Patent ID: 7080655
Filing Date: 2006-07-25
Classification: G05D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A filter-less regulator for use in a fluid flow system that processes low concentration reactive gases, the regulator comprising: a housing including an inlet, an outlet and a fluid flow path defined between the inlet and outlet by internal surfaces of the housing; and a pressure regulating section to reduce the pressure of a reactive gas flowing through the regulator between the housing inlet and the housing outlet the pressure regulating section including a plurality of pressure reducing stages to reduce the pressure of the reactive gas from an inlet pressure to an outlet pressure that is lower than the inlet pressure; wherein the internal surfaces of the housing are formed of stainless steel and the combined area of the internal surfaces is sufficiently sized to facilitate processing of a reactive gas having an inlet concentration no greater than about 10 ppm and flowing at a suitable flow rate into the housing inlet such that when the regulator is implemented for use in the fluid flow system without prior passivation, an outlet concentration of the reactive gas does not decrease to a value that is less than about 10% of the inlet concentration during an initial one hour period of use of the regulator.