Pressure regulator

A livestock watering system comprising:

• a central pressure regulator configured to receive a fluid from an external source and regulate the pressure of the fluid to a regulated inlet pressure;
• a plurality of drinker lines, each having a plurality of drinker nozzles;
• and
• a plurality of downstream pressure regulators in fluid connection with the central pressure regulator and one of the plurality of drinker lines, wherein each of the downstream pressure regulators comprising:
• a housing comprising an upper housing member and a lower housing member;
• a primary diaphragm secured between the upper housing member and the lower housing member, wherein the upper housing member and the primary diaphragm defining an upper chamber, and wherein the lower housing member and the primary diaphragm defining a lower chamber;
• the upper housing member comprising an inlet body for allowing the fluid from a fluid source to flow into the upper chamber, and a first outlet for allowing the fluid to flow out of the upper chamber, wherein the inlet body has an inlet in the upper housing;
• a valve assembly provided within the upper chamber configured with a valve engaging the inlet for controlling the flow of the fluid from the inlet body into the upper chamber and connected to the primary diaphragm for actuating the valve's engagement with the inlet, wherein when the livestock watering system is in operation, the fluid in the inlet body upstream from the valve is at the inlet pressure, the inlet pressure applying a force acting on the valve to keep the valve open, and the fluid in the upper chamber is at an outlet pressure;
• a secondary diaphragm provided within the lower chamber and defining a secondary diaphragm driving chamber between the secondary diaphragm and the lower housing member within the lower chamber, wherein the secondary diaphragm is configured and adapted for acting on the primary diaphragm and producing a force for actuating the valve's disengagement from the inlet body;
• a passageway connecting the inlet body and the secondary diaphragm driving chamber, wherein the passageway is connected to the inlet body at a point upstream from the valve, thereby providing a fluid communication between the inlet body and the secondary diaphragm driving chamber,
• wherein during operation of the livestock watering system the secondary diaphragm driving chamber is filled with the fluid at the inlet pressure, whereby the secondary diaphragm is subjected to the inlet pressure thereby generating the force for actuating the valve's disengagement from the inlet body;
• and
• wherein when the fluid is flowing through the upper chamber and out through the first outlet, the outlet pressure is at a value that is a predetermined fraction of the inlet pressure.