Patent ID: 6488044
Filing Date: 2002-12-03
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 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 to 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; and a first pin including a weakened area, the first pin operatively connected to the linkage assembly such that the output force acts to compress the first pin, the weakened area causing the first pin to buckle when the output force exerted thereon reaches a predetermined level, the buckling of the first pin allowing the plug to rotate to the open position.