Flow resistance equalizer for liquid circulation system

Claim 2

In a liquid circulation system of the kind comprising a plurality of liquid utilization units individually connected between a supply line and a return line and havinG flow resistance characteristics that vary substantially from one utilization unit to another, a flow resistance equalization device comprising: a fitting having an inlet and an outlet adapted for connection between one of said lines and an individual liquid utilization unit; a replaceable orifice member, removably mounted in the outlet of said fitting, interposing an orifice having a limiting flow resistance in series with said liquid utilization unit; a porous barrier, mounted within said fitting between the inlet and said orifice member, for screening out solid particles entrained in liquid flowing through said fitting to prevent clogging of the orifice; an air chamber, within said fitting ahead of said orifice, for collecting entrained air released from the liquid as the liquid velocity is reduced ahead of said orifice; and vent means for venting said air chamber.

Claim 3

A flow resistance equalization device according to claim 1, and further comprising a sediment trap within said fitting, below said orifice between said inlet and said orifice, for collecting solid particles tending to settle out from the liquid ahead of said orifice.

Claim 4

A flow resistance equalization device according to claim 2, in which said orifice is inclined at an acute angle, toward said trap, to facilitate cleaning of the orifice.

Claim 5

A flow resistance equalization device according to claim 3, in which said orifice member bears an indicator to indicate the orientation of the orifice relative to said trap.

Claim 6

A flow resistance equalization device according to claim 2 in which said porous barrier is a metal screen removably mounted in the interior of said fitting.

Claim 7

A flow resistance equalization device according to claim 2, in which said trap includes a clean-out opening normally closed by a clean-out plug, and in which said porous barrier is removable through said clean-out opening.

Claim 8

A liquid circulation system comprising: a liquid supply, including a pump, having an outlet connected to a supply line and an inlet connected to a return line; a plurality of liquid utilization devices, each having an inlet port connected to said supply line and an outlet port connected to said return line, having different flow resistance characteristics; and a corresponding plurality of flow resistance equalization devices, each interposed between a given port and the associated line for one of said utilization devices, each said equalization device comprising a fitting having an inlet and an outlet, a replaceable orifice member removably mounted in the outlet of said fitting and interposing a limiting flow resistance in series with the associated utilization device, a porous barrier mounted within the fitting between the fitting inlet and said orifice member to screen out solid particles entrained in the liquid, and a vented air chamber within the fitting, ahead of said orifice, for collecting entrained air released from the liquid, said replaceable orifices being selected to afford approximately equal flow resistances at each of said utilization devices to afford balanced flow in the system.

Claim 9

A liquid circulation system comprising: a liquid supply, including a pump, having an outlet connected to a supply line and an inlet connected to a return line; a plurality of liquid utilization devices, each having an inlet port connected to said supply line and an outlet port connected to said return line, having different flow resistance characteristics; and a corresponding plurality of flow resistance equalization devices, each interposed between a given port and the associated line for one of said utilization devices, each said equalization device comprising a fitting having an inlet and an outlet, a replaceable orifice member removably mounted in the outlet of said fitting and interposing a limiting flow resistance in series with the associated utilization device, a porous barrier mounted within the fitting between the fitting inlet and said orifice member to screen out solid particles entrained in the liquid, and a vented air chamber within the fitting, ahead of said orifice, for collecting entrained air released from the liquid, said replaceable orifices being selected to afford approximately equal flow resistances at each of said utilization devices to afford balanced flow in the system.