摘要 |
A fluid flow control apparatus (10) which uses a plurality of deformable metal springing arms (98, 108) to position a plurality of metal plates (40, 50, 70) within a chamber (34). The metal plates (40, 50, 70) define a plurality of flow paths to vary the amount of flow through the flow control apparatus (10). By changing the size and quantity of the various flow paths (F1, F2, F3 and F4) the flow control apparatus can be tailored to each specific application. The fluid flow control apparatus thus has the durability advantages associated with metal flow controls by using metal spring arms instead of coil springs, and provides the smaller packaging advantages associated with molded rubber flow controls. The apparatus utilizes the deflection of the metal springs instead of the deformation of rubber which will change. The diameter of the apparatus can be as small as 3/8 inch larger than the inlet diameter, and have a length of as little as 3/8 inch. |