Pre-set regulator assembly

Abstract: A pressure regulator assembly (40) having a pre-set apparatus (56) in a selectively inaccesible location for pre-setting a minimum pressure for said pressure regulator (40) and an adjustable mechanism (94) for providing a selectively higher pressure. The pre-set apparatus (56) is selectively adjustable only upon gaining entry to the selectively inaccessible location. A shield member (76) prevents blockage of a venting port (50) while assuring continued communication bewtween the venting port (50) and an area of reduced pressure, such as atmospheric pressure.

Description: The present invention relates to pressure regulators and more particularly to a pressure regulator which can be pre-set to a specified minimum pressure and adjusted to a second, higher pressure. In various mechanical devices fluid pressure such as pneumatic or hydraulic pressure is used as a motive force to operate various components of the mechanism. For example, in an apparatus for attaching fasteners such as the apparatus disclosed in U. S. Patent Nos. 3,964,661 and 3,987,950, a pneumatic cylinder is used to assemble two components of the fastener element on to a fabric article. The pressure supplied by the cylinder is critical in assembling the two portions of the fastener together in that if too low a presssure is utilized, the parts will not be completely assembled and thus will be more subject to failure. If too high a pressure is utilized, then the parts will be subjected to damage. It is necessary during the operation of the apparatus, however, to adjust the pressure of the cylinder as needed in order to compensate for various factors encountered in the manufacturing process. On commercial available devices, a pressure regulator is provided in which there is an adjustment mechanism, generally in the form of a threaded member which can be moved axially within the pressure regulator body to provide the necessary adjustment. However, operators may inadvertently select a pressure which is below a necessary minimum pressure to achieve an adequate assembly of the parts. Therefore, it would be advantageous if there were provided a pressure regulator which could be pre-set to provide a minimum pressure and which could be adjustable to provide a preselected range of pressures above the pre-set minimum pressure. Another feature of pressure regulators generally is to have a vent or bleed hole which is necessary to prevent an excessive amount of pressure and to accurately maintain the pressure selected through adjustment of the pressure regulator. Again, operators may inadvertently or purposefully block the vent hole to cause the apparatus, in some instances, to operate faster, but in any event, to subvert the functioning of the pressure regulator. Therefore, it would be an improvement to the art to assure proper venting of the pressure regulator while avoiding inadvertent or purposeful blocking. DE-A-3 117 908, on which the preamble of claim 1 is based, discloses a pressure regulator having a base member with an inlet and an outlet. A valve member in the base member is normally urged against a valve seat by a first coil spring, to prevent fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet. A variable force is applied to the stem of the valve member by a second coil spring, and this force acts against the force of first coil spring. When the force provided by the second coil spring is greater than the force provided by the first coil spring, the valve member is moved away from the valve seat, to allow fluid communication between the inlet and outlet. The present invention provides a pressure regulator apparatus as claimed in claim 1. Preferred features of the invention are set out in claims 2 to 10. The present invention provides a pressure regulator in which a minimum pressure can be pre-set and yet which is adjustable within a range of pressures above the pre-set minimum pressure. The present invention also provides a shield member which assures proper venting of the vent opening yet shields the vent opening against most inadvertent or purposeful blocking. To provide the pre-set minimum, yet adjustable, pressure, there are provided two separate axially movable members which each can be independently adjusted, axially moving a valve member, to affect the pressure in a line to which the regulator is attached. A first of the adjustable members is used to pre-set a minimum pressure and it is positioned within the body of the pressure regulator such that it is accessible only through a complete disassembly of the pressure regulator requiring special tools. Thus, in most instances, the pre-set minimum adjustment will be fixed and the operator will have access only to the adjustment member which can be used to select a pressure above the pre-set minimum. A shield member, in the form of a cylindrical sleeve, is carried on the pressure regulator body to overlie the vent opening. The wall of the pressure regulator body where the vent opening exits through the wall is milled or otherwise shaped so as to form a channel between the pressure regulator body and the cylindrical sleeve leading to an appropriate lower pressure zone, such as atmosphere. Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and accompanying sheets of drawings in which preferred structural embodiments incorporating the principles of the present invention are shown by way of illustrative example. FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus for attaching elements to an article in which the pressure regulator of the present invention would be useful. FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view through the assembled pressure regulator of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the parts of the pressure regulator assembly. FIG. 4 is a graphic illustration of the strength of an assembled fastener as a function of "set height". FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of an assembled fastener which can be assembled in an apparatus utilizing a presssure regulator of the present invention. As described above, there are many different devices which are powered through the use of pressurized fluid such as hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders. In such devices it oftentimes is useful to provide a mechanism for regulating the fluid pressure. The present invention provides an improvement to a pressure regulator and although the present invention is not limited to a particular configuration or use, a specific embodiment and use is disclosed herein in order to provide a clear description of the invention. A particular use in which the present invention finds utility is in regulating the pneumatic pressure in an apparatus which attaches a fastener , such as a button to an article such as a clothing article. Such an apparatus is illustrated generally in FIG. 1 and is described in detail in U. S. Patent No. 3,987,950, which patent is incorporated herein by reference. In such an apparatus, a fastener 20 (FIG. 5) comprised of two pieces 22, 24 is assembled by rams 26, 28 (FIG. 1) which are driven by air cylinders 30, 32 respectively. The two pieces 22, 24 are pressed together to achieve a "set height" 36 which is a function of the attachment force generated by the rams 26, 28. The force generated by the rams 26, 28, in turn, is dependent upon the fluid pressure being applied to cylinders 30, 32. As shown in FIG. 4, the set height is critical in maintaining the assembly of the fastener pieces 22, 24. For example, a set height in the range of .325 to .360 inches results in a failure of the fastener (separation of the two pieces 22, 24) at a lateral pull force (indicated by arrows 38, 39 in FIG. 5) of an amount in excess of 80 lbs. At a set height greater than .375 inches, failures (solid lines) begin at a force somewhat less than 80 lbs. and slippage between the parts (shown by dashed lines in FIG. 4) begins at a much lower force. Thus, it is critical to maintain a certain minimum fluid pressure lever in order to provide a minimum force by the rams 26, 28 to assure that the "set height" is not greater than a preselected maximum height. A fluid pressure far in excess of that required for the preselected "set height" 36 could cause damage to the fastener 20 by driving the parts farther into each other than desired. However, it is desirable to provide a means for adjusting the fluid pressure within a preselected range of pressures in order to accomomodate variances encountered in the manufacturing process. Therefore, it is common to provide ajustable pressure regulators in the fluid lines powering the cylinders. The present invention provides an improved pressure regulator 40 which can be attached to the fluid lines 42, 44 powering the fluid cylinders 30, 32. The improved pressure regulator is shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. In those figures there is illustrated the pressure regulator assembly 40 which has a base member 46 having a generally cylindrical configuration defining a longitudinal axis 47, having a first port 48 communicating with a source of pressurized fluid (such as one of lines 42, 44) and a second port 50 communicating with a fluid at a relatively lower pressure, such as atmosphere. A valve member 52 is positioned within the base member 46 between the two ports. The valve member is axially movable in the base member 46 toward and away from a valve seat 53 formed at the first port 48 to regulate a flow of the pressurized fluid from the first port 48 to the second port 50, and thus the pressure at the first port 48. A biasing means 54 in the form of a coil spring, urges the valve member 52 toward the first port 48 against the flow of the pressurized fluid to reduce the flow of fluid toward the second port 50. Pre-set means 56 in the form of a threaded screw 58 carrying a pair of nuts 60, 62 separated by a washer 64 is provided for limiting axial movement of the valve member 52 away from the first port 48. A generally cylindrical block member 66 has a hollow interior 68 which receives the pre-set means 56. The block member 66 has a threaded first end 70 which mates with a threaded opening 72 in the base member 46 such that the block member 66 can be co-axially attached to the base member 46. A pair of set screws 74 can be driven through the block member 66 to engage a top face 76 of the base member 46 to prevent removal of the block member 66 without the use of a special tool to unscrew the set screws 74. Thus, the pre-set means is located in a selectively innaccessible location in the base member. A shield means 76 in the form of a cylindrical sleeve is captured on the base member 46 and has a stepped cylindrical passage 78 such that a shoulder 80 is formed therein which faces away from the base member 46. A smaller diameter portion 82 of the passage 78 surrounds a cylindrical outer surface 84 of the base member. A large diameter portion 86 of the passage 78 surrounds the block member 66. The smaller diameter passage 82, however, is smaller than a diameter of the block member 66, thus the shield means 76 is captured on the assembly and is prevented from being removed therefrom without removal of the block member 66. The base member 46 has a flat area 88 machined or formed therein in an area surrounding the second port 50. A lower end 90 of the shield means 76 extends below the second port 50. A lower end 90 of the shield means 76 extends below the second port 50 thus preventing direct access to the second port. However, the flat area 88 and the interior of the shield means 76 define a passage 92 which allows communication between the second part and fluid at a lower pressure such as ambient atmosphere. An adjustable means 94 in the form of a threaded screw is adjustable received in a threaded opening 96 in an end 98 of the block member 66. A threaded end 100 of the adjustable screw 94 has a blind passage 102 formed therein for receipt of a protruding end 104 of smaller screw 58 of the pre-set means. When the adjustment screw 94 is advanced sufficiently, the end 100 will engage the nut 62 thus moving the pre-set means 56 axially toward the valve member 52 thus causing the valve member 52 to move axially toward the valve seat 53 and the first port 48 thereby further restricting the fluid flow through the pressure regulator 40. When the adjustable screw 94 is backed away from the pre-set means 56, the pre-set means 56 will move axially away from the first port 48 thus permitting the valve member 52 to also move away from the valve seat thereby lowering the pressure at the first port 48. Movement of the pre-set means is stopped by the nut 62 engaging a shoulder 104 on the block member 66. Thus, a pre-set minimum pressure will be maintained at the first port 48 regardless of the position of the adjustable screw 94. This pre-set minimum pressure can be adjustably selected by varying the length of the pre-set means 56 by selective positioning of the nut 62 on the threaded screw 58. To prevent inadvertent movement of the adjustable screw 94 an outer cap 106 is secured on the pressure regulator assembly 40 by means of a pair of threaded fasteners 108 which extend through a top wall 110 of the cap 106 and engage into threaded passages 112 in the shield means 76. The operator of the mechanism utilizing the pressure regulator assembly 40 would be provided with a tool to remove the screws 108 to provide relatively easy access to the adjustable screw 94 such that the operator can adjust the pressure at port 48 anywhere from the pre-selected minimum pressure up through a pre-selected range of pressures to a higher pressure. The operator would not be given a tool to remove the set screws 74. Thus, the pre-set means will be relatively inaccessible to the operator. Of course, the pre-set means can be selectely accessed to permit occasional adjustment of the minimum pressure assured by the pre-set means as required. As is apparent from the foregoing specification, the invention is susceptible of being embodied with various alterations and modifications which may differ particularly from those that have been described in the preceding specification and description.

Claims: A pressure regulator assembly (40) comprising: a base member (46) having a first port (48) communicating with a source of pressurised fluid and a second port (50) communicating with fluid at a relatively lower pressure; a valve member (52) positioned in the base member (46) between the first port (48) and the second port (50), the valve member (52) being movable in the base member (46) to regulate a flow of the pressurised fluid from the first port (48) to the second port (50); and biasing means (54) for urging the valve member (52) so as to reduce the flow of fluid towards the second port (50); the pressure regulator assembly being characterised in that it is adapted to maintain the fluid pressure at the first port (48) at a desired pressure, the desired pressure being equal to or greater than a preselected pressure; in that the biasing means urge the valve member (52) towards the first port (48) against the flow of pressurised fluid; in that the second port (50) is a vent port; and in that the pressure regulator assembly further comprises:- pre-set means (56) for limiting movement of the valve member (52) away from the first port (48), the preset means being located in the base member (46) and being inaccessible when the pressure regulator assembly is in use, the pre-selected pressure being varied by adjusting the pre-set means; shield means (76) for blocking direct access to the vent port (50) from the exterior of the base member (46) while allowing fluid communication between the vent port (50) and the relatively lower pressure fluid; and adjustable means (94) for defining the maximum distance of travel of the valve member (52) from the first port (48), the adjustable means (94) being adjustable to select a required maximum distance of travel of the valve member (52) and thereby increase the desired pressure at the first port (48) above the pre-selected pressure. A pressure regulator assembly (40) according to claim 1, wherein said base member (46) has a valve seat (53) formed therein adjacent to said first port (48), said biasing means (54) urging said valve member (52) towards said valve seat (53). A pressure regulator assembly (40) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said biasing means (54) comprises a coil spring (54) positioned between said valve member (53) and said pre-set means (56). A pressure regulator assembly (40) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said pre-set means (56) comprises a threaded member (58) which can be pre-set to a predetermined position relative to said valve member (52). A pressure regulator assembly (40) according to any preceding claim, wherein said shield means (76) comprises a cylindrical cap (76) covering a portion of said base member (46) including said second port (50), an exterior wall of said base member (46) and an interior of said cap (76) being configured to provide a communicating passage (92) between said second port (50) and said relative lower pressure fluid. A pressure regulator assembly (40) according to any preceding claim, wherein said adjustable means (94) comprises an other threaded member (94) which is selectively movable toward and away from said valve member (52). A pressure regulator assembly (40) according to any preceding claim, including means for gaining access to said pre-set means (56). A pressure regulator assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base member (46) is generally cylindrical and has a central axis (47), the first port (48) being axially located and the second port being radially located; and wherein the biasing means (54) comprises a coil spring disposed parallel to the central axis (47) of the base member (46). A pressure regulator assembly as claimed in claim 8 when dependent on claim 4 wherein the threaded member (58) is movable in a direction parallel to the central axis (47) of the base member (46). A pressure regulator assembly as claimed in claim 8 when dependent on claim 6 wherein the other threaded member (94) is movable towards and away from the valve member (52) in a direction parallel to the central axis (47) of the base member (46).

Inventors: SPARROW TIMOTHY H, SPARROW, TIMOTHY H.
Applicants: YKK CORP, YKK CORPORATION
Application year: 1991
Main classification: G05D16
IPC codes: G05D16, A41H37