Self-actuating and dual pivot flapper valve

A bleed valve comprising:

• a valve body mounted within a compressor section of a gas turbine engines;
• a first flapper body movable relative to the valve body between an open position and a closed position;
• a second flapper body movable relative to the valve body between an open position and a closed position;
• and
• a resilient member biasing the first and second flapper bodies to the open position to vent bleed air, wherein the resilient member and the first and second flapper bodies are enclosed within the valve body, and wherein when a pressure load across the first and second flapper bodies exceeds a biasing force of the resilient member the first and second flapper bodies move to the closed position, and wherein the first and second flapper bodies are biased to the open position during an engine start-up condition and are moved to the closed position during a steady-state engine condition when the pressure load exceeds the biasing force.

A bleed valve comprising:

• a valve body;
• a first flapper body that pivots about a first pivot axis and is movable relative to the valve body between an open position and a closed position;
• a second flapper body movable relative to the valve body between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the second flapper body pivots about a second pivot axis independently of the first flapper body;
• a resilient member biasing the first and second flapper bodies to the open position to vent bleed air, wherein the resilient member comprises at least a first spring associated with the first flapper body and a second spring associated with the second flapper body, and wherein the resilient member and the first and second flapper bodies are enclosed within the valve body, and wherein when a pressure load across the first and second flapper bodies exceeds a biasing force of the resilient member the first and second flapper bodies move to the closed position;
• a first pivot shaft mounted to the valve body to define the first pivot axis and a second pivot shaft mounted to the valve body to define the second pivot axis, and wherein the first spring is associated with the first pivot shaft and the second spring is associated with the second pivot shaft;
• and
• wherein the valve body includes a first portion defined by a first diameter and a second portion defined by a second diameter greater than the first diameter such that the second portion comprises a radially enlarged portion of the valve body that receives the first and second pivot shafts.

A gas turbine engine comprising:

• a compressor section;
• an air plenum in communication with the compressor section;
• and
• a bleed valve in communication with the air plenum and moveable between an open position and a closed position dependent upon pressure within the compressor section, wherein the bleed valve comprises
• a valve body defining a flow path,
• a first flapper body movable relative to the valve body between an open position and a closed position,
• a second flapper body movable relative to the valve body between an open position and a closed position, and
• a resilient member biasing the first and second flapper bodies to the open position to vent bleed air out of the air plenum, and wherein when a pressure load across the first and second flapper bodies exceeds a biasing force of the resilient member the first and second flapper bodies move to the closed position to prevent flow through the valve body by closing the flow path.