Pressure compensating flow rate control device with dual operating modes

Abstract

A pressure compensating flow rate control device includes a one-piece molded plastic body having an external surface with a recessed inlet port for receiving a fluid and a recessed outlet port for discharging a fluid. First and second passages are defined internally of the body and extend between the inlet and outlet ports to provide first and second internal fluid flow paths through the body from the inlet port to the outlet port. A flow regulating mechanism is disposed in a first chamber in the first passage for regulating fluid flow through the first flow path to provide a preset constant rate of fluid flow from the body at the outlet port and thereby define a controlled mode of operation of the device. A flow diverting mechanism is disposed in a second chamber in the second passage and has an actuating element exposed through the opening of the second chamber for adjusting the flow diverting mechanism between a first condition for blocking fluid flow through the second flow path and a second condition for permitting fluid flow through the second flow path and thereby for correspondingly operating the device in the controlled mode to discharge fluid from the outlet port at the constant flow rate and in a by-pass mode to discharge fluid from the outlet port at an augmented flow rate which combines fluid flow through the second flow path with fluid flow through the first flow path and is thereby higher than the constant flow rate alone.