JP4138874B2 - Spring loaded bellows adjuster - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This application relates to pressurized fluid devices and, more particularly, to a device for regulating the pressure within the device. While the present invention will be described with particular reference to a spring loaded bellows regulator, it will be understood that selected aspects of the invention have application in related fluid environments and applications.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,734 discloses a predecessor regulator, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[Brief description of the drawings]
The present invention may take physical forms in certain parts and arrangements of parts, and the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings that form a part of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a novel pressure regulator formed in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified regulator used as a back pressure regulator.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring now to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown, in which high pressure fluid enters the inlet A of the body 19 and then proceeds to the poppet chamber B. . Fluid flow from chamber B through orifice 20 to chamber C is controlled by an opening between movable poppet 22 and orifice chamber 21. After the fluid enters chamber C, the fluid exits body 19 via outlet D. The fluid pressure in the chamber C acts on the movable bellows face plate 16, which is connected to a poppet stem 18 that extends through the orifice 20. The poppet stem is linked to the poppet 22. The bellows face plate 16 is welded to the flexible bellows 15, and the flexible bellows 15 is welded to the bellows support collar 14. The bellows support collar is welded to the upper housing 17, and the upper housing 17 is welded to the main body 19.
The pressure acting on the bellows face plate 16 is countered by the regulator spring 7 acting on the opposite side of the face plate. When the pressure in chamber C overcomes the force exerted by the regulator spring, the face plate moves upwards under greater force, moving the poppet stem and poppet until the poppet is in close contact with the poppet seat. Once the poppet engages the seat, further flow is stopped and a pressure increase occurs. As the flow exits chamber C through outlet D, the pressure in chamber C is reduced and the regulator spring force exceeds the fluid force exerted on the faceplate. This moves the faceplate, poppet stem, and poppet downward, thereby opening the orifice passage and restoring flow.
The pressure setting can be changed by adjusting the amount of regulator spring force. This is achieved by turning the adjustment knob 1 attached to the adjustment shaft 3 by the set screw 2. The spring compression nut 6 is screwed into the regulator 3 so that the nut 6 is not turned because the hexagonal point of the nut slides in a groove machined in the spring housing 5. It is. Therefore, when the adjusting shaft rotates, the spring compression nut advances or retracts in the axial direction to increase or decrease the spring force acting on the back side of the bellow face plate 16.
In addition to the main concept described above, the regulator has a mechanism for preventing vibration. This is achieved by an O-ring 10 housed in an O-ring catch 9 that fits snugly into the damper shaft 12. This configuration provides a slight resistance to the movement of the bellows face plate 16 when the bellows faceplate 16 is responsive to rapid pressure changes. The damper shaft 12 prevents the snug fit of the O-ring from resisting the sealing force required to stop all flow between the poppet 22 and the orifice seat 21 when the poppet is about to close. Has a taper.
Another feature of this regulator is the return spring 11. When the spring is fully retracted by turning the adjustment knob and thus fully retracting any adjuster spring force, the spring moves the bellows face plate upward and the poppet is biased into the orifice seat. Try to move in the direction.
A main body base 23 having an access port for repairing the poppet 22 is welded to the bottom of the main body 19. This port is sealed by a gasket 24 pressed against the seat by a set screw 25.
In the second preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the poppet 22 'is placed in the chamber C and seals to the upper or opposite surface of the orifice 20'. In this configuration, the assembly can be used as a back adjuster with mouth D as the inlet and mouth A as the outlet. The poppet stem 18 'is of a short length and the poppet is inverted with respect to the configuration of FIG. 1 and seals to the upper seat. In this way, the pressure in the inlet D acts on the bellows and regulator spring to provide a predetermined pressure to lift the poppet from the seat. This controls the flow (and pressure) of fluid to outlet A as desired by the back pressure regulator. In substantially all other respects, this embodiment is structurally and functionally equivalent to the embodiment of FIG.
The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding this specification. All such modifications and changes are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (5)

A housing having an inlet and an outlet in communication with the chamber, and a seat interposed between the inlet and the outlet;
A pressure response assembly disposed at least partially within the chamber between the inlet and the outlet and for controlling the flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet, the pressure response assembly comprising: A spring for biasing the pressure response assembly open until fluid pressure reaches a selectable pressure setting, the spring being isolated from the chamber, the pressure response assembly being a flexible bellows, movable A bellows faceplate, and a poppet connected to the bellows faceplate for selectively engaging the seat in response to pressure in the chamber, the bellows having a first end secured to the housing and a second end Fixed to the bellows faceplate,
Pressure setting adjustment means for selecting the pressure setting of the pressure response assembly, the pressure setting adjustment means being connected to the bellows face plate via a damper shaft having a tapered region that receives an O-ring that eliminates vibrations;
A return spring for biasing the pressure response assembly toward the seat when the pressure setting adjustment means is fully retracted, wherein the return spring is isolated from the chamber. The pressure setting adjustment means includes an adjustment shaft extending through the housing and threadedly receiving the movable nut member, the movable nut member having an outer surface that is received non-rotatably in the housing, and the spring is a nut member The pressure regulator of claim 1, having a first end engaged with the second end and a second end engaged with the bellows faceplate. The pressure regulator according to claim 2, wherein the pressure setting adjustment means includes a set screw and an adjustment knob, and the set screw connects the adjustment knob to the adjustment shaft. The pressure regulator of claim 1, wherein the pressure response assembly includes a poppet extending from the pressure response assembly for selective engagement with the seat. The pressure of claim 1, further comprising a bellow support collar, the collar being secured to the end of the bellows and interposed between the bellows and the housing such that the collar is secured to the end of the housing. Adjuster.

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