PRPRESSURE SENSING UNITARY DEVICE

Abstract

A high pressure fluid storage system with at least one pressure sensing unitary device (PSUD) which can perform the function of a pressure regulator device. The PSUD can be manufactured as a single unitary construction, wherein both the housing body and the internal pressure regulating mechanism are made from a single unit, material, or both. The PSUD does not have any welded components, is not assembled from a plurality of separate components, or both.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of vacuum actuated cylinders (VACs) and subatmospheric pressure gas delivery systems with pressure regulated valves.

BACKGROUND

Subatmospheric pressure delivery systems, such as VACs, can use a pressure sensing device to regulate opening and closing of valves.

SUMMARY

A pressure sensing assembly (PSA) generally includes various components assembled and can include various welded components after the assembly. In some PSAs, there can be various (e.g., 17 or more) separate components, made of different materials, assembled together. Assembly of these various components and welding of those components to produce a PSA can lead to inconsistent performances, failures due to poor manufacturing processes and quality control, or both. Further, the various components of the PSA are often manufactured at different locations or by different manufacturers, and the varying tolerances amongst them can lead to the final assembled PSA having inconsistent quality and performances. Inconsistent performances can include, for example, gas spikes, gas pressure oscillations, or both. Failures of PSAs are generally detected during operation. Identifying the specific reasons for such failures in assembled PSAs is difficult because there can be many different components which can be the cause of the failure.

In some embodiments, a device which can replace the PSA is disclosed herein.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a pressure sensing unitary device (PSUD) which can perform the function of the PSA. In some embodiments, the PSUD is a VAC regulator device. The PSUD can have better consistency in performance than the PSA, and reduce gas spikes, gas pressure oscillations, or both.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a VAC having a VAC regulator device, wherein the VAC regulator device includes an embodiment of the PSUD. Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a VAC having one or more VAC regulator devices, wherein at least one of the VAC regulator devices includes an embodiment of the PSUD.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a PSUD which does not have any of the manufacturing defects that can be present in the PSA.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a PSUD which does not have any welded components.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a PSUD which is not assembled from a plurality of components.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a PSUD which is a single unitary construction. In some embodiments, the unitary construction can be manufactured via additive manufacturing process(es) (e.g., 3D printing).

In some embodiments, the PSUD is made from a material which is capable of additive manufacturing. In some embodiments, the material is a polymer. In some embodiments, the material is a metal, such as for example, stainless steel.

In some embodiments, the material is a composite material, which is a combination of materials.

In some embodiments, the PSUD includes a housing and a pressure reducing mechanism, wherein the housing and the pressure reducing mechanism is a unitary construction, such that the housing and the pressure reducing mechanism is formed of a single unitary body.

In some embodiments, a pressure reducing mechanism includes, at least, bellows, retracting springs, stem, and valve portions. In some embodiments, the single unitary body includes, at least, a portion of a housing and a diaphragm. In some embodiments, the single unitary body includes, one or more of a portion of a housing, a diaphragm, retracting springs, stem, or valve portions. In some embodiments, the single unitary body includes, at least, a housing, a diaphragm, retracting springs, stem, and valve portions.

In some embodiments with the diaphragm, the inlet flows a fluid at a first pressure which causes the diaphragm to flex, which then allows the fluid to flow in slower into the PSUD. The fluid is then directed to flow towards the outlet at a second pressure, where the second pressure is lower than the first pressure.

As used herein, the term “fluid” includes gas.

In some embodiments, there are no welds between the diaphragm and the housing.

In some embodiments, a device comprising a single unitary body, which includes a housing, wherein the housing includes an inlet, and an outlet; and a pressure reducing mechanism, which is contained within the housing, and is disposed between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the pressure reducing mechanism includes a diaphragm portion connected to a valve, wherein the pressure reducing mechanism is configured to receive a fluid having an first pressure which enters via the inlet, direct a flow of the fluid towards the outlet at a second pressure.

In some embodiments of the device, the pressure reducing mechanism further comprises a stem, wherein the valve includes a poppet valve, wherein a first end of the stem is connected to one side of the diaphragm portion, a second end of the stem is connected to the poppet valve, wherein the pressure reducing mechanism operates such that the poppet valve is in an open state when the diaphragm portion flexes towards the outlet, and the poppet valve is in a closed state when the diaphragm portion is at rest.

In some embodiments of the device, the housing and the pressure reducing mechanism does not have any welds or welded components.

In some embodiments of the device, the single unitary body is made of a metal.

In some embodiments of the device, the metal includes a stainless steel.

In some embodiments of the device, the single unitary body further comprises a second pressure reducing mechanism, which is contained within the housing, and is disposed between the pressure reducing mechanism and the outlet, and wherein the pressure reducing mechanism is configured to receive the fluid from the pressure reducing mechanism having the second pressure, and then direct the flow of the fluid towards the outlet at a third pressure.

In some embodiments of the device, the first pressure is higher than subatmospheric pressure.

In some embodiments of the device, the second pressure is subatmospheric pressure.

In some embodiments of the device, the second pressure is lower than the first pressure.

In some embodiments, a fluid supply system comprises a container body, which defines an internal cavity for storing a fluid at a first pressure; and a pressure regulator device, which is disposed in the internal cavity, and is a single unitary body, wherein the single unitary body includes a housing, which includes an inlet, and an outlet; and a pressure reducing mechanism, which is contained within the housing, and is disposed between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the pressure reducing mechanism includes a diaphragm portion connected to a valve, and wherein the pressure reducing mechanism is configured to receive the fluid having the first pressure which enters via the inlet, direct a flow of the fluid to the outlet at a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is lower than the first pressure.

In some embodiments of the fluid supply system, the pressure reducing mechanism further comprises a stem, wherein the valve includes a poppet valve, wherein a first end of the stem is connected to one side of the diaphragm portion, a second end of the stem is connected to the poppet valve, wherein the pressure reducing mechanism operates such that the poppet valve is in an open state when the diaphragm portion flexes towards the outlet, and the poppet valve is in a closed state when the diaphragm portion is at rest.

In some embodiments, the fluid supply system, further comprises a second pressure regulator device, wherein an inlet of the second pressure regulator device is connected to the outlet of the pressure regulator device.

In some embodiments of the fluid supply system, the second pressure regulator device is disposed in the internal cavity, wherein the second pressure regulator device is another single unitary body, wherein the another single unitary body includes a second housing, including a second inlet, and a second outlet; and a second pressure reducing mechanism, which is contained within the second housing, and is disposed between the second inlet and the second outlet, wherein the second pressure reducing mechanism is configured to receive the fluid having the second pressure which enters via the second inlet, direct a flow of the fluid to the second outlet at a third pressure, wherein the third pressure is lower than the second pressure.

In some embodiments of the fluid supply system, the second pressure reducing mechanism comprises a second diaphragm portion; a second stem; and a second poppet valve, wherein a first end of the second stem is connected to one side of the second diaphragm portion, a second end of the second stem is connected to the second poppet valve, wherein the second pressure reducing mechanism operates such that the second poppet valve is in an open state when the second diaphragm portion flexes towards the outlet, and the second poppet valve is in a closed state when the second diaphragm portion is at rest.

In some embodiments, the fluid supply system further comprises a filter device connected to the inlet of the pressure regulator device.

DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the disclosure are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the embodiments shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the disclosure. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced.

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of a non-limiting embodiment a subatmospheric pressure delivery system having one or more PSUD described herein.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of the PSUD described herein.

FIG. 3A depicts a perspective cross-sectional view of the non-limiting embodiment of the PSUD shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3B depicts another perspective cross-sectional view of the PSUD shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C depicts a schematic side cross-sectional view of the non-limiting embodiment of the PSUD shown in FIGS. 3A-3B.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of the PSUD described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, other objects and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the disclosure that may be embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given regarding the various embodiments of the disclosure which are intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.

Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and “in some embodiments” as used herein do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s), though it may. Furthermore, the phrases “in another embodiment” and “in some other embodiments” as used herein do not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. All embodiments of the disclosure are intended to be combinable without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.

As used herein, the term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout the specification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.”

As used herein, the term “between” does not necessarily require being disposed directly next to other elements. Generally, this term means a configuration where something is sandwiched by two or more other things. At the same time, the term “between” can describe something that is directly next to two opposing things. Accordingly, in any one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, a particular structural portion being disposed between two other structural elements can be:

• • disposed directly between both of the two other structural elements such that the particular structural portion is in direct contact with both of the two other structural elements;
  • disposed directly next to only one of the two other structural elements such that the particular structural portion is in direct contact with only one of the two other structural elements;
  • disposed indirectly next to only one of the two other structural elements such that the particular structural portion is not in direct contact with only one of the two other structural elements, and there is another element which juxtaposes the particular structural portion and the one of the two other structural elements;
  • disposed indirectly between both of the two other structural elements such that the particular structural portion is not in direct contact with both of the two other structural elements, and other features can be disposed therebetween; or
  • any combination(s) thereof.

As used herein, the term “unitary device” means a device which has been formed or constructed unitarily via an additive manufacturing process(es) (e.g., 3D printing). Accordingly, the “unitary device” is made of a material which is capable of being additively manufactured. Examples of such material includes polymers, metals, stainless steel, composite materials, or combinations thereof.

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of a non-limiting embodiment a subatmospheric pressure delivery system 100 having mechanical devices 102, 104 configured to reduce pressure of a fluid so that the output of the fluid is at a subatmospheric pressure. The mechanical devices 102, 104 include a first VAC regulator 102 at stage 1 and a second VAC regulator 104 at stage 2. Each of the VAC regulators 102, 104 can be or include a PSUD described herein. The first VAC regulator 102 is connected to an inlet filter device 106, and also to the second VAC regulator 104. The system 100 shown in FIG. 1 has the inlet filter device 106, the first VAC regulator 102, and the second VAC regulator 104 in line as a serial connection. Thus, a fluid which is stored at a high pressure, such as for example, 100-1600 psig, flows into the inlet filter 106, and then passes through the first VAC regulator 102, and the second VAC regulator 104, wherein the VAC regulators 102, 104 reduce the pressure of the fluid, and the fluid can be delivered out of the system 100 at subatmospheric pressure.

In some embodiments, each of the mechanical devices 102, 104 is a unitary device. Accordingly, the two unitary devices 102, 104 can be joined together as depicted in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of the PSUD 200. The PSUD 200 has a housing 202 with an inlet 204 and an outlet 206. It will be understood that, according to some embodiments, two or more PSUDs can be formed together in a single housing (e.g., see FIGS. 1 and 4).

FIGS. 3A and 3B show differing perspective cross-sectional view of the PSUD 200 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3C shows a schematic side view, depicting a flow path of a fluid inside the PSUD 200 (shown by arrows). The PSUD 200 has a housing 202 and other components made of a single unitary body. The housing 202 is a unitary device having a single unitary body. The housing 202 defines an internal cavity (or cavities) and a channel (or channels) for containing of a fluid, regulating the fluid, directing flows of the fluid, or any combination thereof.

A first chamber 300 is closest to the inlet 204, and the fluid flowing in via the inlet 204 is first received in the first chamber 300. A separator component 302 divides the first chamber 300 and a second chamber 306, with a hole 308 and a valve (e.g. a poppet valve) 310 configured to have a close state and an open state, based on the position of the valve 310 relative to the hole 308. This relative position of the valve 310 is controlled by the movement of a stem 312.

The valve 310 is connected to one end 312a of a stem 312. The stem 312 is contained within and extends through the second chamber 306, where another end 312b of the stem 312 is connected to one side 304a of a diaphragm portion 304. A spring portion 316 connects to another side 304b of the diaphragm portion 304 opposite to the side connected to the stem 312.

The diaphragm portion 304 is made of a flexible material (e.g., a flexible metal, such as for example, stainless steel configured to be flexible). The flexing movement of the diaphragm portion 304 causes the movement of the stem 312 and the associated valve 310. When the diaphragm portion 304 flexes towards (e.g., forms a concave shape towards the inlet 204), the stem 312 moves towards the first chamber 300. This movement of the stem 312 causes the valve 310 to move away from the hole 308, leading to an open state of the valve 310. When the diaphragm portion 304 is at rest or flexes towards the outlet 206, the stem 312 is moved towards the outlet 206 direction as well, and the this movement (or nonmovement) of the stem 312 causes the valve 310 to close the hole 308, leading to a closed state of the valve 310.

The second chamber 306 connects to one or more internal channels 314 which are configured to direct flow of fluid from the second chamber 306 to the outlet 206.

The flexing of the diaphragm portion 304 is caused by differential pressures between the first chamber and the second chamber, and also affected by the spring constant of the spring portion 316. The spring portion 316 is configured to dampen the oscillating motions of the diaphragm portion 304. This dampening of the diaphragm portion 304 can help regulate the pressure of the expelled fluid, flowing of the fluid through the internal channels 314, or both.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, the housing 202, the diaphragm portion 304, the separator component 302, the stem 312, the valve 310, are all made of a single unitary body. Other various portions defined by the internal structure(s) of the housing 202, such as flow paths are also made of the same single unitary device, wherein all of the structural portions shown in FIGS. 3A-3C are formed together via, e.g., additive manufacturing process. Accordingly, none of the components and structures shown in FIGS. 3A-3C require welding to connect them together. The internal structures shown in FIGS. 3A-3C are encased and enclosed by the housing 202 at the completion of the manufacturing process.

In some embodiments, the mechanical devices (102, 104 shown in FIG. 1) together is a unitary device, PSUD 400. As shown in FIG. 4, in such embodiments of the PSUD 400, there are two portions 402, 404 (internal structure not shown, but are similar to those shown in, for example, FIGS. 3A-3C) contained serially in a single housing 406, where in the housing 406 and the two pressure portions 402, 404 are formed from a single unitary body. Such single unitary body can be made via, for example, additive manufacturing process. Accordingly, the PSUD 400 does not require multiple components that are assembled after the manufacturing of such multiple components. Thus, the PSUD 400 does not include any welds, and does not require any welding of multiple components. In some embodiments, each of the portions 402, 404 include independently operating, but yet still connected as a unitary device. Thus, a fluid can enter via the inlet 408, travel through the internal compartment (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C and described herein), and then travel through the internal compartment (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C and described herein) of the portion 404, and then travel out via the outlet 410. While FIG. 4 shows two portions 402, 404, it will be understood that, in some embodiments of the PSUD, there can be more than two portions in serial, in parallel, or any combinations thereof.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of the construction materials employed and the shape, size, and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This Specification and the embodiments described are examples, with the true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A device comprising: a single unitary body, which includes: a housing, wherein the housing includes: an inlet, andan outlet; anda pressure reducing mechanism, which is contained within the housing, and is disposed between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the pressure reducing mechanism includes a diaphragm portion connected to a valve,wherein the pressure reducing mechanism is configured to receive a fluid having a first pressure which enters via the inlet, direct a flow of the fluid towards the outlet at a second pressure.

2. The device of claim 2, wherein the pressure reducing mechanism further comprises a stem, wherein the valve includes a poppet valve,wherein a first end of the stem is connected to one side of the diaphragm portion,a second end of the stem is connected to the poppet valve,wherein the pressure reducing mechanism operates such that the poppet valve is in an open state when the diaphragm portion flexes towards the inlet, and the poppet valve is in a closed state when the diaphragm portion is at rest or flexes towards the outlet.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the housing and the pressure reducing mechanism does not have any welds or welded components.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the single unitary body is made of a metal.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the metal includes a stainless steel.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the single unitary body further comprises: a second pressure reducing mechanism, which is contained within the housing, and is disposed between the pressure reducing mechanism and the outlet, andwherein the pressure reducing mechanism is configured to receive the fluid from the pressure reducing mechanism having the second pressure, and then direct the flow of the fluid towards the outlet at a third pressure.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first pressure is higher than subatmospheric pressure.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second pressure is subatmospheric pressure.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the second pressure is lower than the first pressure.

10. A fluid supply system comprising: a container body, which defines an internal cavity for storing a fluid at a first pressure; anda pressure regulator device, which is disposed in the internal cavity, and is a single unitary body, wherein the single unitary body includes: a housing, which includes: an inlet, andan outlet; anda pressure reducing mechanism, which is contained within the housing,and is disposed between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the pressure reducing mechanism includes a diaphragm portion connected to a valve, andwherein the pressure reducing mechanism is configured to receive the fluid having the first pressure which enters via the inlet, direct a flow of the fluid to the outlet at a second pressure,wherein the second pressure is lower than the first pressure.

11. The fluid supply system of claim 10, wherein the pressure reducing mechanism further comprises a stem, wherein the valve includes a poppet valve,wherein a first end of the stem is connected to one side of the diaphragm portion,a second end of the stem is connected to the poppet valve,wherein the pressure reducing mechanism operates such that the poppet valve is in an open state when the diaphragm portion flexes towards the inlet, and the poppet valve is in a closed state when the diaphragm portion is at rest or flexes towards the outlet.

12. The fluid supply system according to claim 10, further comprising a second pressure regulator device, wherein an inlet of the second pressure regulator device is connected to the outlet of the pressure regulator device.

13. The fluid supply system of claim 12, wherein the second pressure regulator device is disposed in the internal cavity,wherein the second pressure regulator device is another single unitary body, wherein the another single unitary body includes: a second housing, including: a second inlet, anda second outlet; anda second pressure reducing mechanism, which is contained within the second housing, and is disposed between the second inlet and the second outlet, wherein the second pressure reducing mechanism is configured to receive the fluid having the second pressure which enters via the second inlet, direct a flow of the fluid to the second outlet at a third pressure, wherein the third pressure is lower than the second pressure.

14. The fluid supply system of claim 13, wherein the second pressure reducing mechanism comprises: a second diaphragm portion;a second stem; anda second poppet valve, wherein a first end of the second stem is connected to one side of the second diaphragm portion,a second end of the second stem is connected to the second poppet valve,wherein the second pressure reducing mechanism operates such that the second poppet valve is in an open state when the second diaphragm portion flexes towards the inlet, and the second poppet valve is in a closed state when the second diaphragm portion is at rest or flexes towards the outlet.

15. The fluid supply system according to claim 10, further comprising a filter device connected to the inlet of the pressure regulator device.