Patent ID: 8291889

Claim:
A pressure relief valve, comprising: a valve body having a valve seat fluidly positioned between an inlet and an outlet; a valve member being movable among a first position, a second position, and a third position; the valve member being in contact with the valve seat and fluidly blocking the inlet from the outlet at the first position; the inlet being fluidly connected to the outlet via a small flow area when the valve member is at the second position; the inlet being fluidly connected to the outlet via a large flow area when the valve member is at the third position; an electrical actuator attached to the valve body and being operably coupled to move the valve member when energized; the valve member having an opening hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the inlet when at the first position; and a first spring operably positioned to bias the valve member toward the second position when the valve member is at the third position.