Flow regulators with flexible diaphragms

摘要

A flow regulator ( 10 ) for regulating a rate of flow of a liquid from an inlet flow path to an outlet flow path. The flow regulator includes a housing ( 14 ) with one wall or more which defines, at least in part, a regulation chamber ( 16 ) with all annular surface ( 18 ) and an outlet aperture ( 20 ) in fluid communication with the outlet flow path. The flow regulator also includes a flexible diaphragm ( 22 ) deployed at least partially within the regulation chamber ( 16 ), the diaphragm ( 22 ) having a first surface ( 24 ) part of which faces towards the annular surface ( 18 ) and a second surface ( 26 ) part of which face towards the outlet aperture ( 20 ), the diaphragm ( 22 ) assuming an initial unflexed position in which part of the first surface ( 24 ) lies adjacent to the annular surface ( 18 ), the diaphragm ( 22 ) is displaceable under pressure applied from the inlet flow path to a flexed position in which the first surface ( 24 ) is at least partially removed from the annular surface ( 18 ) and a contact portion of the second surface ( 26 ) obstructs the outlet aperture ( 20 ).