Fluid flow regulator

Abstract

A fluid flow regulator has a housing with a cylindrical chamber. A member in the form of a ball having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the chamber can move within the chamber. In one embodiment, a bypass channel in the chamber extends around the ball. Fluid flow in the inlet passes through the orifice created between the ball and the channel, creating a pressure drop so that the fluid on the inlet side of the ball is at a higher pressure than the fluid on the other side. The resultant pressure force urges the ball against a spring. Fluid on the other side of the ball exits the chamber through a radial outlet slot positioned near the ball. When the inlet pressure and flow increases, the ball moves toward the outlet slot to cover a greater percentage of the outlet slot, which raises the pressure drop into the outlet, thereby compensating for the increased inlet pressure. A second longitudinal channel terminates on the downstream side of the ball. Inlet flow can use the second slot to bypass the ball, but movement of the ball can open or close the second channel to varying degrees. The second channel provides a way of changing the degree of regulation of the flow controller. In another embodiment, fluid is directed to opposite sides of the ball through two channels, a higher pressure and a lower pressure channel. An orifice in the lower pressure channel creates a pressure drop to decrease the pressure in the lower pressure channel relative to the pressure in the higher pressure channel. Increasing flow increases the pressure on the higher pressure side of the ball to urge the ball over a greater portion of the outlet.