Patent ID: 6213408
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: A01G

Abstract:
A flow regulator for regulating flow of a fluid, the flow regulator comprising:(a) at least one spring element; and(b) at least one flow-path-defining element configured to provide at least one fixed surface which cooperates with said at least one spring element to define a fluid flow path from an inlet passing through at least one flow regulating cell to an outlet, said at least one flow regulating cell including:(i) a leaf-spring portion provided by said at least one spring element, said leaf-spring portion having a front surface exposed to fluid flowing along the fluid flow path, said leaf-spring portion further providing an edge, said leaf-spring portion being elastically deflectable under pressure applied on said front surface by the fluid from an initial state to a deflected state, and(ii) a clearance surface provided by said at least one flow-path-defining element, said clearance surface defining, together with said edge of said leaf-spring portion, a variable clearance through which said fluid flow path passes, such that said leaf-spring portion is responsive to the pressure of the fluid adjacent to said front surface to vary said clearance, thereby regulating the flow of the fluid.