Abstract: The air (atmospheric air) is introduced from an atmospheric port, and it is throttled to give a minute amount by means of a bleed hole. The air is introduced into a vacuum chamber via a bleed passage, and it is introduced into a pressure regulator port via a feedback passage. Further, the air is allowed to pass through a space between a seat section and a seal member of a valve plug, and it is drawn toward a vacuum port. Thus, the seal member of the valve plug to be seated on the seat section is prevented from biting into the seat section.

Abstract: A pressure regulator is provided that can produce a relatively constant outlet pressure over a range of flow rates. A spring backed diaphragm reacts against the inlet pressure to produce this desired outlet pressure. To provide a range of outlet pressures with a variety of inlet pressures, a spring may be selected from a set of springs having different strength characteristics. The regulator includes a housing with the liquid inlet being located at 90° with respect to the liquid outlet and with a dry chamber on the back side of the diaphragm in which the spring is positioned. Thus, it is easy to remove a cap enclosing the dry chamber and position the desired spring within that chamber. For handling even higher output pressures, a pair of springs may be concentrically positioned in the dry chamber of the housing to react against the inlet pressure.

Abstract: A valve for use in an inflation system wherein the valve has a spring regulated piston which regulates the flow rate through the valve into the inflatable member, such that if the flow rate gets too high, the regulating piston will divert some or all of the flow out a neutral thrust over pressure relief vent, which vents outside the inflatable member. The valve also has a secondary form of overpressure relief in the form of a neutral thrust diffuser which also dumps outside of the inflatable member. Fluid is prevented from flowing out of the neutral thrust diffuser by a burst disk, but if the fluid pressure is high enough, the burst disk will burst, and the fluid will flow out of the neutral thrust diffuser.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a hydraulic pressure differential proportional to a downstream pressure. The apparatus includes a first chamber having a first cross section area, a main chamber portion, a first end, and a second end; a first spool portion located in the first chamber, the first spool portion having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first spool portion being located at the location of the downstream pressure; a second chamber having a second cross section area, a first end, and a second end; and a second spool portion located in the second chamber, the second spool portion having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second spool portion being located generally adjacent the second end of the first spool portion and the second end of the second spool portion being located at the location of the upstream pressure.

Abstract: A regulating valve is disclosed for controlling the flow of fluid from a variable pressure fluid supply. The valve includes a diaphragm which is resiliently biased into a normally closed position, and which shifts to an open position when exposed to a fluid pressure above a predetermined minimum level.