Adjustable choke

Abstract

An adjustable choke for automatically regulating high velocity flow through a pipe line is provided. The choke comprises a generally cylindrical elongated body including an axially-directed inlet port at one end, means for selectively controlling flow through the regulator at the other end, and a radially-directed outlet port intermediate of the body. A pair of slidable, annular rings contained in the body adjacent the inlet port comprise an upstream ring and a downstream ring. Each of the rings are spring biased from the other. The upstream ring includes a flow passageway and a flow obstructing portion. The downstream ring includes a plurality of flow passageways, at least one of said downstream ring flow passageways being disposed out of communicable flow alignment with the upstream ring flow passageway. Upon impingement of sufficient flow against the obstructing portion of the upstream ring, the upstream ring is slid into abutment with the downstream ring for closing the one downstream ring flow passageway and for limiting fluid flow through the choke. Upon dissipation of the sufficient flow, the upstream ring is spring biased away from the downstream ring. The means for selectively controlling the flow is selectively, operatively engaged to the downstream ring whereby the downstream ring may be selectively slid into abutment with the upstream ring for closing the one downstream ring flow passageway. The means for selectively controlling also includes a selectively advanceable valve stem for closing the downstream ring flow passageways other than the one downstream ring flow passageway.