GHe solenoid operated pressure regulator and gas release manifold

摘要

A pressure regulator includes a pressurized fluid, direct-drive, balanced dual poppet valve assembly that requires no dynamic seals and is pressure balanced. Each poppet has a knife edge that creates a bubble-tight seal against a cooperating seat. The sealing knife edge of one poppet faces into the pressure, and the sealing knife edge of the other poppet faces away from the pressure. The pressure balance negates performance impact of high or low fluid pressure. Furthermore, the design provides for a controlled depth of deformation by the sealing knife edges of the poppets into the soft surfaces of the seats. With this arrangement, no dynamic seals are required, reducing the friction to a very low value. The valve assembly is actuated by solenoid that is optimized for light weight, high speed response, and low power consumption. The solenoid is designed to be immersed and operated within the pressurized fluid.

主权项

1. A pressure regulator for controlling the flow of a pressurized fluid, the pressure regulator comprising:
a housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of chambers connecting at least one inlet channel to at least one out channel such that the pressurized fluid flows through the at least one inlet channel into the chambers and out of the chambers through the at least one outlet channel; a pressure-balanced valve assembly disposed within the housing, the valve assembly comprising:
a first seat cartridge comprising a first seat;a first poppet positioned to close against the first seat to prevent the flow of the pressurized fluid through a first of the chambers;a second seat cartridge comprising a second seat;a second poppet coaxial with the first poppet and positioned to close against the second seat to prevent the flow of the pressurized fluid through a second of the chambers;each of the first and second poppets having a proximal end, a distal end, and a knife edge that projects from the distal end and contacts the respective seat to create a bubble-tight seal, the knife edge of the first poppet facing into the pressure of the pressurized fluid and the knife edge of the second poppet facing away from the pressure of the pressurized fluid; and a valve actuator configured to simultaneously open both seals between the poppets and the seats; wherein the valve assembly is positioned so that when the seals between the poppets and the seats are closed, the pressurized fluid contacts and places under pressure a distal surface on the distal end of the first poppet, and a proximal surface on the proximal end of the second poppet, the force of the pressure on the distal surface of the first poppet being equal to the force of the pressure on the proximal surface of the second poppet; and wherein when the seals between the poppets and the seats are opened, the pressurized fluid flows outwardly across the knife edge of the first poppet into the first chamber; and inwardly across the knife edge of the second poppet into the second chamber.