Coaxial pressurized fluid flow regulator

Abstract

A pressurized fluid flow regulator for controlling fluid in a fluid circuit is disclosed having a high pressure feed chamber in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid and with an exhaust chamber which, in turn, has a fluid outlet connected to the device to receive the pressurized fluid. A first valve controls the flow of fluid between the high pressure feed chamber and the exhaust chamber, while a second valve opens and closes the fluid outlet of the exhaust chamber. The regulator also includes a bypass chamber having an inlet in fluid communication with the high pressure feed chamber and an outlet in communication with the inlet of the source of pressurized fluid. A valve system controls the opening and closing of the bypass chamber inlet such that the inlet is opened when the fluid pressure in the high pressure feed chamber exceeds a threshold value so as to avoid over pressurization of the fluid in the system. The first valve has a valve member slidably located in a valve body of the flow regulator so as to slide along an axis of movement, such relative movement between the first valve member and a cylindrical valve opening serving to regulate the fluid flow between the high pressure feed chamber and the exhaust chamber. The first valve member has a valve surface which extends obliquely to its axis of movement such that such axial movement varies the cross-sectional area of the opening connecting the high pressure feed chamber and the exhaust chamber to thereby regulate the fluid flow between these chambers.