Active material actuated vent valve
First Claim
Patent Images
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,wherein the active material initiator at least partially comprises a shape memory alloy,wherein the active material initiator comprises at least one electrical connector, a base portion, a body portion, and an end portion,wherein the base portion allows electric communication with the body portion from the electrical connector, andwherein the body portion is between the base portion and the end portion; 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
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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.
44 Citations
44 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, wherein the active material initiator at least partially comprises a shape memory alloy, wherein the active material initiator comprises at least one electrical connector, a base portion, a body portion, and an end portion, wherein the base portion allows electric communication with the body portion from the electrical connector, and wherein the body portion is between the base portion and the end portion; 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)
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5. 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, wherein the active material initiator at least partially comprises a shape memory alloy, wherein the active material initiator comprises at least one electrical connector, a base portion, a body portion, and an end portion, wherein the base portion allows electric communication with the body portion from the electrical connector, and wherein the body portion is between the base portion and the end portion; 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 (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. 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, 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; wherein the active material initiator at least partially comprises a shape memory alloy, wherein the active material initiator comprises at least one electrical connector, a base portion, a body portion, and an end portion, wherein the base portion allows electric communication with the body portion from the electrical connector, and wherein the body portion is between the base portion and the end portion; 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 (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. 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, wherein the active material initiator at least partially comprises a shape memory alloy, wherein the active material initiator comprises a body portion and an end portion, wherein the body portion of the active material initiator comprises a coil of shape memory alloy; 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 receiving an activation signal, the coil adopts a less coiled configuration such that the end portion of the coil causes the rupture disc to rupture and thereby allows for fluid communication through the first opening. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. 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, wherein the active material initiator at least partially comprises a shape memory alloy, wherein the active material initiator comprises a body portion and an end portion, wherein the body portion of the active material initiator comprises a coil of shape memory alloy; and
;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 receiving an activation signal, the coil adopts a less coiled configuration such that the end portion of the coil causes the rupture disc to rupture and thereby allows for fluid communication through the first opening. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. 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, 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; wherein the active material initiator at least partially comprises a shape memory alloy, wherein the active material initiator comprises a body portion and an end portion, wherein the body portion of the active material initiator comprises a coil of shape memory alloy; and
;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 receiving an activation signal, the coil adopts a less coiled configuration such that the end portion of the coil causes the rupture disc to rupture and thereby allows for fluid communication through the first opening. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44)
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Specification