US 5,954,089 AGranted

Electromagnetic regulator utilizing alternate valve operating modes for gas pressure regulation

AssigneeTRW Inc.

InventorNathanael F. Seymour

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Abstract

A pair of serially connected electrically operated computer controlled gas valves combine with a pressure sensor to output pressure regulated low pressure gas dispensed from a high pressure gas source and define a pressure regulation system of relatively simple construction, great versatility and of heretofore unknown flexibility, well suited to remote control. The computer controlled valve controller selectively operates the valves in any and all of three operational modes, including the familiar Bang-Bang mode in which both valves operate simultaneously, a Bang-Wait mode in which both valves operate simultaneously for a precise time interval and thereafter close while the outlet gas pressure is checked, and a newly defined Burp mode. In the novel Burp mode, the valve closest to the high pressure gas source is first opened and closed to admit and capture a small volume of gas within inter-valve piping. Thereafter only the outlet valve is opened and closed to release that small volume of captured gas. Each small puff of gas captured and released during repetition of the cycle raises the outlet pressure ever so slightly until the desired pressure is sensed, thereby avoiding significant pressure overshoot.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A gas pressure regulator for regulating gas pressure within a gas system supplied with gas from a pressurized gas supply, comprising:

first and second electromagnetic gas valves, each having a gas inlet and a gas outlet and each said first and second electromagnetic gas valves being operable, when energized, from a closed condition for preventing passage of gas to an open condition to permit passage of gas;
said gas inlet of said first electromagnetic gas valve for connection to a pressurized gas supply, and said gas outlet of said second electromagnetic gas valve for connection to a gas system;
said gas outlet of said first electromagnetic gas valve being connected to the gas inlet of said second electromagnetic gas valve to place said electromagnetic gas valves in series gas transmission relationship between said gas inlet of said first gas valve and said gas outlet of said second gas valve and to define therebetween a small inter-valve region for holding a limited quantity of gas when both said gas valves are in a closed condition;
electrical controller means for selectively energizing and de-energizing said first and second electromagnetic gas valves at least (1) simultaneously, whereby gas may pass between said gas inlet of said first electromagnetic gas valve through said gas outlet of said second electromagnetic gas valve, and (2) sequentially, whereby a limited amount of gas may pass from said gas inlet of said first electromagnetic gas valve into said inter-valve region to confine said limited amount of gas therein and then be subsequently released through said gas outlet of said second electromagnetic gas valve;
and
pressure sensor means for monitoring gas pressure at said outlet of said second electromagnetic gas valve and supplying indication of said gas pressure to said electrical controller means;
said controller being responsive to said outlet gas pressure being below a predetermined value for simultaneously energizing and deenergizing said first and second electromagnetic gas valves simultaneously and being responsive to said outlet gas pressure being above said predetermined value for energizing said first and second electromagnetic gas valves sequentially until a second greater predetermined gas pressure value is attained.

4 more elements

Gas pressure regulating apparatus for regulating gas pressure within a gas system supplied with gas from a pressurized gas supply, comprising:

first and second electromagnetically operated gas valves, having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, each said electromagnetically operated gas valves being operable from a closed position for preventing passage of gas to an open condition, when energized, to permit passage of gas;
said gas inlet of said first electromagnetically operated gas valve for connection to a pressurized gas supply, and said gas outlet of said second electromagnetically operated gas valve for connection to a gas system;
said gas outlet of said first electromagnetically operated gas valve being connected to the gas inlet of said second electromagnetically operated gas valve to place said electromagnetically operated gas valves in series gas transmission relationship and define an intermediate gas reservoir for holding a limited quantity of gas when both said gas valves are in said closed condition;
electrical controller means for selectively energizing said first and second electromagnetically operated gas valves at least (1) simultaneously, whereby gas may pass between said inlet of said first electromagnetically operated gas valve through said outlet of said second electromagnetically operated gas valve and (2) sequentially, whereby a limited amount of gas may pass from said inlet of said first electromagnetically operated gas valve to said intermediate reservoir for temporary confinement therein and be released subsequently from said outlet of said second electromagnetically operated gas valve;
pressure sensor means coupled to said gas outlet of said second valve for monitoring pressure at said gas outlet and supplying an output indicative of said monitored pressure;
said electrical controller means further including:
input means for receiving said pressure sensor means output;
means for deenergizing said first and second electromagnetically operated valves, responsive to said pressure sensor means output attaining a first predetermined value when said first and second electromagnetically operated gas valves are being energized simultaneously;
and
means for preventing sequential energization and deenergization of said first and second electromagnetically operated gas valves, responsive to said pressure sensor means output attaining a second predetermined value when said gas valves are being sequentially energized.

7 more elements

A gas pressure regulator for regulating gas pressure within a gas system supplied with gas from a pressurized gas supply, comprising in combination:

first and second electromagnetic gas valves, each having a gas inlet and a gas outlet and each said first and second electromagnetic gas valves being operable, when energized, from a closed condition for preventing passage of gas to an open condition to permit passage of gas;
said gas inlet of said first electromagnetic gas valve for connection to a pressurized gas supply, and said gas outlet of said second electromagnetic gas valve for connection to a gas system;
said gas outlet of said first electromagnetic gas valve being connected to the gas inlet of said second electromagnetic gas valve to place said electromagnetic gas valves in series gas transmission relationship between said gas inlet of said first gas valve and said gas outlet of said second gas valve and to define there between a small inter-valve region for holding a limited quantity of gas when both said gas valves are in a closed condition;
pressure sensor means for monitoring gas pressure at said gas outlet of said second electromagnetic gas valve and providing a sensor output representative of said outlet gas pressure;
programmable electrical controller means coupled to said sensor output and to said first and second gas valves for selectively controlling energization and de-energization of said first and second electromagnetic gas valves responsive to said sensor output of said pressure sensor means;
said programmed electrical controller means being responsive to monitored gas pressure level for automatically selecting in dependence upon said monitored gas pressure level between energization and deenergization of said first and second electromagnetic gas valves in sequence and energization and deenergization of said first and second electromagnetic gas valves simultaneously.

3 more elements

A gas pressure regulator comprising in combination:

first and second electromagnetic gas valves, each having a gas inlet and a gas outlet and each said first and second electromagnetic gas valves being operable, when energized, from a closed condition to an open condition;
said gas outlet of said first electromagnetic gas valve being connected to the gas inlet of said second electromagnetic gas valve to place said electromagnetic gas valves in series gas transmission relationship between said gas inlet of said first gas valve and said gas outlet of said second gas valve and to define there between a small inter-valve region for holding a limited quantity of gas when both said gas valves are in a closed condition;
pressure sensor means for monitoring gas pressure at said gas outlet of said second electromagnetic gas valve and providing a sensor output representative of said outlet gas pressure;
and
programmable electrical controller means coupled to said sensor output and to said first and second gas valves for selectively controlling energization and de-energization of said first and second electromagnetic gas valves responsive to said sensor output of said pressure sensor means;
said programmable electrical controller means including:
Burp program means for energizing and deenergizing each of said first and second gas valves in sequence for so long as said outlet gas pressure is below a specified value, whereby each sequential energization and deenergization of said first and second gas valves admits a limited quantity of gas at said outlet for raising said outlet gas pressure;
Bang-Wait program means for repeatedly energizing and deenergizing each of said first and second gas valves simultaneously for a prescribed interval for so long as said outlet gas pressure is below a specified value, whereby each energization and deenergization of said first and second gas valves admits a limited quantity of gas at said outlet for raising said outlet gas pressure;
and
Bang-Bang program means for energizing said first and second gas valves simultaneously for so long as said outlet gas pressure is below a specified value and deenergizing said gas valves when said outlet gas pressure attains said specified valve, whereby each energization of said first and second gas valves admits a quantity of gas at said outlet for raising said outlet gas pressure;
said programmable electrical controller means further including:
selection means for individually selecting said specified value for each of said Burp program means, said Bang-Wait program means and said Bang-Bang program means:
said selection means comprising:
Burp program pressure selector means for selecting said specified value for said Burp program means;
Bang-Wait pressure selector means for selecting said specified value for said Bang-Wait program means;
and
Bang-Bang pressure selector means for selecting said specified value for said Bang-Bang program means;
and
wherein a specified value selected by said Bang-Bang pressure selector means comprises:
P1;
wherein a specified value selected by said Bang-Wait pressure selector means comprises:
P2;
wherein a specified value selected by said Burp program pressure selector means comprises:
P3;
and
wherein P3 is greater than P2, which, in turn, is greater than P1.

23 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.