Capacity fuse valve

Claim 2

A capacity fuse valve comprising: a valve body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a fixed valve sleeve fixed in said body, a movable valve sleeve axially movable in said fixed valve sleeve from a normal position to a limiting position relative to said fixed valve sleeve by the pressure of fluid entering said inlet, means urging said movable valve sleeve toward said normal position, whereby the movable valve sleeve assumes a position wherein the opposing forces on the movable valve sleeve are balanced, a valve rod, means securing said valve rod to said valve body with the valve rod extending axially through said valve sleeves through an axial opening in said movable valve sleeve, and said movable valve sleeve having a boundary edge surrounding said rod, means communicating said inlet to said outlet for main fluid flow from said inlet to said outlet including coacting means on said valve sleeves forming main flow port means through which main fluid flow occurs from said inlet to said outlet and which port means are substantially closed in said normal position of the movable valve sleeve and are progressively enlarged by movement of the movable valve sleeve toward its limiting position, a shutoff valve member within a chamber in said valve body movable by fluid pressure in the chamber portion at one side of the valve member from an open position wherein said valve member permits main fluid flow through the valve to a closed position wherein the valve member blocks main fluid flow through the valve, and means communicating said inlet to said chamber portion for control fluid flow from said inlet to said chamber portion including coacting means on said valve rod and said movable valve sleeve forming control flow orifice means through which control flow occurs from said inlet to said chamber portion and which orifice means are substantially closed in said normal position of said movable valve sleeve and progressively enlarged by movement of the movable valve sleeve toward its limiting position to maintain a substantially fixed ratio between the main flow port means and control flow orifice areas.

Claim 3

A capacity fuse valve comprising: a valve body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve sleeve axially movable in said body from a normal position to a limiting position by the pressure of fluid entering said inlet, means urging said valve sleeve toward said normal position, whereby the sleeve assumes a position wherein the opposing forces on the sleeve are balanced, a valve rod, means securing said valve rod to said valve body with the valve rod extending through an axial opening in said valve sleeve, and said valve sleeve having a boundary edge surrounding said rod, means communicating said inlet to said outlet for main fluid flow from said inlet to said outlet including means coacting with said valve sleeve to form main flow port means through which main fluid flow occurs from said inlet to said outlet and which port means are substantially closed in said normal position of the valve sleeve and are progressively enlarged by movement of the valve sleeve toward its limiting position, a shutoff valve member within a chamber in said valve body movable by fluid pressure in the chamber portion at one side of the valve member from an open position wherein said valve member permits main fluid flow through the valve to a closed position wherein the valve member blocks main fluid flow through the valve, means communicating said inlet to said chamber portion for control fluid flow from said inlet to said chamber portion including orifice boundary means on said valve rod coacting with said valve sleeve boundary edge to form control flow orifice means through which control flow occurs from said inlet to said chamber portion and which orifice means are substantially closed in said normal position of said valve sleeve and progressively enlarged by movement of the valve sleeve toward its limiting position to maintain a substantially fixed ratio between the main flow port means and control flow orifice areas, and means for adjusting said orifice boundary means relative to said valve sleeve in the axial direction of said valve rod to vary the control flow orifice area independently of the main flow port area.

Claim 4

A capacity fuse valve comprising: a valve body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a valve sleeve axially movable in said body from a normal position to a limiting position by the pressure of fluid entering said inlet, means urging said valve sleeve toward said normal position, whereby the sleeve assumes a position wherein the opposing forces on the sleeve are balanced, a valve rod, means securing said valve rod to said valve body with the valve rod extending through an axial opening in said valve sleeve, and said valve sleeve having a boundary edge surrounding said rod, means communicating said inlet to said outlet for main fluid flow from said inlet to said outlet including means coacting with said valve sleeve to form main flow port means through which main fluid flow occurs from said inlet to said outlet and which port means are substantially closed in said normal position of the valve sleeve and are progressively enlarged by movement of the valve sleeve toward its limiting position, a shutoff valve member within a chamber in said valve body movable by fluid pressure in the chamber portion at one side of the valve member from an open position wherein said valve member permits main fluid flow through the valve to a closed position wherein the valve member blocks main fluid flow through the valve, means communicating said inlet to said chamber portion for control fluid flow from said inlet to said chamber portion including orifice boundary means on said valve rod coacting with said valve sleeve boundary edge to form control flow orifice means through which control flow occurs from said inlet to said chamber portion and which orifice means are substantially closed in said normal position of said valve sleeve and progressively enlarged by movement of the valve sleeve toward its limiting position to maintain a substantially fixed ratio between the main flow port means and control flow orifice areas, and means for adjusting said orifice boundary means relative to said valve sleeve in the axial direction of said valve rod to vary the control flow orifice area independently of the main flow port area.

Claim 5

A capacity fuse valve according to claim 2, wherein: said orifice boundary adjusting means comprises means for axially adjusting said valve rod.

Claim 6

In a fluid delivery device having a fluid inlet: flow proportioning means for dividing the fluid entering the inlet into a first flow and a second flow whose flow rate remains in substantially fixed ratio to the first flow rate regardless of the flow rate of the entering fluid, said flow proportioning means comprising a movable flow metering valve member movable in one direction along a direction line from a normal position to a limiting position by the pressure of the entering fluid, means for urging said valve member in the opposite direction to said normal position against the pressure of the entering fluid, whereby the valve member assumes a position wherein the opposing forces on the valve member are in balance, separate first and second relatively stationary valve members, cooperating means on said movable valve member and said first stationary valve member defining primary orifice means through which said first flow passes, cooperating means on said movable valve member and said second stationary valve member defining secondary orifice means through which said second flow passes, and said first and second orifice means are progressively enlarged by movement of said movable valve member in said one direction to increase said first and second flows while maintaining a fixed ratio between the first and second flow rates, and wherein said movable valve member comprises a valve sleeve, one stationary valve member comprises a valve rod extending coaxially through said valve sleeve and through an opening in said sleeve, and said second orifice boundary means comprises a boundary edge on said valve sleeve about said opening.

Claim 7

In a fluid delivery device having a fluid inlet: flow proportioning means for dividing the fluid entering the inlet into a first flow and a second flow whose flow rate remains in substantially fixed ratio to the first flow rate regardless of the flow rate of the entering fluid, said flow proportioning means comprising a movable flow metering valve member movable in one direction along a direction line from a normal position to a limiting position by the pressure of the entering fluid, means for urging said valve member in the opposite direction to said normal position against the pressure of the entering fluid, whereby the valve member assumes a position wherein the opposing forces on the valve member are in balance, separate first and second relatively stationary valve members, cooperating means on said movable valve member and said first stationary valve member defining primary orifice means through which said first flow passes, cooperating means on said movable valve member and said second stationary valve member defining secondary orifice means through which said second flow passes, and said first and second orifice means are progressively enlarged by movement of said movable valve member in said one direction to increase said first and second flows while maintaining a fixed ratio between the first and second flow rates, and wherein said movable valve member comprises a valve sleeve, one stationary valve member comprises a valve rod extending coaxially through said valve sleeve and through an opening in said sleeve, and said second orifice boundary means comprises a boundary edge on said valve sleeve about said opening.

Claim 8

A capacity fuse valve which closes in response to passage of a predetermined fluid volume through the valve, comprising: a valve body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, flow proportioning means in said body for dividing the fluid entering said inlet into a main flow which passes to said outlet and a control flow whose flow rate remains in substantially fixed ratio to the main flow rate regardless of the flow rate of the entering fluid, means for adjusting said flow rate ratio, shutoff valve means responsive to the total volume of said control flow for blocking main flow through the valve in response to a predetermined total control flow volume, and wherein said flow proportioning means comprises a movable flow metering valve member movable along a direction line in one direction from a normal position to a limiting position by the pressure of fluid entering through said inlet, means for urging said valve member in the opposite direction to said normal position against the pressure of the entering fluid such that the valve member assumes a position wherein the opposing forces on the valve member are balanced, a relatively stationary valve member, and cooperating means on said valve members defining main flow port means and control flow orifice means through which said primary and secondary flows pass, respectively, and which port and orifice means are progressively enlarged upon movement of said movable valve member in said one direction to increase said main and control flows, said cooperating means comprise sharp edges for rendering said flow rate ratio relatively insensitive to fluid viscosity changes, said cooperating port and orifice defining means comprises first boundary means on said movable valve member and second boundary means on said stationary valve member which define and bound said control flow orifice means and undergo relative movement along said direction line to enlarge and reduce said control flow orifice means during movement of said movable valve member along said direction line, said means for adjusting said flow rate ratio comprising means for effecting relative adjustment of said cooperating means along said direction line to adjust the relative areas of said main flow port means and control flow orifice means independently of movement of said movable valve member along said direction line, and said flow rate ratio adjusting means comprises means for adjusting said second orifice boundary means along said direction line relative to said first orifice boundary means independently of movement of said movable valve member along said direction line.

Claim 9

A capacity fuse valve which closes in response to passage of a predetermined fluid volume through the valve, comprising: a valve body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, flow proportioning means in said body for dividing the fluid entering said inlet into a main flow which passes to said outlet and a control flow whose flow rate remains in substantially fixed ratio to the main flow rate regardless of the flow rate of the entering fluid, means for adjusting said flow rate ratio, shutoff valve means responsive to the total volume of said control flow for blocking main flow through the valve in response to a predetermined total control flow volume, and wherein said flow proportioning means comprises a movable flow metering valve member movable along a direction line in one direction from a normal position to a limiting position by the pressure of fluid entering through said inlet, means for urging said valve member in the opposite direction to said normal position against the pressure of the entering fluid such that the valve member assumes a position wherein the opposing forces on the valve member are balanced, a relatively stationary valve member, and cooperating means on said valve members defining main flow port means and control flow orifice means through which said primary and secondary flows pass, respectively, and which port and orifice means are progressively enlarged upon movement of said movable valve member in said one direction to increase said main and control flows, said cooperating means comprise sharp edges for rendering said flow rate ratio relatively insensitive to fluid viscosity changes, said cooperating port and orifice defining means comprises first boundary means on said movable valve member and second boundary means on said stationary valve member which define and bound said control flow orifice means and undergo relative movement along said direction line to enlarge and reduce said control flow orifice means during movement of said movable valve member along said direction line, said means for adjusting said flow rate ratio comprising means for effecting relative adjustment of said cooperating means along said direction line to adjust the relative areas of said main flow port means and control flow orifice means independently of movement of said movable valve member along said direction line, and said flow rate ratio adjusting means comprises means for adjusting said second orifice boundary means along said direction line relative to said first orifice boundary means independently of movement of said movable valve member along said direction line.

Claim 10

In a fluid delivery device having a fluid inlet: flow proportioning means for dividing the fluid entering said inlet into a first flow and a second flow whose flow rate remains in substantially fixed ratio to the first flow rate regardless of the flow rate of the entering fluid, means for adjusting said flow rate ratio, and wherein said flow proportioning means comprises a movable flow metering valve member movable along a direction line in one direction from a normal position to a limiting position by the pressure of fluid entering the valve, means for urging said valve member in the opposite direction to said normal position against the pressure of the entering fluid such that the valve member assumes a position wherein the opposing forces on the valve member are balanced, a relatively stationary valve member, and cooperating means on said valve members defining port means and orifice means through which said first and second flows pass, respectively, and which port means and orifice means are substantially closed in said normal position of said movable valve member and progressively enlarge upon movement of said movable valve member in said one direction to increase said first and second flows, said means for adjusting said flow rate ratio comprises means for effecting relative adjustment of said cooperating means along said direction line to adjust the relative areas of said port means and orifice means independently of movement of said movable valve member along said direction line, and said cooperating means comprise sharp edges for rendering said flow rate ratio relatively insensitive to fluid viscosity changes.

Claim 11

In a fluid delivery device having a fluid inlet: flow proportioning means for dividing the fluid entering said inlet into a first flow and a second flow whose flow rate remains in substantially fixed ratio to the first flow rate regardless of the flow rate of the entering fluid, means for adjusting said flow rate ratio, and wherein said flow proportioning means comprises a movable flow metering valve member movable along a direction line in one direction from a normal position to a limiting position by the pressure of fluid entering the valve, means for urging said valve member in the opposite direction to said normal position against the pressure of the entering fluid such that the valve member assumes a position wherein the opposing forces on the valve member are balanced, a relatively stationary valve member, and cooperating means on said valve members defining port means and orifice means through which said first and second flows pass, respectively, and which port means and orifice means are substantially closed in said normal position of said movable valve member and progressively enlarge upon movement of said movable valve member in said one direction to increase said first and second flows, said means for adjusting said flow rate ratio comprises means for effecting relative adjustment of said cooperating means along said direction line to adjust the relative areas of said port means and orifice means independently of movement of said movable valve member along said direction line, and said cooperating means comprise sharp edges for rendering said flow rate ratio relatively insensitive to fluid viscosity changes.

Claim 12

The subject matter of claim 5, wherein: said sharp edges define said control flow orifice means.

Claim 13

The subject matter of claim 6, wherein: said sharp edges define Said control flow orifice means.

Claim 14

A capacity fuse valve comprising: a valve body containing a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, flow proportioning means in said body for splitting the fluid entering said inlet into a main flow and a control flow whose flow rates remain in a substantially fixed ratio over a range of fluid inflow rates through said inlet, shutoff valve means including a chamber which receives said control flow and operable by the control flow fluid within said chamber for blocking main flow through the valve upon passage of a predetermined main flow volume through the valve, and wherein said flow proportioning means comprises stationary valve means including a stationary valve sleeve fixed in said body, movable valve means movable in one axial direction axial direction of said valve sleeve from a normal position toward a limiting position by the pressure of fluid entering said inlet and including a movable valve member movable with said movable valve means and axially within said stationary valve sleeve, biassing means urging said movable valve means in the opposite axial direction of said stationary valve sleeve and toward said normal position, whereby said movable valve means assumes an axial position relative to said stationary valve means wherein the opposing forces on the movable valve means are balanced, and said valve means include main flow port means and control flow orifice means through which said main flow and said control flow pass, respectively, and the effective areas of which port means and orifice means vary in response to movement of said movable valve means relative to said stationary valve means in such a way as to maintain said substantially fixed ratio between said flow and said control flow.

Claim 15

A capacity fuse valve comprising: a valve body containing a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, flow proportioning means in said body for splitting the fluid entering said inlet into a main flow and a control flow whose flow rates remain in a substantially fixed ratio over a range of fluid inflow rates through said inlet, shutoff valve means including a chamber which receives said control flow and operable by the control flow fluid within said chamber for blocking main flow through the valve upon passage of a predetermined main flow volume through the valve, and wherein said flow proportioning means comprises stationary valve means including a stationary valve sleeve fixed in said body, movable valve means movable in one axial direction axial direction of said valve sleeve from a normal position toward a limiting position by the pressure of fluid entering said inlet and including a movable valve member movable with said movable valve means and axially within said stationary valve sleeve, biassing means urging said movable valve means in the opposite axial direction of said stationary valve sleeve and toward said normal position, whereby said movable valve means assumes an axial position relative to said stationary valve means wherein the opposing forces on the movable valve means are balanced, and said valve means include main flow port means and control flow orifice means through which said main flow and said control flow pass, respectively, and the effective areas of which port means and orifice means vary in response to movement of said movable valve means relative to said stationary valve means in such a way as to maintain said substantially fixed ratio between said flow and said control flow.

Claim 16

A capacity fuse valve, comprising: a valve body containing a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a chamber, flow proportioning means in said body including main flow port means and first control flow orifice means for splitting the fluid entering said inlet into a main flow which passes through said port means to said outlet and a smaller control flow which passes through said orifice means into said chamber, shutoff valve means responsive to the volume of control flow fluid contained in said chamber for blocking main flow through the valve in response to containment of a predetermined volume of control flow fluid in said chamber, and second control flow orifice means through which control flow fluid exits said chamber at a rate less than the rate at which said control flow enters said chamber through said first orifice means, whereby said chamber fills with control flow fluid to close said shutoff valve means at a net flow rate equal to the difference between the control flow rates.

Claim 17

A capacity fuse valve, comprising: a valve body containing a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a chamber, flow proportioning means in said body including main flow port means and first control flow orifice means for splitting the fluid entering said inlet into a main flow which passes through said port means to said outlet and a smaller control flow which passes through said orifice means into said chamber, shutoff valve means responsive to the volume of control flow fluid contained in said chamber for blocking main flow through the valve in response to containment of a predetermined volume of control flow fluid in said chamber, and second control flow orifice means through which control flow fluid exits said chamber at a rate less than the rate at which said control flow enters said chamber through said first orifice means, whereby said chamber fills with control flow fluid to close said shutoff valve means at a net flow rate equal to the difference between the control flow rates.

Claim 18

A capacity fuse valve, comprising: a valve body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, flow proportioning means in said body for splitting the fluid entering said inlet into a main flow which follows a main flow path to said outlet and a control flow which follows a control flow path, shutoff valve means operable by said control flow for blocking main flow through the valve upon passage of a predetermined main flow volume through the valve, and wherein said flow proportioning means comprises stationary valve means, movable valve means movable relative to said stationary valve means in one direction along a direction line by the pressure of fluid entering said valve inlet, means for urging said movable valve means in the opposite direction along said direction line, whereby said movable valve means assumes an equilibrium position along said direction line determined by the fluid inflow rate through said inlet and at which the opposing forces on the movable valve means are balanced, main flow metering means associated with said valve means and defining main flow port means through which said main flow occurs, control flow metering means associated with said valve means and defining control flow orifice means through which said control flow occurs, and said port means and orifice means have effective areas which increase with movement of said movable valve means in said one direction and decrease with movement of said movable valve means in the said opposite direction in a manner which maintains a substantially fixed ratio between said effective areas and thereby a substantially fixed ratio between the main and control flow rates over a range of fluid inflow rates, said valve means comprise fixed and movable edge means associated with said stationary and movable valve means, respectively, and defining a flow opening which constitutes one of the follows: (a) said main flow port means, (b) said control flow orifice means, said edge means undergo relative movement along said direction line to vary the effective area of said flow opening during movement of said movable valve means along said direction line, and means for relatively adjusting one of said edge means along said direction line relative to its associated valve means in such a way as to vary said effective area ratio and thereby said flow rate ratio.

Claim 19

A capacity fuse valve, comprising: a valve body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, flow proportioning means in said body for splitting the fluid entering said inlet into a main flow which follows a main flow path to said outlet and a control flow which follows a control flow path, shutoff valve means operable by said control flow for blocking main flow through the valve upon passage of a predetermined main flow volume through the valve, and wherein said flow proportioning means comprises stationary valve means, movable valve means movable relative to said stationary valve means in one direction along a direction line by the pressure of fluid entering said valve inlet, means for urging said movable valve means in the opposite direction along said direction line, whereby said movable valve means assumes an equilibrium position along said direction line determined by the fluid inflow rate through said inlet and at which the opposing forces on the movable valve means are balanced, main flow metering means associated with said valve means and defining main flow port means through which said main flow occurs, control flow metering means associated with said valve means and defining control flow orifice means through which said control flow occurs, and said port means and orifice means have effective areas which increase with movement of said movable valve means in said one direction and decrease with movement of said movable valve means in the said opposite direction in a manner which maintains a substantially fixed ratio between said effective areas and thereby a substantially fixed ratio between the main and control flow rates over a range of fluid inflow rates, said valve means comprise fixed and movable edge means associated with said stationary and movable valve means, respectively, and defining a flow opening which constitutes one of the follows: (a) said main flow port means, (b) said control flow orifice means, said edge means undergo relative movement along said direction line to vary the effective area of said flow opening during movement of said movable valve means along said direction line, and means for relatively adjusting one of said edge means along said direction line relative to its associated valve means in such a way as to vary said effective area ratio and thereby said flow rate ratio.

Claim 20

A capacity fuse valve according to claim 11, wherein: said flow opening comprises said main flow port means.

Claim 21

A fuse valve according to claim 9, wherein: said movable valve member comprises a movable valve sleeve, and said stationary valve means further include a stationary valve rod extending axially through said valve sleeves, whereby axial movement of said movable valve sleeve occurs relative to both said stationary valve sleeve and said valve rod, cooperating means on said valve sleeves forming one of said main flow port means and control flow orifice means, and cooperating means on said movable valve sleeve and said valve rod forming the other of said main flow port means and control flow orifice means, and axial movement of said movable valve sleeve occurs relative to said stationary valve sleeve and said valve rod to vary the flow areas of said control flow port means and control flow orifice means.

Claim 22

A fuse valve according to claim 9, wherein: said movable valve member comprises a movable valve sleeve, said stationary valve means further include a stationary valve rod extending axially through said valve sleeves, first cooperating means on said valve sleeves forming one of said main flow port means and control flow orifice means, and second cooperating means on said movable valve sleeve and said valve rod forming the other of said main flow port means and said control flow orifice means, said second cooperating means comprises an opening in said movable valve sleeve through which one of said flows occurs and a portion of said valve rod slidable in said movable valve sleeve for progressively covering and uncovering said opening upon relative axial movement of said rod and said movable valve sleeve, and axial movement of said movable valve sleeve occurs relative to said stationary valve sleeve and said valve rod to vary the flow areas of said main flow port means and said control flow orifice means.

Claim 23

A fuse valve according to claim 14 wherein: said valve rod portion comprises a free end portion of the rod having an end face circumferentially surrounded by a circumferential free end edge of the rod which undergoes relative movement across said movable sleeve opening upon axial movement of said movable valve sleeve.

Claim 24

A fuse valve according to claim 9, wherein: said movable valve member comprises a movable valve sleeve, said stationary valve means further include a stationary valve rod extending axially through said valve sleeves, cooperating means on said valve sleeves forming one of said main flow port means and control flow orifice means, and cooperating means on said movable valve sleeve and said valve rod including tapered means on one of said movable valve sleeve and valve rod portion forming the other of said main flow port means and control flow orifice means, and axial movement of said movable valve sleeve occurs relative to said stationary valve sleeve and said valve rod to vary the flow areas of said main flow port means and said control flow orifice means.

Claim 25

A fuse valve according to claim 9 wherein: said shutoff valve means comprises a cup-shaped shutoff valve member coaxial with and movable axially of said stationary valve sleeve between a normal full open position in which the shutoff valve member is telescoped over one end of said stationary valve sleeve with said one end of the stationary sleeve extending into the shutoff valve member and a closed position in which the shutoff valve member blocks main flow through the valve.

Claim 26

A fuse valve according to claim 9 wherein: said flow proportioning means includes a stop member movable axially of said stationary valve sleeve, and spring means urging said stop member in said one axial direction to a normal position wherein the stop member is engageable with said movable valve means to limit movement of said movable valve means in said opposite axial direction to said normal position, said biassing means and fluid pressure at said valve outlet when said valve inlet is vented urge said movable valve means in said opposite axial direction beyond its normal position and against said stop member to move said stop member in said opposite axial direction from its normal position to a retracted position wherein said movable valve means occupies a reverse flow position, and said valve means include means permitting reverse flow from said valve outlet to said valve inlet when said moveable valve means occupies said reverse flow position.

Claim 27

Flow proportioning means comprising: a body having a fluid inlet, flow splitting means in said body for splitting the fluid entering said inlet into first and second flows whose flow rates remain in a substantially fixed ratio over a range of fluid inflow rates through said inlet, and wherein said flow splitting means comprises stationary valve means including a stationary valve sleeve fixed in said body, movable valve means moveable in one axial direction of said valve sleeve from a normal position toward a limiting position by the pressure of fluid entering said inlet and including a movable valve member movable with said movable valve means and axially within said valve sleeve, biassing means urging said movable valve means in the opposite axial direction of said valve sleeve and toward said normal position, whereby said movable valve means assumes an axial position relative to said stationary valve means wherein the opposing forces on the movable valve means are balanced, and said valve means include first and second flow port means through which said first and second flows pass, respectively, and the flow areas of which port means vary in response to movement of said movable valve means relative to said stationary valve means in such a way as to maintain said substantially fixed ratio between said first and second flows.

Claim 28

Flow proportioning means comprising: a body having a fluid inlet, flow splitting means in said body for splitting the fluid entering said inlet into first and second flows whose flow rates remain in a substantially fixed ratio over a range of fluid inflow rates through said inlet, and wherein said flow splitting means comprises stationary valve means including a stationary valve sleeve fixed in said body, movable valve means moveable in one axial direction of said valve sleeve from a normal position toward a limiting position by the pressure of fluid entering said inlet and including a movable valve member movable with said movable valve means and axially within said valve sleeve, biassing means urging said movable valve means in the opposite axial direction of said valve sleeve and toward said normal position, whereby said movable valve means assumes an axial position relative to said stationary valve means wherein the opposing forces on the movable valve means are balanced, and said valve means include first and second flow port means through which said first and second flows pass, respectively, and the flow areas of which port means vary in response to movement of said movable valve means relative to said stationary valve means in such a way as to maintain said substantially fixed ratio between said first and second flows.

Claim 29

Flow proportioning means according to claim 19, wherein: said movable valve member comprises a movable valve sleeve, and said stationary valve means include a stationary valve rod extending axially through said valve sleeves, whereby axial movement of said movable valve sleeve occurs relative to both said stationary valve sleeve and said valve rod, first cooperating means on said valve sleeves forming said first flow port means, and second cooperating means on said movable valve sleeve and said valve rod forming said second flow port means, and axial movement of said movable valve sleeve occurs relative to said stationary valve sleeve and said valve rod to vary the areas of said port means.

Claim 30

Flow proportioning means according to claim 19, wherein: said movable valve member comprises a movable valve sleeve, said stationary valve means include a stationary valve rod extending axially through said valve sleeves, first cooperating means on said valve sleeves forming said first port means, and second cooperating means on said movable valve sleeve and said valve rod forming said second port means, said second cooperating means comprises an opening in said movable valve sleeve through which said second flow occurs and a portion of said valve rod slidable in said movable valve sleeve for progressively covering and uncovering said opening upon relative axial movement of said rod and said movable valve sleeve, and axial movement of said movable valve sleeve occurs relative to said stationary valve sleeve and said valve rod to vary the flow areas of said port means.

Claim 31

Flow proportioning means according to claim 21 wherein: said valve rod portion comprises a free end portion of the rod having an end face circumferentially surrounded by a circumferential free end edge of the rod which undergoes relative movement across said movable sleeve opening upon axial movement of said movable valve sleeve.

Claim 32

Flow proportioning means according to claim 19, wherein: said movable valve member comprises a movable valve sleeve, said stationary valve means include a stationary valve rod extending axially through said valve sleeves, first cooperating means on said valve sleeves forming said first flow port means, and second cooperating means on said movable valve sleeve and said valve rod including tapered means on one of said movable valve sleeve and valve rod portion forming said second flow port means, and axial movement of said movable valve sleeve occurs relative to said stationary valve sleeve and said valve rod to vary the areas of said flow port means.

Claim 33

Flow proportioning means according to claim 19 wherein: said flow splitting means includes a stop member movable axially of said stationary valve sleeve, and spring means urging said stop member in said one axial direction to a normal position wherein the stop member is engageable with said movable valve means to limit movement of said movable valve means in said opposite axial direction to said normal position, said biassing means and fluid pressure at said outlet when said inlet is vented urge said movable valve means in said opposite axial direction beyond its normal position and against said stop member to move said stop member in said opposite axial direction from its normal position to a retracted position wherein said movable valve means occupies a reverse flow position, and said valve means include means permitting reverse flow through said flow proportioning means when said movable valve means occupies said reverse flow position.