Abstract:
A modular relief valve having an increased number of exhaust passages is provided. The modular configuration allows for the entire relief valve to be installed as a unit into the relief valve cavity on a service valve. The relief valve includes at least two exhaust passages. The additional passages allow a greater flow rate than traditional relief valves.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This application relates to a relief valve for a service valve for a pressurized gas cylinder and, more specifically, to a relief valve structured to allow a greater flow rate for use in multiple cylinder/gas applications than relief valves presently in use. 
         [0003]    2. Background Information 
         [0004]    Pressurized gas cylinders are well known and the population of pressurized gas cylinders in use in the United States is estimated to be about sixty million cylinders. A “family” of similar cylinders are structured, i.e. sized and designed to withstand a predetermined pressure, etc., to be used with a limited number of gasses stored at a pressure in a limited range. Cylinders within such a family have substantially similar characteristics; e.g. a similar radius and a similar coupling for a service valve. As such, the service valves for cylinders within a family must also be substantially similar, e.g. have a threaded neck structured to be coupled to any cylinder in the family. Thus, the service valves for a family of cylinders have similar dimensions as well. 
         [0005]    The service valve includes a body and a valve assembly and may include a relief valve. The service valve body defines a primary fluid passage with a valve seat about the primary fluid passage, a primary exhaust passage, a valve assembly cavity, and a relief valve cavity. The primary fluid passage and the primary exhaust passage are in fluid communication via the valve assembly cavity. The valve assembly is disposed in the valve assembly cavity. The valve assembly has a valve member structured to move between two positions, a first, closed position, wherein the valve member sealingly engages the valve seat preventing fluid from passing past the valve member, and a second, open position, wherein the valve member is spaced from the valve seat allowing fluid communication between the primary fluid passage and the exhaust passage. The relief valve cavity is also a cylindrical cavity. The relief valve cavity has a first end with an opening in fluid communication with the primary fluid passage and a second end open to the atmosphere. 
         [0006]    It is further noted that the components of the relief valve are typically built into, or structured to directly engage, the cavity. That is, a typical relief valve cavity includes a seat disposed about the first end opening, a valve member, a biasing device, and a retainer. The valve element is movably disposed adjacent the valve seat, the retainer is spaced from the valve member, and the biasing device, typically a spring, extends between the retainer and the valve member. The biasing device biases the valve member against the seat, thereby sealing the relief valve. If the pressure in the cylinder exceeds a selected pressure, the fluid pressure overcomes the bias of the biasing device and allows the valve member to move away from the seat thereby allowing the fluid to escape and lower the pressure in the cylinder. It is further noted that the retainer is typically threaded into the relief valve cavity. In this configuration, the strength of the biasing device may be adjusted by moving the retainer closer or farther from the valve member, thereby changing the compression on the biasing device. 
         [0007]    The relief valve valve member is, typically, structured as a cap, i.e. a cylinder closed on one end. The bottom of the relief valve valve member is made from a resilient material structured to sealingly engage the relief valve valve seat. The body of the relief valve valve member is, typically, made from a material that is more rigid than the resilient material. The relief valve valve member has a radius slightly larger than the biasing device, i.e. the spring. In this configuration, the biasing device is trapped in the relief valve valve member and the pressure applied to the resilient member is, essentially, uniform. It is further noted that the retainer typically includes a single, central opening. The opening typically includes an axially, inwardly extending flange. This flange may be used as a mount for a circular spring. That is, one end of the spring is disposed about the flange with the other end disposed in the relief valve valve member cup-shape body. The size of the opening influences, or may limit, the flow rate through the relief valve. 
         [0008]    Due to their varied vapor pressures, various liquefied gases are typically stored in cylinders structured for different service pressures. The relief valve is structured to open at a selected pressure range which is dependent on the cylinder service pressure. Thus, the relief pressure varies from gas to gas. For example, propane is typically stored in cylinders with a service pressure of 240 psi., whereas propylene is typically stored in cylinders with a service pressure of 260 psi. Accordingly, the relief pressure for propane cylinders is 360-480 psi and the relief pressure for propylene cylinders is 435-520 psi. Further, each type of cylinder configuration has a required minimum flow rate, at an associated pressure, at which the gas is intended to flow during relief of an over-pressure event. The required flow rate is dependent on cylinder size and the flow pressure is dependent on the cylinder service pressure. Thus, the relief valve is structured to start to open at a relief pressure, then fully flow at a higher pressure. Given that different types of liquefied gases use different cylinders, it would be useful to be able to have one valve that can be used for multiple cylinders, assuming the service valve is structured to operate with both types of fluid. 
         [0009]    However, noting that different gases may react with different materials (e.g., the valve member material), and that different springs have different compression strengths, it is generally not advisable to remove the relief valve components from the relief valve cavity as users may “mix-and-match” components from different relief valves during reassembly. This means that, while relief valves may be disassembled, they are generally not intended to be used in this manner. 
         [0010]    Further, because the population of pressurized gas cylinders in use is so large, and because the service valves have similar dimensions, the relief valve must be structured to fit within the existing service valves. That is, it is impractical to design a substantially new relief valve, e.g. having different dimensions, as such a new relief valve would require a new service valve which would not fit existing cylinders. This becomes a problem when the standard or regulated relief pressure and/or relief flow rate is changed. That is, because the population of cylinders and service valves is so large, it is impractical to replace all cylinders and service valves to accommodate a relief valve having a new design created to accommodate a new relief pressure regulation. 
         [0011]    Recently, the regulations relating to the relief pressure and relief flow rate for propylene have required an increased relief pressure. Thus, there is a problem of adapting relief valves to provide a desired flow rate for a relief valve in a configuration that may be used for multiple gasses and cylinder configurations. There is a further problem in that replacement of relief valves should not be a separate component that may be accidentally mixed-and-matched thereby allowing non-matching components to be used together. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The disclosed and claimed concept relates to a modular relief valve having an increased number of exhaust passages. The modular configuration allows for the entire relief valve to be installed as a unit, whereby there is a reduced chance that components of different valves will be comingled. It is noted that the modular nature of the valve is accomplished, in part, by providing a cylindrical body that is disposed in the service valve&#39;s relief valve cavity. This relief valve body occupies space and reduces the space available for the biasing device, i.e. the compression spring. As the compression spring has a reduced radius, the mount on the retaining member also has a reduced radius, and therefore the opening through the retaining member has a reduced, or limited, radius. Thus, the size of the exhaust passage from the relief valve is reduced, meaning that the exhaust flow rate is either reduced, or must be at an increased pressure to maintain the required flow rate. 
         [0013]    This problem, however, is addressed, by providing multiple exhaust passages for the relief valve. Again, the stated problem is that, given the limitation on the size of the relief valve (because the relief valve must be operable with the present population of cylinder configurations), the relief valve may not simply be enlarged. Further, solutions such as increasing the size of the opening are not practical as an increase in the size of the opening would mean that the inwardly extending flange (the mount for the relief valve spring) would increase. If the radius of the flange increases, the radius of the spring must increase. As relief valve springs typically extend to the perimeter of the relieve valve cavity, the requirement for a larger spring means that the size of the relief valve cavity must increase. That is, typically there is no additional room in the relief valve cavity for a spring with a larger radius, meaning that a larger spring requires a larger relief valve body, which would not fit in the service valve. 
         [0014]    Put another way, the stated problem is that known valve configurations do not achieve the desired flow rate while being sized to fit within the relief valve cavity on the population of existing service valves. The disclosed and claimed concept addresses this problem by providing a retaining member having an elongated body with two opposing parallel sides and two opposing arcuate ends. The arcuate ends are structured to engage threads on the inner surface of the relief valve body. The two parallel sides do not engage the threads on the relief valve body. That is, because the relief valve body is cylindrical, the shape of the retainer creates gaps between the relief valve body and the two parallel sides. These gaps allow for an increased flow rate through the relief valve even though the modular relief valve occupies more space in the service valve&#39;s relief valve cavity that a non-modular configuration relief valve. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is cross-sectional side view of a service valve. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a relief valve. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a retaining member. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is s cross-sectional side view of the retaining member. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is an end view of the relief valve. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is an end view of an alternate embodiment of the relief valve. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is an end view of an alternate embodiment of the relief valve. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    As used herein, a “modular” component is one having multiple elements configured as a single unit. For example, reel-to-reel magnetic tapes are not “modular,” but cassette tapes are “modular.” 
         [0024]    As used herein, “coupled” means a link between two or more elements, whether direct or indirect, so long as a link occurs. 
         [0025]    As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are directly in contact with each other. 
         [0026]    As used herein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. The fixed components may, or may not, be directly coupled. 
         [0027]    As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component is created as a single piece or unit. That is, a component that includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled together as a unit is not a “unitary” component or body. 
         [0028]    As used herein, “opposing” when used to describe relative locations of elements on the retainer means located on opposite sides of the center of the retainer body. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a service valve  10  for a storage cylinder (not shown) includes a body  12  and a valve assembly  14 . The service valve body  12  has a lower end  13  having a threaded, circular portion structured to be coupled to, and sealingly engage, a storage cylinder. The service valve body  12  defines a primary fluid passage  16 , a primary exhaust passage  18 , a valve assembly cavity  20 , and a relief valve cavity  22 . The primary fluid passage  16  extends from an opening in the service valve body lower end  13  to the valve assembly cavity  20 . A valve seat  24  extends about the primary fluid passage  16  within the valve assembly cavity  20 . The primary exhaust passage  18  is in fluid communication with the valve assembly cavity  20  as well. Thus, the primary fluid passage  16  and the primary exhaust passage  18  are in fluid communication via the valve assembly cavity  20  unless blocked by the valve member  30 , described below. The valve assembly  14  is disposed in the valve assembly cavity  20 . The valve assembly  14  includes a valve member  30  structured to move between two positions, a first, closed position, wherein the valve member  30  sealingly engages the valve seat  24  preventing fluid from passing the valve member  30 , and a second, open position, wherein the valve member  30  is spaced from the valve seat  24  allowing fluid communication between the primary fluid passage  16  and the exhaust passage  18 . The mechanics of the valve assembly  14  are not relevant to this disclosure, but, as is known in the art, there may be a threaded stem coupled to a portion of the valve assembly cavity  20  with internal threads. The stem is structured to move between a lower position and an upper position, the stem further being coupled to the valve member  24  and having a plurality of seals disposed thereabout. 
         [0030]    The relief valve cavity  22  is a cylindrical cavity having a first end  40  with an opening  42  in fluid communication with the primary fluid passage  16 , and, a second end  44  open to the atmosphere. The relief valve cavity  22  has a threaded interior surface  46 . That is, a portion, and preferably a substantial portion, of the relief valve cavity  22  interior surface is threaded. 
         [0031]    A modular relief valve  50  is structured to be disposed in the relief valve cavity  22 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the modular relief valve  50  includes a body  52 , a valve member  54 , a biasing device  56 , and a retainer  58 . The relief valve body  52  is a hollow, generally cylindrical body having a first end  60 , a second end  62 , an outer surface  64  and an inner surface  66 . The relief valve body defines a relief valve body cavity  68 . The relief valve body outer surface  64  has threads  70  thereon. The relief valve body outer threads  70  are structured to engage the relief valve cavity  22  threaded interior surface  46 . There is also at least one seal  72  disposed about the relief valve body outer surface  64  structured to sealingly engage both the relief valve body  52  and the relief valve cavity  22  when the relief valve body  52  is threaded into the relief valve cavity  22 . The relief valve body first end  60  has an inwardly extending flange  74  with a central opening  76 . The flange  74  defines a valve seat  78 , which preferably includes a raised rim extending about the interior side of the central opening  76 . The relief valve body second end  62  has interior threads  80 . 
         [0032]    The relief valve valve member  54  is made from a resilient material and is structured to sealingly engage the relief valve body valve seat  78 . Preferably, the relief valve valve member  54  includes a cup-like body  53  and a resilient disk  55 . The resilient disk  55  is disposed on the outer, bottom side of the cup-like body  53  and is structured to sealingly engage the relief valve body valve seat  78 . The cup-like body  53  open end faces the retainer  58 . The relief valve valve member  54  is further structured to be movably disposed in the relief valve body cavity  68 . 
         [0033]    The biasing device  56  is structured to engage the relief valve valve member  54  and bias the relief valve valve member  54  against the relief valve body valve seat  78 . The biasing device  56  is, preferably, a coiled compression spring  57 . The retainer  58 , described in detail below, is structured to be threaded into the relief valve body second end  62  and extend there across. The biasing device  56  is coupled to, and compressed between, the retainer  58  and the relief valve valve member  54 . In this configuration, the biasing device  56  causes the relief valve valve member  54  to be sealed against the relief valve body valve seat  78  until a pressure greater than the biasing force overcomes the force of the biasing device  56 . 
         [0034]    Because the retainer  58  is disposed at the end of the relief valve body second end  62 , which is typically open to the atmosphere, the size of the retainer  58  determines the size of the relief exhaust passage  90 . As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the retainer  58  disclosed herein is structured to define at least two exhaust passages  90 A,  90 B, and preferably, a third relief exhaust passage  90 C. Moreover, only one exhaust passage is defined exclusively by the retainer body  100 . 
         [0035]    That is, the retainer  58  has a generally planar body  100  with a first perimeter portion  102  and a second perimeter portion  104 . Preferably, the retainer body  100  is elongated and has two opposing, generally straight parallel sides  106 ,  108 . Further, the first perimeter portion  102  and the second perimeter portion  104  are preferably two opposing threaded radial surfaces  110 ,  112 . The radial, i.e. lateral, surface of the two opposing threaded radial surfaces  110 ,  112  are threaded and are structured to engage the relief valve body second end interior threads  80 . In this configuration, and when the retainer  58  is coupled to the circular relief valve body second end  62 , the gaps between the circular relief valve body second end  62  and the retainer body opposing parallel sides  106 ,  108  define two relief exhaust passages  90 A,  90 B. Further, the retainer body  100  may define an opening  120  that acts as another relief exhaust passage  90 C. As is known, the retainer body  100  may further include an inwardly extending flange  122  about the retainer body opening  120  that is structured to be a mount for the biasing device  56 . That is, one end of the coiled compression spring  57  may be disposed about the retainer body flange  122 . It is noted that, alternatively, the retainer body  100  may include a single straight, longitudinal side  106  and the body opening  120 . In this configuration, the longitudinal side  106  and the circular relief valve body second end  62  form a gap which is a relief exhaust passage  90 A and the retainer body opening  120  acts as the other relief exhaust passage  90 C. In either configuration, the additional relief exhaust passage  90  provides sufficient area for a flow rate according to present standards, discussed below, while allowing the modular relief valve  50  to fit within the available valve assembly cavities  20 . 
         [0036]    Other configurations of relief valve exhaust passages may also provide the requisite area as well. For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the retainer body  100  may be a planar X-shaped body  130  having four tips  132 . In this embodiment, the radial sides of the tips  132  are the arcuate first perimeter portion  102  and second perimeter portion  104  structured to engage the relief valve body second end interior threads  80 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the retainer body  100  is a circular disk  140  having two opposing arcuate openings  142 A,  142 B. The arcuate openings  142 A,  142 B extend substantially, but not entirely, over 180 degrees. The lateral sides  102 ,  104  of the portions of the circular disk  140  between the arcuate openings  142 A,  142 B may be threaded and structured to engage the relief valve body second end interior threads  80 . That is, the lateral sides of the portions of the circular disk  140  between the arcuate openings  142 A,  142 B are the arcuate first perimeter portion  102  and second perimeter portion  104 . 
         [0037]    As a specific example, a cylinder may be structured to store a gas at a pressure of between about 0 and 240 psi., and another cylinder may be structured to store gas at a pressure of between 0 and 260 psi. The service valve  10  for such a cylinder has a relief valve cavity  22  with a radius of between about 0.390 and 0.420 inch, and more typically 0.405 inch. The relief pressure for the modular relief valve  50  is between about 440 and 450 psi., and more preferably about 445 psi to achieve a flow rate of at least 364 scfm (Standard cubic feet per minute) at 480 psi and 394 scfm at 520 psi. The total exhaust passage  90  preferably has an area of between about 258 and 0.279 in. 2 , and more preferably 0.269 in. 2    
         [0038]    The modular relief valve body  52  has a thickness of between about 0.061 and 0.080 inch, and more typically 0.072 inch. The inner radius at the relief valve body second end  62  is between about 0.379 and 0.385 inch, and more typically 0.382 inch. Thus, the area of the modular relief valve body second end  62  is between about 0.451 and 0.465 in. 2 , and more typically 0.458 in. 2  The size of the retainer body opening  120  is between about 0.019 and 0.022 in. 2 , and more typically 0.0205 in. 2  The retainer body  100  has a width, between the parallel sides  106 ,  108 , of between about 0.270 and 0.280 inch, and more typically 0.275 inch. Thus, when the retainer body  100  is disposed within the modular relief valve body second end  62 , the exhaust passages  90 A,  90 B defined by the gap between the retainer body  100  and the modular relief valve body second end  62 , each have an area of between about 0.119 and 0.129 in. 2 , and more typically 0.124 in. 2 . Thus, the total area of the exhaust passages  90 A,  90 B,  90 C is between about 0.258 and 0.279 in. 2 , and more typically 0.269 in. 2    
         [0039]    While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.