Importance

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Abstract

An automatic flow control valve for maintaining a predetermined output flow rate in response to a varying pressure differential across the valve has an orifice element, an occluding element and a spring each placed at least partially within a valve housing. The orifice element has a fluid port at a fixed and predetermined distance from an alignment end of the orifice element. The occluding element has an occluding region at a fixed and predetermined position relative to an alignment end of the occluding element. The spring extends along a longitudinal axis of the valve housing and the length of the spring in the absence of fluid flow is predetermined. In use, fluid flows longitudinally between the fluid port and the alignment end of the occluding element. This causes the alignment end of the orifice element to be aligned with one end of the compression spring and the alignment end of the occluding element to be aligned with a second end of the spring. This results in a predetermined alignment of the fluid port with the occluding region. In addition, the occluding element and first orifice element are shaped and positioned to move axially relative to one another in response to a pressure differential across the fluid port of the first orifice element, causing the occluding region to move past the fluid port to vary the occlusion of the fluid port. There results a predetermined relationship between pressure differential and occlusion of the fluid port.

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First Claim