Remote-controlled pressure regulator

Claim 1

A remote-controlled pressure regulator comprising (a) a pressure-regulating unit, which has a load spring, (b) a connecting shaft, which has an inner end and an outer end, which is operatively associated with the pressure-regulating unit so as to permit axial movement of the connecting shaft, and which is operatively associated with the load spring at the inner end of the connecting shaft so as to increase loading of the load spring upon axial movement of the connecting shaft in one axial direction, and so as to decrease loading of the load spring upon axial movement of the connecting shaft in an opposite direction, (c) an arm, which is pivotally supported at one end of the arm, and which engages the outer end of the connecting shaft at an intermediate portion of the arm so as to effect axial movement of the connecting rod so as to increase loading of the load spring upon pivotal movement of the arm in one pivotal sense, and so as to decrease loading of the load spring upon pivotal movement of the arm in an opposite sense, (d) a stepping motor, which has an output shaft that is operatively connected to the arm so as to effect pivotal movement of the arm in opposite pivotal senses, as the output shaft is driven in opposite rotational senses by the stepping motor, and (e) a pair of limit switches, which are respectively mounted to the framework so as to be engaged by the arm, at one extreme of a range of pivotal movement of the arm, and which are operatively associated with the stepping motor.