Patent ID: 6110427
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: G05D,Y10T

Abstract:
A flow regulator comprising:a housing defining a chamber therein, and comprising inlet and outlet ports in communication with the chamber and being adapted to direct fluid into and out of the chamber, respectively;a piston assembly, movably disposed in the chamber, and being movable in a forward direction toward the outlet port and in a reverse direction away from the outlet port, the piston comprising a surface portion and an opening defining portion having an opening therein; andan urging device which provides an urging force to urge the piston assembly in the reverse direction away from the outlet port;the opening in the piston assembly and the urging device being configured such that when the fluid flows into the chamber through the inlet port, an equilibrium condition results in which a clearance between the surface portion of the piston assembly and the outlet port self-adjusts such that the fluid flows through the flow regulator at a flow rate relatively unaffected by a change in supply pressure, downstream pressure, and temperature of the fluid;the piston assembly including a cavity and a control seat and the piston assembly being slidably disposed in the chamber to be urged by the urging device away from the outlet port, the control seat comprising the surface portion.