Patent Application
20060102236
The present invention generally relates to the field of pneumatics, and more particularly to an integrated pressure regulator and pressure gauge.
A pressure regulator is supplied with a fluid (such as air) at an intake port and expels the fluid through an exhaust port at a differing pressure. Pressure regulators typically include an additional port for connecting a pressure gauge to measure the pressure of fluid expelled from the pressure regulator.
Referring to
Because the pressure regulator 100 includes the additional port for connecting the external pressure gauge, the size, weight, cost, and manufacturing complexity of the pressure regulator may be high. The pressure regulator 100 may also be cumbersome in the field. For example, the external pressure gauge protruding from the pressure regulator may become entangled with pressure hoses and tubes being used in the vicinity. Further, if the pressure regulator 100 and the pressure gauge 126 are recessed within a casing or assembly, it may prove difficult to position them for viewing the pressure gauge while simultaneously operating the pressure regulator. For instance, a pressure regulator and an external pressure gauge recessed within an assembly of pressure hoses, tubes, and/or pipes may provide limited access for adjusting the pressure gauge and prevent viewing the pressure regulator simultaneously.
Thus, it would be desirable to provide a pressure regulator having an integrated pressure gauge.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an integrated pressure regulator and pressure gauge, such as a pressure regulator employing a pressure gauge in a biasing assembly, e.g. integrated into a knob. For example, an integrated pressure regulator and pressure gauge includes an adapter body for connecting coupling devices, pipes, pressure hoses, and/or tubes; a plunger which forms a seal to retain a regulated pressure and includes a bleed off passageway, a tap into the regulated pressure, and a post including an o-ring seal; a biasing assembly such as the knob; a spring compressed between the knob and the plunger; and a pressure gauge connected to the post. The plunger abutting the spring is affixed to a pressure control valve, such as a valve abutting a small spring, for maintaining the regulated pressure in proportion to the rotational position of the knob.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not necessarily restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
The numerous advantages of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
The adapter body 202 includes an intake port 204 and an exhaust port 206, for connecting the coupling devices, pipes, pressure hoses, tubes, and the like. For instance, the intake port may be connected to a pressurized fluid supply, such as an air compressor, while the exhaust port may be connected to an air tool, such as an air-powered nail gun, or the like. A plunger 208 forms a seal to retain a regulated pressure 210 and includes a bleed off passageway 212, a tap 214 into the regulated pressure, and a post 216 including an O-ring seal 218. The knob 220 is threadably connected to the adapter body 202. A spring 222 is compressed between the knob and the plunger.
The pressure gauge 226 is slidably inserted into the post and connected to the knob with a roll pin 228 or the like. In embodiments, the gauge and the knob are positioned coaxially. The post may be shaped for preventing rotational movement of the pressure gauge (with respect to the post), such as hex-shaped. Alternatively, a pin or the like may be included for preventing rotation of the gauge with respect to the post. The plunger abutting the spring is affixed to a pressure control valve, such as a valve 209 abutting a small (i.e. in relation to spring 222) spring 223.
The valve connected between the spring 222 (via the plunger) and the small spring 223 maintains the regulated pressure in proportion to the rotational position of the knob. For example, the valve 209 may have an input connected to the intake port 204 and an output connected to the exhaust port 206, such as for regulating pressurized air supplied to the nail gun by the air compressor. While the pressure control valve in a present embodiment includes the valve 209 connected between the spring 222 and the small spring 223, it is understood that a variety of other pressure control valves may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In another embodiment, the pressure gauge 226 is fixedly connected to the post 216, such as at a pre-selected height equal to or exceeding a maximum range of the knob 220. Alternatively, the pressure gauge 226 and the knob 220 may be provided as an integrated assembly for ease of manufacturing and/or assembly. This may be desirable for allowing the pressure gauge to remain rotationally stationary (i.e. with respect to the adapter body) while the knob is adjusted. In still further embodiments, the pressure gauge is recessed below the knob, such as for protecting the gauge.
The integrated pressure regulator and pressure gauge 200 may have attendant advantages over typical pressure regulators and external pressure gauges. Because it does not require a separate external port for connecting a pressure gauge, the size, weight, cost, and manufacturing complexity of the integrated pressure regulator and pressure gauge 200 may be significantly reduced. The pressure regulator 200 may also be much less cumbersome in the field, not having a pressure gauge protruding from an external port. Further, if the pressure regulator 200 is recessed within a casing or assembly, an operator may more easily view the pressure gauge 226 while simultaneously operating the pressure regulator, such as for enabling the operator to more quickly adjust the pressure regulator to a desired pressure.
It should be noted that fluid pressure seen by the pressure gauge 226 may be seen over a portion of the plunger 208. This pressure may act with the spring 222, requiring either of a lower spring rate and hence a smaller and lighter spring, or a lower stressed spring. Also, faster and more accurate recovery of pressure when a tool is attached to the pressure regulator 200 may result.
In exemplary embodiments, the pressure gauge 226 includes an analog display. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the pressure gauge may also include a digital display. Alternatively, the pressure gauge may not have a display; it may be an electronic device used to measure a fluid pressure and subsequently transmit a fluid pressure reading to a remote location. In embodiments, the pressure gauge 226 may include a liquid filled gauge, a diaphragm seal gauge, a spiral gauge, a digital gauge, a vacuum gauge, an absolute pressure gauge, and/or a differential gauge. Other gauges may also be utilized with the pressure regulator 200.
While the mechanism for biasing the pressure control valve as described in this exemplary embodiment is the knob 220, those of skill in the art will appreciate that a variety of other mechanisms may be contemplated. For instance, the pressure gauge 226 may be integrated into a crank, a handle, and the like, these mechanisms being threadably attached to the adapter body 202 in the same manner as the knob. The pressure gauge may also be integrated into a pressure regulator having a lever for biasing the pressure control valve, the lever being pivotally attached to the adapter body for compressing the spring 222. Further, the pressure regulator need not include a biasing mechanism at all. For instance, a pressure regulator for retaining a constant pressure may utilize an integrated pressure gauge.
It is believed that the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof, it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.
The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/473,721, filed May 28, 2003. Said U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/473,721 is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60473721 | May 2003 | US |
