Flow regulator to maintain controllable volumetric flow rate

Abstract

A flow regulator is provided which comprises a housing defining a chamber therein and including inlet and outlet ports that are adaptable to allow fluid to flow into and out of the chamber. A piston assembly, including an orifice defining member in which is formed an orifice, is movably disposed in the chamber and is capable of moving in directions toward and away from the outlet port. An urging device, such as a spring, magnetic or electromagnetic device, urges the piston assembly away from the outlet port. As fluid flows into the flow regulator, the fluid flows through the orifice. The clearance between a control surface of the piston assembly and the outlet port automatically adjusts so that an equilibrium condition occurs in the flow regulator in which the difference between the pressure of the fluid upstream of the orifice and the pressure of the fluid downstream of the orifice is maintained essentially constant. This results in the fluid flowing through the orifice, and in turn through the clearance between the control surface of the piston and the outlet port, and subsequently out of the flow regulator, at a flow rate which is relatively unaffected by a change in supply pressure, downstream pressure, and the temperature of the fluid which affects the viscosity of the fluid.