Add-on chamber for improved response of gas pressure regulators
AssigneeSensus USA Inc.
InventorDaniel Willis Peace
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gas pressure regulator regulates a pressure of a gas system. The gas pressure regulator includes a first chamber, a first diaphragm which separates the first chamber into a first compartment and a second compartment, a second chamber, with a second diaphragm separating the second chamber into a third compartment and a fourth compartment, the fourth compartment being connected to, and in communication with, the first compartment of the first chamber. A movement of the first diaphragm causes a corresponding movement of the second diaphragm, and a change in the volume of the fourth compartment.
Claims18
A gas pressure regulator for regulating a pressure of a gas system, the gas pressure regulator comprising:
- a first chamber;
- a first diaphragm separating the first chamber into a first compartment and a second compartment;
- a second chamber;
- a second diaphragm separating the second chamber into a third compartment and a fourth compartment, the fourth compartment being connected to, and in communication with, the first compartment of the first chamber;
- a movement of the first diaphragm causes a corresponding movement of the second diaphragm that changes a first volume of the fourth compartment and a second volume of the third compartment;
- and
- a vertically extending adapter connecting the first compartment of the first chamber to the fourth compartment of the second chamber, the adapter including
- lower and upper threaded vertical portions,
- at least one opening in the upper threaded vertical portion through which the first compartment and the fourth compartment communicate, and
- a lip extending in a horizontal direction,
- wherein an outer diameter of the lower threaded vertical portion matches an inner diameter of a vertically extending portion of the first compartment, an outer diameter of the upper threaded vertical portion matches an inner diameter of the second chamber, and an opening area of the at least one opening is greater than an opening area of a smallest opening between the first compartment and the fourth compartment.
A gas pressure regulator for regulating a pressure of a gas system, the gas pressure regulator comprising:
- a first chamber;
- a first diaphragm separating the first chamber into a first compartment and a second compartment;
- a second chamber;
- a second diaphragm separating the second chamber into a third compartment and a fourth compartment, the fourth compartment being connected to, and in communication with, the first compartment of the first chamber;
- a movement of the first diaphragm causes a corresponding movement of the second diaphragm that changes a first volume of the fourth compartment and a second volume of the third compartment;
- at least one spring connected to an upper surface of the second diaphragm, and to an upper surface of the second chamber;
- at least one spring connected to a lower surface of the second diaphragm and to a lower surface of the second chamber;
- and
- a lower horizontal vent plate of the second chamber limits the displacement of the second diaphragm.
A method for regulating a pressure of a gas system with a gas pressure regulator comprising:
- mounting a regulator with a first chamber, a first diaphragm, a vent breather valve and a safety cap on a pressurized system, the first diaphragm separating the first chamber into a first compartment and a second compartment, the vent breather valve being located in the first compartment and the safety cap sealing the first compartment;
- removing the safety cap while the pressurized system is operating;
- connecting a second chamber to the first chamber via an adaptor, the second chamber including a second diaphragm separating the second chamber into a third compartment and a fourth compartment, the fourth compartment being connected to, and in communication with, the first compartment;
- replacing the safety cap above the second chamber;
- and
- operating the pressurized system,
- wherein during operation of the pressurized system, a movement of the first diaphragm causes a corresponding movement of the second diaphragm that changes a volume of the fourth compartment.
A gas pressure regulator for regulating a pressure of a gas system, the gas pressure regulator comprising:
- a first chamber;
- a first diaphragm separating the first chamber into a first compartment and a second compartment;
- a second chamber;
- a second diaphragm separating the second chamber into a third compartment and a fourth compartment, the fourth compartment being connected to, and in communication with, the first compartment of the first chamber;
- a movement of the first diaphragm causes a corresponding movement of the second diaphragm that changes a first volume of the fourth compartment and a second volume of the third compartment;
- and
- an adapter connecting the first compartment of the first chamber to the fourth compartment of the second chamber, the adapter including a horizontally extending lip, and an inner diameter of the second diaphragm is securely pinched between a top surface of the first compartment and the adapter lip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.