Diaphragm-operated pressure regulating valve

A fluid pressure regulator comprising a housing having an inlet port and an outlet opening, a diaphragm in said housing, a diaphragm actuated valve element for controlling fluid flow from said inlet port to said outlet opening, said valve element having opposite ends, said inlet port having an axis, a first sleeve member supporting said valve element in said housing coaxial with said inlet port for linear displacement between first and second positions in which one of said opposite ends of said valve element respectively closes and opens said inlet port, said first sleeve member having an end spaced from said inlet port, a second sleeve member displaceable with said diaphragm between first and second positions relative to said first sleeve member and receiving said end of said first sleeve member, said second sleeve member having an actuating end spaced from said diaphragm, ball elements supported between said first and second sleeve members and the other of said opposite ends of said valve element for radial displacement inwardly and outwardly relative to said other end, said actuating end of said second sleeve member in said first position thereof displacing said ball elements radially inwardly against said other end of said valve element to displace said valve element to said first position thereof, and said actuating end of said second sleeve member in said second position thereof releasing said ball elements for displacement radially outwardly from said other end of said valve element releasing said valve element for displacement to said second position thereof.