Method and apparatus for flow diversion in a high pressure fluid delivery system

Claim 3

A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of reducing the fluid pressure on the larger working surface includes the step of passing fluid from the larger working surface through the bypass.

Claim 4

A method according to claim 1 including the step of preselecting the distance the bypass blocking means moves so as to determine the fluid pressure in said system during the bypass phase.

Claim 5

A method according to claim 1 including the step of introducing a second fluid into said system when the bypass blocking means is in the bypass blocking position.

Claim 6

A method according to claim 1 including the step of heating the fluid when the bypass blocking means is in the bypass blocking position.

Claim 7

A method according to claim 1 including the step of generating an electrical signal when the bypass blocking means is in a predetermined position.

Claim 8

A method according to claim 6 including the step of introducing a second fluid into said system in response to said electrical signal.

Claim 9

A method according to claim 6 including the step of heating the fluid in response to said electrical signal.

Claim 10

A method according to claim 1 including the step of regulating the fluid pressure within predetermined pressure limits during the discharge phase.

Claim 13

The method according to claim 10 including the step regulating the fluid pressure within predetermined pressure limits when the discharge is open.

Claim 14

For use in a fluid delivery system wherein fluid is transported under pressure from a supply to a closable discharge, an apparatus for diverting the flow to a drain under substantially reduced pressure when the discharge is closed, the apparatus comprising: a housing having a central cavity, an inlet for connecting said cavity to said fluid supply, an outlet for connecting said cavity to said discharge, and a bypass port for connecting said cavity to said drain; blocking means within said cavity moving from a bypass port closed position when said discharge is open to a bypass port open position when said discharge is closed, said blocking means comprising a shaft having a sealing means at one end and at least two working surfaces of different areas proximate the other end; means for providing fluid communication between said working surfaces; means for interrupting fluid communication between said working surfaces; and means for reducing fluid pressure on the larger of said working surfaces, whereby said blocking means moves to the bypass port open position and flow is diverted at substantially reduced pressure.

Claim 15

For use in a fluid delivery system wherein fluid is transported under pressure from a supply to a closable discharge, an apparatus for diverting the flow to a drain under substantially reduced pressure when the discharge is closed, the apparatus comprising: a housing having a central cavity, an inlet for connecting said cavity to said fluid supply, an outlet for connecting said cavity to said discharge, and a bypass port for connecting said cavity to said drain; blocking means within said cavity moving from a bypass port closed position when said discharge is open to a bypass port open position when said discharge is closed, said blocking means comprising a shaft having a sealing means at one end and at least two working surfaces of different areas proximate the other end; means for providing fluid communication between said working surfaces; means for interrupting fluid communication between said working surfaces; and means for reducing fluid pressure on the larger of said working surfaces, whereby said blocking means moves to the bypass port open position and flow is diverted at substantially reduced pressure.

Claim 16

Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said fluid pressure reducing means comprises means for passing fluid from the larger of said working surfaces to said bypass port when fluid communication between said working surfaces is interrupted.

Claim 17

Apparatus according to claim 12 including at least one "O" ring between said cavity and said blocking means for preventing the leakage of fluid between said two working surfaces.

Claim 18

Apparatus according to claim 12 including means proximate said bypass port for receiving said sealing means of said bypass port blocking means.

Claim 19

Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said fluid communication interrupting means comprises a slidable seal responsive to the dynamic pressure of flowing fluid.

Claim 20

Apparatus according to claim 16 including resilient means between said slidable seal and said discharge for urging said slidable seal to interrupt fluid communication between said working surfaces when said discharge is closed.

Claim 21

Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said resilient means is a spring.

Claim 22

Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said housing has a channel providing fluid communication between said working surfaces and wherein said slidable seal has a conically shaped end for obstructing said channel, and including at least one "O" ring on said conically shaped end of said slidable seal for preventing the leakage of fluid between said working surfaces when said channel is obstructed.

Claim 23

Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said fluid delivery system has a plurality of discharges, and wherein said interrupting means includes means responsive to the closing of all of said discharges for interrupting fluid communication between said working surfaces.

Claim 24

Apparatus according to claim 12 including means for adjusting the distance said blocking means may move so as to thereby vary the pressure of the diverted fluid.

Claim 25

Apparatus according to claim 12 including means for sensing the position of said movable blocking means.

Claim 26

Apparatus according to claim 22 including means for generating an electrical signal in response to the sensed position of said movable blocking means.

Claim 27

Apparatus according to claim 23 including means for heating said fluid and means for electrically coupling said heating means to said signal generating means.

Claim 28

Apparatus according to claim 23 including means for introducing a second fluid into said fluid delivery system and means for electrically coupling said second fluid introducing means and said signal generating means.

Claim 29

A bypass valve for a pressurized fluid delivery system of the type in which fluid is transported from a fluid supply through conduit means to a closable discharge, the bypass valve being located in said fluid delivery system between the supply and discharge, said bypass valve comprising: a housing having a central cavity, an inlet, an outlet, a bypass port between said inlet and outlet, and a channel providing fluid communication between two portions of said cavity; a piston within said cavity movable between a bypass port closed position when said discharge is open and a bypass port open position when said discharge is closed, said piston comprising a shaft having a bypass port sealing means at one end, a first working surface at the other end, a second working surface having an area less than said first working surface and located between said ends, and a passage through the length of said shaft for passing fluid from said first working surface through said bypass port, said working surfaces of said piston generally separating said two portions of said cavity from one another; and means responsive to the dynamic pressure of the flowing fluid for obstructing said channel when said discharge is closed, whereby fluid passes from said first working surface through said passage and said bypass port, said movable blocking means moves to the bypass port open position, and fluid is diverted through said bypass port at a substantially reduced pressure.

Claim 30

A bypass valve for a pressurized fluid delivery system of the type in which fluid is transported from a fluid supply through conduit means to a closable discharge, the bypass valve being located in said fluid delivery system between the supply and discharge, said bypass valve comprising: a housing having a central cavity, an inlet, an outlet, a bypass port between said inlet and outlet, and a channel providing fluid communication between two portions of said cavity; a piston within said cavity movable between a bypass port closed position when said discharge is open and a bypass port open position when said discharge is closed, said piston comprising a shaft having a bypass port sealing means at one end, a first working surface at the other end, a second working surface having an area less than said first working surface and located between said ends, and a passage through the length of said shaft for passing fluid from said first working surface through said bypass port, said working surfaces of said piston generally separating said two portions of said cavity from one another; and means responsive to the dynamic pressure of the flowing fluid for obstructing said channel when said discharge is closed, whereby fluid passes from said first working surface through said passage and said bypass port, said movable blocking means moves to the bypass port open position, and fluid is diverted through said bypass port at a substantially reduced pressure.

Claim 31

Apparatus according to claim 26 wherein said channel obstructing means comprises a slidable seal and resilient means between said slidable seal and said discharge for urging said slidable seal to obstruct said channel when said discharge is closed.

Claim 32

Apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the fluid delivery system has a pressure regulator proximate said bypass valve for maintaining the pressure of flowing fluid within predetermined limits when said discharge is open, and including means for directing fluid from said bypass valve to said pressure regulator when said blocking means is in the bypass port closed position.

Claim 33

For use in a pressurized fluid delivery system employing a pump and a closable discharge an apparatus for regulating the fluid pressure when the discharge is open, and for diverting the flow of fluid out of the system at a substantially reduced pressure when the discharge is closed, the apparatus comprising in combination: a bypass valve, said valve comprising a housing having a central cavity, an inlet, an outlet, a bypass port between said inlet and outlet for the diversion of fluid out of the fluid delivery system, and a channel for providing fluid communication between at least two portions of said cavity; a piston within said cavity for blocking said bypass port and movable from a bypass port closed position when the discharge is open to a bypass port open position when the discharge is closed, said piston having a passage throughout its length and at least two generally parallel working surfaces of different areas, said working surfaces generally dividing said cavity into said two portions; and means responsive to the dynamic pressure of the flowing fluid for obstructing said channel, said obstructing means comprising a slidable seal and resilient means for urging said slidable seal against said channel when the discharge is closed, whereby fluid from the larger working surface passes through said passage and said bypass port, said piston moves to the bypass port open position, and fluid is diverted through said bypass port at a substantially reduced pressure; a pressure regulator connected to said bypass valve proximate said bypass port for regulating the pressure within predetermined pressure limits when said discharge is open; and means for directing fluid from said bypass valve to said pressure regulator when said discharge is open and said blocking means is in the bypass port closed position.

Claim 34

For use in a pressurized fluid delivery system employing a pump and a closable discharge an apparatus for regulating the fluid pressure when the discharge is open, and for diverting the flow of fluid out of the system at a substantially reduced pressure when the discharge is closed, the apparatus comprising in combination: a bypass valve, said valve comprising a housing having a central cavity, an inlet, an outlet, a bypass port between said inlet and outlet for the diversion of fluid out of the fluid delivery system, and a channel for providing fluid communication between at least two portions of said cavity; a piston within said cavity for blocking said bypass port and movable from a bypass port closed position when the discharge is open to a bypass port open position when the discharge is closed, said piston having a passage throughout its length and at least two generally parallel working surfaces of different areas, said working surfaces generally dividing said cavity into said two portions; and means responsive to the dynamic pressure of the flowing fluid for obstructing said channel, said obstructing means comprising a slidable seal and resilient means for urging said slidable seal against said channel when the discharge is closed, whereby fluid from the larger working surface passes through said passage and said bypass port, said piston moves to the bypass port open position, and fluid is diverted through said bypass port at a substantially reduced pressure; a pressure regulator connected to said bypass valve proximate said bypass port for regulating the pressure within predetermined pressure limits when said discharge is open; and means for directing fluid from said bypass valve to said pressure regulator when said discharge is open and said blocking means is in the bypass port closed position.