Orbital Walbro Corporation

Daryl O Codling

Daniel E Alsobrooks

Steven P Finkbeiner

A fluid pressure regulator of compact construction including an improved diaphragm-valve assembly interposed between a flow body and a second body cap element. The flow body has an inlet and outlet passage and a valve cavity with a centrally disposed ported valve insert to allow the regulated passage of fluid. Mounted to the flow body, the cap element confines a diaphragm of the diaphragm-valve assembly and houses an adjustable coil-spring biased against the assembly. The diaphragm-valve assembly includes a ring-shaped diaphragm element interlocated between a circular element central to the diaphragm and a diaphragm compression limiting clamp plate ring. The circular element has a central recess over the valve insert which houses a spring-backed self-aligning ball valve element having a flat chordal surface adjacent the insert. A convolute in the diaphragm element provides a more consistent effective area in relation to the valve stroke during operation improving pressure regulation and reducing stretching of the diaphragm preventing tearing, rupture or undesirable hysteresis.

Pressure regulator

A method of making and the product of the method in a diaphragm for use in a pressure regulator, or other similar uses, where leakage around the confined edges of the diaphragm must be avoided. The structure confining the edges of the diaphragm consists of a main housing body having a groove for receiving a rib or the outer periphery of the diaphragm and a secondary housing to clamp the periphery. The central portion of the diaphragm carries a top plate with a bottom groove to receive a rib on the central periphery of the diaphragm and a bottom disc to clamp the inner periphery. Diaphragms are made with a fabric sandwiched between flexible layers of material. This results in a flash edge which may cause wicking and prevents a proper seal in the grooves receiving the ribs. An angled trim on the peripheries allows a proper filling of the grooves and a leak proof seal.

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Cass City, MI, United States of America

Daryl O Codling