Patent ID: 6363964
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: G05D,Y10T

Abstract:
An adjustable pressure regulator for controlling the delivery of a gas from a high pressure source to a low pressure device at a predetermined outlet pressure, the adjustable pressure regulator comprising:a body having an inlet port and an outlet port and defining a chamber therebetween, the chamber defining a flow path for the gas from the high pressure source to the low pressure device; an insert positioned in the chamber and fixedly disposed relative to the body, the chamber defining a first seal at a juncture with the body in the chamber, the first seal disposed within the flow path; a piston positioned in the insert for reciprocal movement therein, the piston having a bore formed therein; a pin assembly adjustably mounted to the piston and extending through the insert, the pin assembly and insert defining a variable pressure region therebetween, the pin assembly including a sealing head portion positioned for cooperating engagement with the first seal, the pin assembly being reciprocal fixedly with the piston between a closed state wherein the sealing head region engages the first seal to isolate the inlet port from the outlet port and an opened stated wherein the sealing head region is disengaged from the first seal to permit flow communication from the inlet port to the outlet port; a biasing element disposed for cooperating engagement with the piston to bias the piston and pin assembly into the opened state; and a third seal, the third seal carried by the pin assembly and disposed between the pin assembly and the piston, wherein when a pressure in the variable pressure region is higher than the predetermined outlet pressure, the piston and pin assembly reciprocate to the closed state and wherein when the pressure in the variable pressure region is lower than the predetermined outlet pressure, the piston and pin assembly reciprocate to the opened state, and wherein the pin assembly is adjustable relative to the piston to vary the predetermined outlet pressure.