Relief valve

A relief valve provides pressure relief when a fluid line exceeds a predetermined pressure. The valve includes a body which defines a cavity between inlet and outlet flowpaths. The valve includes a lever arm, which pivots around a pivot point as the valve changes between open and closed positions. A plunger assembly is disposed in the cavity and seals the cavity from the inlet and outlet flowpaths in the closed position. Fluid pressure from the inlet flow path causes the plunger assembly to contact the lever arm to urge the lever arm to rotate. The lever arm engages a spring at a further distance from the pivot point than the plunger assembly, the spring resisting pivoting of the lever arm and urging the valve to remain in the closed position unless a predetermined pressure is exceeded.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The subject disclosure relates to fluid control valves and more particularly to relief valves within high pressure systems, such as fire protection systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY

Fire protection systems for buildings generally include water supply and distribution systems for supplying water to sprinklers, or similar mechanisms, throughout a building. Pressure relief valves are included on the distribution systems to prevent unwanted pressure from building up and potentially damaging pipes, valves, or other parts of the fire protection system. Pressure relief valves generally remain closed when the local pressure is under a set threshold for the valve. When the pressure exceeds the threshold, the valve opens and fluid passes through the valve to drain out of the system, relieving pressure within the fire protection system.

As fire protection systems have become rated for higher pressures, there has become a need for higher pressure rated pressure relief valves for such systems. However, existing pressure relief valves have difficulty functioning within a high pressure fire protection system (e.g. 300 PSI) in such a way that the relief valves remain closed during normal operation while still reliably opening at pressure significantly exceeding the operating pressure of the system.

Further, testing for fire protection systems typically includes testing the system at a significantly higher pressure than the normal operation pressure to ensure safe, leak free operation. Testing the system at a high pressure can be difficult when the system includes numerous pressure relief valves, as the pressure relief valves are normally designed to open under high pressure, allowing fluid to pass to a drain to prevent the system from exceeding a set pressure. One way to avoid pressure relief valves opening during testing is to remove the pressure relief valves from the system entirely, but this can be extremely time consuming and can require draining the entire system. Alternatively, the system can be tested before any pressure relief valves are installed, but this requires changes to the initial installation that must be reversed after testing and does not allow for future testing. Another approach has been to include an additional valve between each pressure relief valve and the main water distribution line which can be closed to isolate the pressure relief valve from the water distribution line. This approach suffers from the drawback that a dedicated valve is required for each pressure relief valve, increasing cost and complexity of the system.

SUMMARY OF THE TECHNOLOGY

As such, there is a need for a fire protection valve that is affordable, effective in high pressure systems, and allows for easy testing of the fire protection system without requiring additional work and/or system components.

In light of the needs described above, in at least one aspect, the subject technology relates to a relief valve which can be used in a fire protection system, or other system, that is capable of operating within high pressure systems while still allowing for easy testing.

In at least one aspect, the subject technology relates to a relief valve. A body defines an adaptor opening with a bottom surface, an inlet flowpath at the bottom surface, and an outlet flowpath at the bottom surface. A flexible disk is located against the bottom surface for selectively sealing fluid communication between the inlet flowpath and the outlet flowpath. A support member is secured to the body and has a planar portion defining a proximal spring rod opening and a distal passthrough, and a distal portion forming a fulcrum plate. An adaptor is secured in the adaptor opening and through the distal passthrough. A plunger has a top end is slidably mounted within the adaptor and a lower plunger head in a cavity formed by the adaptor and against the flexible disk. An actuating lever arm has a planar portion against the top end of the plunger, a distal end pivotally coupled to the fulcrum plate and a proximal end defining a spring rod hole. A spring rod passes through the spring rod opening of the support member and the spring rod hole of the actuating lever arm. The spring rod has a lock nut on a first end a forms a screwhead on a second end. A spring extends between the actuating lever arm and the lock nut. In a closed position, the spring exerts a closing force on the actuating lever arm so that the actuating lever arm presses the plunger head against the flexible disk to seal the inlet flowpath and the outlet flowpath. In an open position, fluid passing into the inlet flowpath deforms the flexible disk so that the outlet flowpath is in fluid communication with the inlet flowpath and the plunger moves the lever arm by overcoming the closing force.

In some embodiments, the valve includes a lockout lever arm having a spring rod bore, wherein the spring rod passes through the spring rod bore of the lockout lever arm for securing the lockout lever arm to the fulcrum plate. In a lockout position, the lockout lever arm is moved to pull the spring rod causing further compression of the spring to increase a cracking pressure of the relief valve. In some cases, a cover is coupled to the actuating lever arm, the cover configured to protect the spring, plunger and actuating lever arm from dust.

In some embodiments, the valve includes a tool extending between the cover and the lockout lever arm for setting the lockout position, the lockout position maintaining the spring in a compressed configuration when the valve is in the closed position. The tool can be selected from the group consisting of a hex wrench, a tie wrap, and a screwdriver. In some cases, a cover is coupled to the actuating lever arm, the cover configured such that, in a flush position, manually moving the cover causes a corresponding movement in the actuating lever arm which manually moves the valve into the open position. In some cases, when the cover is released, the valve returns to the closed position. In some cases, adjustment of the lock nut on the spring rod varies a compression of the spring to adjust a cracking pressure of the relief valve.

In at least one aspect, the subject technology relates to a relief valve. A body defines a cavity, an inlet flowpath fluidly connected to the cavity via a first opening in a bottom surface of the cavity and an outlet flowpath fluidly connected to the cavity via a second opening in the bottom surface of the cavity. A lever arm is pivotally coupled to the body to pivot around a pivot point between a closed position and an open position of the valve. A spring surrounds a spring rod and engages the lever arm at a first distance from the pivot point to compress when the lever arm pivots around the pivot point such that a compression force of the spring resists pivoting of the lever arm from the closed position to the open position. A plunger assembly is disposed within the cavity which includes a plunger and a disk, the disk proximal the bottom surface of the cavity. The plunger has a first end proximal the disk and a second end proximal a contact point of the lever arm such that a fluid pressure through the inlet flowpath acts on the disk to urge the plunger to contact the lever arm at the contact point to pivot the lever arm from the closed position to the open position. The contact point of the lever arm is at a second distance from the pivot point, the first distance being greater than the second distance. The plunger assembly seals the first and second openings with the disk when the lever arm is in the closed position and is movable to allow fluid to pass between the inlet flowpath and outlet flowpath when the lever arm is in the open position.

In some embodiments, the disk is a flexible membrane configured to flex in response to the fluid pressure through the inlet flowpath, forcing the lever arm into the open position when a predetermined pressure is exceeded to allow fluid to flow into the cavity and pass between the inlet flowpath and the outlet flowpath. In some cases, the valve includes a protective cover housing the spring, spring rod, and lever arm, the protective cover connected to the lever arm to move in unison with the lever arm such that lifting the protective cover causes the lever arm to move from the closed position to the open position.

In some embodiments, a lockout lever arm is pivotally connected to the spring rod to move between a default position and a compressed position. In the default position, the spring is configured to compress in response to a predetermined inlet pressure. In the compressed position, the spring is further compressed with respect to the default position to increase a cracking pressure of the valve for testing. In some cases, the lockout lever arm includes a distal end distal to the spring rod, the distal end exposed through a passage in the cover and configured to be attached to the housing to retain the lockout lever arm in the compressed position. In some cases, the second opening is centrally positioned within the cavity and the first opening is ring-shaped and surrounds the second opening.

In at least one aspect, the subject technology relates to a relief valve. A body defines a cavity, an inlet flowpath, and an outlet flowpath, the cavity fluidly connecting the inlet flowpath and the outlet flowpath. A lever arm is pivotally coupled to the body to pivot around a pivot point between a closed position and an open position of the valve. A spring engages the lever arm at a first distance from the pivot point to compress when the lever arm pivots around the pivot point such that a compression force of the spring resists pivoting of the lever arm from the closed position to the open position. A plunger assembly is disposed within the cavity, the plunger assembly including a first end sealing the cavity from the inlet flowpath and the outlet flowpath in the closed position. A second end of the plunger assembly is proximal a contact point of the lever arm. The plunger assembly is positioned to contact the contact point and urge the lever arm to pivot from the closed position to the open position in response to a fluid pressure from the inlet flowpath such that the plunger allows fluid to pass through the cavity between the inlet flowpath and outlet flowpath. The contact point is a second distance from the pivot point, the first distance being greater than the second distance.

In some embodiments, the first end of the a plunger assembly includes a disk, the disk being a flexible membrane configured to flex in response to the fluid pressure through the inlet flowpath, forcing the lever arm into the open position to allow fluid to flow into the cavity and pass between the inlet flowpath and the outlet flowpath. In some cases, the inlet flowpath is fluidly connected to the cavity via a first opening in a bottom surface of the cavity. The outlet flowpath can be fluidly connected to the cavity via a second opening in the bottom surface of the cavity.

In some embodiments, the second opening is centrally positioned within the cavity. The first opening can then be ring-shaped, surrounding the second opening. In some cases the relief valve includes a covering housing the relief valve, including the body, lever arm, spring, and plunger assembly. In some cases, the compression force of the spring is based on an expected pressure within a fire protection system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject technology overcomes many of the prior art problems associated with relief valves. In brief summary, the subject technology provides a reliable, high pressure rated relief valve with a lockout feature. The advantages, and other features of the systems and methods disclosed herein, will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings which set forth representative embodiments of the subject technology. Like reference numerals are used herein to denote like parts. Further, words denoting orientation such as “upper”, “lower”, “distal”, and “proximal” are merely used to help describe the location of components with respect to one another. For example, an “upper” surface of a part is merely meant to describe a surface that is separate from the “lower” surface of that same part. No words denoting orientation are used to describe an absolute orientation (i.e. where an “upper” part must always be at a higher elevation).

Referring now toFIG. 1, a perspective view of a relief valve100in accordance with the subject technology is shown. The valve100has a body102which includes an inlet104and an outlet106. The inlet104connects to a water pipe of a fire protection system (not distinctly shown), and forms an inlet flowpath108from the fire protection system into the valve100. The outlet106connects to a drain pipe (not distinctly shown) or the like, forming an outlet flowpath110which passes water from the valve100to a drain. A cover112provides a protective housing for the inner workings of the valve100, and also functions as part of a lockout feature, as will be discussed in more detail below. A faceplate105is secured to the top of the cover112by a screw103. The faceplate105can include information about the valve100, such the valve specifications, the valve manufacturer, a logo, or the like (not distinctly shown). Notably, while a fire protection system is used herein by way of example, it should be understood that the valve is equally suited for other systems, and particularly other high pressure water distribution systems.

Referring now toFIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B, vertical cross-sectional views from the center of the relief valve100are shown. InFIGS. 2A-2B, the valve100is shown in a closed position, while inFIGS. 3A-3Bthe valve100is shown in an open position with the lever arm128rotated upward, as will be discussed in more detail below. For clarity, exploded views of the valve100components can be seen inFIGS. 6A-6B.

The valve100includes a plunger assembly120with a disk126, and a plunger117comprising a plunger stem118and a plunger head124. An adaptor116within the valve body102has an upper section113that forms a passage114which guides vertical movement of the stem118. The passage114and plunger117are sized and configured to create ample freedom of movement with robust repeatability without finicky alignment or a requirement of a large spring load.

The adaptor116also includes a lower section115which forms a circular cavity122. Flow through the valve body102is controlled by the positioning the plunger assembly120within the cavity122. In one embodiment, the adaptor116is integral with the valve body102. As shown, the adaptor116threads into an opening117formed in the valve body102. The adaptor116also has an upper flange119.

The plunger assembly120includes a circular disk126, adjacent to the plunger head124and fixed within the cavity122between the plunger head124and a seat surface129of the body102. The lower section115of the adaptor116is shaped as a circular ring. Thus, as the adaptor116is threaded into the valve body102, the lower section115presses the periphery of the disk126against the seat surface129to fix the disk126in place. As a result, the disk126is robustly sealed in place about the openings109,111for very high pressure applications. Additionally, the disk126seals the moving parts (e.g., spring130, lever arm128, plunger head124etc.) so that the moving parts are not exposed to water. As best seen inFIG. 3B, when the disk126flexes upward, a flowpath portion123of the cavity122is formed to create the fluid communication between the inlet flowpath108and the outlet flowpath110. Still further, the disk126is set so that risk of damage during hydro testing is reduced.

The disk126selectively seals the opening109to the inlet flowpath108and the opening111to the outlet flowpath110. As best seen inFIGS. 2A and 3A, the openings109,111into the cavity122are necked down compared to the respective inlet flowpath108and outlet flowpath110. As best seen inFIG. 5, the inlet opening109forms an annular trough and the outlet opening111is a smaller circle centered in the inlet opening109. However, there is still a large effective diaphragm area for opening the valve100by deflecting the disk126for opening pressure accuracy with the smaller diameter outlet opening111for faster reseating performance.

The disk126can be a rubber silicone, or the like, and forms a flexible membrane. In the closed position (FIGS. 2A-2B), the plunger head124of the plunger assembly120holds the disk126against the seat surface129of the cavity122to seal the opening109to the inlet flowpath108and opening111to the outlet flowpath110such that fluid does not pass through the valve body102. During normal operation, when the pressure in the inlet channel108exceeds a predetermined cracking pressure for the valve100, the valve100is forced into the open position (FIGS. 3A-3B). In such a case as sown inFIGS. 3A and 3B, fluid from the inlet channel108applies pressure to the disk126, causing the disk126to flex and move the plunger assembly120upward, creating a fluid connection through the cavity122between the openings of the inlet flowpath108and the outlet flowpath110. Fluid can then pass from the inlet flowpath108, underneath the flexed disk126, and to the outlet flowpath110to a drain. Notably, while the use of the disk126has been found to be advantageous, it should be noted that the disk126need not be used in all cases, and other mechanisms can be used to create a seal between the inlet and outlet flowpaths108,110when the valve100is in the closed position.

Being designed for pressure relief, the valve100is configured to open, during normal operation, once pressure within the fire protection system (from the inlet flowpath108) exceeds a predetermined pressure. In particular, the valve100is designed for use in a high pressure fire protection system (i.e. greater than 300 PSI), and therefore is configured to open only if the current pressure is greater than the expected operating pressure of the system by a reasonable margin. To help ensure that the valve100remains closed even when exposed to the high operating pressure of the system, a lever arm128is used in combination with a spring130.

The spring130is positioned around a spring rod132, which guides movement of the spring130along the elongated length of the spring rod132. The spring rod132is fixedly connected to the valve body102by a support member134. The spring rod132passes through a bore149in the support member134and a bore151in the lever arm128. The support member134can be secured between the valve body102and the adaptor116such that the support member134is held in a fixed orientation with respect to the valve body102. Preferably, the adaptor116passes through a large hole147in the support member134. A flange119on the adaptor116captures the plate134against the valve body102. The spring rod132is positioned on a first side of the plunger assembly120, while the support member134forms a fulcrum plate136on the second, opposite side of the plunger assembly120. The lever arm128has arms138seated in slots139in the fulcrum plate136to pivot vertically, with the fulcrum plate136as a fixed pivot point. The lever arm128extends between the fulcrum plate136and the spring130. A second end140of the lever arm128is configured to engage a spring end fixture131coupled to the spring130such that the spring130resists vertical movement of the lever arm128.

The top141of the plunger assembly128contacts an intermediate location142of the lever arm128, between the fulcrum plate136and the spring130. Therefore, when the plunger assembly120is forced upwards by fluid pressure from the inlet flowpath108, the plunger assembly120contacts the lever arm128and urges the lever arm128to rotate vertically around the fulcrum plate136. The upward force from the rotation of the lever arm128then urges the spring130to compress against an upper lock nut144. Thus, the compression force of the spring130resists the pivoting motion of the lever arm128and maintains the valve100in the closed position unless the compression force of the spring130is overcome. Adjustments can be made to the lock nut144or spring rod132to increase or decrease the compression of the spring130in an at rest position, changing the cracking pressure required within the inlet108to open the valve100. The spring130is shown at a default, exemplary level of compression inFIGS. 2A, 3A.

The positioning of the lever arm128provides a much greater moment at the spring130than at the plunger assembly120for the same amount of force. This is accomplished through the differences in where the spring130and plunger assembly120contact the lever arm128, with respect to the fulcrum plate136, which acts as the hinge for the lever arm128. The spring130contacts the lever arm128at the end140furthest from the fulcrum plate136, while the plunger assembly120contacts the lever arm128at an intermediate point142on the lever arm128. Therefore, the force from the plunger assembly120, as a result of fluid pressure from the inlet flowpath108, acts on the lever arm128at a much shorter distance D1from the fulcrum plate136than the distance D2between the fulcrum plate136and the spring130. The spring130is able to match the moment in the lever arm128with a much smaller force than that applied to the lever arm128by the plunger assembly120. This way, the valve100can maintain a closed position even when the pressure within the inlet flowpath108would ordinarily cause the spring130to compress in the case where no lever arm128were implemented. This advantageous positioning eliminates the need to provide a significantly more robust spring, or implement alternative options that could result in a costly and/or cumbersome valve, to allow the valve100to effectively operate effectively in a high pressure environment.

Referring now toFIGS. 4A, 4B, perspective views of a fire protection valve100in accordance with the subject technology are shown. The fire protection valve100can be configured in accordance with the valves100discussed above, except as otherwise shown and described herein. As shown inFIGS. 4A, 4B, the valve100is in the closed position, and inFIG. 4B, a hex wrench402and tie wrap404are interlocked with the valve100to lock-out the valve100, preventing the valve100from opening during testing of a fire protection system.

As can be seen inFIGS. 1-4B, the valve cover112engages with the lever arm128. In particular, the end140of the lever arm128forms two pins146which are seated within guide slots148of the cover112, on the side of the cover112proximal the spring130. On the same side of the cover112, a tailgate150extends outwardly. When the valve100moves from the closed position ofFIG. 2Ato the open position ofFIG. 3A, the pins146of the lever arm128act on the guides148of the cover112such that the cover112pivots upwards with the lever arm128. In another embodiment, the guide slots148are sized so that the pins146simply move within the slots148and the cover remains stationary.

The pins146of the lever arm128being engaged in the slots148of the tailgate150allows the valve100to be manually flushed by lifting the tailgate150, which in turn lifts the lever arm128and allows the plunger117to move upward so that the disk126can easily deflect to open the valve100. Manual flushing by lifting the tailgate150can help quickly and efficiently clear the valve100of debris, and/or ensure that the valve100has not become stuck during an extended period of non-use.

The valve100also includes a lower lockout lever arm152, which extends, at a distal side154(with respect to the valve body102), out of a passage155in the cover112adjacent to the tailgate150. On a proximal side156of the lockout lever arm152, the spring rod132runs through a spring rod bore158of the lockout lever arm152. A wide lower bolthead160of the spring rod132secures the lockout lever arm152between the support member134and the spring rod132. As the bolthead160is normally biased upward by the spring130, the proximal side156of the lockout lever arm152is also normally biased upward.

In order to lockout the valve100, the lockout lever arm152is moved upwards at the distal side154, causing proximal side156of the lockout lever arm152to pivot downward, with the end135of the support member134acting as an intermediate pivot point. The downward motion of the proximal side156of the lockout lever arm152pulls the spring rod bolthead160down, further compressing the spring130against the lever arm128. The hex wrench402can then be inserted between the tailgate150and the distal end154of the lockout lever arm152to maintain this position. With the spring130compressed in this manner, the cracking pressure required from the inlet flowpath108to move the lever arm128, and thus the spring130, is greater. Therefore, the valve100can be locked out in this manner, increasing the cracking pressure above the test pressure required for testing the high pressure relief valve100. The system can then be tested at a high pressure above the set cracking pressure without risk of the valve100opening.

Notably, while a hex rod402is given as an exemplary tool for locking out the valve100, it should be understood that other functionally similar tools could also be used. For example, a screwdriver, bar, or other device could be inserted between the lockout lever arm152and tailgate150to hold the lockout lever arm152in the elevated, locked out state. The tailgate150also includes a support bar162and the lockout lever arm152includes an aperture164on the distal side154. As an additional or alternative lock out mechanism, the tie wrap404shown inFIG. 4Bcan be included. The tie wrap404loops through the aperture164in the lever arm152and around the support bar162, locking with itself to hold the lockout lever arm152in the elevated position with respect to the tailgate150. Notably, while the tie wrap404is shown as being used in addition to the hex wrench402inFIG. 4b, it should be understood that the tie wrap404, or similar looping mechanism, could also be used as an alternative to the hex wrench402. It is noteworthy that when the hex rod402and/or tie wrap404are removed, the valve automatically returns to the nominal setting without further user intervention.

Referring now toFIG. 5, a horizontal cross section of the valve body102taken from just below the cavity122is shown. The inlet flowpath108feeds into the cavity122through the inlet opening166in the valve body102. Fluid can then flow out of the cavity122by entering the outlet flowpath110through the outlet opening168. Notably, it can be a challenge to balance the flow of liquid into the cavity122from the inlet flowpath108and the flow of liquid out of the cavity122through outlet flowpath110, since it is difficult for both flowpaths108,110to feed to or from the center of the disk126and cavity122. As such, in the example given, the outlet opening168is circular and positioned in the center of the valve body102, which is also centrally within the cavity122. The inlet opening166is ring-shaped, such that pressure from the inlet flowpath108acts on an extensive area of the disk126. Further, the position of the inlet opening166, surrounding the entire centrally placed outlet opening168, allows pressure from the inlet flowpath108to act around the center of the disk126, causing the disk126to flex and expand uniformly around the center while fluid can still easily flow between the inlet flowpath108and outlet flowpath110.

Further, it should be noted that the tailgate150, and related lockout and flush capabilities as shown and described in the above exemplary embodiments are optional features which need not be included in all cases. For example, in another embodiment, no tailgate150is included. The cover112still includes a passage155and support member134extends outward therefrom, adjacent to lower lockout lever arm152. The distal side154of the lockout lower lever arm152includes a downward bend spaced from the support member134. Manually pushing the downward bend on the distal side154upwards, such that the downward bend approaches support member134, causes the lockout lever arm152to pivot around a contact point with the support member134. This moves the bolthead160downward to further compress the spring130, increasing the cracking pressure required to open the valve100. The pivoting motion of the lower lockout lever arm152also causes the proximal side156of the lower lockout lever arm152to separate from the support member134. The cover112can include an opening adjacent the area of the separation. A tool can then be inserted into the opening such that the tool is wedged between the support member134and the proximal side156of the lower lockout lever arm152to maintain the separation, ensuring increased cracking pressure during testing. Alternatively, the support member134includes an aperture so that a tie wrap can be used to retain the lever arm152in the locked out position. Further, the valve100may also include an extension of lever arm128which extends past the spring130and protrudes from the passage155, such that the extension is accessible to a user. The extension of the lever arm128may then be lifted manually to flush the valve100. Releasing the extension of the lever arm128will then allow the valve100to return to its normal position.

All orientations and arrangements of the components shown herein are used by way of example only. Further, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art that the functions of several elements may, in alternative embodiments, be carried out by fewer elements or a single element. Similarly, in some embodiments, any functional element may perform fewer, or different, operations than those described with respect to the illustrated embodiment. Also, functional elements shown as distinct for purposes of illustration may be incorporated within other functional elements in a particular implementation.

While the subject technology has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the subject technology without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject technology. For example, each claim may depend from any or all claims in a multiple dependent manner even though such has not been originally claimed.