Patent ID: 6651696
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A relief valve connected to a pressurized fluid source to relieve excess pressure, the valve comprising:a body defining an inlet and two outlets, the inlet connected to the pressurized fluid source and the outlets vented to atmosphere; the body further defining a central flow passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlets; the body further defining a spring cavity sized and arranged to threadably engage an adjusting cap; a main spring captured in the spring cavity by the adjusting cap so a set point for the relief valve can be adjusted by rotation of the adjusting cap; a pair of opposing axially aligned seal plates positioned in the body adjacent each outlet, each seal plate extending into the central flow passageway and having a through bore to allow fluid flow from the central flow passageway, through the seal plates to the outlets; an elongate seal carrier positioned in a bore in the body, the seal carrier moving from a closed position to an open position, one end of the seal carrier extending into the spring cavity and in contact with the main spring, and the opposite end extending into the central flow passageway, the opposite end defining a transverse bore; the elongate seal carrier further defining a shoulder that abuts the seal plates and acts as a stop to define the maximum travel in the central flow passageway that can be achieved by the seal carrier in response to force applied by the main spring; a seal assembly carried by the seal carrier from the closed position to the open position in response to excess pressure in the inlet and central flow passageway, allowing excess fluid pressure to flow from the inlet, through the central flow passageway, the bores of the seal plates and the outlets to vent to atmosphere and the seal assembly being returned to the closed position after the excess pressure has been relieved in response to force exerted by the main spring upon the seal carrier; and the seal assembly having: a pair of opposing axially aligned seal rings; a seal spring urging the seal rings into contact with the seal plates; a pair of o-rings to achieve a seal between the seal rings and the seal carrier; and each seal ring further defining a flat sealing surface in sliding contact with the seal plates.