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US 11,384,857 B1Granted
Bidirectional pressure relief valve
AssigneeSun Hydraulics, LLC
InventorBernd Zähe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An example valve includes a seat element; an outer piston configured to be seated against the seat element at when the valve is in a closed position to block fluid flow from a first port of the valve to a second port of the valve; an inner piston disposed partially within the outer piston and configured to be seated against the outer piston when the valve is in the closed position to block fluid flow from the second port to the first port; and a setting spring applying a biasing force on the inner piston in a distal direction. The valve can operate in: (i) a first mode of operation wherein fluid is received at the first port and relieved to the second port, and (ii) a second mode of operation, wherein fluid is received at the second port and relieved to the first port.
Claims18
A valve comprising:
- a seat element;
- an outer piston configured to be seated against the seat element at when the valve is in a closed position to block fluid flow from a first port of the valve to a second port of the valve;
- an inner piston disposed partially within the outer piston and configured to be seated against the outer piston when the valve is in the closed position to block fluid flow from the second port to the first port;
- and
- a setting spring applying a biasing force on the inner piston in a distal direction, wherein the valve operates in:
- (i) a first mode of operation, wherein fluid received at the first port applies a first fluid force on the outer piston in a proximal direction, wherein the inner piston comprises a plurality of channels configured to communicate fluid from the first port to a spring chamber in which the setting spring is disposed, such that fluid in the spring chamber applies a second fluid force on the inner piston in the distal direction, wherein a net fluid force comprising a difference between the first fluid force and the second fluid force is applied on the outer piston and the inner piston and overcomes the biasing force, causing the outer piston to be unseated from the seat element and move with the inner piston in the proximal direction, thereby allowing fluid flow from the first port to the second port, and (ii) a second mode of operation, wherein fluid received at the second port pushes the outer piston in the distal direction against the seat element while applying a respective net fluid force on the inner piston that overcomes the biasing force, causing the inner piston to be unseated from the outer piston and move in the proximal direction, such that a flow area is formed between the outer piston and the inner piston to allow fluid flow from the second port to the first port through the flow area.
3 more elements
A method comprising:
- operating a valve in a closed position, wherein the valve comprises (i) a seat element, (ii) an outer piston, (iii) an inner piston disposed partially within the outer piston, and (iv) a setting spring applying a biasing force on the inner piston in a distal direction, wherein operating the valve in the closed position comprises causing the outer piston to be seated against the seat element to block fluid flow from a first port of the valve to a second port of the valve, and causing the inner piston to be seated against the outer piston to block fluid flow from the second port to the first port;
- operating the valve in a first mode of operation, wherein fluid received at the first port applies a net fluid force on the outer piston and the inner piston that overcomes the biasing force, causing the outer piston to be unseated from the seat element and move with the inner piston in a proximal direction, thereby allowing fluid flow from the first port to the second port;
- and
- operating the valve in a second mode of operation, wherein fluid received at the second port pushes the outer piston in the distal direction against the seat element while applying a respective net fluid force on the inner piston that overcomes the biasing force, causing the inner piston to be unseated from the outer piston and move in the proximal direction, such that a flow area is formed between the outer piston and the inner piston to allow fluid flow from the second port to the first port through the flow area, wherein the valve further comprises a sleeve having (i) a set of outlet cross-holes, wherein operating the valve in the first mode of operation comprises allowing fluid flow from the first port then through the set of outlet cross-holes of the sleeve, and (ii) a set of inlet cross-holes, wherein the set of inlet cross-holes is axially-spaced from the set of outlet cross-holes along a length of the sleeve, and wherein operating the valve in the second mode of operation comprises allowing fluid flow from the second port through the set of inlet cross-holes to the first port.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.