Fluid flow control system

Claim 2

A fluid flow control system comprising: an upstream chamber; a downstream chamber; a plurality of individually actuatable bistable digital valve elements interconnecting the upstream chamber and the downstream chamber, each valve element having a stationary valve housing disposed in the upstream chamber, one or more perforations in the side of the housing connectiNg the interior of the housing with the upstream chamber, an orifice in the end of the housing to connect the interior of the housing with the downstream chamber, and a movable plug capable of assuming only one of two stable positions, the plug preventing flow from the upstream chamber to the downstream chamber through the perforations and the orifice in the one stable position and enabling flow from the upstream chamber to the downstream chamber through the perforations and the orifice in the other stable position; and the resultant areas of the perforations in at least some of the respective housings varying in accordance with a geometric progression to determine the flow rate through the respective valve elements and the areas of the orifices of such respective housings being the same.

Claim 3

The fluid flow control system of claim 1, in which the movable plug fits over the stationary valve housing in the upstream chamber, the plug covering the housing in the one stable position to prevent flow from the upstream chamber to the downstream chamber, and uncovering the housing in the other stable position to enable flow from the upstream chamber to the downstream chamber.

Claim 4

The system of claim 2, in which the plug lies slightly above the top of the perforations in the other stable position.

Claim 5

The system of claim 1, in which the plug lies slightly above the top of the perforations outside the flow stream in the other stable position.

Claim 6

The fluid flow control system of claim 1, in which the perforations formed in the sides of the respective cages are distributed in oppositely arranged pairs.

Claim 7

A fluid flow control system comprising: a first cylinderical conduit; a second cylindrical conduit, the first conduit being coaxially disposed around the second conduit; a plurality of individually actuatable control valve elements interconnecting the first and second conduits, the control valve elements being distributed about the cylindrical axis between the first and second conduits; means individual to each control valve element for actuating such control valve element responsive to fluid, the actuating means being distributed about the outside of the first conduit over the respective valve elements; an annular housing disposed around the conduits in proximity to the actuating means individual to each control valve element; a common fluid supply manifold formed in the housing, the manifold containing fluid under pressure; means for coupling the supply manifold to each of the actuating means; and a plurality of bistable pilot valves individual to the respective actuating means and disposed in the housing for controlling the flow of fluid from the common supply manifold through the coupling means to such actuating means so as to control the corresponding control valve element, each pilot valve coupling fluid from the supply manifold to the corresponding actuating means through the coupling means in one state and coupling fluid from the corresponding actuating means to a fluid receiver in the other state so as to maintain the corresponding control valve element in one of two bistable states depending upon the state of the pilot valve.

Claim 8

A fluid flow control system comprising: a first cylinderical conduit; a second cylindrical conduit, the first conduit being coaxially disposed around the second conduit; a plurality of individually actuatable control valve elements interconnecting the first and second conduits, the control valve elements being distributed about the cylindrical axis between the first and second conduits; means individual to each control valve element for actuating such control valve element responsive to fluid, the actuating means being distributed about the outside of the first conduit over the respective valve elements; an annular housing disposed around the conduits in proximity to the actuating means individual to each control valve element; a common fluid supply manifold formed in the housing, the manifold containing fluid under pressure; means for coupling the supply manifold to each of the actuating means; and a plurality of bistable pilot valves individual to the respective actuating means and disposed in the housing for controlling the flow of fluid from the common supply manifold through the coupling means to such actuating means so as to control the corresponding control valve element, each pilot valve coupling fluid from the supply manifold to the corresponding actuating means through the coupling means in one state and coupling fluid from the corresponding actuating means to a fluid receiver in the other state so as to maintain the corresponding control valve element in one of two bistable states depending upon the state of the pilot valve.

Claim 9

The system of claim 6, in which the pilot valves are distributed within the housing at intervals corresponding to the distribution of the actuating means about the first conduit.

Claim 10

The system of claim 7, in which the receiver is an annular venting manifold formed within the housing.

Claim 11

The system of claim 7, in which the actuating means each comprise a cylinder, a piston inside the cylinder and movable along the axis of the cylinder, a rod coupling the piston to the control valve element, and a spring disposed inside the cylinder on one side of the piston to urge the piston to one end of the cylinder, and the coupling means leads between the pilot valve and the inside of the cylinder on the other side of the piston.

Claim 12

The system of claim 9, in which the compling means foR each actuating means comprises a first entrance into the cylinder, a second entrance into the housing having a diameter equal to that of the first entrance and being axially aligned with the first entrance, one of the entrances being shallow and the other entrance being deep, a straight rigid tube connected between the first and second entrances, the length of the tube being less than the sum of the length of the deep entrance and the distance between the housing and the cylinder, and a retaining ring disposed around the tube at the deep entrance to secure the tube.

Claim 13

The system of claim 9, in which the piston has spring retainers on both sides.

Claim 14

The system of claim 9, in which one end of the cylinder is formed by a base plug fitted in the wall of the first conduit; a pair of seals are formed at the point where each rod extends through the base plug to the valve element, the seals each comprising a bore through the base plate slightly larger than the rod, a counterbore formed at one end of the bore, an O-ring disposed at the base of the counterbore, and a cylindrical insert forming a press fit with the counterbore to establish a retaining groove for the O-ring, the rod extending through the bore and the insert and engaging the O-ring to seal the first conduit from the cylinder; and a vent from the bore between the O-rings.

Claim 15

A fluid flow control system comprising: a first cylindrical chamber disposed about a flow axis; a second cylindrical chamber disposed about the flow axis; a plurality of cylindrical cages with their respective cylindrical axes disposed radially about the flow axis between the chambers, each cage being open at one end to form a port communicating with the second chamber and closed at the other end; one or more perforations formed in the sides of the respective cages to communicate with the first chamber, the total area of the perforations in at least some of the respective cages varying in accordance with a geometric progression; a plurality of cylindrical plugs corresponding to the respective cages, the plugs lying outside their corresponding cages, the plugs being disposed radially about the flow axis in axial alignment with their corresponding cages, the plugs being adapted to fit over their corresponding cages, and the plugs being radially movable toward and away from the flow axis; and means for individually positioning the plugs into one of two stable positions, the plugs covering their corresponding cages in one stable position to prevent fluid flow therethrough from one chamber to the other and uncovering their corresponding cages in the other stable position to enable fluid flow therethrough from one chamber to the other.

Claim 16

A fluid flow control system comprising: a first cylindrical chamber disposed about a flow axis; a second cylindrical chamber disposed about the flow axis; a plurality of cylindrical cages with their respective cylindrical axes disposed radially about the flow axis between the chambers, each cage being open at one end to form a port communicating with the second chamber and closed at the other end; one or more perforations formed in the sides of the respective cages to communicate with the first chamber, the total area of the perforations in at least some of the respective cages varying in accordance with a geometric progression; a plurality of cylindrical plugs corresponding to the respective cages, the plugs lying outside their corresponding cages, the plugs being disposed radially about the flow axis in axial alignment with their corresponding cages, the plugs being adapted to fit over their corresponding cages, and the plugs being radially movable toward and away from the flow axis; and means for individually positioning the plugs into one of two stable positions, the plugs covering their corresponding cages in one stable position to prevent fluid flow therethrough from one chamber to the other and uncovering their corresponding cages in the other stable position to enable fluid flow therethrough from one chamber to the other.

Claim 17

The system of claim 13, in which the plugs each have one closed end and one open end, the system additionally comprising an annular base seal disposed around the outside of each cage near its open end to engage the open end of the corresponding plug; and means for retaining the base seal relative to each cage to seal the interior of such cage from the first chamber when the plug engages the base seal in the one stable position.

Claim 18

The system of claim 14, in which the closed end of each plug has at least one opening to balance approximately the forces exerted by the fluid pressure in the first chamber on such plug by permitting fluid flow between the first chamber and the space between such plug and the cage.

Claim 19

The system of claim 15, in which the positioning means each comprise an actuator and a rod coupling the actuator to the closed end of the corresponding plug to move the corresonding plug as the rod moves axially, the axes of the corresponding cage, the corresponding plug, and the rod being aligned.

Claim 20

The system of claim 13, additionally comprising an annular side seal disposed around the outside of each cage between the perforations and the closed end of such cage to engage the side of the corresponding plug and means for retaining the side seAl relative to each cage to seal the opening in the closed end of the corresponding plug from the perforations in such cage.

Claim 21

The system of claim 13, in which the ports of all the cages have the same diameter.

Claim 22

The system of claim 13, in which the means for individually positioning the plugs comprise a fluid driven piston individual to each plug, a common supply manifold for fluid to drive the pistons, and means individual to each plug for controlling the flow of fluid from the manifold to the piston of such plug to move the plug between the two stable positions.

Claim 23

The fluid flow control system of claim 13, in which the positioning means raises the plugs above all the perforations in the corresponding cages in the other stable position.

Claim 24

The fluid flow control system of claim 13, in which the first chamber is larger in cross section and surrounds the second chamber.

Claim 25

The fluid flow control system of claim 13, in which the perforations formed in the sides of the respective cages are distributed in oppositely arranged pairs.

Claim 26

A fluid flow control system comprising: a first conduit; a second conduit; a plurality of individually actuatable control valve elements interconnecting the first and second conduits; means individual to each control valve element for actuating such control valve element responsive to fluid, each actuating means being disposed in an enclosure; a housing supported in proximity to one of the conduits; a common fluid supply manifold formed in the housing; and means for coupling the supply manifold to each of the actuating means, each coupling means comprising a first entrance into the enclosure, a second entrance into the housing having a diameter equal to that of the first entrance and being axially aligned with the first entrance, one of the entrances being shallow and the other entrance being deep, a straight rigid tube connected between the first and second entrances, the length of the tube being less than the sum of the length of the depth of the entrances and the distance between the housing and the cylinder, and means for retaining the tube against axial movement.

Claim 27

A fluid flow control system comprising: a first conduit; a second conduit; a plurality of individually actuatable control valve elements interconnecting the first and second conduits; means individual to each control valve element for actuating such control valve element responsive to fluid, each actuating means being disposed in an enclosure; a housing supported in proximity to one of the conduits; a common fluid supply manifold formed in the housing; and means for coupling the supply manifold to each of the actuating means, each coupling means comprising a first entrance into the enclosure, a second entrance into the housing having a diameter equal to that of the first entrance and being axially aligned with the first entrance, one of the entrances being shallow and the other entrance being deep, a straight rigid tube connected between the first and second entrances, the length of the tube being less than the sum of the length of the depth of the entrances and the distance between the housing and the cylinder, and means for retaining the tube against axial movement.

Claim 28

A fluid flow control system comprising: a first cylindrical chamber disposed about a flow axis; a second cylindrical chamber disposed about the flow axis; a plurality of cylindrical cages with their respective cylindrical axes disposed radially about the flow axis between the chambers, each cage being open at one end to form a port communicating with the second chamber and closed at the other end, the ports of all the cages having the same diameter; one or more perforations formed in the side of each cage to communicate with the first chamber; a plurality of cylindrical plugs corresponding to the respective cages, the plugs lying outside their corresponding cages, the plugs being disposed radially about the flow axis in axial alignment with their corresponding cages, the plugs being adapted to fit over their corresponding cages, and the plugs being radially movable toward and away from the flow axis; and means for individually positioning the plugs into one of two stable positions, the plugs covering their corresponding cages in the one stable position to prevent fluid flow therethrough from one chamber to the other and uncovering their corresponding cages in the other stable position to enable fluid flow therethrough from one chamber to the other.

Claim 29

A fluid flow control system comprising: a first cylindrical chamber disposed about a flow axis; a second cylindrical chamber disposed about the flow axis; a plurality of cylindrical cages with their respective cylindrical axes disposed radially about the flow axis between the chambers, each cage being open at one end to form a port communicating with the second chamber and closed at the other end, the ports of all the cages having the same diameter; one or more perforations formed in the side of each cage to communicate with the first chamber; a plurality of cylindrical plugs corresponding to the respective cages, the plugs lying outside their corresponding cages, the plugs being disposed radially about the flow axis in axial alignment with their corresponding cages, the plugs being adapted to fit over their corresponding cages, and the plugs being radially movable toward and away from the flow axis; and means for individually positioning the plugs into one of two stable positions, the plugs covering their corresponding cages in the one stable position to prevent fluid flow therethrough from one chamber to the other and uncovering their corresponding cages in the other stable position to enable fluid flow therethrough from one chamber to the other.

Claim 30

The fluid flow control system of claim 24, in which the perforations formed in the sides of the respective cages are distributed in oppositely arranged pairs.

Claim 31

A fluid flow control system comprising: a first cylindrical chamber disposed about a flow axis; a second cylindrical chamber disposed about the flow axis; a plurality of cylindrical cages with their respective cylindrical axes disposed radially about the flow axis between the chambers, each cage being open at one end to form a port communicatinG with the second chamber and closed at the other end; one or more perforations formed in the side of each cage to communicate with the first chamber; a plurality of cylindrical plugs corresponding to the respective cages, the plugs lying outside their corresponding cages, the plugs being disposed radially about the flow axis in axial alignment with their corresponding cages, the plugs being adapted to fit over their corresponding cages, and the plugs being radially movable toward and away from the flow axis; fluid driven pistons for individually positioning the respective plugs into one of two stable positions, the plugs covering their corresponding cages in the one stable position to prevent fluid flow therethrough from one chamber to the other and uncovering their corresponding cages in the other stable position to enable fluid flow therethrough from one chamber to the other; a common supply manifold for fluid to drive the pistons; and means individual to each plug for controlling the flow of fluid from the manifold to the respective pistons to move such plug between the two stable positions.

Claim 32

A fluid flow control system comprising: a first cylindrical chamber disposed about a flow axis; a second cylindrical chamber disposed about the flow axis; a plurality of cylindrical cages with their respective cylindrical axes disposed radially about the flow axis between the chambers, each cage being open at one end to form a port communicatinG with the second chamber and closed at the other end; one or more perforations formed in the side of each cage to communicate with the first chamber; a plurality of cylindrical plugs corresponding to the respective cages, the plugs lying outside their corresponding cages, the plugs being disposed radially about the flow axis in axial alignment with their corresponding cages, the plugs being adapted to fit over their corresponding cages, and the plugs being radially movable toward and away from the flow axis; fluid driven pistons for individually positioning the respective plugs into one of two stable positions, the plugs covering their corresponding cages in the one stable position to prevent fluid flow therethrough from one chamber to the other and uncovering their corresponding cages in the other stable position to enable fluid flow therethrough from one chamber to the other; a common supply manifold for fluid to drive the pistons; and means individual to each plug for controlling the flow of fluid from the manifold to the respective pistons to move such plug between the two stable positions.