Hybrid valving system for varying fluid flow rate
US5329965A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 30, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jul 19, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 30, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/87314
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In a fluid valving system, binary fluid control lines are connected in parallel between a common fluid inlet and a common fluid outlet. Each line has a binary valve and a metering orifice for passing a predetermined rate of fluid flow. The rates are in a geometric progression in factors of two. An analog fluid control line is connected in parallel with the binary lines, and has a continuously adjustable flow rate regulator for passing any selected rate of fluid flow up to a maximum at least equal to the largest increment of rate change in the binary lines. The regulator is formed of a miniature solid state device. A controller sets each binary valve open or closed, and sets the regulator for a selected flow rate, such that cooperative settings provide for a smoothly variable rate of total fluid flow.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.