Multiple Pressure Ratio Valve Assembly
AssigneeSonnax Industries, Inc.
InventorMaura J. Stafford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multiple pressure ratio valve assembly is provided that may be used in a plurality of systems requiring different operating pressures. In one embodiment, a valve assembly and a plurality of interchangeable valves is provided, the interchangeable valves being configured to be installed within the same valve bore diameter, and the valves having different surface areas such that a pressure ratio of the valve assembly may be varied depending on which of the plurality of valves is installed. In some embodiments, the valves may have one or more fluid bypass portions. Embodiments of the invention may also include one or more shims that may be used to further adjust the pressure ratio of the valve assembly. Methods of repairing a valve assembly are also provided.
Claims20
A valve assembly for providing multiple pressure ratios within a fixed size valve bore, comprising:
- a valve body defining the fixed size valve bore;
- and
- a plurality of interchangeable valves, each configured and dimensioned to be separately slidably disposed within said fixed size valve bore, each valve defining at least two lands wherein at least one said valve includes a fluid bypass portion configured to allow a fluid to bypass at least one of said at least two lands when received in said fixed size valve bore such that said valve assembly provides different pressure ratios with a fixed size valve bore based on a selected said valve.
A multiple pressure ratio valve assembly, comprising:
- a sleeve;
- a plurality of interchangeable valve components configured to be movably disposed within said sleeve;
- wherein said valve assembly is configured for a plurality of different pressure ratios, said pressure ratio being set by selectively installing at least one of said plurality of interchangeable valve components.
A multiple pressure ratio valve kit comprising:
- a sleeve;
- and
- a plurality of multi-land valves each having a plurality of lands, at least one of said plurality of multi-land valves having a fluid bypass portion on at least one land, each of said plurality of multi-land valves being configured and dimensioned to be slidably disposed within said sleeve;
- wherein said kit is compatible with a plurality of systems each having different system pressure requirements, wherein a valve assembly compatible with a particular system can be constructed from said pressure regulator valve kit by selecting and assembling one of said plurality of multi-land valves and said sleeve.
A method of repairing a valve with a multiple pressure ratio valve kit, said valve being disposed within a valve body and having a predetermined pressure ratio, said kit comprising a sleeve configured and dimensioned to be received in said valve body and a plurality of multi-land valves, wherein each of said valves is individually combinable with said sleeve to provide a valve assembly with a different pressure ratio, said method comprising:
- selecting the valve that in combination with said sleeve provides a pressure ratio substantially the same as said predetermined pressure ratio;
- and
- assembling the selected valve and said sleeve in said valve body to provide a valve assembly having a pressure ratio that is substantially the same as said predetermined pressure ratio.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.