Patent ID: 11913556
Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
Field: Engines, pumps, turbines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F  Y | IPC F

Claim 0:
1. A valve assembly comprising:
a compressor or pump;
a seat defining a plurality of inlet openings, each inlet opening of the plurality of inlet openings extending through the seat along a central longitudinal axis of each inlet opening so that all the central longitudinal axes are parallel to one another;
a guard plate attached to the seat and defining a plurality of element bores, each element bore of the plurality of element bores aligning with one of the inlet openings along the central longitudinal axis of the inlet opening;
a plurality of elements, each element comprising:
a first end with a first recessed surface and a second end with a second recessed surface, the first end and the second end defining a cylindrical shape therebetween, and
wherein each element is positioned within one of the plurality of element bores and movable between an open position in which the element contacts the guard plate and a closed position in which the element contacts the seat;

a plurality of springs, each spring positioned within one of the element bores and within the second recessed surface biasing the element toward the closed position;
a guide pin fixedly coupled to the guard plate and extending toward the seat along an axis that is parallel to the central longitudinal axis; and
wherein each element further comprises a pair of extensions protruding from the outer diameter of the element, wherein the guide pin is adjacent to the pair of extensions and extends between the pair of extensions, and wherein a surface of the element between the pair of extensions is concave with respect to a center line of the element.