A pressure regulator has a first and a second chamber which are separated by a movable piston varying the size of the chambers and which are in fluid contact with one another through a channel extending in the movable piston. The piston has a greater pressure surface area in the first chamber than in the second chamber. A high-pressure chamber beneath the bottom of the second chamber, has an aperture disposed in the bottom of the second chamber. A valve seat is disposed in the second chamber and cooperates with the movable piston to form a throttle between the high-pressure chamber and the second chamber. A high-pressure piston disposed in the high-pressure chamber projects into the second chamber through the first aperture and is displaceable in its longitudinal direction therethrough. A second aperture is provided at the end of the high-pressure piston which faces the second chamber. Also, a channel in the high-pressure piston extends from the second aperture throughout the entire high-pressure piston. The regulator may include a warning device. It may also be used to ensure a constant gas flow to, for example, an emergency escape breathing apparatus.
The piloted pressure relief valve (90) comprises a valve body (92) having a stepped bore (96) which receives a stationary bearing member (110) with a central through opening (117) through which extends a longitudinal extension (137) of a movable piston (130). The movable piston (130) has one end (133) sealingly received within a reduced diameter section (97) of the bore (96) and the opposite longitudinal extension (137) engages a valve member (154) captured between the bearing member (110) and a shoulder of the bore (96). The moveable piston (130) has a longitudinal through passage (132) permitting fluid flow therethrough when the piston (130) moves away from the valve member (154). A spring (140) disposed within the stepped bore (96) biases the piston (130) toward the valve member (154). The relief valve (90) enables a pumpback traction control system (10) to relieve fluid pressure buildup to the master cylinder ( 12) when a predetermined pressure limit is exceeded.
A pressure piloted release valve (80) is disposed within an adaptive braking system (10) having shuttle valves (34, 44, 54, 64). The release valve (80) provides for a quick release of fluid pressure buildup within the adaptive braking system (10) so that an associated shuttle valve (34, 44, 54, 64) will return to a normal braking position and cease restricting fluid flow with an associated wheel brake (30, 40, 50, 60). The release valve (80) includes a differential area release valve (100) received with a valve body (83) having a stepped bore (90). The valve body (83) includes a frustoconical-shaped body chamber (120) with a radial passage (124) such that displacement of the release valve (100) results in a second end (105) of the release valve (100) engaging sealingly a sloped end wall (102) of the body chamber (120) to prevent fluid flow through a longitudinal through passage (101) of the release valve (100) to a receptacle chamber (85) via the radial passage (124). The valve body (83) includes a poppet check valve passage (123) that communicates with the body chamber (120). A poppet check valve (130) normally permits fluid communication through the longitudinal through passage (101) to a receptacle end opening (84), and fluid pressure received at the receptacle end opening (84) causes the check valve (130) to close. When fluid pressure received from a master cylinder (12) and communicated with a first end opening (88) of the valve body (83) is terminated, the release valve (100) shuttles open very quickly and allows the fluid pressure at the receptacle end opening (84) to be communicated quickly to the master cylinder (12).
An improved pressure regulator (60) is provided with an eductive flow to maintain the outlet pressure at increased flows through the regulator. The improved regulator broadly includes a body (61) provided with a bore. A valve seat (24) is movably mounted in the bore to provide a valve seat. A valve member (68) is mounted in the body bore for controlled movement toward and away from the seat to vary the area of a main orifice through which fluid is adapted to flow from an inlet to an outlet. The body has a sensing passage (73) communicating a portion (76) of the bore with the exit passage (65). The facing surfaces (74, 76) of the bore and valve member are so dimensioned and configured as to provide an elongated open-ended annular space (78) therebetween that extends along the guide passage from its communicative intersection with the exit passage to a point beyond which the sensing passage communicates with the guide passage. A projection (81) extends from one of the facing surfaces toward the other of the facing surfaces at a location between the open end of the guide passage and the sensing passage to provide a secondary flow restriction. The magnitude of the outlet pressure at increased flows from the inlet to the outlet is better maintained.
A pressure regulator is described including an integral indicator which signals the near depletion of gas in a compressed gas cylinder to which the regulator is connected. The indicator remains extended as long as an adequate supply of gas remains in the cylinder. Upon the near depletion of the gas, the indicator withdraws into the regulator body to warn of the near depletion of gas.
A regulator and fill valve assembly for filling a fluid pressure tank and for regulating the flow of pressurized fluid from the tank includes a regulator portion having a valve body with a piston chamber. A pressure flow passageway extends from an inlet end to a first end of the piston chamber and an outlet port communicates with the piston chamber. A piston is movable in the piston chamber. A first spring at a second opposite end of the piston chamber urges the piston toward the first end of the piston chamber. A handle is provided for manually controlling the force of the first spring acting on the piston. A check valve assembly is located in the passageway and includes a seat, a valve member, a valve guide and a second spring biasing the valve member and guide towards the seat. The valve member is movable in a direction towards a closed position against the seat by fluid pressure in the passageway and the biasing force of the second spring. A valve check actuator is located between the piston and the valve check. Movement of the piston toward the first end of the chamber tends to move the valve member to an open position. The assembly also includes a fill valve portion having valve body member with a through passageway including another valve chamber open at one end. A restricted flow passage is at the other end of the valve chamber. An outlet opening is connected to the flow passage. The valve body member is connected to the valve body so that a pressure port in the valve body communicates with the open end of the valve chamber. A valving member is slidable in the valve chamber and has a nose that opens and closes the restricted flow passage. A head of the valving member is located in the open end of the valve chamber. Portions establish fluid flow through the fill valve when the restricted flow passage is open. A spring acts on the valving member to urge it toward an open position. Fluid pressure in the pressure port acts on the head and holds the valving member closed until the force of the fluid pressure is overcome by the spring force. The spring holds the valving member open to permit the tank to be evacuated and charged with pressurized fluid.
