Patent ID: 7617839

Claim:
A regulating valve for receiving fluid at a variable pressure from a fluid source and for delivering said fluid at a substantially constant pressure and flow rate to a fluid applicator or the like, said valve comprising: a first housing component having a cylindrical wall segment terminating in an upper rim, and an externally projecting first flange; a second housing component having an inwardly projecting ledge and an externally projecting second flange, said first and second housing components being configured and dimensioned for assembly as a unitary housing, with the cylindrical wall segment of said first housing component inserted into said second housing component, and with the extent of such insertion being limited exclusively by the abutment of said first flange with said second flange to thereby provide a space axially remote from said flanges and defined between the upper rim of the cylindrical wall segment of said first housing component and the inwardly projecting ledge of said second housing component; an inlet and an outlet in said housing, said inlet and outlet being adapted for connection respectively to said fluid source and said fluid applicator; a barrier wall arranged between said inlet and outlet to subdivide the interior of said housing; a port in said barrier wall providing a flow path between said inlet and said outlet; a modulating assembly suspended within said housing by a flexible diaphragm, said modulating assembly serving to modulate the size of said flow path as an inverse function of the variable fluid pressure at said inlet, whereby the pressure and flow rate of the fluid delivered to said outlet is maintained substantially constant, said valve being automatically actuated when the pressure of the fluid acting on said modulating assembly exceeds a threshold level, and being automatically closed when said pressure drops below said threshold level, said diaphragm having an outer periphery captured in the space between the inwardly projecting ledge of said second housing component and the rim of the cylindrical wall segment of said first housing component.