Low profile pressure regulator

US11119515B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US
• THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN · US

Inventors

• Wonhee M. Kim · Royal Oak, US
• Paul W. Alexander · Ypsilanti, US
• Jonathan E. Luntz · Ann Arbor, US
• Diann Brei · Milford, US
• Laura Alejandra Giner Munoz · Ann Arbor, US
• Shiyu Zhao · Dalian, CN
• Koray Benli · Ann Arbor, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 7, 2019
• Grant date: Sep 14, 2021
• Expiry date: Dec 20, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/7792
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A pressure regulator includes an inlet channel, an outlet channel, a bladder, a first plate, and a second plate. The bladder is connected to the outlet channel and extends alongside of the inlet channel. The first plate is disposed on one side of the inlet channel between the bladder and the inlet channel. The second plate is disposed on the other side of the bladder and is at least partially aligned with the first plate along the length of the inlet channel such that a portion of the inlet channel is disposed between the first and second plates. When the bladder is pressurized, the bladder urges the first plate toward the second plate and thereby pinches the portion of the inlet channel disposed between the first and second plates to regulate a ratio of a pressure in the outlet channel to a pressure in the inlet channel.