Combination valve

Claim 2

In a pressure reducing valve system, a valve body with a main passage therethrough having an inlet and an outlet, a main orifice and valve element operative relative thereto to accomplish a certain amount of pressure reduction, and a separate flow restrictor in series with the main orifice and valve element designed and constructed to effect a fixed amount of pressure reduction, the majority of the desired pressure reduction being effected by the separate flow restrictor with the remainder being effected by the main orifice and valve element.

Claim 3

The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that the separate flow restrictor is in the form of an insert which is fitted in a side passage in the valve body in communication with the main passage.

Claim 4

The structure of claim 2 further characterized in that the inner portion of the restrictor insert has a variable orifice, and further including means for adjusting the position of the restrictor insert from the exterior of the valve body so that the degree of pressure reduction effected by the restrictor insert may be varied and also compensation for wear may be effected.

Claim 5

The structure of claim 3 further characterized in that the inner portion of the restrictor insert has a main central passage with a plurality of openings through the sides thereof so that the effective cross-sectional area allowing flow through the main passage may be varied by adjustment of the restrictor insert.

Claim 6

The structure of claim 4 further characterized in that the passages of the plurality vary in size.

Claim 7

In a valve housing unit, a main passage therethrough with a restriction in the passage capable of functioning as a valve seat and as a flow-restrictor, openings at each end of the passage to serve either as an inlet or an outlet, and a combination spindle in the passage cooperating with the restriction to provide either a valve-closing function or a restricting function, the spindle having spaced cylindrical portions along the length thereof, a valve seat between the cylindrical portions and adjacent one of them, and a contoured surface adjacent the seat shaped to function as a pressure regulator when the spindle is in one position as part of a relief valve and as a pressure reducer when tHe spindle is reversed end-for-end as part of a pressure reducing valve.

Claim 8

In a valve housing unit, a main passage therethrough with a restriction in the passage capable of functioning as a valve seat and as a flow-restrictor, openings at each end of the passage to serve either as an inlet or an outlet, and a combination spindle in the passage cooperating with the restriction to provide either a valve-closing function or a restricting function, the spindle having spaced cylindrical portions along the length thereof, a valve seat between the cylindrical portions and adjacent one of them, and a contoured surface adjacent the seat shaped to function as a pressure regulator when the spindle is in one position as part of a relief valve and as a pressure reducer when tHe spindle is reversed end-for-end as part of a pressure reducing valve.

Claim 9

The structure of claim 6 further characterized by and including a separate flow restrictor in the passage in series with the restriction and spindle designed and constructed to effect the balance of the desired pressure reduction when the unit is functioning as a pressure reducing valve.

Claim 10

The structure of claim 6 further characterized by and including a plurality of internal and external pilot feeds and drains constructed and arranged to cooperate with a pilot relief valve and/or a selector valve or to be blocked off so that the unit may be made to function as a pressure relief valve, a pressure reducing valve or an unloader valve.

Claim 11

A combination valve housing unit with a pressure reducing function and a pressure relief function having a main passage with openings at each end usable as an inlet and outlet, a spindle and seat in the passage constructed so that the spindle cooperates with the seat to form an orifice which, when the spindle is in one position, it performs a closing function as a relief valve, and when the spindle is turned end-for-end it performs a pressure reducing function, and a separate removable restrictor in the main passages in series with the spindle, the separate restrictor accomplishing a portion of the pressure reduction and the orifice formed by the spindle and the seat accomplishes the balance of the reduction.

Claim 12

A combination valve housing unit with a pressure reducing function and a pressure relief function having a main passage with openings at each end usable as an inlet and outlet, a spindle and seat in the passage constructed so that the spindle cooperates with the seat to form an orifice which, when the spindle is in one position, it performs a closing function as a relief valve, and when the spindle is turned end-for-end it performs a pressure reducing function, and a separate removable restrictor in the main passages in series with the spindle, the separate restrictor accomplishing a portion of the pressure reduction and the orifice formed by the spindle and the seat accomplishes the balance of the reduction.

Claim 13

The structure of claim 9 further characterized in that the orifice formed by the spindle and seat presents a variable orifice contour as the spindle has a variable profile adjacent to the seat and is shaped to function as a pressure regulator when the spindle profile relative to the seat is in one position as part of a relief valve and as a pressure reducer when the spindle is reversed end-for-end as part of a pressure reducer valve in which the variable spindle profile relative to the seat reduces a portion of the pressure and the separate restrictor in series with the spindle reduces another portion.

Claim 14

The structure of claim 10 is further characterized in that the separate restrictor in series with the spindle includes a plurality of various sized orifices which regulate the major portion of the pressure reduction, while the orifice formed by the spindle and the seat regulates the minor portion of the pressure reduction, thus allowing lower fluid velocity across the spindle and seat to thereby prolong the life of the spindle and seat.

Claim 15

The structure of claim 11 further characterized in that the separate flow restrictor is in the form of an insert which is fitted in a side passage in the valve body in communication with the main passage.

Claim 16

The structure of claim 12 further characterized in that the restrictor includes means for adjusting the position of the restrictor insert from the exterior of the valve body so that the degree of pressure reduction effected by the restrictor insert may be varied and also compensation for wear may be effected.

Claim 17

The structure of claim 13 further characterized in that the inner portion of the restrictor insert has a main central passage with a plurality of openings through the sides thereof so that the effective cross-sectional area allowing flow through the main passage may be varied by rotary adjustment of the restrictor insert.

Claim 18

The structure of claim 14 further characterized in that the passages of the plurality vary in size.