Patent ID: 7428914

Claim:
A flow control valve, comprising: a housing having an inlet opening through which a fluid flows thereinto, and an outlet opening through which the fluid, flowed in through the inlet opening, flows out to the outside; a valve element disposed movably in the housing; means for urging the valve element in a direction approaching the inlet opening; a first valve formed between the valve element and the housing, and closing the communication between the inlet opening and the outlet opening gradually as the valve element moves in a direction getting away from the inlet opening; a second valve formed between the valve element and the housing, and opening the communication between the inlet opening and the outlet opening as the valve element moves in a direction getting away from the inlet, wherein the first valve is opened and the second valve is closed when a differential pressure between a pressure of the fluid on an inlet-opening side and a pressure of the fluid on an outlet-opening side is a predetermined value or less; and the second valve opens the communication between the inlet opening and the outlet opening instantaneously when the differential pressure is more than a predetermined value; an inlet-side member comprising: a substantially cylinder-shaped first connector; a substantially cylinder-shaped pipe extending coaxially from the first connector, and having a peripheral wall in which the outlet opening is disposed; and a cover engaging mechanically with and being integrated with the pipe, and closing the leading end of the pipe to make the housing, wherein the cover closes the leading end of the pipe in such a manner that the valve element and the urging means are accommodated in the pipe, thereby integrating the inlet-side member; and an outlet-side member comprising: a receptacle having a peripheral wall, and accommodating the pipe of the inlet-side member therein; and a second connector opening in the peripheral wall of the receptacle, and having a central axis extending in a direction crossing a central axis of the receptacle, wherein the pipe of the inlet-side member is fitted into the receptacle so as to communicate the outlet opening, disposed in the pipe, with the second connector; and the inlet-side member is connected with the outlet-side member in an air-proof manner and is integrated therewith so as to cross a central axis of the first connector with the central axis of the second connector.