Patent ID: 6752377
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: F16K

Abstract:
A valve seat assembly for use in a pressure relief valve having a moveable piston assembly which is biased against the valve seat assembly in a normally closed position and which moves away from the valve seat assembly when a pressure of an inlet pressurized fluid reaches a predetermined threshold, the valve seat assembly comprising:a substantially cup-shaped seat body comprising an annular wall and an inwardly directed, annular seat flange, the annular wall having opposing first and second ends, an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the annular seat flange extends from the first end of the annular wall to abut the piston assembly when the pressure relief valve is in the closed position; and a first insert comprising an annular wall with opposing first and second ends, an outer surface and an inner orifice of a first diameter, wherein the first insert slidingly engages the seat body so that the outer surface of the first insert abuts the inner surface of the seat body, the inner orifice metering a flow rate of fluid through the valve seat assembly; wherein the seat body is further configured to accommodate a replacement, second insert comprising an annular wall with opposing first and second ends, an outer surface and an inner orifice of a second diameter less than the first diameter, the inner orifice of the second insert metering a second flow rate of fluid through the valve seat assembly less than that provided by the inner orifice of the first insert.