Pressure regulator valve

Abstract

A pressure regulator valve arrangement comprises first ( 14 ) and second ( 24 ) regulator valves for closing a fluid passage ( 4 ) in the event of over-pressure. The valve members each have pressure ports for sensing the pressure, the ports being located downstream of the valve members to minimise interaction between the valves.

1 . A pressure regulator valve arrangement comprising:
 a passage for fluid having an inlet and an outlet, and   a valve for opening the outlet to deliver the fluid,   the passage including first and second pressure regulator valves, the regulator valves each comprising:
 a pressure port for sensing pressure in the passage, and 
 a valve member arranged to close the passage in response to pressure at the pressure port exceeding a predetermined pressure, 
   in which the pressure port for each regulator valve is arranged downstream of both of the valve members.   
     
     
         2 . A pressure regulator valve arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the passage is substantially annular, and the valve members are sleeve shaped. 
     
     
         3 . A pressure regulator valve arrangement as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the valve members are concentrically arranged sleeves. 
     
     
         4 . A pressure regulator valve arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the regulator valves each comprise an actuator member coupled to the valve member and responsive to pressure at the pressure port. 
     
     
         5 . A pressure regulator valve arrangement as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the actuator member comprises a piston mounted in a piston bore for reciprocating movement to cause the valve member to advance across the passage. 
     
     
         6 . A pressure regulator valve arrangement as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the actuator member is mounted in a central body surrounded by the passage. 
     
     
         7 . A pressure regulator valve arranged arrangement as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the valve members are arranged adjacent the inlet of the passage. 
     
     
         8 . A fuel supply assembly comprising:
 a passage for fuel having an inlet and an outlet;   a probe valve for opening the outlet to deliver the fuel;   at least one pressure port in fluid communication with the passage; and   first and second pressure regulator valves in fluid communication with the passage, the first and second pressure regulator valves each comprising a valve member arranged to close the passage in response to pressure at the at least one pressure port exceeding a predetermined pressure,   wherein the at least one pressure port is arranged downstream of both of the valve members.   
     
     
         9 . The fuel supply assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one pressure port is a single pressure port arranged downstream of both of the valve members; and both the first and second pressure regulator valves operate in response to pressure in the single pressure port. 
     
     
         10 . The fuel supply assembly of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the at least one pressure port includes a first pressure port and a second pressure port;   the first pressure regulator valve is arranged to close the passage in response to pressure in the first pressure port;   the second pressure regulator valve is arranged to close the passage in response to pressure in the second pressure port; and   both pressure ports are formed in a central body surrounded by the passage.   
     
     
         11 . The fuel supply assembly of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first and second pressure ports includes an open end of the central body. 
     
     
         12 . The fuel supply assembly of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first and second pressure ports extends through a surface extending around a circumference of the central body. 
     
     
         13 . The fuel supply assembly of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the central body includes two valve chambers, the passage being in fluid communication with the valve chambers via the respective pressure ports;   the first and second pressure regulator valves each comprise an actuator member coupled to the respective valve member and responsive to pressure at the respective pressure port; and   the actuator members of the first and second pressure regulator valves are disposed in the respective valve chambers.   
     
     
         14 . The fuel supply assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second pressure regulator valves each comprise an actuator member coupled to the respective valve member and responsive to pressure at the at least one pressure port. 
     
     
         15 . The fuel supply assembly of  claim 14 , wherein each actuator member is configured to cause the respective valve member to move in a first direction to close the passage. 
     
     
         16 . The fuel supply assembly of  claim 15 , wherein each actuator member is biased towards a second direction that is opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         17 . The fuel supply assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second pressure regulator valves and the at least one pressure port are formed in a central body surrounded by the passage. 
     
     
         18 . The fuel supply assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the probe valve is normally closed and is configured to be opened by insertion of a probe of an aircraft. 
     
     
         19 . A method of operating a pressure regulator valve arrangement including a passage for fluid, the method comprising:
 opening a probe valve located near an outlet of the passage to deliver fluid through the passage;   closing the passage with a first valve member of a first pressure regulator valve of the pressure regulator valve arrangement in response to pressure in at least one pressure port of the pressure regulator valve arrangement exceeding a predetermined pressure, the at least one pressure port being in fluid communication with the passage; and   closing the passage with a second valve member of a second pressure regulator valve of the pressure regulator valve arrangement in response to pressure in the at least one pressure port exceeding the predetermined pressure;   wherein the at least one pressure port is arranged downstream of both of the first and second valve members.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein closing the passage with the first and second valve members includes moving an actuator member in a first direction towards an inlet of the passage in response to the pressure in the at least one pressure port, the actuator members being biased towards a second direction opposite the first direction.