Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
' 1(1911;~
This invention relates generally to valve mechanisms, and
more particularly to an improved valve mechanism which combines the
functions of pressure regulating and fluid flow control. The combination
- pressure regulating and flow control valve of the present invention is
adapted for many uses as~ for example, for controlling the operation of
an air cylinder in either one direction or both directions.
It is known in the valve art to provide pressure regulation to
,~ individual or multiple directional control valves with single or multiple
pressure regulators to control the pressure supplied to the device
10 being controlledO The use of multiple pressure regulàtors is expensive
' and a~rkward requiring special directional control valves and exces-si;ve
pipir~g. Where multiple directional valves are mounted in stacking
fashion or on a common manifold base, it is extremely difficult and ex-
.,` ~
pensive to provi de pressure regulation to individual outlets. It is not
common to use such pressure regulators in the line between the outlet
' or cylinder port of the directional valve and the device being controlled
because of cost, space and the relatively short life of diaphragms and
other components of pressure regulators. It is common to provide flow
control means in the line between the directional control valve and the
`~ 20 device being controlled. Because of cost, c(m,~exity and space re-
quirements, it has not been practicable in the past to provide both
pressure regulator means and flow control means between the cylinder
port of the directional control valve and the device being controlled. The
result has been a waste of air requiring excessive pumping capacity,
a waste of energy, and increase in the cost of using air as a power and
control means.
In accordance with the present invention, a combination pres-
sure regulating and flow control valve is provided which can be installed
l~9ilZ7
` 1 in any cylinder or actuation line to control both the pressure and the flow
of air in that line. The combination valve of the present invention in-
-~ cludes an adjustable pressure regulator valve means which is construct-
ed and arranged to regulate the supply pr essure to an air cylinder being
, controlled by the valve of the present invention. The valve of the present
invention also includes an adjustable flow control valve for controlling
the flow of air to or from the air cylinder being controlled by the valve
so as to control the return speed of the air cylinder. A relief check
valve is provided for forcing the flow of fluid through the valve to the ad-
.. :
justable pressure regulator valve means upon energization of the control
valve, and which is operable to provide return flow through the valve from
a wide open or free flow condition to a metered out flow condition in co~
operation with the adjustable flow control valve. The adjustable flow con-
trol valve means is used in series with the adjustable pressure regulator
valve means to provide either a metered in or metered out condition,
with pressure regulation and flow control, and a free flow out or free
' flow in condition, respectively. A second check valve means is oper-
atively mounted in parallel with the adjustable fluid flow control valve
means for providing a free flow action to fluid flowing in a direction oppo- ~ ~ -
20 site to the metering action of the flow control means, The last mentioned
check valve means is made as a reversible cartridge valve in one em-
bodiment so that in one position it provides a free flow out action to fluid
flowing in one direction, and when reversed to another position, it pro-
vides a free flow in action to fluid flowing in the other direction. The
- combination pressure regulating and flow control valve is also provided
- in other embodiments of the invention with an adjustable quick exhaust
~,-
valve means for quickly exhausting the downstream pressure through a
, seco~d parallel fluid flow passage, simultaneously with the exhaust of
--2--
lO'~lZ7
fluid flow through the first named passage and check valve means.
The combined pressure regulating and flow control valve of
the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the aforementioned
prior art structures in that no separate pressure regulating device is
required to reduce the pressure down to a required lower operating
pressure, whereby a saving of air is provided at a minimum of cost.
The pressure regulating and flow control valve of the present invention
also provides a control over the speed of an air cylinder, whereby
the air cylinder may be efficiently operated in either direction and at
a savings of air. The valve of the present invention is advantageous in
that it provides in one compact and economical unit the combined
functions of pressure regulating and flow controlO
The combination pressure regulating and flow control valve of
the present invention also includes a quick exhaust function which pro-
vides a quick dump exhaust characteristic in addition to the pressure
regulating and flow control characteristics.
Other features and advantages of this invention will be appar- -
ent from the following detailed ~escription, appended claims, and the
accompanying drawings.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of a combina-
tion pressure regulating and flow control valve made in accordance with
the principles of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is an elevation section view of the valve structure illus-
trated in Fig. 1~ taken along the line 2-2 thereof, and looking in the
direction of the arrows.
Fig. 3 is an elevation section view of the valve structure
~9llZ7
.. :
1 illustrated in Fig. 1, taken along the line 3-3 thereof, and looking in
the direction of the arrows,
Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the valve body structure illus-
trated in Fig. 2, with the top end cover removed, taken along the line
4-4 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.
Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the valve body structure illus-
' ! '
trated in Fig. 2, with the bottom end cover removed, taken along theline 5-5 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows.
Fig. 6 is a schematic view of the valve structure illustrated
10 in Figs. 1 through 5, and showing the various functions carried out by
the valve.
Fig. 7 is an elevation section view of a second valve embodi-
ment made in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the valve structure illustrated
in Fig. 7, and showing the various functi~ns.carried out by the valve.
Fi~. 9 is an elevation section view of a third embodiment made
~j in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the valve structure illustrated in
,.i..................................................................... .
Fig. 9, with the top end cover removed, taken along the line 10-10 there-
20 of, and looking in the direction of the arrows.
Fig. 11 is a schematic view of the valve structure illustrated
. . .
-` in Figs. 9 and 10, and showing the various functions carried out by the
valve.
:.~ :,,
Fig. 12 is an elevation section view of a modified embodiment -
of the valve illustrated in Fig. 9, and made in accordance with the
principles of the present invention.
~''
,':
i, .
,~` lO9~1Z7
Fig. 13 is a schematic view of the valve structure illustrated
in Fig. 12 and showing the various functions carried out by the valve.
Fig. 14 is an elevation section view of a fourth valve embodi-
ment, made in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
73"-` Fig. 15 is a schematic view of the valve structure illustrated
~ in Fig. 14, and showing the various functions carried out by the valve.
,. .
Fig. 16 is a fragmentary elevation section view of a pr~-exhaust
valve employed with the embodiments of the valve structure of Figs.
9-11, and 12-13.
Fig. 17 is an elevation section view of a fifth valve embodi-
~; ment made in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
Fig, 18 is a schematic view of the valve illustrat~d in Fig. 17
and showing the various functions carried out by said valve.
Fig. 19 is a fragmentary, elevation section view of a revers-
ible check valve structure, and showing the check valve in one position.
~,; Fig. 20 is a horizontal section view of the check valve struc-
ture illustrated in Fig. 19, taken along the line 20-20 thereof, and look-
ing in the direction of the arrows.
.~,,
~ Fig. 21 is a fragmentary, elevation section view, similar to
, .
20 Fig. 19, but showing the check valve of Fig. 19 in a reversed position.
Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to Figs, 1
~; and 2, the numeral 10 generally designates a first illustrative embodi-
ment of a combination pressure regulating and flow control valve made
in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The valve 10
;.-
includes a valve body 11, a top end cover 12 and a bottom end cover 13.A suitable gasket 15 is disposed between the end covers 12 and 13, and
the valve body 11. The end covers 12 and 13 are secured to the valve body
',
--5--
i 10911Z~
11 by any suitable means, as by suitable machine screws 14 ~hich
extend through the bottom end cover, and up through the valve body
11, and into threaded engagement with suitable threaded apertures in
the top end cover 12. -
The valve body 11 is provided with a threaded supply or up-
stream port 18 which would be connected by suitable conduit means to
a suitable source of supply of pressurized air or other fluid. The sup-
ply port 18 communicates with an interior upper passageway 19 which
is formed in the upper end of the valve body 11 and which is enclosed by
the top end cover 12. The valve body 11 is further provided with a
threaded Qutlet or downstream port 20 which communicates with an
upper interior passageway 21 that is formed in the valve body 11 and
which is enclosed on its upper side by the top end cover 12. The inter-
ior upper passageway 19 is enclosed at its lower end by the valve body
interior walls 17 and 22, as shown in Fig. 2. A bore or passageway
25 is formed through the valve body interior wall 22 for communicating
,j .
the upper interior passageway 19 with the lower interior passageway 24.
j The lower interior passageway 24 is formed in the valve body 11 and
; is enclosed on its lower end by the bottom end cover 13. The lower in-~, : . . .20 terior passageway 24 communicates with the upper interior passageway
21 through a bore or passageway 53 formed through the interior valve
body wal~ 22. As shown in Fig. 2, the upper interior passageway 21 is
bounded on its lower side by the -valve body interior walls 22 and 54.
As shown in Fig. 2, a pressure regulator valve, g~erally
indicated by the numeral 23, is operatively mounted in the vertical bore
25 for controlling the flow of fluid between the upper interior passage-
way 19 and the lower interior passageway 24. As shown in Fig. 2, the
-6-
`` 1(~9112~
. .
i .
, 1 lower end of the bore 25 is enlarged, as indicated by the numeral 26,
~`" and the junction point between the enlarged bore portion 26 and the bore
-; 25 comprises a valve seat 27, which may be conically formed. The ad-
: '
justable pressure regulator valve 23 includes a novel one-piece poppet
valve element 31 which is bonded to the lower portion 34 of a lower
valve stem, generally indicated by the numeral 30. The valve element
31 terminates at its upper end at an integral annular shoulder 35, and at
its lower end at a larger integral annular shoulder 32. The valve ele-
: ment 31 may be normally lightly biased in the closing direction by a
, 10 suitable spring 33 which is mounted around the enlarged lower end 41
r ~
~ of the valve stem 30. The lower end of the spring 33 abuts the inner
,. .
, ~ face of the bottom end cover 13. The upper end of the spring 33 abuts
` the lower side of the annular shoulder 32.
As shown in Fig. 2, the upper end of the valve stem 30 is pro-
,.:
vided v7ith a pair of annular shoulders or flanges 36 and 37 which are
;` slidably mounted in the lower end of a bore 38 that is formed in the top
, end cover 12. A suitable balancing seal means 39 is mounted between
the shoulders 36 and 37. A spring 42 is mounted in the bore 38, and its
,
i lower end is seated around the upper end of the valve stem 30O The
. -
20 spring 42 extends upward and is seated against a wear washer 40 that
~; is carried on the lower or inner end of a threaded upper valve stem 43.
The valve stem 43 is threadably mounted in a reduced diameter threaded
bore 44 which extends inwardly from the upper face of the top end cover
12, and communicates with the upper end of the bore 38. The valve
stem 43 is shown in Fig. 2 in its maximum upward adjusted operable
position since the wear washer 40 is larger in diameter than the bore
44 and abuts the top end cover and restricts any further upward adjust-
~:.
-
-7 -
lU911Z~
1 ment movement of the spring 42. The valve stem 43 may be adjusted
inwardly to increase the pressure of the adjustable spring 42 acting on
the lower valve stem 30,
The valve stem 43 is locked in a desired adjusted position by
a suitable lock nut 45. It will be seen that the pressure regulator valve
23 is essentially a balanced spring biased poppet valve. The upper
valve stem 43 is adjusted inwardly to bias the conical valve element 31
to the open position by the adjustable spring 42 to allow a free flow of
fluid thereby from the the upstream port 18. When fluid flow starts, the
10 downstream pressure exerts a force on the lower side of the valve ele-
ment 31 exposed to said downstream pressure. When such force equals
.,, the force exerted by the adjustable spring 42, the valve element 31 will
close to flow, being urged by the fixed spring 33 to the closed position
on the valve seat 27. In the closed pondltion, the force of the inlet fluid
pressure is balanced between the conical inlet seat 27 and the pressure
bala~cing seal means 39. Therefore, variations in inlet pressure can
, cause only small variations in the downstream pressure.
As shown in Fig. 2, an adjustable fluid dIL~w control means, gen- -
erally indicated by the numeral 46, is vertically disposed in the valve
,~,
body 11, at right angles to the ports 18 and 20. The flow control means
46 includes a valve stem, generally indicated by the numeral 49, which
has formed on the lower end thereof a conically shaped valve S0 which
may be termed a needle valve. The needle valve 50 is adapted to extend
down through the bore 53, and to be seated in its closed position on a
valve seat 51 formed at the junction between the bore 53 and an enlarged
diameter bore 52 at the upper end of the bore 53~ The upper end of the
valve stem 49 is slidably mounted in a bore 56 formed in the inner end
!, `
` _ ~09112~
.
of the top end cover 12. A suitable O-ring seal 5~ is operatively mount-
ed in a peripheral groove 57 formed around the upper end 59 of the valve
stem 49 for sealing engagement with the surface of the bore 56. The
valve stem 49 is provided with a reduced diameter threaded upper end
portion 59 which is threadably mounted through a threaded bore 60 that
., .
is formed in the upper end of the top end cover 12 and which communi-
cates with the bore 56. The valve stem 49 is held in a desired adjusted
position by a suitable lock nut 61. The adjustable fluid flow cor~rol means
46 is shown in a closed position. In use, the valve stem 49 would be ad-
justed upwardly to permit fluid flow through the passageway 53 at a de-
sired controlled rate. It will be seen that when fluid is flowing from the
lower interior passageway 24 upwardly through the passageway 53 and in-
to the upper interior passageway 21, that the fluid will be subjected to a
meter in action.
As shown in Fig. 2, the lower interior passageway 24 also
communicates with the upper interior passageway 21 through a bore or
,
passageway 64 formed in the valve body wall 22. The upper interior
, ~ .
passageway 21 is bou~ded,on~~the: right side, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 4,
.,: .
, by the vertical valve body interior walls 62 a~d 63. The lower end of
20 the bore 64 is enlarged, as indicated by the numeral 65, to form a seat
for a check valve means, generally indicated by the numeral 66. The
check valve means.6fi-includes a cup-shaped valve body 67 having an
open lower end and which is made from a suitable elastomeric material,
and provided with a cup-shaped liner 69 that is made from any suitable
material, as for example, stainless steel. A suitable spring 70 has its
upper end mounted within the cup-shaped liner 69, and its lower end
~09~12t7
. .
1 extended downwardly and seated against the inner face of the bottom
end cover 13.
The cup-shaped check valve body 67 is provided on its closed
upper end with an integral, annular, axially extended projection 68
which is adapted to be seated around the lower end of the passageway
~.~., .
l 64 in the lower bore portion 65~for enclosing the bore 64 in a valve
., .
~, closing action. It will be seen that the spring 70 normally maintains
.: :
' the check valve 66 in the closed position, shown in Fig. 2, to prevent
,,.,; .
, flow of air or other fluid from the lower interior passageway 24 up-
wardly into the interior upper passageway 21 when the flow of fluid is
. .
,.'n flowing through the valve 10, from the upstream port 18 to the down-
~, stream port 20, However, when the flow of fluid through the valve 10
, . .~ . : .
tt ' is in the reverse direction, that is from the upper interior passageway
, 21 downwardly into the lower interior passageway 24, then the check
, ~ valve 66 would be biased downwardly by the returning fluid flow pressure
~,
and moved to an open position to permit the fluid to exhaust through the
bore 64 and into the lower interior passageway 24 and then upwardly
` through the bore 25 and into the upper interior passageway 19 and out the
port 18. It will be understood that the bore 25 would be in the open
position wit~ the poppet valve element 31 adjusted downwardly to a nor-
.:
mally open position.
As shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the valve 10 is further provided ~ -
. .
; with a pre-exhaust valve means, generally indicated by the numeral 73,
.. . . . .
and it includes a cup-shaped valve body member 77 which is made from ~ -
a suitable elastomeric material and which is provided with a cup-shaped
, liner 79. The valve body 77 is open on the upper end thereof, and has
' operatively mounted therein the liner 79 which is made from any suit-
.,
.,
' .
lO9ilZ7
1 able material, as for example, a stainless steel. The cup-shaped
valve body member 77 has an integral, annular, axially extended pro-
jection 78 which is adapted to be seated in the enlarged upper end 88
of a bore or passageway 76 for communicating the upper interior passage-
way 19 with a lower interior passageway 75. The passageway 75 is
formed in the valve body 11 by the interior valve body walls 22~ 71, 72
and 87, and the bottom end cover 13. The lower interior passageway 75
is connected to the upper interior passageway 21 through a passageway
74, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
The cup-shaped valve body 77 is normally biased downwardly
to the closed position shown in Fig. 3 by a suitable spring cushion or
spring means 80. One end of the spring means 80 is seated in the cup-
shaped liner 79, and the other end is seated against the lower end of an
adjustable valve stem 81. The valve stem 81 has a pair of enlarged
annular flanges or shoulders 82 which are slidably mounted, in a vertical
bore 84 that is formed in the top end cover 12 and which communicates
with the upper interior passageway 19. A suitable 0-ring seal means
83 is mounted between the shoulders 82, and sealingly engages the sur-
face of the bore 84. The upper end of the valve stem 81 is threaded, and
20 it is threadably mounted through a threaded bore 85 formed in the top
end cover 12 as an extension of the bore 84. The valve stem 81 is
secured in a desired adjusted position by a suitable lock nut 86. It will
be seen that the pre-exhaust valve 73 controls the return of fluid be-
tween the ports 20 and 18 through a parallel passage formed by the upper
interior passageway 21, passageway 74, passageway 75, passage~ay-76,
and the upper interior passageway 19. The valve stem 81 may be ad-
justed to provide a desired spring closing pressure on the cup-shaped
-11 -
` 1091127
`
.';' . :.
- 1 valve 77 to control the flow of fluid through this second or parallel re-
turn flow path for exhausting and returning fluid from the port 20 and
` through the valve 10 and out the upstream port 18.
. In usè, the valve 10 receives fluid under pressure at the up-
stream or supply port 18 from whence it passes into the upper interior
passageway 19 and then down through the passageway 25 past the poppet
valve element 31 and into the lower interior passageway 24. The fluid
then flows past the closed check valve 66 and up through the passage 53
' around the flow control valve 50 and into the upper interior passageway
, ~ 10 21 and then out the downstream port 20. The flow control valve 46
~5 ' '
. provides a meter in action on the fluid flowing therearound. The valve
23 provides a pressure regulating action on the fluid when it is flowing
through this valve meaDs from right to left, as viewed in Fig. 2. It will
be seen that as the fluid pressure builds up downstream, on the down-
stream side of the poppet valve element 31, the pressure tends to move
the poppet valve element 31 upwardly to a closed pasition against the
- force of the spring 42.
' When fluid is exhausted through the valve 10 by flowing into the
port 20 and through the valve 10 and out the port 18, the adjustable pre-
20 exhaust valve means 73 (Fig. 6) opens up immediately to permit down-
stream pressure to pass from the upper interior passageway 21 down-
wardly through the passageway 74 and into the lower passageway 75, -
and thence upwardly through the passageway 76 and into the upper inter-
ior passageway 19 and out the upstream port 18. When the pressure of
the exhausting fluid drops to a predetermined level set by the spring
:
means 80 of the adjustable pre-exhaust valve means 73J the pre-exhaust
,: .
valve means 73 closes. It will be understood that simultaneously with the
-12-
.
`` lO9ilZ7
:'
".
opening of the pre-exhaust valve means 73, that some of the exhaust-
ing fluid also passes from the upper passageway 21 downwardly past
the adjustable fluid flow control valve means 46 and downwardly into
the lower interior passageway 24. The check valve 66 also simultaneous-
ly opens to allow a free flow of fluid from the upper interior passage-
way 21 downwardly into the lower interior passageway 24, and then out
the passageway 25 past the open poppet valve 31 and up into the upper
interior passageway 19 and out the port 18. However, when the pre-
exhaust valve means 73 closes, the last two mentioned dual exhaust
10 paths sliill remain open with the main return being a free flow through
the open check valve 66. It is thus seen that the valve 10 provides a
pressure regulating action and a meter in action on fluid flowing into
.,:,
a device, such as one end of an air cylinder, and a pre-exhaust and free
flow action on the exhausting fluid from said one end of a device such
as an air cylinder. Also, on the return stroke of the air cylinder or
other device where it is desired to return the cylinder at a certain speed,
the pre-exhaust valve 73 permits the dumping of the pressure resisting
return movement of the cylinder to a predetermined level, whereby the
cylinder may be returned at a desired speed~
Figso 7 and 8 illustrate a secpnd embodiment of the invention
which is generally indicated by the numeral lOa. The parts of the em-
bodiment illustrated in Figs, 7 and 8 which are the same as the first
described embodiment of Figs. 1 through 6 have been marked with the
' same reference numerals followed by the small letter "a".
The embodiment of Figs. 7 and 8 discloses the same valve
structure as that shown in Figs. 1 through 6, with the exception that
the check valve 66a is inverted so as to provide a free flow path from the
-13 -
;
lO9~1Z7
lower interior passageway 24a when fluid is flowing from the supply port
18a through the valve lOa and out the port 20a. In the embodiment illus-
trated in Figs. 7 and 8, when fluid is exhausting or returning through the
valve lOa, it enters the port 20a and passes into the upper interior passage-
way 21a and thence down past the flow control valve means 46a to provide
a meter out action on the returning fluid. The returning fluid maintains
the check valve 66a in the closed position. The returning fluid metered out
,,
into the lower interior passageway 24a passes upwardly through the passage
25a, around the open regulating poppet valve element 31a, and into the upper
10 interior passageway l9a, and then out through the upstream port 18a. In
the embodiment of Figs. 7 and 8, the pre-exhaust valve 81a would function
in the same manner as described hereinbefore for the first embodiment of
.
Figs. 1 through 6 on the return stroke of an air cylinder where it is desi~r-
ed to return the cylinder at a certain speed. That is, the pre-exhaust valve
73a would permit the quick dumping of the pressure reslisting return move-
ment of the cylinder to a predetermined level, whereby the cylinder may
be returned at a desired speed under a meter out action by the flow control
valve 49a.
Figs. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate a third embodiment of the in-
20 vention which is generally indicated by the numeral lOb. The parts of theembodiment illustrated in Figs. 9, 10 and 11 which are the same as the
first described embodiment of Figs. 1 through 6 have been marked with the
same reference numerals followed by the small letter "b".
The embodiment of Figs. 9, 10 and 11 disclose the same
valve structure as that shown in Figs. 1 through 6 with the addition of a
- - second check valve, generally indicated by the numeral 92, which functions
-14-
`~ ```-` lO911Z7
to provide a free flow return path from the lower interior passageway
24b around the pressure regulating poppet valve element 31b. As shown in
:, ,
~ Fig. 9, a bore or passageway 93 connects the upper interior passageway
. . ~
~ 19b with the lower interior passageway 24b in a path parallel to the passage-
,
'J' way 25b for the pressure regulating valve means 23b. The upper end of
the bore or passageway 93 is enlarged; as indicated by the numeral 96, so
as to form a seat for the check valve 92. The check valve 92 is constructed
in the same manner as the check valve 66b.
- The check valve 92 includes a cup-shaped valve body 94 which
10 is made from a suitable elastomeric material, and which is provided with
~ a cup-shaped liner 97. The valve body 94 is open on the upper end thereof
- ~ and has operatively mounted therein the liner 97 which is made from any
suitable material, as for example, a stainless steel. The cup-shapedvalve
body 94 has an integral, annular, axially extended projection 95 which is
adapted to be seated in the enlarged upper end 96 of the passageway or bore
93. The cup-shaped body 94 is normally biased downwardly to the closed
position shown in Fig. 9 by a suitabIe spring cushion or spring means 98.
':
One end of the spring means 98 is seated in the cup-shaped liner 97 and the
other end is seated against the lower inner face of the top end cover 12b.
2 0 It will be seen that fluid passing into the supply port 18a and
` through the valve 10b to the d~wnstream port 20b will maintain the check
'' '"
valve 92 in the closed position, but that when the fluid flow through the valve
10b is in the opposite direction, that the valve 92 will open to allow a free
flow of fluid around the pressure regulating valve 23b, from the lower in-
; terior passageway 24b up through t~,e passageway 93 and into the upper in-
terior passageway l9b and out the port 18b. In the embodiment of Figs. 9,
. . ,
lO911Z7
10 and 11, the pre-exhaust valve 81b would function in the same manner
as described hereinbefore for the embodiment of Figs. 7 and 8.
Figs. 12 ahdl3 illustrate a modified embodiment lOc of the
valve illustrated in Fig. 9. The parts of the embodiment OI Figs. 12 and
13 which are the same as the embodiment of Figs. 9, 10 and 11, have been
marked with the same reference numerals followed by the small letter "c".
The embodiment of Figs. 12 and 13 discloses the same valve
structure as that shown in Figs. 9 and 10, with the exception that the check
valve 66c is inverted so as to provide a free flow path from the lower in-
., .
10 terior passagew~y 24c when the fluid is f'lowing from the supply port 18c
,; through the valve lOc and out the port 20c. In the embodiment il~ustrated
in Figs. 12 and 13, when fluid is exhausted or returning through the valve
lOc, it enters the port 20c and passes into the upper interior passageway
21c and thence down past the flow control valve means 46c to provide a meter
out action on the returning fluid. The returning fluid maintains the check
valve 66 in a closed position. The returning fluid metered out into the lower
interior passageway 24c passes upwardly through the passage 25c, around
the open poppet valve element 31c, and into the upper interior passageway
l9c and then out through the upStreAm port 18c. In the embodiment of Figs.
20 12 and 13, the exhausting fluid also passes upwardly from the lower interiorpassageway 24c up through the passageway 93c to open the relief check ;
~alve 92c and provide an additional free flow exhaust passage to the upper
interior passageway l9c and thence out the port 18c. In the embodiment of
Figs. 12 and 13, the pre-exhaust valve 73c would function in the same
manner as described hereinbefore for the embodiment of Figs. 7 and 8.
Fig. 16 il~ustrates an exhaust valve 73e which is used with
-16-
~ -" 1()9112~
the embodiments illustrated in F~gs. 9 through 11, and Figs. 12 and 13.
The parts of the pre-exhaust valve 73e which are t he same as the first
~J
disclosed pre-exhaust valve 73 of Fig. 3 are marked with the same refer-
.~
ence numerals followed by the small letter "e". The pre-exhaust valve
73e functions in the same manner as the previously described valve 73 of
Fig. 7.
, Figs. 13 and 15 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the inven-
tion which is generally indicated by the numeral lOd. The parts of the em-
bodiment illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15 which are the same as the embodi-
10 ment of Figs. 9-11, have been marked with the same reference numerals
followed by the small letter "d".
The embodiment of Figs. 14 and 15 discloses the same valve
structure as that shown in Figs. ~-11, with the exception that the ~pre-
exhaust valve 73b of the embodiment of Figs. 9 through 11 has been elim-
, inated. Accordingly, the embodiment of Figs. 14 and 15 provides a pres-
sure regulating function and meter in function when fluid is flowing through
the valve lOd from the upstream port 18d to the downstream port 20d, and
,.
a free flow out function when fluid is being exhausted through the valve lOd
from the downstream port 20d and out the upstream port 18d, with the fun-
~ 20 ction of the relief check valve 92d.
The embodiment of Figs. 17 and 18 illustrate a fifth embodi-
ment of the invention which is generally indicated by the numeral lOf. The
parts of the embodiment lOf illustrated in Figs. 17 and 18 which are the
same as the embodiment of Figs. 12 and 13 have been marked with the same
reference numerals followed by the small letter "f".
- The embodiments of Figs. 17 and 18 discloses the same vaL~e
- -17-
.~
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`~ 1 structure as that shown in Figs. 12 and 13, with the exception that the
pre-exhaust valve 73c of the embodiment of Figs. 12 and 13 has been
eliminated. Accordingly, the embodiment of Figs. 17 and 18 provides a
pressure regulating function and a free flow in function when fluid is flow-
ing through the valve lOf from the upstream port 18f to the downstream port
20f, and a meter out function when fluid is being exhausted through the valve
- lOf from the downstream port 20f and out the upstream port 18f, together
with the function of the relief check valve 92f.
Figs. 19 and 20 illustrate a reversible check valve struc-
ture which can be employed in any of the aforedescribed embodiments of -
, :. .
the invention. The parts of the check valve structure illustrated in Figs.
19 and 20 which are the same as the check valve structure illustrated in
... . .
. Fig. 2, have been marked with the same reference numerals followed by
'; the small letter "g". As shown in Fig. 19, the check valve 66g is carried
.,: . .
~ in a birdcage type of carrier structure which includes a central plate 100
.. . .
'r, which has a peripheral, transverse, annular flange 101 that is adapted to
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be seated in a bore 102 formed in the valve body interior lon~tudinal wall
22g. A plurality of support and guide rods 104 are integrally formed on
the upper and lower sides of the annular flange 101. The lower set of
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?,~ 20 four support and guide rods 104 extend downwardly into the lower interior
, . .
chamber 24g and they abut against the inner face of the bottom end cover
13g. The upper set of support rods 104 extend upwardly into the upper in-
terior passageway llg, and they abut against the inner surface of the top end
cover 12g. It will be seen that the check valve 66g is guided in its up-
ward and downward movement by the birdcage support and guide rods 104.
t
The check valve 66g operates and functions in the same manner as desc~ibed
.,
~ ` ` 1091127
hereinbefore for the check valve 66 of the first embodiment of Figs. 1
through 6.
Fig. 21 shows the reversible check valve illustrated in Figs.
19 and 20 disposed in an upper position. The check valve 66g of i:Eigs. 19
and 20 provides a free flow out function, while the reversed check valve
66h of Fig. 21 provides a free flow in function.
While it will be apparent that the preferred e,mbodiments of the
invention herein disclosed are weLl calculated to fulfill the objects above
listed, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modifi-
cation, variation and change.
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