Patent ID: 6681792
Filing Date: 2004-01-27
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A fluid control valve apparatus comprising:a generally cylindrical housing; an inlet located at a first position on said housing; an outlet located at a second position on said housing; a sleeve at least partially positioned within said housing defining a region exterior to said sleeve and a region interior to said sleeve, said region exterior to said sleeve being in fluid communication with said inlet opening and said region interior to said sleeve being in fluid communication with said outlet opening; said sleeve defining a perforated region having a plurality of perforations, wherein said sleeve is configured so that the fluid flows from the region exterior to said sleeve through said plurality of perforations to the region interior to said sleeve; a gate movable parallel to a gate movement axis between a closed position substantially covering said perforated region and a fully open position allowing fluid flow through said perforations to said interior region of said sleeve, said gate having a leg extending radially therefrom; and an actuator assembly at least indirectly coupled to said gate which provides a force substantially parallel to said gate movement axis wherein at least a first moveable portion of said actuator assembly contacts fluid moving through said valve, wherein said actuator assembly comprises at least a first threaded rotatable drive screw which engages a first threaded nut coupled to said leg and wherein said drive screw has a free end; wherein both of said first threaded nut and said first drive screw are in contact with said fluid, and wherein said housing has an integral region that surrounds said sleeve, said nut, and said free end of said drive screw has a free end surrounded by said housing.