초록 ▼

A pressure relief apparatus includes a valve having a body. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the body and has an exterior end extending through the body. A plug, which may contain an internal passageway, is mounted on the shaft and is disposed in the fluid flowpath. The body is engageable with the s

A pressure relief apparatus includes a valve having a body. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the body and has an exterior end extending through the body. A plug, which may contain an internal passageway, is mounted on the shaft and is disposed in the fluid flowpath. The body is engageable with the system to expose the plug to the pressurized fluid so that the pressurized fluid acts on the plug to exert a torque on the shaft which is offset from the center line of the plug. The apparatus further includes a linkage assembly configured to translate the torque exerted on the shaft into an output force. A release device, such as a buckling pin or a magnet, is connected to the linkage assembly and is configured to release the shaft when the output force exceeds a predetermined limit. Preferably, the linkage assembly is adjustable to vary the magnitude of the output force corresponding to a given torque. A low torque seal secured in place by a retaining ring is disposed in the body to prevent fluid from leaking through the body past the plug.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A pressure relief apparatus for a system containing a pressurized fluid, comprising:a valve having a body defining a fluid flowpath, a shaft rotatably disposed in the body and having an exterior end extending through the body, and a plug mounted on the shaft, the body engageable with the system t

1. A pressure relief apparatus for a system containing a pressurized fluid, comprising:a valve having a body defining a fluid flowpath, a shaft rotatably disposed in the body and having an exterior end extending through the body, and a plug mounted on the shaft, the body engageable with the system to expose the plug to the pressurized fluid, the pressurized fluid acting on the plug to exert a torque on the shaft and rotate the plug from a closed position to an open position; an input arm engageable with the exterior end of the shaft; a linkage assembly having a fulcrum, a lever arm having a first end and a second end, and a trigger disposed between the input arm and the first end of the lever arm, the input arm acting through the trigger on the first end of the lever arm to pivot the lever arm about the fulcrum to generate an output force based upon the torque exerted on the shaft; a release device operatively connected to the linkage assembly to prevent the shaft from rotating, the release device including a housing holding a fusible alloy configured to liquefy and allow the shaft to rotate when the temperature of the alloy exceeds a predetermined limit; and a heating element disposed in the housing adjacent the fusible alloy, the heating element operable to raise the temperature of the fusible alloy to the predetermined limit to release the shaft.