Viscosity regulating valve
US6789562B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 4, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 14, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 4, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/7736
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The subject invention is a valve for regulating the viscosity of fluid. The valve includes a housing defining a bore having a first inlet supplying “cold” hydraulic fluid at a first viscosity and a second inlet supplying “hot” hydraulic fluid at a second viscosity. A spool valve disposed within the bore has at least one land to proportionally control the flow of hydraulic fluid through the inlets. Hydraulic fluid from the first and second inlets mixes within the valve and exits the valve through an outlet at an optimum viscosity. A flow restrictor creates a pressure force on the spool valve that is proportional to the viscosity of the hydraulic fluid flowing through the outlet. The pressure force acts to move the spool valve such that the spool valve partially blocks the flow of hydraulic fluid through the first and second inlets, thereby controlling the proportion of “cold” and “hot” fluid to maintain the viscosity of the hydraulic fluid flowing through the outlet.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.