Patent ID: 6328535
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: F04B,F04C,Y10T

Abstract:
A flow control valve comprising a body; a bore having first and second axial ends, the bore being formed within the body of the valve; a valve element movably located within the bore; an inlet in communication with the first axial end of the bore; an outlet in communication with the second axial end of the bore; adjustment means for adjusting at least one characteristic of the flow of fluid through the flow control valve in accordance with the position of the valve element within the bore; and a discharge orifice formed in the valve element for establishing a pressure differential across the valve element between the first and second axial ends of the bore; wherein the adjustment means includes a spill port having an opening into the first axial end of the bore and wherein the valve element is slidable axially within the bore, between the inlet and the outlet, between a first position, in which the opening of the spill port is blocked by the valve element, and a second position in which the opening to the spill port from the first axial end of the bore is not blocked by the valve element, the valve further comprising biasing means for biasing the valve element towards said first position, said biasing means being disposed in the fluid flow path between the discharge orifice and the outlet so as to reduce stagnant regions in the valve.