Abstract:
A compressed gas regulator with integral flow meter is disclosed. The regulator includes pressure reducing section and a flow control section as well as, a Bourdon tube gauge disposed within the protective surround of the regulator body to prevent physical damage to the gauge. The Bourdon tube is mounted on a gauge adapter that provides for rotation of the tube within the regulator body, yet maintaining a gas seal with the high pressure gas supply. The gauge adapter provides a means for fluidly communicating the high pressure level to the Bouldon tube, yet allowing rotation of the Bourdon tube for zeroing and calibration purposes. An indicator ring, also disposed within the regulator body, is mounted on the Bourdon tube so that the pressure level is readily ascertained by viewing the indicator ring through an aperture in the regulator body. An improved flow meter or flow control device is also disclosed that includes a filter and coined flow aperture plate that is economical to manufacture yet provides improved functionality in filtering particulates from the gas emerging from the flow meter.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No. 09/213,441, filed Dec. 16, 1998 now Pat. No. 6,082,396. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to gas flow control devices and, more particularly, to a compact, regulated gas flow control valve. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Precisely calibrated gas-metering devices are commonly used in the medical, emergency and home health care industries for delivering oxygen to patients in need thereof. Nearly all regulators are attached to a high pressure oxygen tank via standardized mechanical connections set forth in the Compressed Gas Associations standards. 
     Millions of people suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Sixty percent of them are treated and receive supplemental oxygen in their homes. Ambulatory patients are provided with portable oxygen systems. The most common system consists of aluminum or steel cylinders ranging in capacity from 160 to 660 liters containing oxygen at 2000 psi. The cylinder is fitted with an off/on post valve to which an oxygen regulator is attached. The regulator reduces the gas pressure from 2000 psi to 50 psi typically. In addition, most regulators include a flow control section that meters the gas to the patient at a prescribed or desired flow rate. Nearly all of the regulators are fitted with an external pressure gauge that displays the pressure within the cylinder at all times. The gauges are fragile, and even though fitted with protective rubber surrounds, are easily broken since the protrude from external surface of the regulator body. When a gauge is broken, it is necessary for the home care provider to make an unscheduled visit to the patient&#39;s home to replace the regulator. The large number of unscheduled visits is a large expense to the home care provider industry. 
     Many regulator devices are presently known that provide such functionality. A variety of such devices are manufactured by Flotec, Inc. of 7625 West New York Street, Indianapolis, Ind. 46214. Many styles of regulator products are produced in the U.S. One common style of regulator is the “unibody” regulator design. The unibody design is typified by a single substantially cylindrical assembly including a yoke at one end for mounting the regulator on a high pressure tank and a regulator body integral with the yoke that includes a pressure reducing section and a flow control section. Typically, these devices also include a pressure gauge that is screwed into a threaded hole in the outer surface of the cylindrical body. 
     Oxygen tanks onto which the pressure regulator/flow control devices are attached are quite heavy and easily tip over. When an oxygen tank tips over it is not uncommon for the pressure gauge attached to the external surface of the regulator device to suffer damage. An improvement in regulator design that minimizes the likelihood of damage to the pressure, gauge is desired. 
     Further, pressure regulator/flow control devices are constructed with machined metal parts that are subject to surface wear. Very fine particles of metal are created when the internal moving components of the regulator make contact with each other. It is thus a further desired feature to minimize the likelihood that such fine metal particles are introduced into the gas flow provided to the user of such devices. 
     Therefore, an improved compressed gas regulator/flow control device with an internal gauge and improved particulate filtering is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A gas regulator including an internal gauge, according to one aspect of the present invention, comprises a first body having an inlet for receiving gas at high pressure from a gas source thereof and a fluid passage in fluid communication with the inlet that extends through the first body, the first body further including an outlet in fluid communication with the fluid passage, a second body having an inlet, a pressure reduction cavity, a first fluid passage in fluid communication with the inlet and the pressure reduction cavity, a gauge cavity, a viewport aperture fluidly communicating with the gauge cavity, and a second fluid passage in fluid communication with the first fluid passage and the gauge cavity, a helical coil Bourdon tube having a sealed end and an open end and disposed within the gauge cavity and wherein the open end of the Bourdon tube is fluidly connected to the second fluid passage where the second fluid passage communicates with the gauge cavity, a pressure indicator disposed in the gauge cavity and attached to the Bourdon tube, and wherein the pressure indicator is viewable through the viewport aperture, pressure reducing means including a low pressure outlet disposed within and fluidly sealing the pressure reduction cavity, the pressure reducing means reducing the gas pressure in the pressure reduction cavity to a predetermined lower pressure and supplying the predetermined lower pressure gas to the low pressure outlet, clamp means for attaching the first body to the gas source so that high pressure gas is supplied to the inlet of the first body, and means for attaching the first body to the second body, the means for attaching including means for fluidly connecting the outlet of the first body to the inlet of the second body. 
     One object of the present invention is to provide an improved gas regulator with flow control capability. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved gas regulator with an internal gauge that is securely protected from damage. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a more economically produced gas pressure regulator with flow control. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved flow metering device. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become moire apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a compressed gas regulator with flow control and internal gauge according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 1 a  is an end view of the device of FIG. 1 with the t-handle and dowel pins removed. 
     FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 a  is an isometric view of the gauge adapter  40  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 3 b  is an isometric view of the gauge adapter  40  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 3 c  is an isometric view of the gauge adapter of FIG. 3 a  shown with the Bourdon tube  44  mounted thereon. 
     FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the connector  22  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the flow meter portion  26  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 is an end view of the knob  28  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 7 is an end view of the flow meter body  84  of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 8 is an end view of the rotor cup  80  of FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the rotor cup  80  of FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 is an end view of the rotor filter  78  shown in FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 11 is an end view of the manifold  54  shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 12 is cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the gas regulator with internal gauge according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the connector  122  of FIG.  13 . 
     FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a compressed gas regulator with flow control and internal gauge according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of a connector according to another aspect of the present invention. 
     FIG. 16 is an end view of the connector of FIG.  15 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, a compressed gas regulator with flow control and internal gauge  10 , according to the present invention is show. The regulator  10  includes a yoke portion  12  having an aperture  14  through which a post valve (not shown) is received. A post valve is attached to a high pressure gas tank and provides a convenient and standard quick connect/disconnect mechanism for attaching a regulator to the gas tank. Typically, t-handle  16  is rotated so that yoke  12  is clamped onto the post valve. Dowel pins  18  mate with corresponding holes in the post valve. T-handle  16  is rotated to urge the post valve onto dowel pins  18  and valve seat  20 . Valve seat  20 , shown in more detail in FIG. 2, includes a metal ring (item  32 , FIG. 2) within which a circular rubber seal (item  34 , FIG. 2) is attached. C-clip  17  secures t-handle  16  onto yoke portion  12 . Compressed oxygen or other gas from a source of high pressure (e.g. a compressed gas tank, not shown) is delivered through the post valve to the connector  22 . Compressed gas flows through the yoke portion  12  into the regulator body  24 . Within regulator body  24 , the pressure from the high pressure tank is reduced and regulated. The regulated gas pressure is then supplied internally via fluid passage, discussed below, to the flow control portion  26  of device  10 . Knob  28  provides a convenient mechanism rotatable by the user to select from a variety of gas flow delivery rates. Low pressure gas at a desired or predetermined flow rate is delivered at the fitting  30 . The yoke portion  12  provides a mechanism for connection of the device  10  to a standard CGA  870  tank connection. In the embodiment shown, flow meter portion  26  and regulator body portion  24  are cylindrical in cross-section. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1 a , an end view of the device  10 , with the t-handle  16  and dowel pins  18  removed, is shown. Yoke portion  12  is primarily shown in this view. Aperture  12   c  is a threaded hole that receives t-handle  16 . Apertures  12   b  receive dowel pins  18  and are sized so that dowel pins  18  are an interference fit therein. Surface  12   d  is a flat surface below the valve seat  20  (FIG. 1) that provides mechanical support therefor. Radius undercuts  12   e  (also shown in FIG. 2) enable mounting of the device  10  on certain CGA standard adapters and are well known in the art. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view of the device  10  of FIG. 1 is shown with the flow meter portion  26  removed. Although a flow meter  26  is shown attached to device  10  in FIG. 1, the device shown in FIG. 2 may be completed with a cap device that mates with threaded end  10   a  to provide a pressure regulated source of gas without flow metering control. As in FIG. 1, the yoke portion  12 , dowel pins  18 , connector  22 , t-handle  16  and regulator body  24  are shown. The valve seat  20  includes a metal ring  32  and a rubber gasket  34  that is attached to the inner diameter of metal ring  32 . Connector  22  is screwed into regulator body  24 , and o-ring seal  75  provides a gas seal therebetween. Compressed gas is supplied to connector  22  and is introduced into passage  36 . Passage  38  is in fluid communication with passage  36 . Gauge adapter  40  slides over connector  22  and is sized to closely fit over the outer diameter of connector  22  in the area of passage  38 . O-rings  42  provide a gas seal between gauge adapter  40  and connector  22  so that compressed gas flowing in passage  38  will not escape. Compressed gas in passage  38  is channeled into Bourdon tube  44  through aperture  40   a  in adapter  40 . The Bourdon tube  44  is attached to and in fluid communication with fluid aperture  40   a  with silver solder or the like. The silver solder (not shown) that attaches Bourdon tube  44  into aperture  40   a  prevents any gas flow out of passage  38  and enables gas flow only into Bourdon tube  44 . Bourdon tube  44  receives pressurized gas through passage  38  and aperture  40   a . A pressure indicator ring  46  is attached to the outermost coils of Bourdon tube  44  and positioned in the channel  48  defined by the regulator body  24  and the surfaces of gauge adapter  40 . Connector  22  includes external threads and mates with regulator body  24 . Pressurized gas is also delivered via passage  36  to the small aperture  50  into the pressure reducing portion  52  of regulator body  24 . Pressure reducing portion  52  includes a cavity  72  within which a manifold  54 , a piston  56  and a spring  58  are situated. Regulated pressure gas is supplied at outlet orifice area  60 . 
     In operation pressurized gas is supplied to passage  36  from a high pressure source. The pressurized gas flows through passage  36  and into passage  50  and passage  38 . The gas pressure in passage  38  is communicated to Bourdon tube  44 . Bourdon tube  44  rotates about the central axis of connector  22 , rotating pressure indicating ring  46  in accordance with the pressure in passage  38 . Pressure readings or numerals are inscribed on the outer circumference of pressure indicator ring  46 . The readings or numerals are viewable by the user through pressure window  62 . Pressurized gas flows through passage  50  into the pressure reducing portion  52 . When flow meter  26  (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5) is threaded onto and sealing the outlet orifice area  60 , the piston  56  is captured and mechanically prevented from moving out of the cavity  72 . The same would be true with a cap installed at  10   a . Piston  56  is shown in its quiescent position assumed when no pressurized gas is present in device  10 . Spring  58  is mechanically compressed slightly to a desired compression wherein the spring rate is substantially linear. Piston  56  is mechanically maintained in the position shown by flow meter  26  when flow meter  26  is screwed onto regulator body  24  (as shown in FIG.  1 ). The movement of piston  56  takes place between the position shown, and piston  56  being urged toward connector  22  so that Teflon insert  70  in tip  56   a  provides a gas seal against passage  50 . Piston  56 , spring  58  and manifold  54  coact to regulate pressure supplied at the outlet orifice  60 . In particular, pressurized gas travels through aperture or passage  50  into cavity  64 . The force of the pressurized gas in cavity  64  causes gas flow over and around the tip  56   a  of piston  56  and enters the cross-drilled hole  66  in piston  56 . Passage  68  is in fluid communication with cross-drilled hole  66  in piston  56  so that gas flowing therethrough is supplied to the outlet orifice  60 . An insert  70  is disposed in cavity at tip  56   a  to provide a gas seal, cutting off gas flow into cavity  64  from passage  50  when piston  56  is urged toward connector  22 . 
     The cooperating action of piston  56 , manifold  54  and spring  58  is well known in the art of pressure regulators and described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,246 (which discloses a device having very similar internal components) and need not be described in great detail herein. In a quiescent state, spring  58  urges piston  56  away from connector  22  to expose aperture  50 . As pressurized gas enters into cavity  64 , pressure equalization principles result in gas flow around tip  56   a  of piston  56  into cross drilled hole  66 , through the center of piston  56  and into passage  68  and cavity  60 . As pressure equalization between cavity  60  and cavity  64  occurs, forces are exerted by the gas in cavity  60  that overcome the force exerted by spring  58  forcing piston  56  toward connector  22  and sealing aperture  50  closed. When the pressure in cavity  60  falls, as gas flows into the flow meter  26 , the force on piston  56  is lessened allowing piston  56  to move toward cavity  60  and uncovering aperture  50 , thereby allowing more gas to enter cavity  64 . O-ring seal  76  provides a gas seal between piston  56  and manifold  54 . The diameter of o-ring seal  76  is smaller than the diameter of piston  56  (adjacent cavity  60 ) so that excess pressure in cavity  64  forces manifold  54  toward cavity  60 , compressing spring  58  slightly, resulting in gas flow from cavity  64  past seal  76 , over manifold  54  (see also FIG. 11) into cavity  72  and out pressure vent  73 . 
     When device  10  is attached to a high pressure gas cylinder (not shown) the t-handle  16  is rotated to secure the device onto the cylinder. When device  10  is not attached to a gas cylinder, yoke portion  12  is rotatable with respect to regulator body  24 . When t-handle  16  is tightened, the tapered portion of yoke  12  is urged onto the tapered portion of connector  22  at location  23 , and yoke  12  becomes rotationally fixed with respect to regulator body  24 . Rotation of the yoke portion  12  with respect to the regulator body  24  is desirable so that the pressure window or viewport  62  is positioned as desired by the user. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 a ,  3   b  and  3   c , gauge adapter  40  is shown in isometric view, and in FIG. 3 c  Bourdon tube  44  is shown attached to the gauge adapter  40 . Bourdon tube  44  is sealed at end  44   a  and in fluid communication at end  44   b  with aperture  40   a . A sealant such as silver solder, epoxy, or other known adhesives useful in high pressure sealing conditions, is applied into aperture  40   a  so that gas traveling through aperture  40   a  enters only into Bourdon tube  44  and is not lost to the surrounding atmosphere. Aperture  40   b , shown in FIG. 3 a , provides a mechanism by which a dowel or pin may be inserted though yoke portion  12  and aperture  12   a  (see FIG. 2) so that the gauge adapter  40  may be rotated with respect to the regulator body  24  to “zero” or calibrate the pressure indicator ring  46 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, a front elevational view of connector  22  is shown. Groove  22   a  provides a location wherein o-rings  42  are situated. A notch  22   b  and a corresponding symmetrically located notch (not shown) provide a mechanical connection point wherein a spanner wrench may grip connector  22  for screwing the connector  22  into regulator body  24 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view of the flow meter portion  26  of FIG. 1 is shown. The flow meter  26  includes a knob  28 , a rotor filter  78  made from sintered metal and a rotor cup stamped from sheet metal, preferably brass. Rotor filter  78  and rotor cup  80  are positioned over knob extension  28   a . Screw  82  secures rotor filter  78  and rotor cup  80  to knob extension  28   a . Rotor cup  80  is maintained adjacent flow meter body  84  by the spring forces asserted on knob  28  by springs  88 . A locking substance, such as nylon, is applied to the threads of screw  82  to prevent the screw from loosening over time. Knob  28  is rotatable within flow meter body  84 . Ball bearings  86 , springs  88  and bearing rings  90  (three of each are present in device  10 , their locations shown in FIG. 7) provide a detent rotation mechanism against which knob  28  acts when rotated. Spring  88  and bearing ring  90  urge ball bearing  86  into knob  28  to create the detent action upon rotation of knob  28 . Rings  90  are preferably made of nylon or Teflon and prevent ball bearings  86  from contacting springs  88  which would result in metallic particle generation within the flow meter device. O-ring seal  92  provides a gas seal between knob  28  and flow meter body  84  and also provides a shock absorber therebetween. O-rings  94  provide a gas seal between rotor cup  80  and flow meter body  84 . Flow rate numerals (not shown) are embossed onto the periphery of knob  28  at location  85 . A viewport  87 , that is oval in shape, enables the user to view the flow rate numerals embossed on the knob  28 . 
     Operationally, pressurized gas is supplied into the cavity area  96  when the flow meter  26  is attached (threaded onto) to the regulator shown in FIG.  2 . Outlet orifice  60  provides regulated gas pressure to cavity  96 . Pressurized gas passes through rotor filter  78  and through one of a plurality of small apertures in rotor cup  80  (shown in FIG. 8) and into fluid passage  98 . Passage or aperture  98  is in fluid communication with the drilled and threaded cavity  99 , wherein a fitting adapter (item  30  in FIG. 1) is attached or screwed into flow meter body  84 . Regulated and flow controlled gas is thus supplied to cavity  99 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, regulator body  24 , yoke portion  12 , manifold  54 , piston  56 , knob  28 , gauge adapter  40  and flow meter body  84  are made from aluminum and subsequently anodized to provide a hardened durable surface for each. Connector  22  is made from brass to resist ignition in the event that the cylinder valve is suddenly opened causing adiabatic compression of the oxygen to 2000 psi resulting in the incoming oxygen temperature rising above 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     Referring now to FIG. 6, an end view of knob  28  is shown with portion  28   a  viewable. Detents  28   b  are shown which coact with ball bearings  86  to provide detent action upon rotation of knob  28 . Two flats  28   c  are formed in knob portion  28   a . The flats  28   c  mechanically engage the inner rectangular apertures of rotor filter  78  and rotor cup  80 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, an end view of the flow meter body  84  is shown. The cavities  84   a , arranged in 120 degree offsets from each other, each hold a ball bearing  86 , a spring  88  and a ring  90 . Aperture  98  and apertures  99 , all shown by broken lines, are located on the back side of the flow meter body  84 , and in 120 degree offset positions from one another. Aperture  98  and apertures  99  each have two o-ring,s inserted therein as typified by FIG. 5 with respect to aperture  98 . Only aperture  98  provides a flow path for gas to flow out of the internal area of flow meter body  84 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 8, the rotor cup  80  of FIG. 5 is shown in more detail. Arranged about the periphery of rotor cup  80  are eleven indentations  80   a . Centrally located in each of the indentations  80   a  are apertures  80   b , that extend through rotor cup  80 . Rectangular aperture  81  mates with the flats  28   c  of the knob  28  shown in FIG.  6 . Each of the indentations is a coined surface and shown in more detail in FIG.  9 . The coining of the surface of rotor cup  80  prevents the o-rings  94  (FIG. 5) from contacting the sharp edges of the apertures  80   b , extending the life expectancy of the flow meter  26 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 9, a partial cross-sectional view of the rotor cup  80 , looking in the direction of the arrows labeled A—A, of FIG. 8 is shown. The recessed portion  80   a  surrounding the holes  80   b  prevents or lessens the contact between the holes  80   b  and the o-rings  94 . The apertures  80   b  may be drilled, punched or laser cut into rotor cup  80 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 10, a front elevational view of the rotor filter  78  is shown. A recessed groove  78   a , triangular in cross-section, is located at a radius that corresponds with the radius of holes  80   b  in rotor cup  80 . Gas flowing through the rotor filter  78  is delivered readily to any of the apertures  80   b  positioned over the groove  78   a , and material that might clog a portion of rotor filter  78  cannot clog the entire filter. Only one of the apertures  80   b  has air flowing through it at one time, that is, the aperture  80   b  positioned over aperture  98 . Rectangular aperture  78   b  mates with and receives knob stem  28   a , as does aperture  81  in rotor cup  80 , so that the rotor cup  80  and rotor filter  78  rotate in unison with knob  28 . Rotor cup  80  is sized so that the cup portion (shown in FIG. 5) is a small interference fit over the outer diameter of rotor filter  78 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 11, an end view of manifold  54  is shown. Six flats  54   a  are located on the outer periphery of manifold  54  so that gas flow past the manifold occurs when surface  54   b  is not in contact with surface  24   a  of FIG.  2 . Groove  54   c  receives o-ring  74 , as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 12, an alternate embodiment of the regulator device with flow control and internal gauge  100  according to the present invention is shown. Like components in FIG. 2 are number the same in FIG. 12, and their features and functionality are identical. The sole difference between FIG.  2  and FIG. 12 are the connector  122  and the tank adapter portion  112 , which replace connector  22  and yoke portion  12 , respectively. Connector  122  is shaped to connect to a CGA standard  540  “nut-and-nipple” high pressure connector on a high pressure gas cylinder (not shown). O-ring  111  provides a gas seal between connector  122  and the mating CGA connection. Adapter portion  112  is cylindrical in cross-section and includes threads on the internal surface at  112   a . Adapter portion  112  is rotatable with respect to regulator body  24  when the device  100  is not attached to a gas cylinder. When attached to a cylinder, adapter  112  is urged against connector  122  to maintain the position of the adapter  112  with respect to the regulator body  24 . In all other aspects, device  100  functions exactly as device  10  of FIG.  2 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 13, a front elevational view of the connector  122  is shown. Groves  122   a  provide a receptacle within which o-rings are disposed, as shown in FIG.  12 . Grove  122   b  provides a receptacle for o-ring  111 . Adapter  122  is substantially cylindrical in cross-section and made from brass to lessen ignition potential when adiabatic compression of oxygen occurs. 
     Referring now to FIG. 14, a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a compressed gas regulator with internal gauge  130  according to the present invention is shown. Items in FIG. 14 that are identical with and have the same functionality as items in FIG. 2 are numbered the same. The primary external components of regulator  130  are the yoke portion  132  and the regulator body  134 . Regulator body  134  provides identical functionality to that of regulator body  24  of FIG. 2, with only minor changes in the cross-section of regulator body  134  at  134   a . Specifically, the outer diameter of regulator body  134  is consistent along its entire length as opposed to regulator body  24 . In all other respects, regulator body  134  is identical to body  24  and contains the same components for regulation of high pressure gas, including a pressure reducing section (not shown) identical in form and function with pressure reducing portion  52  of FIG.  2 . Further description of components identical to those discussed above in connection with pressure reducing portion  52  in FIG. 2 is unnecessary and merely duplicative. It is also contemplated that regulator  130  may optionally have a flow meter, such as flow meter  26  of FIG. 1, attached to regulator body  134  in the manner shown in FIG.  1 . 
     Yoke portion  132  is slightly modified at  132   a  (versus yoke portion  12 ) wherein a substantially flat surface is formed across yoke  132 . An aperture at  132   b  enables access to gauge adapter  40  at location  40   b  for mechanically rotating gauge adapter  40  with respect to regulator body  134  and “zeroing out” pressure indicator ring  46  mounted on Bourdon tube  44 . Bourdon tube  44  is mounted on adapter  40  and rotates therewith. A small gap at  133  between yoke  132  and regulator body  134  provides sufficient clearance for yoke  132  to rotate with respect to connector  136 . When t-handle  16  is tightened onto a CGA 870 post valve (not shown), yoke  132  is urged into contact with connector  136  at mating tapered surfaces at  135  and frictional forces between connector  136  and yoke portion  132  prevent rotation of yoke portion  132  with respect to connector  136 . Connector  136  is secured to regulator body  134  by threaded portion  138  engaging mating threads  140  in regulator body  134 . O-rings  142 ,  144  and  146  provide a gas seal between connector  136  and regulator body  134  at three locations along the length of connector  136 . The o-rings  142 ,  144  and  146  are disposed in channels (further described in relation to FIG. 15) to secure their position with respect to connector  136 . O-rings  144  and  146  provide a fluid seal therebetween so that air pressure in passage  139  is delivered to Bourdon tube  44 . Air pressure in passage  137  (which corresponds to supply pressure when regulator  130  is attached to a tank or other source of compressed air) is supplied to passage  139  which is in fluid communication with passage  137 . Gauge adapter  40  has an internal diameter slightly larger than the corresponding diameter of connector  136  and compressed gas flows along the surface therebetween from passage  139  into Bourdon tube  44  at  44   a . Also shown in FIG. 14 are dowel pins  18 , viewport  62 , cylindrical channel  48  within which pressure indicator ring  46  is disposed and c-clip  17 , attached to t-handle  16 , which prevents removal of t-handle  16  from yoke portion  132 . 
     The materials used in the construction of the components of regulator  130  are the same as the materials used in the construction of regulator  10 . Aluminum or brass are used for the machined components including yoke  132 , connector  136  and regulator body  134 . O-rings and seals are made from rubber or synthetic rubber-like materials well known in the art. 
     A notable difference in the configuration of regulator  130  versus regulator  10  is reflected in the configuration of the valve seat comprised of o-ring  148  and inwardly tapered channel  150 , formed in connector  136 , that receives o-ring  148 . O-ring  148  provides a fluid seal between regulator  130  and a CGA 870 post valve (not shown) when regulator  130  is attached thereto. It is not uncommon for ring  32  and gasket  34  of regulator  10  (FIG. 2) to be inadvertently dislodged from their location on connector  22  (see FIG. 2) when regulator  10  is disconnected from a post valve. Connector  136  and o-ring  148  provide an improvement of the valve seat configuration (comprised of ring  32  and gasket  34 ) in regulator  10 . O-ring  148  has a cross-sectional diameter larger than the opening presented by tapered channel  150 . The inwardly tapered cross-section of channel  150  mechanically retains o-ring  148  therein and prevents inadvertent removal of o-ring  148  when regulator  130  is disconnected from a source of high pressure gas. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, a front elevational view and an end view of connector  136  are shown. Connector  136  includes a threaded portion  138  that engages mating threads  140  in regulator body  134  (FIG.  14 ). Channels or grooves  152  receive o-ring seals  142 .  144  and  146  (shown in FIG.  14 ). Hexagonal portion  154  is of a standard configuration for mechanically engaging an open end or box end wrench. Protruding portion  156  engages a CGA 870 post valve, and the configuration thereof is well known in the art. Compressed gas that is introduced into passage  137 , which extends along the entire length of connector  136 , is delivered to Bourdon tube  44  and to end  158  of connector  136 . Pressure regulator portion  52 , also found in regulator  130 , interacts with end  158  to regulate pressure as is described above in relation to the description of the operation of regulator  10 . 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description of the preferred embodiment, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.