US 2003/0150490 A1 · Pressure relief system with clutch activated valve

Abstract

A pressure relief system for detecting and correcting an overpressure situation in a pressurized fluid. The system includes a pressure responsive member such as a buckling pin configured to mechanically collapse when a predetermined force is applied to the member. An actuator assembly axially compresses the member in response to the pressure of the fluid and rotates a first shaft upon mechanical collapse of the member. A bypass valve assembly establishes a bypass path for the fluid upon rotation of a second shaft. A clutch mechanism decouples the first and second shafts prior to and during initial stages of mechanical collapse of the member and subsequently couples the first and second shafts during remaining stages of mechanical collapse of the member. In this way, forces associated with the bypass valve assembly are isolated from the actuator assembly during steady state operation and during the initial stages of mechanical collapse.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A pressure relief system for detecting an overpressure situation in a pressurized fluid, comprising:

first and second rotatable shafts;
a pressure responsive member configured to mechanically fail when a predetermined force is applied to the member;
first means for applying a force to the member in relation to a pressure of the pressurized fluid and for rotating the first shaft when the pressure exceeds a predetermined level sufficient to induce mechanical failure of the member;
second means for establishing an overpressure path for the pressurized fluid upon rotation of the second shaft;
and
third means for decoupling the first and second shafts prior to and during initial stages of mechanical failure of the member and for subsequently coupling the first and second shafts during remaining stages of mechanical failure of the member so that forces associated with the second shaft are isolated from the first shaft prior to and during the initial stages of mechanical failure.

3 more elements

A pressure relief system for detecting an overpressure situation in a pressurized fluid, comprising:

a pressure response assembly having a pressure responsive member configured to mechanically fail when a predetermined force is applied to the member;
an actuator assembly coupled to the pressure response assembly and comprising a housing in which a slidable piston is disposed, the piston applying a compressive force upon the member in response to a pressure of pressurized fluid introduced into the housing, the actuator assembly further comprising a first shaft which rotates upon movement of the piston when the pressure of the pressurized fluid reaches a sufficient level to initiate mechanical failure of the member;
a valve assembly having a second shaft, the valve assembly establishing an overpressure path for the pressurized fluid upon rotation of the second shaft;
and
a clutch mechanism coupled between the first and second shafts which decouples the first and second shafts prior to and during initial stages of mechanical failure of the member and which couples the first and second shafts during remaining stages of mechanical failure of the member so that forces associated with the valve assembly are isolated from the actuator assembly prior to and during the initial stages of mechanical failure.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pressure relief system with clutch activated valve

Life of this patent

Pressure relief system with clutch activated valve

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19