Fluid flow controlling

Abstract

A method and system for controlling the rate of fluid flow. A flow restrictor having known pressure drop and flow rate characteristics provided in a passage through which the fluid, preferably a gas, flows. An upstream pressure sensor determines the pressure of fluid in the flow passage upstream of the flow restrictor. A downstream pressure sensor determines the pressure of fluid in the flow passage downstream of said flow restrictor. A pressure regulator adjusts the pressure of fluid upstream or downstream of the flow restrictor based on the pressure drop across the flow restrictor so that the actual pressure drop across the flow restrictor closely corresponds to the pressure drop associated with a desired rate of fluid flow.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A gas system comprising: 
 an inlet;    an outlet;    a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet including at least two flow passage portions which are oriented in an orientation different from the orientation of the inlet and outlet;    a shutoff valve positioned in the flow passage and being movable in the orientation of at least one of the flow passage portions; and    an integrated metal media contained in the flow passage and substantially filling a cylindrical section of the flow passage.    
     
     
         2 . The gas system of  claim 1  wherein the metal media is a sintered metal.  
     
     
         3 . The gas system of  claim 1  wherein the metal media is a filter.  
     
     
         4 . The gas system of  claim 1  wherein the inlet and the outlet are substantially parallel.  
     
     
         5 . The gas system of  claim 1  wherein the inlet and the outlet are substantially aligned.  
     
     
         6 . The gas system of  claim 1  wherein one of the flow passage portions is substantially perpendicular to the inlet and the outlet.  
     
     
         7 . The gas system of  claim 1  wherein the at least two flow passage portions are substantially perpendicular to the inlet and the outlet.  
     
     
         8 . The gas system of  claim 1  wherein the shutoff valve is in substantial alignment with the flow passage.  
     
     
         9 . The gas system of  claim 1  further comprising a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the flow passage.  
     
     
         10 . The gas system of  claim 1  wherein the shutoff valve is disposed in one of the flow passage portions and the valve is adjustable between a first position in which it permits flow through said flow passage portion and a second position in which it blocks flow through said first passage portion.  
     
     
         11 . The gas system of  claim 1  wherein the shutoff valve comprises: 
 a valve member;  
 a valve actuator for controlling movement of the valve member between an open position and a closed position; and  
 a biasing member for biasing the valve actuator toward an open position or a closed position.  
 
     
     
         12 . The gas system of  claim 11  wherein the biasing member is a spring.  
     
     
         13 . The gas system of  claim 11  wherein the biasing member is a diaphragm.  
     
     
         14 . The gas system of  claim 11  wherein the biasing member is a bellows.  
     
     
         15 . A gas system comprising a module having: 
 an inlet;    an outlet;    a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet;    a first cross passage extending from a portion of the flow passage to a top portion of the module;    a second cross passage extending from a top portion of the module and intersecting the flow passage; and    an integrated metal media contained in the flow passage and substantially filling a cylindrical section of the flow passage.    
     
     
         16 . The gas system of  claim 15  wherein the first cross passage and the second cross passage are substantially parallel.