Patent ID: 7144207

Claim:
A valve disposed between a fluid supply and a socket of a chuck, the valve being configured to regulate the flow of fluid from the fluid supply to the socket, the valve comprising: a shank; a seal screw that threadably engages the shank for modulating a preload tension, the seal screw having a first sealing surface; a spindle configured for attachment to a tool; a second sealing surface disposed on the shank in opposing relation to the first sealing surface; a spring disposed between the spindle and the shank and configured to generate the preload tension; and an elastomer seal ring disposed between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface, wherein the valve is configured to form a seal between the first sealing surface, the second sealing surface, and the elastomer seal in response to a force less than or equal to the preload tension being exerted in line with the seal screw, the valve being further configured to allow the flow of the fluid between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface in response to a force exceeding the preload tension being exerted in line with the seal screw; wherein tightening of the seal screw compresses the spring to increase the preload tension.