Relief valve with directable outlet

A relief valve including a body defining an inlet. A valve closure element is disposed at least partially within the body and arranged to allow selective flow through the relief valve in response to a predetermined pressure. An outlet housing that is separate from and coupled to the inlet housing is rotatable with respect to the inlet housing. The outlet housing defines an outlet that is in selective communication with the inlet.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is directed to pressure relief valves. More particularly the invention is directed to pressure relief valves with a moveable outlet. Pressure relief valves may be used with compressors, engines, or other systems where pressure needs to be managed.

Pressure relief valves are used to relieve pressure in a pressure vessel or associated component. A relief valve includes an inlet for receiving a fluid (e.g., air, water, petrol, etc.) and an outlet through which the fluid is discharged. The outlet is typically connected to a piping system. When relief valves are installed in pressure vessel systems, the outlet may not be aligned as desired with the piping system. Typically, relief valves are installed by threadably engaging the inlet with the pressure vessel system. The inlet may have threads that conform to a National Pipe Thread Taper standard for a tapered thread (hereinafter “NPT threads”), a Society of Automotive Engineers standard for a straight thread (hereinafter “SAE threads”), or another thread standard, as desired. Relief valves also may be connected via other means to the pressure vessel system (e.g., quick connections, soldering, snap connections, etc.).

In the case of a relief valve whose inlet has NPT threads, the outlet is aligned with the piping system by adjusting one or more fitting joints to orient the outlet in a desired direction. However, such adjustments require frequent loosening and retightening of the fitting joints which is labor intensive and time consuming. Additional labor and time is also needed to ensure that joint seal integrity is maintained. In the case of a relief valve whose inlet has SAE threads, the relief valve is installed by rotatably engaging the inlet into the threaded hole of the pressure vessel system until contact is made between the inlet and a bottom of the threaded hole (i.e., the inlet “bottoms out”) in order to form a seal. However, adjustment of the orientation of the outlet after the inlet bottoms would compromise the seal and thus is not desirable. This requires that the piping system be specifically configured to adapt to the orientation of the outlet which increases costs. In other words, conventional relief valves prohibit or mitigate the use of SAE connections on relief valve inlets where outlet direction is important.

Currently, if a directional outlet is desirable, the convention is to use NPT threads on inlet connections of relief valves and deal with the labor associated with adjusting multiple joints or potentially over tightening or under tightening joints. In cases where SAE inlet connections are required, the plumbing installation out of the relief valve becomes more cumbersome. In response to these problems, many simply avoid applications where directing outlet discharge is required or they are forced spend a lot of time adjusting installation joints (loosening and retightening or over tightening to achieve pointing discharge of valve in desired direction).

In view of the above noted and other deficiencies, a better directional outlet for relief valves is desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiments overcome the aforementioned problems by providing a relief valve with a rotatable outlet housing sealed to a body of the relief valve.

In one construction, the invention provides a relief valve that includes a body that defines an inlet. A valve closure element is disposed at least partially within the body and arranged to allow selective flow through the relief valve in response to a predetermined pressure. An outlet housing that is separate from and coupled to the body is rotatable with respect to the body. The outlet housing defines an outlet aperture that is in selective communication with the inlet.

In another construction, the invention provides a relief valve for directionally relieving pressure from an inlet stub that provides fluid pressure substantially along an axial direction. The relief valve includes a body that defines an inlet and a body cavity. The body includes an annular body wall defining an exit hole. A valve closure element is disposed at least partially within the body. The valve closure element inhibits fluid communication between the inlet and the body cavity when the valve closure element is in a closed position. The valve closure element is biased toward the closed position by a valve closing force. An outlet housing that is separate from and coupled to the body is rotatable with respect the body. The outlet housing defines an outlet. An annular space is defined between the body and the outlet housing. The annular space and the body cavity are separated by and contact opposing surface of the annular body wall. The exit hole provides fluid communication between the body cavity and the annular space. The valve closure element moves from the closed position to an open position when the fluid pressure exceeds an opening pressure. The opening pressure is a pressure that provides an opening force on the valve closure element that is greater than the valve closure force. The annular space and the outlet directly contact one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described in terms of one or more embodiments, and it should be appreciated that many equivalents, alternatives, variations, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the invention.

In the disclosed invention, to achieve the desired outlet position the outlet function is separated from an inlet housing or body assembly (body) and inlet function. The inlet connection is integral to the body. The outlet is part of a separate housing that slips over a cylindrical body so that the outlet housing can rotate about the centerline of the body. The body contains all necessary components to a pressure relief valve and the valve closure element is fully functional without the outlet housing. The body has multiple discharge holes that are arranged about the circumference of its outer diameter. Therefore, the discharge by the assembly without the outlet housing is multidirectional radially about the relief valve. The relief valve absent the outlet housing is fully functional and can be used as such in applications not requiring discharge in one direction. In applications requiring discharge directionality, the outlet housing can be assembled with the rest of the relief valve (i.e., the outlet assembly). It is held in position on the body with, for example, two retaining rings (or one retaining ring and a shoulder machined into the body). The discharge holes in the body are aligned with an internal annular cavity designed into the outlet housing which allows for a smooth, uniform, and ample flow space to flow the discharge. The outlet housing has one outlet hole which is connected to the annular flow cavity in the interior of the housing. This outlet housing can pivot about the body while riding on two o-rings (alternately the smooth rotation can be achieved with two rows of ball bearings) which also provide a seal between the body and the outlet housing in two places on either side of the flow cavity. During installation, the body inlet is screwed into the piping installation snuggly. After the inlet is installed, the floating/pivoting outlet housing is rotated to its desired direction then held in position with a locking mechanism (e.g., a set screw). Alternatively, an annular space may be arranged on the outside of the body and the outlet housing simply has a hole in communication with the annular space. When the outlet housing is slipped over the body a cavity is achieved by combining both the outlet housing and the body.

FIG. 1shows a relief valve6that includes an inlet housing in the form of a body10that defines an inlet14, a body cavity16, a shoulder18, exit holes22, an annular body wall23, an annular space26, and two or more o-ring channels45. The body10is monolithic. The exit holes22are disposed within the annular body wall23. A valve closure element in the form of a piston30and spring34are arranged within the body10. The piston30and spring34are arranged along an axial direction100. The spring34is retained at an end opposite the piston30by a spring adjustment mechanism36(for example, an adjustable screw). In other constructions, the valve closure element may include a seat disk, a ball, a cone seal, or another closure element, as desired. Further, the valve closure element may ride in a track or guide between open and closed positions. The construction of the valve closure element is not limiting within the scope of the present invention. The relief valve6is shown in a closed position.

Still referring toFIG. 1, an outlet housing38is coupled to the body10and arranged to rotate three-hundred-sixty degrees (360°) thereabout. The outlet housing38defines an annular outlet housing wall42that is sealed relative to the body10by o-rings46and includes an outlet50(for example, an outlet aperture). In certain embodiments, the outlet50or outlet aperture is threaded. The annular outlet housing wall42has a substantially cylindrical inner annular outlet housing wall surface43. The annular outlet housing wall42or inner annular outlet housing wall surface43can abut the annular space26. It should be appreciated that defining the annular space26or the o-ring channels45within the body10and abutting the annular space26with the annular outlet housing wall42or inner annular outlet housing wall surface43enables machining of the annular space26or o-ring channels45from a substantially cylindrical part to form the body10or annular body wall23without the need to machine spaces or channels into the substantially cylindrical inner annular outlet housing wall surface43. The outlet housing38is retained to the body10by a retainer clip54.

Still referring toFIG. 1, the valve closure element can respond to a force applied by a fluid that enters the body10at the inlet14and displaces the piston30along the axial direction100. The valve closure element prevents fluid communication between the inlet14and the body cavity16when the valve closure element is in the closed position. The valve closure element is biased toward the closed position by a valve closing force provided by the spring34. The valve closure element moves from the closed position toward an open position when the fluid pressure exceeds an opening pressure. The opening pressure is a pressure that provides an opening force on the valve closure element that is greater than the valve closure force. This description of the function of the valve closure element of the relief valve6is applicable to other embodiments described herein.

Still referring toFIG. 1, the inlet14is the space that the fluid occupies when the relief valve6is in the closed position, so the inlet14is the space within the body10prior to the seal formed by the valve closure element. When the valve closure element is in the closed position, the fluid is in contact with the body10and the piston30. When the fluid displaces the valve closure element to the open position, fluid communication is established between the inlet14and the body cavity16. The body cavity16is the space between the inlet14and the exit holes22and is bounded by the annular body wall23. Fluid communication is provided between the body cavity16and the annular space26by the exit holes22. The body cavity16and the annular space26are separated by the annular body wall23. The annular body wall23includes an inner annular body wall surface24and an outer annular body wall surface25. The body cavity16and the annular space26contact opposing surfaces of the annular body wall23. A flow path from the inlet14to the outlet50or outlet aperture may be such that a fluid traveling along the flow path comes into contact substantially only with the body10, the piston30, and the outlet housing38. This description of the layout of spaces, walls, and surfaces within the relief valve6is applicable to other embodiments described herein.

The relief valve6may include a manual release mechanism which may be in the form of a pull rod64and pull ring68. The manual release mechanism functions by application of a manual force to overcome the valve closing force of the valve closure element.

FIGS. 2 and 3show a relief valve58that includes a body10′ that defines an inlet14′, a body cavity16′, exit holes22′, and an annular body wall23′. The body10′ does not define a shoulder or an annular space. The body10′ is monolithic. The exit holes22′ are disposed within the annular body wall23′. The annular body wall23′ has an inner annular body wall surface24′ and an outer annular body wall surface25′. The outer annular body wall surface25is substantially cylindrical. A valve closure element in the form of a piston30′ and spring34′ is arranged within the body10′. The piston30′ and spring34′ are arranged along an axial direction100. The spring34′ may be retained at an end opposite the piston30′ by a spring adjustment mechanism36′ (e.g., an adjustable screw). The relief valve58is shown in an open position.

An outlet housing38′ is coupled to the body10′ and arranged to rotate three-hundred-sixty degrees (360°) thereabout. The outlet housing38′ defines an annular outlet housing wall42′ that defines two or more o-ring channels47and an annular space26′ that is sealed relative to the body10′ by o-rings46′ disposed in the o-ring channels47and includes an outlet50′ (for example, an outlet aperture). In certain embodiments, the outlet50′ or outlet aperture may be threaded. The outer annular body wall surface25′ can abut the annular space26′. It should be appreciated that defining the two or more o-ring channels47and the annular space26′ within the outlet housing38′ and abutting the o-ring channels47and the annular space26′ with the outer annular body wall surface25′ enables machining of the annular space from a substantially cylindrical part to form the outlet housing38′ without the need to machine the substantially cylindrical outer annular body wall surface25′. The outlet housing38′ is retained to the body10′ by two retainer clips54′.

The relief valve58may include a manual release mechanism which may be in the form of a pull rod and pull pin. The manual release mechanism functions by application of a manual force to overcome the sealing force of the valve closure element. The construction of the manual release mechanism is not limiting within the scope of the present invention.

The function of the relief valve58is the same as that described in reference toFIG. 1. A flow path from the inlet14′ to the outlet50′ or outlet aperture may be such that a fluid traveling along the flow path comes into contact substantially only with the body10′, the piston,30′, and the outlet housing38′.

FIG. 4shows a relief valve66that includes a body10″ that defines an inlet14″, a shoulder18″, exit holes22″, and annular body wall23″ and an annular space26″, The body10″ is monolithic. The exit holes22″ are disposed within the annular body wall23″. A threaded bonnet70is threadingly coupled to the body10″ and defines a bonnet shoulder72. A valve closure element in the form of a piston30″ and a spring34″ is arranged within the body10″ and the bonnet70and a bonnet insert74is arranged to adjust the relief valve66. The piston30″ and spring34″ are arranged along an axial direction100. The spring34″ may be retained at an end opposite the piston30″ by a spring adjustment mechanism36″ (e.g., an adjustable bonnet insert). The relief valve66is shown in a closed position.

An outlet housing38″ is coupled to the body10″ and arranged to rotate three-hundred-sixty degrees (360°) thereabout. The outlet housing38″ defines an annular outlet housing wall42″ that is sealed relative to the body10″ by o-rings46″ and includes an outlet50″ (for example, an outlet aperture). In certain embodiments, the outlet50″ or outlet aperture may be threaded. The outlet housing38″ is retained to the body10″ by the shoulder18″ and the bonnet shoulder72. A lock screw78is arranged through the annular outlet housing wall42″ to maintain the outlet housing38″ is a consistent position relative to the body10″, as desired.

The function of the relief valve66is the same as that described in reference toFIG. 1, A flow path from the inlet14″ to the outlet50″ or outlet aperture may be such that a fluid traveling along the flow path comes into contact substantially only with the body10″, the piston30″, and the outlet housing38″.

FIGS. 5-8show a relief valve82that includes a body10″′ that defines an inlet14″′, a shoulder18″′, exit holes22″, and an annular body wall23″″. The body10″′ is monolithic. The exit holes22″′ are disposed within the annular body wall23″′ A valve closure element in the form of a piston30″′ and a spring34″′ is arranged within the body10′″. The piston30″′ and spring34″′ are arranged along an axial direction100. The spring is retained at an end opposite the piston by a spring adjustment mechanism36′ (for example, an adjustable screw). An outlet housing38″′ is coupled to the body10″′ and arranged to rotate three-hundred-sixty degrees (360°) thereabout. The outlet housing38″′ defines an annular outlet housing wall42″′ that defines an annular space62″′ that is sealed relative to the body10″′ by o-rings46″′ and includes an outlet50″′ (for example, an outlet aperture). In certain embodiments, the outlet50″′ or outlet aperture may be threaded. The outlet housing38″′ is retained to the body10″′ by a threaded lock nut86. InFIGS. 6 and 8, the relief valve82is shown in a closed position.FIG. 8is a section view of the valve ofFIG. 7taken along line8-8ofFIG. 7.

The function of the relief valve82is the same as that described in reference toFIG. 1. A flow path from the inlet14″ to the outlet50″′ or outlet aperture may be such that a fluid traveling along the flow path comes into contact substantially only with the body10″′, the piston30″′, and the outlet housing38″′.

FIG. 9shows a relief valve90that includes a body that is not monolithic and comprises a first body element92and a second body element94. The first body element92defines an inlet114. The second body element94is threadingly coupled to the first body element92and defines a shoulder118, exit holes122, an annular body wall123, and an annular space126. The exit holes122are disposed within the annular body wall123. A valve closure element in the form of a piston130, a stabilizing element133, and a spring134is arranged within the first body element92and the second body element94. The piston130, stabilizing element133, and spring134are arranged along an axial direction100. The relief valve90is shown in a closed position. An outlet housing138is coupled to the body110and arranged to rotate three-hundred-sixty degrees (360°) thereabout. The outlet housing138defines an annular outlet housing wall142that is sealed relative to the body110by o-rings146and includes an outlet150′ (for example, an outlet aperture). In certain embodiments, the outlet150or outlet aperture may be threaded. The outlet housing138is retained to the body110by the shoulder118and a retainer clip154.

The function of the relief valve90is the same as that described in reference toFIG. 1. A flow path from the inlet114to the outlet150or outlet aperture may be such that a fluid traveling along the flow path comes into contact substantially only with the first body element92, the second body element94, the piston,130, and the outlet housing138. In certain embodiments, a fluid traveling along the flow path comes into contact with the stabilizing element133and the spring134.

FIG. 10shows a relief valve200that includes a body that is not monolithic and comprises a first body element92′ and a second body element94′. The first body element92′ defines an inlet114′ and a shoulder118′. The second body element94′ is threadingly coupled to the first body element92′ and defines exit holes122′, an annular body wall123′, and an annular space126′. The exit holes122are disposed within the annular body wall123′. A valve closure element in the form of a piston130′, a stabilizing element133′, and a spring134′ is arranged within the first body element92′ and the second body element94′. The piston130′, stabilizing element133′, and spring134′ are arranged along an axial direction100. The relief valve200is shown in a closed position. An outlet housing138′ is coupled to the body110′ and arranged to rotate three-hundred-sixty degrees (360°) thereabout. The outlet housing138′ defines an annular outlet housing wall142′ that is sealed relative to the body110′ by o-rings146′ and includes an outlet150′ (for example, an outlet aperture). In certain embodiments, the outlet150′ or outlet aperture may be threaded. The outlet housing138′ is retained to the body110′ by the shoulder118′ and a lock nut186′.

The function of the relief valve200is the same as that described in reference toFIG. 1. A flow path from the inlet114′ to the outlet150′ or outlet aperture may be such that a fluid traveling along the flow path comes into contact substantially only with the first body element92′, the second body element94′, the piston,130′, and the outlet housing138′. In certain embodiments, a fluid traveling along the flow path comes into contact with the stabilizing element133′ and the spring134′.

FIG. 11shows a relief valve204that includes a body that is not monolithic and comprises a first body element92″ and a second body element94″. The first body element92″ defines an inlet114″. The second body element94″ is threadingly coupled to the first body element92″ and defines a shoulder118″, exit holes122″, an annular body wall123″, and an annular space126″. The exit holes122″ are disposed within the annular body wall123″. A valve closure element in the form of a piston130″, a stabilizing element133′, and a spring134″ are arranged within the first body element92″ and the second body element94′. The piston130″, stabilizing element133″, and spring134″ are arranged along an axial direction100. The relief valve204is shown in a closed position. An outlet housing138″ is coupled to the upper body94″ and arranged to rotate three-hundred-sixty degrees (360°) thereabout. The outlet housing138″ defines an annular outlet housing wall142″ that is sealed relative to the body110″ by o-rings146″ and includes an outlet150″ (for example, an outlet aperture). In certain embodiments, the outlet150″ or outlet aperture may be threaded. The outlet housing138″ is retained to the body110″ by the shoulder118″ and a lock nut186″.

The function of the relief valve200is the same as that described in reference toFIG. 1. A flow path from the inlet114″ to the outlet150″ or outlet aperture may be such that a fluid traveling along the flow path comes into contact substantially only with the first body element92″, the second body element94″, the piston,130″, and the outlet housing138″. In certain embodiments, a fluid traveling along the flow path comes into contact with the stabilizing element133″ and the spring134″.

FIG. 12shows a relief valve208that includes a body that is not monolithic and comprises a first body element292and a second body element294, The first body element292defines an inlet214and a shoulder218. The second body element294is threadingly coupled to the first body element292and defines exit holes222, an annular body wall223, and an annular space226. The exit holes222are disposed within the annular body wall223. A valve closure element in the form of a piston230, a stabilizing element233, and a spring234are arranged within the first body element292and the second body element294. The piston230, stabilizing element233, and spring234are arranged along an axial direction100. The relief valve208is shown in a closed position. An outlet housing238is coupled to the body and arranged to rotate three-hundred-sixty degrees (360°) thereabout. The outlet housing238defines an annular outlet housing wall242that is sealed relative to the body210by o-rings246and includes an outlet250(for example, an outlet aperture). In certain embodiments, the outlet250or outlet aperture may be threaded. The outlet housing238is retained to the body210by the shoulder218and a lock nut286.

The function of the relief valve200is the same as that described in reference toFIG. 1. A flow path from the inlet214to the outlet250or outlet aperture may be such that a fluid traveling along the flow path comes into contact substantially only with the first body element92′, the second body element294, the piston,230, and the outlet housing238, In certain embodiments, a fluid traveling along the flow path comes into contact with the stabilizing element233and the spring234.

FIG. 13shows a relief valve209that includes a body that is not monolithic and comprises a first body element292′ and a second body element294′. The first body element292′ defines an inlet214′. The second body element294′ is threadingly coupled to the first body element292′ and defines a shoulder218′, exit holes222′, an annular body wall223′, and an annular space226′. The exit holes222′ are disposed within the annular body wall223′. A valve closure element in the form of a piston230′, a stabilizing element233, and spring234′ is arranged within the first body element292′ and the second body element294′. The piston230′, stabilizing element233′, and spring234′ are arranged along an axial direction100. The relief valve209is shown in a closed position. An outlet housing238′ is coupled to the upper body294′ and arranged to rotate three-hundred-sixty degrees (360°) thereabout. The outlet housing238′ defines an annular outlet housing wall242′ that is sealed relative to the body210′ by o-rings246′ and includes an outlet250′ (for example, an outlet aperture). In certain embodiments, the outlet250′ or outlet aperture may be threaded. The outlet housing238′ is retained to the body210′ by the shoulder218′ and a retainer clip254′. A lock screw278′ is arranged through the annular outlet housing wall242′ to maintain the outlet housing238′ is a consistent position relative to the body210′, as desired.

The body10,10′,10″,10″′ or first body element92,92′,92″,292can include a coupling mechanism for coupling to an inlet stub that provides fluid pressure. In certain embodiments, referring toFIG. 9, but not limiting to that embodiment, the coupling mechanism can include one or more coupling mechanism threaded sections27for threadingly coupling the body10to an inlet stub. In certain embodiments, referring toFIG. 9, but not limiting to that embodiment, the coupling mechanism can include one or more coupling mechanism o-rings28for sealing the body10to an inlet stub. A person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there are alternative coupling mechanisms to those shown in the figures. In certain embodiments, the coupling mechanism requires a corresponding part on the inlet stub in order to establish a proper seal. In certain embodiments, the coupling mechanism provides a fluid-tight seal between the inlet stub and the body. The certain embodiments, the fluid-tight seal has a fail pressure of at least about the opening pressure.

The inlet connection of the illustrated relief valves is integral to the body. The outlet is part of a separate housing that slips over the body so that the outlet housing can rotate about the centerline of the body. The body contains all necessary components essential to a pressure relief valve and is fully functional without the outlet housing. The body has multiple discharge holes that are about the circumference of its outer diameter. Therefore, the discharge by the assembly without the outlet housing is multidirectional radially about the relief valve. This relief valve, arranged with no outlet housing, is fully functional and can be used as such in applications not requiring discharge in one direction. In embodiments shown inFIGS. 1, 2, and 5-13the outlet housing may be removed or replaced without releasing pressure on the valve closure element.

The discharge holes in the body are aligned with an internal annular cavity designed into the outlet housing which allows for a smooth, uniform, and ample flow space to flow the discharge. The outlet housing may have only one outlet hole which is connected to the annular flow cavity in the interior of housing (or on the outside of the body), as desired.

The outlet housing pivots about the body while riding on two o-rings (alternately the smooth rotation can be achieved with two rows of ball bearings) which also provide a seal between the body and the housing in two places on either side of the flow cavity. When installing, the body's inlet is screwed into the piping installation snuggly. After valve inlet installation, the floating/pivoting housing can be rotated to its desired direction then held in position with a locking mechanism (e.g., a set screw or a lock nut).

This invention allows a decoupling of positions of inlet versus outlet when installed. An installer can rotate the valve relief exhaust in any direction around the centerline of the relief valve after installation without tampering with the inlet installation. In some installations, the seals may be changed for another type as is known in the art. For example, cryogenic applications may require a different sealing arrangement as o-rings are often not suitable.

Other constructions are possible in view of the following claims.