US 12,214,388 B2
Fluid regulator having integral fluid purge mechanism
Kevin Reeves, Hamilton, MI (US); Ryan Schierbeek, Holland, MI (US); Kirk Brink, Holland, MI (US); Josh Hendrick, Wyoming, MI (US); and Brad Alvesteffer, Zeeland, MI (US)
Assigned to G. P. Reeves, Inc., Holland, MI (US)
Filed by G. P. REEVES, INC., Holland, MI (US)
Filed on Mar. 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/119,892.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/322,356, filed on Mar. 22, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0302505 A1, Sep. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. B08B 9/032 (2006.01); F16K 15/06 (2006.01); F16K 29/00 (2006.01); G05D 16/20 (2006.01)
CPC B08B 9/0325 (2013.01) [F16K 15/063 (2013.01); F16K 29/00 (2013.01); B08B 2209/032 (2013.01); G05D 16/2086 (2013.01); Y10T 137/7826 (2015.04)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fluid regulator comprising:
a poppet valve that is disposed within a flow path and that selectively allows a flow of fluid from an inlet to an outlet;
a threaded regulating interface that adjusts a spring tension that is exerted toward the poppet valve and defines a regulated flow of the fluid through the flow path, wherein the threaded regulating interface is operated by a powered actuator about a rotational axis;
a fluid purge mechanism positioned within the threaded regulating interface, wherein the fluid purge mechanism operates along the rotational axis and adjusts a boundary of the flow path and manipulates the poppet valve to a maximum operating position to define a purging flow of the fluid from the inlet to the outlet;
a pressure sensor in communication with the flow path; and
a programmable logic controller that cooperates with the powered actuator and the pressure sensor to define a closed-loop interface that adjusts the regulated flow of the fluid through the flow path, wherein the fluid purge mechanism includes a purge actuator that is in communication with the pressure sensor and the programmable logic controller, wherein the programmable logic controller activates the purge actuator in response to the pressure sensor sensing a fluid pressure that is outside of a predetermined threshold.