Two-stage gas valve with natural/LP gas conversion capability
AssigneeHoneywell Inc.
InventorPaul Dietiker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A convertible two-stage pressure regulator in which a main valve regulates fluid flow between an inlet and an outlet in response to a control pressure produced by first and second regulator valves arranged in parallel, the control pressure depending on the outlet pressure and the forces applied by compression springs to diaphragms carrying the first and second regulator valve closure elements. An electrically operated valve is provided for selectively disabling the second regulator valve whose regulator spring applies a higher force than the spring of the first regulator valve. The compressions of the regulator valve springs are coordinately varied by a manually operable selector mechanism for convening between natural and LP gas usages.
Claims7
A pressure regulator having first and second electrically determinable states for each of a plurality of pressure ranges, the pressure range being changeable without parts replacement, the pressure regulator comprising:
- housing means defining fluid inlet and fluid outlet passageways and a main valve seat providing for flow between the fluid inlet and fluid outlet passageways;
- a main valve closure member mounted in said housing means for movement relative to the main valve seat for varying the flow between the fluid inlet and outlet passageways;
- a main valve actuator operable to vary the position of said main valve closure member relative to the valve seat in response to variations in a control pressure;
- first and second regulator valve assemblies arranged in parallel for producing the control pressure in response to the pressure in the fluid outlet passageway, the control pressure further being dependent on biasing provided by first and second variable biasing means in the first and second regulator valve assemblies respectively, the first variable biasing means applying a smaller force than the second variable biasing means;
- selection means operable in response to a selection input to coordinately vary the forces applied by the first and second variable biasing means;
- and
- electrically operable means for disabling said second regulator valve assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.