Variable orifice valve
AssigneeStargaze Corporation
InventorsDonald Rising, John F. Zettler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A variable orifice valve for controlling fluid flow in a conduit, comprising a band or other movable members defining an opening for passing the fluid therethrough, the band mounted transverse to the direction of fluid flow in the conduit, so that the band opening is at least partially in the conduit. The band is movable relative to the conduit, to change the amount of the opening exposed to fluid flow.
Claims21
A variable orifice air flow control system for maintaining a relatively constant air flow at a control location in a vacuum system, comprising:
- means for establishing a pressure set point;
- a variable orifice valve in the vacuum system, the valve having a movable band spanning the vacuum system, and defining an opening with an open area which is variable by movement of the band;
- means for determining the pressure at two spaced locations of the vacuum system, a first location proximate the control location, and the second location proximate and upstream of the valve;
- and
- means, responsive to the pressure set point and the two determined pressures, for moving the band to drive the pressure at the first location toward the pressure set point.
A variable orifice valve for controlling fluid flow in a conduit, compring:
- a band spanning the conduit, and defining two selectively overlapping openings, one opening downstream of and adjacent to the other opening, to define a fluid-passing opening;
- a first roller outside of and on one side of the conduit;
- a second roller outside of and on the other side of the conduit;
- wherein the band is partially wrapped around both the first and second rollers;
- an idler roller proximate each of the first and second rollers, each idler roller contacting the band;
- and
- means for moving the band relative to the conduit, to change the amount of the fluid-passing opening exposed to fluid flow in the conduit.
A variable orifice valve for controlling fluid flow in a conduit, comprising:
- a band spanning the conduit, and defining two selectively overlapping openings, one opening downstream of and adjacent to the other opening to define a fluid-passing opening;
- a first roller outside of and on one side of the conduit;
- a second roller outside of and on the other side of the conduit;
- wherein the band is partially wrapped around both the first and second rollers;
- and
- means for moving the band relative to the conduit, to change the amount of the fluid-passing opening exposed to fluid flow in the conduit, wherein the portion of the band that is exposed within the conduit does not touch either of the rollers, to prevent transfer of contamination to the rollers.
A variable orifice valve for controlling fluid flow in a conduit, comprising:
- a band spanning the conduit, and defining two selectively overlapping openings, one opening downstream of and adjacent to the other opening to define a fluid-passing opening;
- a first roller outside of and on one side of the conduit;
- a second roller outside of and on the other side of the conduit;
- wherein the band is partially wrapped around both the first and second rollers, and wherein the portion of the band that contacts the rollers is more flexible than the portion of the band that is exposed within the conduit;
- and
- means for moving the band relative to the conduit, to change the amount of the fluid-passing opening exposed to fluid flow in the conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.