Patent ID: 8505578

Claim:
A valve in combination with an actuator controlling fluid flow through said valve, comprising: a valve housing ( 11 ), a flow restrictor ( 18 ) and a valve seat ( 16 ); said valve housing includes an inlet and an outlet; said flow restrictor ( 18 ) includes a base portion and a cylindrical portion extending from said base portion, said flow restrictor includes an interior and an exterior; a closure ( 22 ); said closure ( 22 ) affixed to said valve housing ( 11 ), said valve housing being stationary; a pressure-relieving chamber ( 28 ) formed by said flow restrictor ( 18 ) and said closure ( 22 ); said flow restrictor ( 18 ) movable with respect to said closure ( 22 ) between a closed position wherein said flow restrictor engages said valve seat ( 16 ) and an open position wherein said flow restrictor is spaced apart from said valve seat and said flow restrictor does not engage said valve seat ( 16 ); said flow restrictor ( 18 ) includes a passageway ( 24 ) through said base portion extending from said exterior of said flow restrictor to said interior of said flow restrictor, said passageway ( 24 ) communicates with said pressure-relieving chamber ( 28 ) and said inlet of said valve housing; a seat ring ( 26 ); said seat ring ( 26 ) affixed to said flow restrictor and movable therewith; said seat ring ( 26 ) engaging and sealing against said closure ( 22 ) when said flow restrictor ( 18 ) is in said closed position and said flow restrictor engages said valve seat ( 16 ); and, said seat ring ( 16 ) spaced apart from said closure ( 22 ) forming a gap ( 3 ) therebetween allowing a defined flow from said pressure-relieving chamber ( 28 ) to said outlet ( 14 ) of said valve when said flow restrictor is in said open position spaced apart from said valve seat and said flow restrictor does not engage said valve seat.