Patent · US Expired

Flow control device

US4566476A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
7References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 29, 1985
Grant dateJan 28, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 29, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/7871
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A safety flow control device for use in a beverage distribution system of the character using pressurized gas to dispense the beverage from its containers for ensuring that the containers are not accidentally overpressurized. The device of the invention is adapted to be placed in the line which connects the pressure source to the containers for the beverage. The device embodies a rupture disc having a first side exposed to the gas used in pressurizing the containers and a second side exposed to atmosphere. Strategically positioned between the pressure inlet of the device and the pressure side of the rupture disc is a valving mechanism which is maintained in an open configuration by the rupture disc. In the open configuration the valving mechanism permits the gas to flow from the inlet into a first sub-chamber defined by the first side of the rupture disc and then outwardly through the outlet of the device. When the rupture disc fails, the valve mechanism will automatically close preventing further flow of gas into the first sub-chamber and toward the outlet. The valve is constructed so that it will remain closed until pressure on the inlet side of the unit is relieved.

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