging means including a backup member abutting against the diaphragm, and an eyelet extending through the central portions of the diaphragm and backup member, and fixedly securing said central portions together, said eyelet having an aperture placing the bonnet chamber in fluid communication with the space between the disc and diaphragm, said centering disc having a boss extending toward the diaphragm, and abuttable thereagainst in surrounding relationship to the eyelet aperture to form a fluid seal with the diaphragm, said disc having an aperture extending therethrough to pass fluid from the control chamber to the space between the disc and diaphragm and than through the eyelet aperture when the diaphragm is out of abutting relationship with the boss and blocking fluid flow from the disc aperture to the eyelet aperture when the diaphragm abuts against the boss, said valve means abutting against the centering disc and being operable thereby from the second position to its first position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
328 words
A regulator assembly comprising a valve body having a control chamber and inlet and outlet passageways opening to said control chamber in spaced relationship to one another, a bonnet having a bonnet chamber, a diaphragm, a plastic resilient centering disc, said diaphragm and disc having outer peripheral edge portions and central portions, said bonnet being secured to the valve body for mounting the peripheral edge portions in fixed relationship to the valve body with the diaphragm separating the bonnet chamber from the control chamber and the centering disc abutting against the diaphragm with the diaphragm on the opposite side of the centering disc from the control chamber, operable valve means in the inlet passageway operable between a first position permitting fluid under pressure flowing into the control chamber and a second position blocking fluid under pressure flowing into the control chamber, means for resiliently urging the valve means to the second position, selectively adjustable means extending in the bonnet chamber for resiliently urging the diaphragm toward the valve means, said resilient urging means including a backup member abutting against the diaphragm, and an eyelet extending through the central portions of the diaphragm and backup member, and fixedly securing said central portions together, said eyelet having an aperture placing the bonnet chamber in fluid communication with the space between the disc and diaphragm, said centering disc having a boss extending toward the diaphragm, and abuttable thereagainst in surrounding relationship to the eyelet aperture to form a fluid seal with the diaphragm, said disc having an aperture extending therethrough to pass fluid from the control chamber to the space between the disc and diaphragm and than through the eyelet aperture when the diaphragm is out of abutting relationship with the boss and blocking fluid flow from the disc aperture to the eyelet aperture when the diaphragm abuts against the boss, said valve means abutting against the centering disc and being operable thereby from the second position to its first position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
99 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that valve means includes a nozzle having a nozzle bore extending therethrough and opening to the control chamber, a valve stem assembly having a control rod extending through the nozzle bore and being of a substantially smaller cross sectional area than the nozzle bore, and that the centering disc has a central recess opening toward the nozzle, having the control rod extended thereinto, and forming a close fit with the adjacent part of the control rod to aid in retaining the control rod in a centered position relative the nozzle bore.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further characterized in that the valve means includes a plunger, a plunger bore having a plunger slidably extended into the plunger bore, said plunger having a portion of a substantially smaller cross sectional area than the plunger bore and extending thereinto and a spring coiled about a circle axis extending around said plunger portion for positioning the plunger in a centered position relative the plunger bore.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
99 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further characterized in that the valve means includes a valve stem assembly having the plunger and control rod, and a plug having said plunger bore, said plunger bore having a shoulder abutting against said spring, and that the first mentioned resiliently means includes a washer surrounding the plunger, having a substantially larger inside diameter than the diameter of the plunger, and abutting against the spring on the side opposite the shoulder, and spring means bearing against the washer to resiliently urge the washer toward the shoulder and the valve stem assembly toward the diaphragm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
98 words
The apparatus of claim 6 further characterized in that the valve body has a body bore opening to the control chamber, said nozzle being mounted in the body bore, that the valve means includes a plug mounted in the body bore in spaced relationship to the nozzle to provide an inlet chamber forming part of the inlet passageway, said inlet passageway including an inlet bore opening to the inlet chamber, and that there is provided a filter screen in the inlet chamber through which fluid has to flow in passing from the inlet bore to the nozzle bore.
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) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |