Valve including vibration dampening means

Abstract

The present invention provides a valve comprising a conduit, characterized by a longitudinal axis, and a piston disposed within the conduit. The piston is characterized by a longitudinal axis and includes a pilot tip characterized by an operative surface configured to facilitate application of a net force transverse to the longitudinal axis of the piston by gaseous fluid flowing across the operative surface, and thereby bias or urge the piston in a radial or lateral direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the conduit. Fluid flowing across the operative surface is characterized by a flow field, and wherein the operative surface is configured to change the directional component of the flow field, such that the directional component of the flow field changes from a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the conduit to a direction which is angularly displaced from the longitudinal axis of the conduit. The piston is characterized by a longitudinal axis, and the operative surface is tapered or flared in a radially or laterally outward direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the piston. Further, the operative surface extends is disposed on the surface of the pilot tip, and is asymmetrically disposed about the longitudinal axis of the piston. The pilot tip further includes pilot guide members configured to limit radial or lateral movement of the pilot tip relative to the orifice.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.