Draft Systems, Inc.

Will Ross, Inc.

Mcdantim, Inc.

Other

Thomas W Clements

Merton R Fallon

E Craig Waters

By Edward Landry, Executor

Merton R Fallon, Deceased

An apparatus for blending two gases together in precisely adjustable proportions. The apparatus includes a mechanically adjustable, blending subassembly adapted to receive the first gas at a predetermined pressure and a one-to-one force balanced pneumatic relay which is operated by the first gas and which meters the flow of the second gas to the blending subassembly at a pressure substantially equal to the pressure of the first gas being supplied to the blending subassembly. Check valves are strategically located to prevent back flow of either of the gases being mixed when the device is being operated in the low-flow mode, thereby eliminating the requirement for time consuming balancing of the gas flow pressures.

Gas blending apparatus

An apparatus for blending two gases together in precisely adjustable proportions. The apparatus includes a mechanically adjustable, blending subassembly adapted to receive the first gas at a predetermined pressure and a one to one force balanced pneumatic relay which is operated by the first gas and which meters the flow of the second gas to the blending subassembly at a pressure substantially equal to the pressure of the first gas being supplied to the blending subassembly.

A safety flow control device for use in a beverage distribution system of the character using pressurized gas to dispense the beverage from its containers for ensuring that the containers are not accidentally overpressurized. The device of the invention is adapted to be placed in the line which connects the pressure source to the containers for the beverage. The device embodies a rupture disc having a first side exposed to the gas used in pressurizing the containers and a second side exposed to atmosphere. Strategically positioned between the pressure inlet of the device and the pressure side of the rupture disc is a valving mechanism which is maintained in an open configuration by the rupture disc. In the open configuration the valving mechanism permits the gas to flow from the inlet into a first sub-chamber defined by the first side of the rupture disc and then outwardly through the outlet of the device. When the rupture disc fails, the valve mechanism will automatically close preventing further flow of gas into the first sub-chamber and toward the outlet. The valve is constructed so that it will remain closed until pressure on the inlet side of the unit is relieved.

Flow control device

A safety pressure reducing regulator for use in systems operable by pressurized gas incorporates multiple safety features which preclude excessive pressure buildup in the system and provide protection against catastrophic failures. The regulator includes primary and secondary regulator stages through which pressurized gas from a gas pressure source is supplied to a pressure control chamber which provides the operating pressure for the system. The primary regulator stage is designed to reduce the inlet gas pressure to an intermediate level. The secondary regulator stage is designed to automatically regulate the supply of the pressurized gas at the intermediate pressure to the pressure control chamber to maintain a desired operating pressure therein. A flexible diaphragm is normally disposed across the pressure control chamber which is adapted to function as a check valve to control communication between the secondary regulator stage and the pressure control chamber. A clamping piston provided with a central passage normally clamps the flexible diaphragm in place across the pressure control chamber. In the event of excess pressure buildup in the pressure control chamber, the piston unclamps the diaphragm which collapses into its central passage to permit the pressurized gas to escape through exhaust vents. One form of the apparatus of the invention includes a unique safety feature which precludes adjustment of the secondary regulator stage until the source pressure has either been removed or relieved. Another form of the apparatus of the invention comprises a novel gage assembly also embodying the collapsible diaphragm element.

Safety pressure reducing regulator

The safety device is disposable in the gas line connecting between a gas source under pressure and a tapping device installed in a keg. The safety device includes a valve housing carrying a spring biased, axially movable piston assembly including a valve body and an axially movable stem element. Upon an increase in gas line pressure above a predetermined pressure, the gas acts on the piston assembly to displace it as a unit in an upstream direction against the bias of the spring to seal the stem against a primary valve seat element and preclude further ingress of gas into the keg. However, should the primary valve seat element leak, due to wear or contamination, causing pressure within the system to increase, the valve body will move relative to the valve stem to vent the housing to atmosphere and to close a secondary valve seat adapted to positively prevent further fluid flow downstream of the device toward the keg.

Fluid pressure control device

A combined fluid pressure gage and safety pressure relief device for interconnection with systems wherein excess fluid pressure will cause explosions likely to result in injury to personnel and damage to surrounding equipment. The device accurately measures fluid pressure within the system to which it is connected so long as the system pressure remains within the working range of the pressure gage. However, should the system pressure exceed the normal full scale pressure reading on the gage, the device will instantly and automatically safely vent the system to atmosphere. Once the device is vented the pressure relief mechanism must be manually reset by skilled technicians using special tools before the apparatus can be reused.

Safety pressure gage

A safety pressure reducing regulator for use in systems operable by pressurized gas incorporates multiple safety features which preclude excessive pressure buildup in the system and provide protection against catastrophic failures. The regulator includes primary and secondary regulator stages through which pressurized gas from a gas pressure source is supplied to a pressure control chamber which provides the operating pressure for the system. The primary regulator stage is designed to reduce the inlet gas pressure to an intermediate level. The secondary regulator stage is designed to automatically regulate the supply of the pressurized gas at the intermediate pressure to the pressure control chamber to maintain a desired operating pressure therein. A flexible diaphragm is normally disposed across the pressure control chamber which is adapted to function as a check valve to control communication between the secondary regulator stage and the pressure control chamber. A clamping piston provided with a central passage normally clamps the flexible diaphragm in place across the pressure control chamber. In the event of excess pressure buildup in the pressure control chamber, the piston unclamps the diaphragm which collapses into its central passage to permit the pressurized gas to escape through exhaust vents.

A variable area meter unit is described which is self-contained to provide a meter tube in an enclosure and facilitate insertion and location of the tube in a standard support frame. The enclosure can be manufactured with a viewing face consisting of a lens to improve readability through single axis magnification. Additionally, a high pressure release panel can form another side of the enclosure to direct any blow-outs in a preferred direction.

Variable area meter insert unit

Disclosed is a fluid dispensing system for dispensing fluid from a container under pressure. An automatically variable restrictor is disposed in the fluid line between the container and the faucet whereby a constant predetermined flow rate is provided at the faucet. In one form hereof, the containers are serially connected one to the other with the restrictor placed between the last container and the faucet. In another form hereof, series/parallel arrangements are provided wherein sets of serially connected containers are coupled in parallel one to the other with the last container of each set being fluid connected to the common faucet. A restrictor is placed in each set of serially connected containers between the last container and the parallel connection with the faucet whereby a constant flow rate through each parallel connected set of containers is obtained and equal to the number of sets of parallel connected containers divided by the desired flow rate through the common faucet.

Apparatus for dispensing fluid under pressure

Apparatus and methods for dispensing fluid under pressure

A low flow needle valve assembly is described having a non-metallic valve stem guide and a cross-flow system such that fluid flow occurs over only metallic metering surfaces. The valve assembly is particularly advantageous in view of its low cost and its smooth, non-reversing flow characteristics which result in precise control of extremely low fluid flow rates.

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Ambler, PA, United States of America

Thomas W Clements