Pressure reducing valve
A flow control device is disclosed. The flow control device comprises a pressure reducing valve. The pressure reducing valve comprises a valve body having at least an inlet port on a high side and an outlet port on a low side and having walls defining a regulating chamber, the outlet port in fluid communication with the regulating chamber. A diaphragm assembly is provided having a diaphragm and a stem for engaging the diaphragm. The stem has a base and a connecting arm. The diaphragm engages the main valve at a perimeter thereof so as to partially enclose the regulating chamber. A valve controlled opening cooperating with the connecting arm of the stem is located between the inlet port and the regulating chamber. The valve controlled opening is adapted to adjustably restrict flow of gas between the inlet port and the regulating chamber responsive to movement of the connecting arm.
1. A pressure reducing valve comprising:
a valve body having at least an inlet port on a high pressure side and an outlet port on a low pressure side and having walls defining in part a regulating chamber, the outlet port in fluid communication with the regulating chamber;
a diaphragm assembly having a diaphragm, a stem engaging the diaphragm, the stem with a base, the base having a base diameter, the base having a substantially flat bottom, an outer perimeter and a connecting arm, the connecting arm extending generally perpendicular to the base, the diaphragm having a perimeter, the perimeter for engaging the valve body so as to partially enclose the regulating chamber;
a valve controlled assembly having a valve opening, the valve opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the base, cooperating with the connecting arm of the stem, the valve opening having a stationary depending lip located between the inlet port and the regulating chamber, the valve controlled assembly including a moveable seat with a flat portion, the seat biased towards the lip, the valve controlled assembly adapted to restrict the flow of gas between the inlet port and the regulating chamber responsive to movement of the connecting arm in the valve controlled assembly; and
a main spring for engaging the valve body and the diaphragm assembly and urging the diaphragm and the stem toward the valve opening;
wherein the base of the stem includes a lower surface that is channeled with a multiplicity of gas flow restricting channels so as to assist the flow of gas from the valve controlled assembly to the regulating chamber, when the connecting arm urges the seat off the lip;
wherein the flat bottom of the base of the stem further includes a central recessed portion with substantially closed curved side walls;
wherein the channels of the base of the stem are radially arranged about the connecting arm so as to begin at channel openings in the otherwise substantially closed curved side walls of the recessed portion and terminate at openings in the outer perimeter, and
wherein the channels terminate at the outer perimeter of the base, wherein a floor of each channel is flush with a floor of the central recessed portion.
2. The pressure reducing valve of claim 1 , wherein the channels of the base of the stem are curved.
3. The pressure reducing valve of claim 1 , wherein the channels of the base of the stem are straight.
4. The pressure reducing valve of claim 1 , wherein the multiplicity of channels of the base comprises three.
5. The pressure reducing valve of claim 1 , further including a gap between the connecting arm of the stem and the valve open, the gap I the range of 0.020 to 0.050 inches.
6. The pressure reducing valve of claim 1 , wherein the connecting arm of the stem includes a bore extending therethrough.
7. The pressure reducing valve of claim 1 , wherein the outer perimeter of the base comprises a polygon having a multiplicity of straight sides.
8. The pressure reducing valve of claim 7 , wherein the multiplicity of channels terminate at some of the multiplicity of straight sides of the outer perimeter of the base.
9. A pressure reducing valve comprising:
a valve body having at least an inlet port on a high pressure side and an outlet port on a low pressure side and having walls defining in part a regulating chamber, the outlet port in fluid communication with the regulating chamber;
a diaphragm assembly having a diaphragm, a stem engaging the diaphragm, the stem with a base, the base having an outer perimeter and a connecting arm, the connecting arm extending generally perpendicular to the base, the diaphragm having a perimeter, the perimeter for engaging the valve body so as to partially enclose the regulating chamber;
a valve controlled assembly having a valve opening cooperating with the connecting arm of the stem, the opening located between the inlet port and the regulating chamber, the valve controlled assembly including a moveable seat with a flat portion and a depending stationary lip, the seat biased towards the lip for engagement therewith, the valve controlled assembly adapted to restrict the flow of gas between the inlet port and the regulating chamber responsive to movement of the connecting arm in the valve controlled assembly; and
a main spring for engaging the valve body and the diaphragm assembly and urging the diaphragm and the stem toward the valve opening;
wherein the base of the stem includes a lower surface that is channeled with a multiplicity of gas flow restricting channels so as to assist the flow of gas from the valve controlled assembly to the regulating chamber, when the connecting arm urges the seat off the lip;
wherein the lower surface of the base of the stem further includes a central recessed portion;
wherein the connecting arm of the stem includes a bore extending therethrough; and
wherein the channels begin at the central recessed portion and terminate at the outer perimeter, wherein a floor of each channel is flush with a floor of the central recessed portion.
10. The pressure reducing valve of claim 9 , wherein the channels of the base of the stem are radially arranged about the connecting arm.