US 12,487,614 B2
Hybrid flow and pressure regulation
Robert Boyer, Flower Mound, TX (US)
Assigned to THE ESAB GROUP INC., Florence, SC (US)
Filed by The ESAB Group Inc., North Bethesda, MD (US)
Filed on Nov. 8, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/983,106.
Application 17/983,106 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2021/032856, filed on May 18, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/026,253, filed on May 18, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0063065 A1, Mar. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. G05D 16/00 (2006.01); F17C 13/04 (2006.01); G05D 16/10 (2006.01)
CPC G05D 16/024 (2019.01) [F17C 13/04 (2013.01); G05D 16/103 (2013.01); F17C 2201/0109 (2013.01); F17C 2205/0323 (2013.01); F17C 2250/043 (2013.01); F17C 2250/0626 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An outlet assembly, comprising:
a housing defining an internal cavity;
a first orifice of a first size that is disposed proximate an upstream end of a main pathway that extends longitudinally through the internal cavity;
a second orifice of a second size that is larger than the first size disposed proximate a downstream end of the main pathway;
one or more first auxiliary pathways that are disposed between the first orifice and the second orifice and that intersect the main pathway;
one or more second auxiliary pathways that are disposed between the first orifice and the second orifice and that intersect the main pathway, wherein the one or more second auxiliary pathways are downstream from the one or more first auxiliary pathways; and
an internal mechanism that automatically moves the first orifice between a first position, a second position, and a third position, wherein the internal mechanism includes a movable poppet and the one or more second auxiliary pathways extend through the movable poppet, and wherein:
when the first orifice is in the first position, a flow of gas flowing through the outlet assembly flows into the main pathway via the first orifice so that the flow of gas flows through the second orifice at a first flow rate regulated by the first orifice;
when the first orifice is in the second position, the flow of gas primarily bypasses the first orifice and flows into the main pathway via the one or more first auxiliary pathways so that the flow of gas flows through the second orifice at a second flow rate regulated by the first orifice and the one or more first auxiliary pathways; and
when the first orifice is in the third position, the flow of gas primarily bypasses the first orifice and flows into the main pathway via the one or more first auxiliary pathways and the one or more second auxiliary pathways so that the flow of gas flows through the second orifice at a maximum flow rate.