US 5,218,998 A · Linearly adjustable

Abstract

A linearly adjustable fluid damper of the sliding plate adjustable orifice type damper system having a fixed flat plate with a plurality of specifically arranged trapezoidal shaped apertures therethrough, and a slideably adjustable flat plate also having a plurality of specifically arranged trapezoidal shaped apertures therethrough. The sliding plate is juxtaposed the fixed plate such that apertures of the sliding plate overlap apertures of the fixed plate, and aperture orientation of the sliding plate is reversed that of the orientation of the apertures on the fixed plate. The area of the resultant hexagonal composite orifice through both plates varies non-linearly from full open position to full closed position throughout movement of the sliding plate. The result is that fluid flow from zero fluid flow to maximum fluid flow through the resultant orifice is a straight line relationship with linear displacement of the sliding plate. Dampers comprising this configuration may thus be preset to predetermine openings in fluid flow operations to achieve desired results. Alternate embodiments of the invention include use of semi-cylindrical plates and cone shaped plates.

Claims22

Dependent claims

An improvement in sliding plate orifice dampers utilized in fluid handling systems, the sliding plate orifice dampers of the type having a fixed plate with an aperture therethrough and a sliding plate also having an aperture therethrough, the improvement comprising:

a fixed plate having a trapezoidal shaped aperture therethrough;
and
a sliding plate also having a trapezoidal shaped aperture therethrough, said sliding plate moveable linearly relative to said fixed plate, said sliding plate juxtaposed said fixed plate such that said aperture of said sliding plate is in close proximity to and overlaps said aperture of said fixed plate to form a resultant composite orifice having six sides to pass fluid through both said fixed plate and said sliding plate, said sliding plate linear displacement having a straight line relationship characteristic to the volume of fluid flow through said orifice, said sliding plate slideably adjusted to selective a known volume of fluid flow.

An improvement in sliding plate orifice dampers utilized in fluid handling systems, the sliding plate orifice dampers of the type having a fixed plate with a plurality of apertures therethrough and a sliding plate also having a plurality of apertures therethrough, the improvement comprising:

a fixed plate having a plurality of spaced apart trapezoidal shaped apertures therethrough;
a sliding plate also having a plurality of spaced apart trapezoidal shaped apertures therethrough, said sliding plate moveable linearly relative to said fixed plate, said sliding plate juxtaposed said fixed plate such that one each of said plurality of apertures of said sliding plate overlaps one each of said plurality of apertures of said fixed plate to form a plurality of spaced apart resultant composite orifices each having six sides to pass fluid through both said fixed plate and said sliding plate, said sliding plate linear displacement having a straight line relationship characteristic to the volume of fluid flow through said plurality of orifices, said sliding plate slideably adjusted to select a known volume of fluid flow.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Linearly adjustable

Life of this patent

Linearly adjustable

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22