ACTIVE MATERIAL ACTUATED VENT VALVE
First Claim
1. A relief valve comprising:
- a body, wherein the body defines a cavity, a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening and the second opening are in fluid communication with the cavity;
an active material initiator integrally molded with the body; and
,a rupture disc disposed within and obstructing the first opening, wherein the rupture disc is positioned and aligned with the active material initiator such that, upon deployment of the active material initiator, the active material initiator ruptures the rupture disc and thereby allows for fluid communication through the first opening.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A relief valve and related systems and methods have particular 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 via activation of an active material initiator and thereby allows for fluid communication through the first opening of the valve.
51 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A relief valve comprising:
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a body, wherein the body defines a cavity, a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening and the second opening are in fluid communication with the cavity; an active material initiator integrally molded with the body; and
,a rupture disc disposed within and obstructing the first opening, wherein the rupture disc is positioned and aligned with the active material initiator such that, upon deployment of the active material initiator, the active material initiator ruptures the rupture disc and thereby allows for fluid communication through the first opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A relief valve in pressurized connection with a refrigerant system, comprising:
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a body, wherein the body defines a cavity, a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening and the second opening are in fluid communication with the cavity; an active material 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 active material initiator such that, upon deployment of the active material initiator, the active material initiator ruptures the rupture disc and thereby allows for fluid communication through the first opening. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An automotive refrigeration system comprising:
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a refrigerant line; a relief valve connected with the refrigerant line, the relief valve comprising a body a body, wherein the body defines a cavity, a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening and the second opening are in fluid communication with the cavity; an active material 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 active material initiator such that, upon deployment of the active material initiator, the active material initiator ruptures the rupture disc and thereby allows for fluid communication through the first opening. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification