Pyrotechnic relief valve

• US 20060137742A1
• Filed: 12/27/2004
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Smith, Bradley W., Cox, Matthew A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,373,944 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/68.130
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/38 of excessive temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/403 with a fracturing valve member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1647 Explosive actuation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1767 Movable knife or cutter

Abstract

A relief valve and related systems and methods are disclosed for use in fluid distribution lines. The relief valve comprises a body defining a cavity and comprising at least first and second openings in fluid communication with the cavity. A connector piece is connected to the body at the first opening to connect the valve to a fluid distribution line. A rupture disc is disposed within and obstructs the first opening. When it is desired that fluid from the fluid distribution line be vented from the system, the rupture disc is punctured and thereby allows for fluid communication through the first opening of the valve.

Claims

1. A relief valve comprising:

a body defining a cavity and comprising at least first and second openings in fluid communication with the cavity;

a pyrotechnic initiator integrally molded with the body;

a crimp sleeve connected to the body at the first opening;

a hose nipple connected to the body at the second opening; and

a rupture disc disposed within and obstructing the first opening, wherein the rupture disc is positioned and aligned with the pyrotechnic initiator such that, upon deployment of the pyrotechnic initiator, the pyrotechnic initiator ruptures the rupture disc and thereby allows for fluid communication through the first opening.

2. The relief valve of claim 1, wherein the hose nipple is integrally molded with the body.

3. The relief valve of claim 1, wherein the crimp sleeve is integrally molded with the body.

4. The relief valve of claim 1, wherein the rupture disc is mounted within the crimp sleeve.

5. The relief valve of claim 4, wherein a sealing washer is positioned between the crimp sleeve and the rupture disc.

6. The relief valve of claim 1, further comprising a tee fitting connected to the body and in fluid communication with the cavity of the body at the first opening, wherein the tee fitting is connected to the body with the crimp sleeve, and wherein the tee fitting is designed to be integrated with an automotive refrigerant line.

7. The relief valve of claim 1, wherein the pyrotechnic initiator is connected with a cutter piece configured to puncture the rupture disc upon deployment of the pyrotechnic initiator.

8. The relief valve of claim 1, wherein the first opening is oriented approximately perpendicular to the second opening.

9. The relief valve of claim 1, wherein the first opening is axially aligned with or approximately parallel to the second opening.

10. The relief valve of claim 1, further comprising an electrical connector connected to the pyrotechnic initiator.

11. The relief valve of claim 1, wherein the body is formed from a plastic material.

12. The relief valve of claim 1, further comprising a support structure integrally molded with the body.

13. An automotive refrigeration system comprising:

a refrigerant line; and

a relief valve connected with the refrigerant line, the relief valve comprising

a body defining a cavity and comprising at least first and second openings in fluid communication with the cavity,

a pyrotechnic initiator integrally molded with the body,

a crimp sleeve connected to the body at the first opening, and

a rupture disc disposed within and obstructing the first opening, wherein the rupture disc is positioned and aligned with the pyrotechnic initiator such that, upon deployment of the pyrotechnic initiator, the pyrotechnic initiator ruptures the rupture disc and thereby allows for fluid communication through the first opening.

14. The automotive refrigeration system of claim 13, wherein the relief valve is connected with the refrigerant line via a tee fitting on the refrigerant line, wherein the tee fitting is in fluid communication with the cavity of the body at the first opening, and wherein the tee fitting is connected to the body with the crimp sleeve.

15. The automotive refrigeration system of claim 13, wherein the pyrotechnic initiator is connected with a cutter piece configured to puncture the rupture disc upon deployment of the pyrotechnic initiator.

16. The automotive refrigeration system of claim 13, further comprising a support structure integrally molded with the body.

17. A relief valve comprising:

a body defining a cavity and comprising at least first and second openings in fluid communication with the cavity;

a connector piece connected to the body at the first opening, wherein the connector piece is configured to facilitate a sealing connection with a fluid distribution line;

a rupture disc disposed within and obstructing the first opening; and

a cutter piece positioned adjacent to the rupture disc, wherein the cutter piece is configured to facilitate puncturing of the rupture disc.

18. The relief valve of claim 17, wherein the connector piece is a nut.

19. The relief valve of claim 17, wherein the connector piece is a crimp sleeve.

20. The relief valve of claim 19, wherein the crimp sleeve is integrally molded with the body.

21. The relief valve of claim 17, further comprising a pyrotechnic initiator at least partially disposed within the cavity.

22. The relief valve of claim 21, further comprising an electrical connector connected to the pyrotechnic initiator.

23. The relief valve of claim 21, wherein the pyrotechnic initiator is integrally molded with the body.

24. The relief valve of claim 21, wherein the rupture disc is positioned and aligned with the pyrotechnic initiator such that, upon deployment of the pyrotechnic initiator, the pyrotechnic initiator causes a cutting member on the cutter piece to engage and rupture the rupture disc and thereby allow for fluid communication through the first opening.

25. The relief valve of claim 24, wherein the cutting member has a pointed tip.

26. The relief valve of claim 24, wherein the cutting member is pivotably connected with the cutter piece.

27. The relief valve of claim 21, wherein the cutter piece is configured to puncture the rupture disc upon deployment of the pyrotechnic initiator.

28. The relief valve of claim 17, further comprising a hose nipple connected to the body at the second opening.

29. The relief valve of claim 28, wherein the hose nipple is integrally molded with the body.

30. The relief valve of claim 17, wherein the rupture disc is mounted within the connector piece.

31. The relief valve of claim 17, wherein a sealing washer is positioned between the connector piece and the rupture disc.

32. The relief valve of claim 17, further comprising a tee fitting connected to the body and in fluid communication with the cavity of the body at the first opening, wherein the tee fitting is connected to the body with the connector piece, and wherein the tee fitting is designed to be integrated with an automotive refrigerant line.

33. The relief valve of claim 17, wherein the first opening is oriented approximately perpendicular to the second opening.

34. The relief valve of claim 17, wherein the first opening is axially aligned with or approximately parallel to the second opening.

35. The relief valve of claim 17, wherein the body is formed from a plastic material.

36. The relief valve of claim 17, wherein the cutter piece comprises a cutting member, and wherein the cutting member is pivotably connected with the cutter piece.

37. The relief valve of claim 17, further comprising a support structure integrally molded with the body.

38. A relief valve comprising:

a body defining a cavity and comprising at least first and second openings in fluid communication with the cavity;

connecting means for facilitating a sealing connection with a fluid distribution line, wherein the connecting means is connected with the body at the first opening;

valve means for selectively controlling fluid communication therethrough, wherein the valve means is disposed within and obstructs the first opening; and

cutting means for puncturing the valve means and thereby establishing fluid communication through the first opening, wherein the cutting means is positioned adjacent to the valve means.

39. A relief valve comprising:

a body defining a cavity and comprising at least first and second openings in fluid communication with the cavity;

a support structure integrally molded with the body, wherein the support structure has an aperture formed in a sidewall of the support structure;

a pyrotechnic initiator integrally molded with the body;

a hose nipple integrally molded with the body at the second opening, wherein the body is in fluid communication with the hose nipple through the aperture in the support structure; and

a rupture disc disposed within and obstructing the first opening, wherein the rupture disc is positioned and aligned with the pyrotechnic initiator such that, upon deployment of the pyrotechnic initiator, the pyrotechnic initiator ruptures the rupture disc and thereby allows for fluid communication through the first opening.

40. The relief valve of claim 39, wherein the support structure is integrally formed with a crimp sleeve.

41. The relief valve of claim 39, wherein the support structure has a plurality of apertures formed in a sidewall of the support structure.