Abstract:
A fluid pressure regulator includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a valve assembly disposed in the housing, and one or more check valves disposed within the housing. The one or more check valves may be closed when a regulator inlet pressure is greater than a regulator output pressure. When the regulator output pressure is greater than the regulator input pressure, the one or more check valves may open and flow may occur from the outlet of the fluid regulator to the inlet of the fluid regulator, even if the valve assembly is in a closed position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/355,423, filed on Jun. 28, 2016, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to fluid pressure regulators, including fuel pressure regulators, systems and methods with reverse flow capability. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Some boom-refueling-equipped aerial refueling tanker aircraft employ fuel pressure regulators to control downstream fuel pressure to, inter alia, help prevent over-pressurization of a receiver aircraft fuel system during aerial refueling. However, such regulators do not allow reverse flow when downstream pressure exceeds the regulated outlet pressure. Such a condition can sometimes create issues, such as high axial loads in the boom, which in turn can damage the boom and/or the receiver aircraft receptacle, and high pressures inside the tanker aircraft&#39;s fuel manifolds, which can cause them to deform, or even rupture or burst. Such a condition can occur during retraction of a telescoping section of a boom or during refueling when a receiver aircraft advances a telescoping section of the boom into the fixed position. 
         [0004]    Among other things, it can be challenging to provide fluid pressure regulators, systems, and methods that address conventional challenges. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The present disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the included drawings, below, in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view generally illustrating an embodiment of a fluid regulator system embodying aspects of the present disclosure, the regulator being shown in an open configuration, with fluid flowing from inlet to outlet. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1A  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view generally illustrating the embodiment of a fluid regulator system shown in  FIG. 1 , the regulator being shown in a closed configuration, with no fluid flowing between an inlet and an outlet. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view generally illustrating the embodiment of a fluid regulator system shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the regulator being shown in a reverse flow configuration, with fluid flowing from an outlet to an inlet. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the disclosed concepts will be described in conjunction with embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the disclosure to these embodiments. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. 
         [0013]    An embodiment of a fluid pressure regulator  10  according to aspects and teachings of the present disclosure is generally illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 3, and 3A . As generally illustrated, a fluid regulator  10  may include a housing  20 , an inlet  22 , an outlet  24 , a valve assembly  30 , and/or one or more check valves (e.g., check valves  50 ,  50 ′). For example only, and without limitation, fluid pressure regulator  10  may include a 5-inch fuel pressure regulator. However, the disclosure is not so limited and may include a number of other fluid pressure regulators and/or fluid control systems. Housing  20  may include a longitudinal axis  20 A. Housing  20  may include a fluid chamber  26  that may provide and/or be part of one or more fluid paths for fluid  12  to flow between inlet  22  and outlet  24 . For example and without limitation, housing  20  may include a first fluid flow path  60  (e.g., a forward flow path) and a second fluid path  62  (e.g., a reverse flow path). 
         [0014]    With embodiments, valve assembly  30  may be configured for controlling the flow of fluid  12  between inlet  22  and outlet  24 . Valve assembly  30  may include a valve body  32  and/or a piston  40 . Valve body  32  may include one or more of a variety of shapes, sizes, and/or configurations. For example and without limitation, valve body  32  may include a generally ovoid-like or prolate spheroid-like shape (e.g., may be generally football-shaped) with a first end  34  disposed proximate housing inlet  22  and a second end  36  disposed proximate housing outlet  24 . A piston  40  may be configured to move relative to valve body  32  (e.g., axially) between a first/open position (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 1 and 1A ) and a second/closed position (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 2, 2A, 3, and 3A ). Piston  40  may be configured to selectively provide a fluid seal between housing  20  and valve body  32  to control fluid flow between inlet  22  and outlet  24 . Piston  40  may include one or more of a variety of shapes, sizes, configurations, and/or materials. For example and without limitation, piston  40  may include a cylindrical portion  42  that may include a cylindrical outer wall  44  and one or more apertures  46  (e.g., axially-extending apertures) through which fluid  12  may flow. Outer wall  44  may engage with housing  20  and/or valve body  32  (e.g., with a valve seat  38  of valve body  32 ) to provide a fluid seal between housing  20  and valve body  32 . In an open position, outer wall  44  may engage an inner surface  28  of housing  20  and may not be engaged with valve body  32 , which may allow fluid  12  may flow between inlet  22  and outlet  24  (e.g., from inlet  22  to outlet  24 ). For example and without limitation, an open position of piston  40  may include piston  40  being extended toward outlet  24  such that outer wall  44  is not in contact with a valve seat  38  of valve body  32 . In an open position of piston  40 , fluid  12  may, for example, flow through the first fluid flow path  60 , which may include flowing from inlet  22 , around valve body  32 , and through piston  40  to outlet  24 . In a closed position, piston  40  may restrict and/or prevent fluid flow between inlet  22  and outlet  24  in at least one direction (e.g., from inlet  22  to outlet  24  and/or from outlet  24  to inlet  22 ). For example and without limitation, in a closed position, outer wall  44  may be engaged with inner surface  28  of housing  20  and with valve seat  38  of valve body  32 , which may restrict and/or prevent fluid flow via the first fluid flow path  60 . 
         [0015]    With embodiments, one or more valve springs  80  may be connected with piston  40  and/or may control movement of piston  40  according to fluid pressures at inlet  22  and/or outlet  24 . For example and without limitation, if a fluid pressure at or about outlet  24  is within an outlet pressure range and a fluid pressure at or about inlet  22  is within an inlet pressure range, springs  80  may cause piston  40  to move to or remain in an open position. If a fluid pressure at or about outlet  24  is not within an outlet pressure range and/or a fluid pressure at or about inlet  22  is not within an inlet pressure range, springs  80  may cause piston  40  to move to or remain in a closed position. Springs  80  may be concentric. 
         [0016]    In some circumstances, a fluid pressure at or about outlet  24  may not be within an outlet pressure range (e.g., outlet fluid pressure may be above an outlet pressure range) and valve springs  80  may cause piston  40  to move to or remain in a closed position, which may prevent fluid  12  from flowing from outlet  24  to inlet  22  via the first fluid flow path  60  and/or prevent a pressure reduction at outlet  24 . However, if outlet fluid pressure is sufficiently high, it may be desirable to allow fluid  12  to flow from outlet  24  to inlet  22 . For example and without limitation, allowing fluid flow from outlet  24  to inlet  22  may reduce the outlet fluid pressure, which may help prevent damage to components connected to outlet  24  (e.g., fluid tanks, fluid manifolds, fuel booms, etc.). 
         [0017]    With embodiments, fluid regulator  10  may be configured to selectively allow fluid  12  to flow from outlet  24  to inlet  22 , such as via one or more check valves (e.g., check valves  50 ,  50 ′) that may be disposed in housing  20 . A check valve  50 ,  50 ′ may be disposed at least partially in valve body  32  and may allow fluid  12  to flow from outlet  24  to inlet  22  (e.g., via second flow path  62 ) if an outlet fluid pressure is above a threshold value. For example and without limitation, a check valve  50 ,  50 ′ may include a spring  52 ,  52 ′ that may bias the check valve  50 ,  50 ′ to a closed position and/or may provide a biasing force that corresponds to a threshold outlet fluid pressure. A check valve  50 ,  50 ′ may be connected to and/or integrated with valve body  32 . For example and without limitation, a check valve  50 ,  50 ′ may be disposed at least partially in a fluid passage  90 ,  90 ′ (e.g., an internal fluid passage) of valve body  32  and/or may control fluid flow through fluid passage  90 ,  90 ′. 
         [0018]    In embodiments, if piston  40  is in a closed position and the outlet fluid pressure is above a certain value, the fluid pressure may overcome a biasing force of a check valve  50 ,  50 ′ and/or a check valve  50 ,  50 ′ may open, at least to some degree (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 3 and 3A ). If a check valve  50 ,  50 ′ is at least partially open, fluid  12  may flow through second fluid path  62 , which may include flowing through aperture(s)  46  of piston  40 , into a fluid passage  90 ,  90 ′ of valve body  32 , through a check valve  50 ,  50 ′, into chamber  26 , and/or to inlet  22 , where fluid  12  may exit fluid regulator  10 . 
         [0019]    With embodiments, a fluid passage  90 ,  90 ′ of valve body  32  may be disposed in valve body  32  and may include a passage inlet  92 ,  92 ′ and a passage outlet  94 ,  94 ′. A passage inlet  92 ,  92 ′ may be disposed at an end  36  of valve body  32  (e.g., an axial end). End  36  of valve body  32  may be disposed proximate housing outlet  24  and may include a tapered surface  100  that may include passage inlet  92 ,  92 ′. Passage outlet  94 ,  94 ′ may be disposed at a radial side  102  of valve body  32 . A fluid passage  90 ,  90 ′ may include a first section  96 ,  96 ′ that may be connected with inlet  92 ,  92 ′. First section  96 ,  96 ′ may be substantially parallel with axis  20 A. A fluid passage  90 ,  90 ′ may include a second section  98 ,  98 ′ that may be connected with passage outlet  94 ,  94 ′ and/or first section  96 ,  96 ′. Second section  98 ,  98 ′ may be disposed at an angle  110  relative to axis  20 A (e.g., an obtuse angle). For example and without limitation, angle  110  may be about 100 degrees to about 150 degrees, about 120 degrees to about 130 degrees, and/or about 125 degrees relative to axis, but may be disposed at smaller or greater angles relative to axis  20 A 
         [0020]    In embodiments, a check valve  50 ,  50 ′ may be disposed at an angle  112  with respect to axis  20 A, such as an oblique and/or or obtuse angle. An inlet  54 ,  54 ′ of check valve  50 ,  50 ′ may be disposed closer to outlet  24  of housing  20  than an outlet  56 ,  56 ′ of check valve  50 ,  50 ′. For example and without limitation, angle  112  may be about 100 degrees to about 150 degrees, about 120 degrees to about 130 degrees, and/or about 125 degrees relative to axis  20 A, but may be disposed at smaller or greater angles relative to axis  20 A. Second section angle  110  may be the same or about the same as check valve angle  112 . 
         [0021]    With embodiments, valve body  32  may include a first section  120  and a second section  122 . Springs  80  may be disposed primarily in first section  120 . A check valve  50 ,  50 ′ may be disposed primarily and/or entirely in second section  122 . First section  120  and second section  122  may be connected (e.g., fixed) together, such as via one or more fasteners  124 . 
         [0022]    In embodiments, fluid regulator may include a plurality of check valves (e.g., check valve  50  and check valve  50 ′) that may be each be connected to and/or integrated with valve body  32 . For example and without limitation, check valves  50 ,  50 ′ may be disposed about axis  20 A and/or may be circumferentially spaced from each other (e.g., equally). A plurality of check valves may include, for example only, at least two check valves, at least three check valves, at least four check valves, or more check valves. Each check valve  50 ,  50 ′ may be connected to a respective fluid passage  90 ,  90 ′ of valve body  32  or a plurality of check valves  50 ,  50 ′ may be connected to (e.g., in fluid communication with) the same fluid passage  90 ,  90 ′. 
         [0023]    It should be understood that references herein to springs (e.g., spring  52 ,  52 ′,  80 ) are not limited to a particular type of spring and may include, for example, one or more of a variety of components configured to provide a biasing force. 
         [0024]    Various embodiments are described herein for various apparatuses, systems, and/or methods. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described in the specification. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments. 
         [0025]    Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “with embodiments,” “in embodiments,” or “an embodiment,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “with embodiments,” “in embodiments,” or “an embodiment,” or the like, in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features, structures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments without limitation given that such combination is not illogical or non-functional. 
         [0026]    It should be understood that references to a single element are not necessarily so limited and may include one or more of such element. Any directional references (e.g., plus, minus, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader&#39;s understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of embodiments. 
         [0027]    Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected/coupled and in fixed relation to each other. The use of “e.g.” throughout the specification is to be construed broadly and is used to provide non-limiting examples of embodiments of the disclosure, and the disclosure is not limited to such examples. Uses of “and” and “or” are to be construed broadly (e.g., to be treated as “and/or”). For example and without limitation, uses of “and” do not necessarily require all elements or features listed, and uses of “or” are intended to be inclusive unless such a construction would be illogical. 
         [0028]    It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the present disclosure. 
         [0029]    Furthermore, the mixing and matching of features, elements and/or functions between various examples is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that features, elements, and/or functions of one example may be incorporated into another example as appropriate, unless described otherwise, above. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present teachings not be limited to the particular examples illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification, but that the scope of the present disclosure will include any embodiments falling within the foregoing description and the appended claims.