Fluid regulator having integral fluid purge mechanism

A fluid regulator comprising:

• a housing that defines an internal flow path and an internal regulating path that intersects the internal flow path;
• a poppet valve that is disposed within the internal regulating path and the internal flow path, wherein the poppet valve in a standard state defines a selectively regulated flow of fluid through the internal flow path, wherein a poppet biasing force biases the poppet valve to a closed position;
• a regulating interface positioned within the internal regulating path, wherein the regulating interface includes a powered actuator that operates the regulating interface to overcome the poppet biasing force to define the selectively regulated flow of the fluid;
• an automatic fluid purge mechanism positioned within the regulating interface, wherein the automatic fluid purge mechanism manipulates the poppet valve to define a maximum operating position that defines a purging flow of the fluid through the internal flow path;
• a pressure sensor in communication with the flow path;
• a programmable logic controller that cooperates with the powered actuator, the pressure sensor and the automatic fluid purge mechanism to define a closed-loop interface that adjusts the selectively regulated flow of the fluid through the flow path;
• and
• an operable seal that separates the internal regulating path into a poppet portion and a regulating portion, wherein the poppet portion intersects the internal flow path, wherein
• the regulating interface includes a biasing spring that engages the operable seal;
• operation of a regulating member of the regulating interface defines a predetermined spring tension of the biasing spring;
• the regulating interface is a threaded bolt that rotates about a central rotational axis;
• the fluid purge mechanism is positioned along the central rotational axis and within the threaded bolt;
• the fluid purge mechanism is a pin that slidably operates within the threaded bolt to engage a bypass plate;
• the bypass plate adjusts the predetermined spring tension to a bypass tension that places the poppet valve in the maximum operating position;
• and
• wherein a purge actuator activates to axially operate the pin.

A fluid regulator comprising:

• a poppet valve that is disposed within a flow path and that selectively allows a flow of fluid from an inlet to an outlet;
• a threaded regulating interface that adjusts a spring tension that is exerted toward the poppet valve and defines a regulated flow of the fluid through the flow path, wherein the threaded regulating interface is operated by a powered actuator about a rotational axis, wherein the threaded regulating interface further comprises:
• a biasing spring that defines a predetermined spring tension that biases an operable seal toward the poppet valve, wherein a poppet biasing force opposes the predetermined spring tension;
• and
• a threaded bolt that is rotationally operable relative to the flow path to define a plurality of axial positions, wherein the plurality of axial positions corresponds to a respective plurality of spring tensions, wherein the plurality of spring tensions includes the predetermined spring tension;
• a fluid purge mechanism positioned within the threaded regulating interface, wherein the fluid purge mechanism operates along the rotational axis and adjusts a boundary of the flow path and manipulates the poppet valve to a maximum operating position to define a purging flow of the fluid from the inlet to the outlet;
• a pressure sensor in communication with the flow path;
• a programmable logic controller that cooperates with the powered actuator and the pressure sensor to define a closed-loop interface that adjusts the regulated flow of the fluid through the flow path;
• a transfer member positioned at a seal end of the biasing spring and that engages the operable seal;
• and
• a bypass plate positioned at an interface end of the biasing spring, wherein the fluid purge mechanism is operably coupled with the bypass plate to selectively engage the biasing spring, wherein the bypass plate is positioned between the threaded bolt and the biasing spring.