Digital fluid flow control system
US4356840A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 2, 1980 |
| Grant date | Nov 2, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 2, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/87507
- 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.