Patent · US Expired

Digital fluid flow control system

US4244396A · kind A · utility

17Cited by
10References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 24, 1976
Grant dateJan 13, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 24, 1996

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/87298
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

In a digital fluid flow control system having a source of fluid at a first pressure and a fluid receiver at a second pressure lower than the first pressure, individually actuatable, digital valve elements interconnect the source to the receiver. In the flow passage of each valve element, there is an isolating orifice at which the pressure is independent of variations in the second pressure, by virtue of the difference between the first and second pressures. The isolating orifice of each valve element is preferably the throat of a converging-diverging nozzle that feeds into the receiver. In one implementation, spaced axially aligned upstream and downstream conduits are formed in a valve body; radial passages in which digital valve elements are located interconnect the conduits.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.