Flow system
AssigneeTco AS
InventorKeith Woodford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flow system comprises a system flow path extending from a system inlet to a system outlet. A pressure module is provided within the system flow path to establish a differential pressure between upstream and downstream sides thereof during flow from the system inlet to the system outlet The system also comprises a valve provided within the system flow path, and a valve actuator in pressure communication with the system flow path on upstream and downstream sides of the pressure module. The valve actuator is driven by a differential pressure established by the pressure module to move between a first position in which the valve is closed, and a second position in which the valve is opened.
Claims50
A flow system, comprising:
- a system flow path extending from a system inlet to a system outlet;
- a pressure module provided within the system flow path to establish a differential pressure between upstream and downstream sides thereof during flow from the system inlet to the system outlet;
- a valve provided within the system flow path;
- and
- a valve actuator in pressure communication with the system flow path on upstream and downstream sides of the pressure module to be driven by a differential pressure established by the pressure module from a first position in which the valve is closed, to a second position in which the valve is opened, the pressure module being axially separate from the valve actuator along a longitudinal axis of the system flow path;
- wherein a portion of the system flow path is within a bore of the valve actuator.
A method for flow control, comprising:
- delivering a fluid to an inlet of a flow path;
- permitting the fluid to flow through a pressure module to create a pressure differential within the fluid on upstream and downstream sides of the pressure module;
- and
- controlling a valve actuator with the pressure differential such that in response to the pressure differential the valve actuator is urged from a first position in which a valve within the flow path is closed, to a second position in which the valve is opened, the pressure module being axially separate from the valve actuator along a longitudinal axis;
- wherein a portion of the flow path is within a bore of the valve actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.