Regulator module

In combination with a fluid supply valve including an actuator, a regulator module for connection to said supply valve comprising:

• a housing having a passage therethrough, said passage having an inlet and an outlet;
• means in said passage for controlling a flow of fluid through said passage in response to fluid pressure at said outlet;
• first means on said housing adjacent both said inlet and said outlet for securing said housing to an actuator receiving means on said fluid supply valve;
• and
• second means on said housing for securing said actuator to said housing in a position for selectively opening and closing communication through said passage, said second means defining an internally threaded recess for cooperating with an externally threaded securing means on said actuator, and said first means defining a portion of said housing having external threads of the same size as said externally threaded securing means on said actuator.

For use with a fluid supply valve having an inlet and an outlet, a valve seat between said inlet and said outlet, a sealing means carried by a pressure responsive means, and a chamber partially defined by said pressure responsive means whereby an increase of pressure in said chamber urges said sealing means toward said seat and a decrease of pressure in said chamber urges said sealing means away from said seat, a regulator module comprising:

• a housing having a passage formed therein, said housing including first fitting means for cooperating with an actuator receiving fitting on said valve for mounting said housing on said valve with said passage communicating between said chamber and said outlet;
• an actuator for selectively opening and closing said passage, said actuator including second fitting means for cooperating with an actuator receiving fitting on said housing for mounting said actuator on said housing, said first and second fitting means being substantially identical to each other;
• a piston disposed for axial reciprocation in a cylinder;
• a flow restricting means spaced from said piston and secured thereto for axial reciprocation therewith, said flow restricting means disposed adjacent a first open end of said cylinder and having a first surface facing said open end of said cylinder and a second surface facing outwardly of said cylinder and exposed to fluid pressure at said outlet;
• an aperture formed through a wall of said cylinder between said piston and said flow restricting means for reoeiving fluid into said cylinder from said chamber;
• and
• a resilient biasing means between said piston and a second end of said cylinder, said flow restricting means being movable toward said open end into a flow restricting relationship therewith, against the force of said biasing means, in response to fluid pressure at said outlet.

For use with a normally closed solenoid actuated diaphragm valve having an inlet and an outlet, a valve seat between said inlet and outlet, a sealing means carried by said diaphragm valve, and a chamber partially defined by one side of said diaphragm valve for receiving fluid under pressure from said inlet thereby causing said diaphragm valve to urge said sealing means into sealing engagement with said valve seat, a pressure regulating module comprising:

• a housing having a passage formed therein, said housing including first fitting means for cooperating with an actuator receiving fitting on said diaphragm valve for mounting said housing on said valve with said passage communicating between said chamber and said outlet;
• a solenoid actuator for selectively opening and closing said passage thereby venting said chamber to said outlet for opening said diaphragm valve, said actuator including second fitting means for cooperating with an actuator receiving fitting on said housing for mounting said actuator on said housing, said first and second fitting means being substantially identical to each other;
• a cylinder having a closed end and an open end;
• a piston sealingly engaging the inner wall of said cylinder and arranged for axially reciprocal movement within said cylinder;
• a resilient biasing means between said piston and said closed end for urging said piston toward said open end;
• a generally cylindrical flow restricting means spaced from said piston, having a first surface adjacent said outlet and facing inwardly of said cylinder and a second surface facing outwardly of said cylinder, and connected to said piston for reciprocal movement therewith;
• and
• an aperture formed through said cylinder between said piston and said flow restricting means and through which fluid under pressure from said chamber is admitted into said cylinder, said open end of said cylinder being adjacent the outlet end of said passage whereby fluid pressure at said outlet acts upon said second surface and urges said flow restricting means toward said open end, against the force of said biasing means, thereby restricting flow from said chamber to said outlet.