Flow control device and method

A method for controlling flow, comprising:

• providing a flow control device, wherein the flow control device comprises
• a housing defining a specific flow path, at least one port, and a compensation chamber separated from a flow of fluid in the specific flow path;
• and
• a regulator assembly within the housing, the regulator assembly including
• a first surface further defining the specific flow path,
• a second surface opposing the first surface, the second surface further defining the compensation chamber such that the regulator assembly separates the compensation chamber from the specific flow path, and
• a drive arrangement configured to move the regulator assembly in opposing first and second directions;
• permitting fluid to flow through the specific flow path such that said fluid flow varies a pressure within the housing across the first surface of the regulator assembly, the specific flow path extending from an interior of the housing and into the at least one port to connect the specific flow path with an exterior of the housing;
• and
• establishing a compensation chamber pressure which acts against the second surface of the regulator assembly via a pressure conduit defined by the regulator assembly permitting pressure communication between the specific flow path and the defined compensation chamber, by communicating pressure from the first surface, to bias the regulator assembly in one of the first and second directions.

A flow control device, comprising:

• a housing defining a specific flow path, a flow port and a compensation chamber separated from a flow of fluid in the specific flow path;
• a regulator assembly comprising a first surface which further defines the specific flow path and an opposing second surface which further defines the compensation chamber such that the regulator assembly separates the compensation chamber from the specific flow path, the specific flow path extending into the flow port;
• and
• a drive arrangement configured to move the regulator assembly to vary the specific flow path;
• wherein the specific flow path is in pressure communication with the defined compensation chamber;
• and
• wherein the first surface comprises a parabolic conical profile which is configured to negate variations in pressure applied over said first surface by action of fluid flowing through the flow path via the specific flow port.

A method for controlling flow, comprising:

• defining a specific flow path, a flow port and a compensation chamber within a housing of a flow control device, the compensation chamber being separated from a flow of fluid in the specific flow path;
• establishing pressure communication between said specific flow path and compensation chamber;
• providing a regulator assembly comprising a first surface which further defines the specific flow path and a second surface which further defines the compensation chamber, the regulator assembly separating the compensation chamber and the specific flow path, and the specific flow path extending into the flow port,
• moving the regulator assembly by a drive arrangement to vary the specific flow path;
• and
• passing fluid through the specific flow path via the flow port such that the profile of the first surface negates variations in pressure applied over said surface;
• wherein the first surface comprises a parabolic conical profile.