Patent ID: 6948520
Filing Date: 2005-09-27
Classification: G05D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An adjustable pressure regulator for controlling the flow of a gas from a high pressure source to a low pressure device, the gas being delivered from the regulator at a predetermined outlet pressure, comprising: a body; a piston assembly carried by the body, the piston assembly having a piston, a flow conduit formed in the piston and a biasing element operably connected to the piston, the flow conduit having a regulated pressure outlet end, the piston being movable longitudinally in the body; a retainer element engageable with the body and movable toward and away from the body and the piston, the retainer element includes a seal retainer and a retaining block, the retaining block having at least one gas passage therethrough; a seat carried by the retainer element and movable therewith, the seat being engaged by the flow conduit to isolate a flow path through the regulator and disengaged from the flow conduit to provide a flow path through the flow conduit; and an inlet in flow communication with the retainer element; an adjusting collar operably connected to the body and operably connected to the retainer element and the seat, the adjusting collar being longitudinally movable along the body to longitudinally move the retaining element and the seat toward and away from the flow conduit; and an inner shaft fixedly connected to the seal retainer and defining a high pressure gas clearance therebetween, the inner shaft providing a gas path from the inlet to the high pressure gas clearance and wherein the retaining block gas passage provides flow communication from the high pressure gas clearance to the to the seat and flow conduit; wherein the piston assembly biasing element biases the flow conduit away from the seat to open a flow path through the regulator and wherein gas pressure on the piston urges the flow conduit into contact with the seat to close the flow path through the regulator, and wherein the retainer element and seat are movable toward and away from the body to vary a distance of movement of the flow conduit toward and away from the seat to vary the predetermined outlet pressure.