Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100276013 | FLOW CONTROL VALVE - In one embodiment, a constant-flow valve assembly is provided that comprises a first fluid passageway carrying fluid at a first fluid pressure, a piston chamber, and a second fluid passageway connected to the chamber and carrying fluid at the second fluid pressure. A third fluid passageway is configured to carry fluid at a third fluid pressure. An adjustable valve member is provided between the chamber and the third passageway to provide constant fluid flow to the third passageway. An adjustable restrictor assembly is positioned between the first and second fluid passageways. An inlet portion of the restrictor assembly receives fluid at the first fluid pressure and directs the fluid to a restrictor. An outlet portion receives fluid from the restrictor and directs the fluid to the second fluid passageway at the second fluid pressure. The restrictor is movable to adjust the position of entry and exit portions relative to the inlet and outlet portions to adjust a fluid flow rate through fluid pathway to the second fluid passageway, thereby adjusting the flow rate through the valve assembly. | 11-04-2010 |
20120085439 | FLOW RATE CONTROLLER FOR HIGH FLOW RATES AND HIGH PRESSURE DROPS - A flow rate controller is disclosed that maintains constant flow rate with changes in pressure drop across the valve by maintaining a constant pressure drop across a restrictor with the aid of a spring balanced piston that mates a cone to a seat to dissipate the majority of pressure drop across the valve. | 04-12-2012 |
20120185102 | PRESSURE COMPENSATED FLOW RATE CONTROLLER WITH BTU METER - A constant-flow control valve and BTU meter assembly that has a pressure independent, constant-flow control valve assembly connectable to the fluid-based heating or cooling system. A valve stem is connected to a valve member and is rotatable as a unit relative to a valve body to change the position of valve member to change a fluid flow rate through the valve. The valve member's position relative to the fluid path is directly related to the fluid flow rate. A BTU meter assembly is connected to the valve stem, which is rotatable relative to the BTU meter assembly. A position sensor of the BTU meter assembly detects a rotational position of the valve stem relative to the BTU body. A controller of the BTU meter assembly determines the fluid flow rate based upon the pressure drop across the valve assembly and the rotational position of the valve stem. | 07-19-2012 |
20120279585 | FLOW CONTROL VALVE - A constant-flow valve assembly having a first passageway carrying fluid at a first pressure, a piston chamber, and a second passageway connected to the chamber and carrying fluid at the second pressure. A third passageway carries fluid at a third pressure. An adjustable valve is between the chamber and the third passageway, and an adjustable restrictor is positioned between the first and second passageways. An inlet portion of the restrictor assembly receives fluid at the first pressure and directs the fluid to a restrictor, and outlet portion directs the fluid to the second passageway at the second pressure. The restrictor is movable to adjust the position of entry and exit portions relative to the inlet and outlet portions to adjust a fluid flow rate to the second passageway to adjust the flow rate through the valve assembly. | 11-08-2012 |
20140131598 | FLOW CONTROL VALVE - In one embodiment, a constant-flow valve assembly is provided that comprises a first fluid passageway carrying fluid at a first fluid pressure, a piston chamber, and a second fluid passageway connected to the chamber and carrying fluid at the second fluid pressure. A third fluid passageway is configured to carry fluid at a third fluid pressure. An adjustable valve member is provided between the chamber and the third passageway to provide constant fluid flow to the third passageway. An adjustable restrictor assembly is positioned between the first and second fluid passageways. An inlet portion of the restrictor assembly receives fluid at the first fluid pressure and directs the fluid to a restrictor. An outlet portion receives fluid from the restrictor and directs the fluid to the second fluid passageway at the second fluid pressure. The restrictor is movable to adjust the position of entry and exit portions relative to the inlet and outlet portions to adjust a fluid flow rate through fluid pathway to the second fluid passageway, thereby adjusting the flow rate through the valve assembly. | 05-15-2014 |
20140371926 | PRESSURE COMPENSATED FLOW RATE CONTROLLER WITH BTU METER - Apparatus, systems, and methods related to a constant-flow control valve and BTU meter assembly that has a pressure independent, constant-flow control valve assembly connectable to the fluid-based heating or cooling system. A valve stem is connected to a valve member and is rotatable as a unit relative to a valve body to change the position of valve member to change a fluid flow rate through the valve. The valve member's position relative to the fluid path is directly related to the fluid flow rate. Pressure sensors measure the pressure of fluid entering and exiting the valve body. A BTU meter assembly is connected to the valve stem, which is rotatable relative to the BTU meter assembly. A position sensor of the BTU meter assembly detects a rotational position of the valve stem relative to the BTU body. A controller of the BTU meter assembly is coupleable to the position sensor, the pressure sensors, and the temperature sensors, and the controller determines the fluid flow rate based upon the pressure drop across the valve assembly and the rotational position of the valve stem. The controller also determines energy usage of the heating or cooling device based upon the flow rate and the temperature change across the heating or cooling device. | 12-18-2014 |
20150316934 | FLOW RATE CONTROLLER FOR HIGH FLOW RATES AND HIGH PRESSURE DROPS - A flow rate controller is disclosed that maintains constant flow rate with changes in pressure drop across the valve by maintaining a constant pressure drop across a restrictor with the aid of a spring balanced piston that mates a cone to a seat to dissipate the majority of pressure drop across the valve. | 11-05-2015 |