Patent ID: 6367498
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
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 and 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; a linkage assembly engageable with the exterior end of the shaft and configured to translate the torque exerted on the shaft into an output force, the linkage assembly including a fulcrum and a lever arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the lever arm operatively coupled to the exterior end of the shaft to translate the torque on the shaft into a substantially linear force acting on the first end of the lever arm to pivot the lever arm about the fulcrum, the fulcrum adjustable to vary the magnitude of the output force corresponding to a particular shaft torque; and a release device operatively connected to the linkage assembly to prevent the shaft from rotating until the output force exceeds a predetermined limit.