Filter arrangement at a pressure regulator

Abstract

A compact arrangement and method for removing particulate generated by a fluid pressure regulator including location of a filter element within the pressure regulator downstream of the regulating member and valve seat is disclosed. The fluid pressure regulator can be adapted to allow replacement of the filter element. The filter element and corresponding filter receiving space can be configured to account for different fluid flow ranges and particulate removal ratings.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows:  
     
         1 . A method for providing a compact gas pressure regulated valve arrangement, said method comprising: 
 providing a pressure regulator housing configured for inclusion in a compact fluid pressure regulated valve arrangement, said housing having: a filter receiving space formed at a low pressure cavity of said housing and a regulating member arranged for reciprocating motion in said housing for controlling a gas supply that flows along a gas flow path formed, at least partially, in said housing; and    locating a filter element in said filter receiving space, said location of said filter element being downstream of said regulating member with respect to said gas supply that flows along said gas flow path thereby assuring that any particulate freed by operation of said regulating member and any other component located upstream of said filter element along said gas flow path is captured at said filter element thereby delivering an assured clean gas supply downstream of said compact fluid pressure regulated valve arrangement.    
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 providing an entrance to said gas flow path formed, at least partially, in said housing in the form of an fluid supply inlet.  
 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 providing an exit to said gas flow path formed, at least partially, in said housing in the form of an fluid supply outlet.  
 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 configuring said filter element to be releasably engageable in said filter receiving space.  
 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 4  further comprising: 
 configuring said filter element as a hollow cylinder having a longitudinally measured length extending between two ends of said filter element.  
 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 5  further comprising: 
 configuring said filter element for substantially radial gas flow through a screen portion of said hollow cylinder.  
 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 5  further comprising: 
 providing a sealing arrangement at an end of said filter element, said sealing arrangement adapted for abutting engagement with a filter engagement surface formed at said filter receiving space.  
 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 configuring said filter element to be permanently fixed in said filter receiving space.  
 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 8  further comprising: 
 fixing said filter element permanently in said filter receiving space by welding.  
 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 8  further comprising: 
 configuring said filter element to be washer-shaped and having a longitudinally measured length extending between two ends of said filter element.  
 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10  further comprising: 
 configuring said washer-shaped filter element for substantially longitudinally directed gas flow through a screen portion thereof.  
 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 10  further comprising: 
 sealing an end of said filter element to a filter engagement surface formed at said filter receiving space.  
 
     
     
         13 . A compact fluid pressure regulated valve arrangement, said arrangement comprising: 
 a pressure regulator housing configured for inclusion in a compact fluid pressure regulated valve arrangement, said housing having: a filter receiving space formed at a low pressure cavity of said housing and a regulating member arranged for reciprocating motion in said housing for controlling a gas supply that flows along a gas flow path formed, at least partially, in said housing; and    a filter element in said filter receiving space, said location of said filter element being downstream of said regulating member with respect to said gas supply that flows along said gas flow path thereby assuring that any particulate freed by operation of said regulating member and any other component located upstream of said filter element along said gas flow path is captured at said filter element thereby delivering an assured clean gas supply downstream of said compact fluid pressure regulated valve arrangement.    
     
     
         14 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 13  further comprising: 
 an entrance provided to said gas flow path formed, at least partially, in said housing in the form of an fluid supply inlet.  
 
     
     
         15 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 13  further comprising: 
 an exit provided to said gas flow path formed, at least partially, in said housing in the form of an fluid supply outlet.  
 
     
     
         16 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 13  further comprising: 
 said filter element configured to be releasably engageable in said filter receiving space.  
 
     
     
         17 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 16  further comprising: 
 said filter element configured as a hollow cylinder having a longitudinally measured length extending between two ends of said filter element.  
 
     
     
         18 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 17  further comprising: 
 said filter element configured for substantially radial gas flow through a screen portion of said hollow cylinder.  
 
     
     
         19 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 17  further comprising: 
 a sealing arrangement provided at an end of said filter element, said sealing arrangement adapted for abutting engagement with a filter engagement surface formed at said filter receiving space.  
 
     
     
         20 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 13  further comprising: 
 said filter element configured to be permanently fixed in said filter receiving space.  
 
     
     
         21 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 20  further comprising: 
 said filter element being permanently fixed in said filter receiving space by welding.  
 
     
     
         22 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 20  further comprising: 
 said filter element configured to be washer-shaped and having a longitudinally measured length extending between two ends of said filter element.  
 
     
     
         23 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 22  further comprising: 
 said washer-shaped filter element configured for substantially longitudinally directed gas flow through a screen portion thereof.  
 
     
     
         24 . The arrangement as recited in  claim 22  further comprising: 
 sealing an end of said filter element to a filter engagement surface formed at said filter receiving space.