Patent ID: 8413677

Claim:
A pressure relief valve control system comprising: (a) a normally closed relief valve having a selectably operable double acting cylinder with a first port and a second port, wherein the cylinder moves to a first position or a second position in response to changes in measured fluid pressure changes, wherein increased fluid pressure in the first port moves the cylinder to the first position to open the relief valve and increased fluid pressure in the second port moves the cylinder to the second position to close the relief valve; (b) a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic reservoir; (c) a first accumulator and a second accumulator charged by the hydraulic pump from fluid in the reservoir; and (d) a valve control system including (i) a pressure sensing device for monitoring the fluid pressure changes, (ii) a solenoid controlled valve responsive to the pressure sensing device and in fluid communication with the first accumulator, the reservoir, and a pilot pressure line; (iii) a first control valve connected to a first side of the cylinder, wherein the first control valve is in fluid communication with the second accumulator, the pilot pressure line, the reservoir, and the first port; and (iv) a second control valve connected to a second side of the cylinder, wherein the second control valve is in fluid communication with the second accumulator, the pilot pressure line, the reservoir, and the second port; whereby whenever the pressure sensing device senses a fluid pressure greater than a predetermined pressure an electronic signal is sent to the solenoid operated valve that opens the pilot pressure line to a fluid pressure in the second accumulator thereby activating the first and second control valves to open the relief valve.