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US5890512A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
CNG regulator
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1995-11-06
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Granted: 1999-04-06
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Expires: 2015-11-06
Abstract
Abstract High pressure natural gas enters the regulator at the inlet port and is directed through a filter to a passage in the valve body and into the inner chamber of the valve body. The valve means which controls the high pressure gas as it expands past a valve seat and into the low pressure chamber of the regulator body, is spring mounted in a bushing to prevent undesired vibrations. The expanded and colder low pressure natural gas is directed through a nozzle to the outlet port of the regulator body. The outlet port has a bypass orifice that leads to the diaphragm chamber. Pressure variations in the diaphragm chamber control the movement of the valve means coupled to the diaphragm means.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey Bryan Gotthelf
- 👤 Charles Walter Otap
- 👤 Edward W. Peters
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:45
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17C; F17C13/00; F17C13/04; G; G05; G05D; G05D16/00; G05D16/04; G05D16/06; G05D16/063; G05D16/0644; G05D16/0663; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/6851; Y10T137/7036; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7754; Y10T137/7756; Y10T137/7781; Y10T137/7793; Y10T137/7794; Y10T137/7822; Y10T137/7823; Y10T137/7826
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
A pressure-reducing regulator comprising: a regulator body having (a) an inner chamber for receiving high-pressure, compressed, natural gas therewithin and (b) an outer chamber for receiving low-pressure, compressed, natural gas therewithin; an inlet port for admitting gas into said inner chamber; an outlet port for discharging gas from said outer chamber; valving means comprising a valve spring and a valving element having a plug portion, a stem portion, and a tubular portion, said means movably disposed within said body, for controlling gas flow between said chambers; diaphragm means, coupled to said valving means, for (a) sensing outlet gas pressure, and (b) effecting movement of said valving means; and bypass means coupled between said outlet port and said diaphragm means for communicating a pressure indicative of said outlet gas pressure at said bypass means to said diaphragm means; wherein said regulator body includes a pressure port connected to said outer chamber and poppet means in said outer chamber responsive to pressures in said outer chamber; a valve body located within a bore in said regulator body, and said valve body having a cylindrical bore for positioning a slotted bushing therein; wherein said tubular portion of said valving element and said valve spring are mounted within said bushing; and wherein said slotted bushing has tapered sleeves at one end and is closed at the opposite end to retain said valve spring.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
A pressure-reducing regulator comprising: a regulator body having (a) an inner chamber for receiving high-pressure, compressed, natural gas therewithin and (b) an outer chamber for receiving low-pressure, compressed, natural gas therewithin; an inlet port for admitting gas into said inner chamber; an outlet port for discharging gas from said outer chamber; valving means comprising a valve spring and a valving element having a plug portion, a stem portion, and a tubular portion, said means movably disposed within said body, for controlling gas flow between said chambers; diaphragm means, coupled to said valving means, for (a) sensing outlet gas pressure, and (b) effecting movement of said valving means; and bypass means coupled between said outlet port and said diaphragm means for communicating a pressure indicative of said outlet gas pressure at said bypass means to said diaphragm means; wherein said regulator body includes a pressure port connected to said outer chamber and poppet means in said outer chamber responsive to pressures in said outer chamber; a valve body located within a bore in said regulator body, and said valve body having a cylindrical bore for positioning a slotted bushing therein; wherein said tubular portion of said valving element and said valve spring are mounted within said bushing; and wherein said slotted bushing has tapered sleeves at one end and is closed at the opposite end to retain said valve spring.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The pressure-reducing regulator according to claim 1 wherein said poppet means includes a poppet with a molded tip.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The pressure-reducing regulator according to claim 2 wherein said poppet means includes a poppet screw and a poppet spring contained within and between said poppet and poppet screw.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The pressure-reducing regulator according to claim 3 including a dust cover positioned in said poppet screw.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
225 words
A pressure-reducing regulator comprising: a regulator body; having (a) an inner chamber for receiving high-pressure, compressed, natural gas therewithin and (b) an outer chamber for receiving low-pressure, compressed, natural gas therewithin; an inlet port for admitting gas into said inner chamber; an outlet port for discharging gas from said outer chamber; valving means comprising a valve spring and a valving element having a plug portion, a stem portion, and a tubular portion, said means movably disposed within said body, for controlling gas flow between said chambers; diaphragm means, coupled to said valving means, for (a) sensing outlet gas pressure, and (b) effecting movement of said valving means; bypass means coupled between said outlet port and said diaphragm means for communicating a pressure indicative of said outlet gas pressure at said bypass means to said diaphragm means; and, a valve body having a cylindrical bore for positioning a slotted bushing, said valve body located within a bore of in said regulator body; wherein said regulator body includes a pressure port connected to said outer chamber and poppet means in said outer chamber responsive to pressures in said outer chamber; wherein said tubular portion and said valve spring are mounted within said slotted bushing; and, wherein said slotted bushing has tapered sleeves at one end and is closed at the opposite end to retain said valve spring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
225 words
A pressure-reducing regulator comprising: a regulator body; having (a) an inner chamber for receiving high-pressure, compressed, natural gas therewithin and (b) an outer chamber for receiving low-pressure, compressed, natural gas therewithin; an inlet port for admitting gas into said inner chamber; an outlet port for discharging gas from said outer chamber; valving means comprising a valve spring and a valving element having a plug portion, a stem portion, and a tubular portion, said means movably disposed within said body, for controlling gas flow between said chambers; diaphragm means, coupled to said valving means, for (a) sensing outlet gas pressure, and (b) effecting movement of said valving means; bypass means coupled between said outlet port and said diaphragm means for communicating a pressure indicative of said outlet gas pressure at said bypass means to said diaphragm means; and, a valve body having a cylindrical bore for positioning a slotted bushing, said valve body located within a bore of in said regulator body; wherein said regulator body includes a pressure port connected to said outer chamber and poppet means in said outer chamber responsive to pressures in said outer chamber; wherein said tubular portion and said valve spring are mounted within said slotted bushing; and, wherein said slotted bushing has tapered sleeves at one end and is closed at the opposite end to retain said valve spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The pressure-reducing regulator according to claim 5 wherein said slotted bushing is fabricated of a PEEK material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The pressure-reducing regulator according to claim 6 wherein said slotted bushing has at least a plurality of cylindrically shaped finger elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The pressure-reducing regulator according to claim 7 wherein said slotted bushing has four cylindrically shaped finger elements.
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) | 2002-04-05 | 2002-10-05 | 2003-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-05 | 2006-10-05 | 2007-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-05 | 2010-10-05 | 2011-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |