Apparatuses and systems for regulating fluids through a pipe and methods of using the same

An apparatus for managing the flow of fluid through a pipe comprising:

• a housing forming an internal chamber having an inlet opening and an outlet opening wherein pressurized fluid flows through the housing;
• a valve head mounted to a shaft and disposed within the internal chamber, the valve head configured to contact a seat in proximity to the inlet opening to form a closed position wherein the valve head contacting the seat prevents the flow of fluid through the housing and into the chamber from the inlet opening;
• a base plate spanning a cross-section of the housing in proximity to the outlet opening, the base plate having a central opening slidably receiving the shaft, an internal surface, and at least one aperture within the base plate for allowing the flow of fluid through the outlet opening;
• a retainer within the housing disposed proximal to the base plate and the outlet opening, the retainer configured to hold the base plate in position within the housing;
• a spring around the shaft disposed between the base plate and the valve head, wherein movement of the valve head toward the base plate causes a compression of the spring;
• and
• a first shim plate configured to shorten an effective length of the spring compared to an apparatus without the first shim plate;
• wherein the first shim plate is disposed between the retainer and the base plate.

A method of controlling the flow of fluid through a pipe comprising the steps of:

• providing a valve apparatus comprising a housing forming an internal chamber having an inlet opening and an outlet opening wherein pressurized fluid flows through the housing, a valve head mounted to a shaft and disposed within the internal chamber, the valve head configured to contact a seat in proximity to the inlet opening to form a closed position wherein the valve head contacting the seat prevents the flow of fluid through the housing and into the chamber from the inlet opening, a base plate spanning a cross-section of the housing in proximity to the outlet opening, the base plate having a central opening slidably receiving the shaft, an internal surface, and at least one aperture within the base plate for allowing the flow of fluid through the outlet opening, a retainer within the housing disposed proximal to the base plate and the outlet opening, the retainer configured to hold the base plate in position within the housing, and a spring around the shaft disposed between the base plate and the valve head, wherein movement of the valve head toward the base plate causes a compression of the spring;
• and
• adding a first shim plate in a position in the housing to shorten an effective length of the spring;
• wherein the first shim plate is disposed between the retainer and the base plate.