Fluid pressure modulator

Abstract

A pressure modulator includes an electromagnetic coil wire wound about a hollow axle for developing a magnetic field when electrical current is applied to the wire, the hollow of the axle having an entrance port for receiving a fluid and a discharge port for discharging the fluid. The modulator serves to control the pressure of fluid flowing through a conduit under pressure and further includes a bleed-off tap connecting the conduit to the entrance port. A diaphragm plate is disposed above the coil of wire and axle and adjacent to the discharge port of the hollow to modulate the rate of fluid flow from the discharge port. The diaphragm plate includes a central void, a central section of magnetically attractable material disposed in the void above the coil of wire for attraction toward the coil when electrical current is applied to the coil to thereby limit the amount of fluid which is allowed to escape from the discharge port. The diaphragm plate also includes a pair of legs which extend from the periphery of the plate to the central section to hold the central section in place, and a biasing element disposed between the legs for selectively moving the central section toward or away from the coil of wire to provide a beginning position for the central section from which the central section will be attracted towards the coil.