US 12,523,310 B2 · Pressure adjustment apparatus

Abstract

A pressure adjustment apparatus includes a compartment and a valve arrangement for regulating compartment pressure. The valve arrangement includes an inlet for connection to a pressurized fluid source with an inlet valve, an outlet with an outlet valve, a compartment port connecting the compartment, and a compartment valve controlling fluid flow into and/or out of the compartment. The compartment valve is configured for simultaneous actuation to an open position with the inlet and/or outlet valve, enabling fluid flow into or out of the compartment when either the inlet or outlet valve is open. The apparatus may include actuators for the valves, resilient biasing arrangements, a pressure relief valve, and can be configured as a unit with multiple valve arrangements connected to shared conduits, with features for sealing and compactness.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A pressure adjustment apparatus comprising:

a compartment;
and
a valve arrangement for controlling pressure of the compartment,
wherein the valve arrangement comprises:
an inlet, for connecting the valve arrangement to a pressurized fluid source, and an inlet valve, for controlling flow of fluid from the pressurized fluid source into the valve arrangement,
an outlet, for releasing fluid from the valve arrangement, and an outlet valve, for controlling the flow of fluid out of the valve arrangement,
a compartment port by which the compartment is connected to the valve arrangement, and
at least one compartment valve for controlling the flow of fluid into or out of the compartment,
wherein the at least one compartment valve is configured for simultaneous actuation to an open position with the inlet valve or the outlet valve, such that when either the inlet valve or the outlet valve is in a respective open position, the at least one compartment valve is in the open position, such that the flow of fluid into or out of the compartment is allowed.

6 more elements

A valve arrangement for a pressure adjustment apparatus for a compartment, the valve arrangement comprising:

an inlet, for connecting the valve arrangement to a pressurized fluid source, and an inlet valve, for controlling flow of fluid from the pressurized fluid source into the valve arrangement;
an outlet, for releasing fluid from the valve arrangement, and an outlet valve, for controlling the flow of fluid out of the valve arrangement;
a compartment port for connecting said compartment to the valve arrangement;
and
at least one compartment valve for controlling the flow of fluid into or out of said compartment,
wherein the at least one compartment valve is configured for simultaneous actuation to an open position with the inlet valve or the outlet valve, such that when either the inlet valve or the outlet valve is in a respective open position, the at least one compartment valve is in the open position, such that the flow of fluid into or out of the compartment is allowed.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pressure adjustment apparatus

Life of this patent

Pressure adjustment apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19