Back to results
US 5,105,849 AGranted
Body relief valve flap
AssigneeTRW Inc.
InventorMelvyn J. L. Clough
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeTRW Inc.
InventorMelvyn J. L. Clough
Estimating the term…
A valve for use in ventilation of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle comprises a housing defining a plurality of through flow passages with separate flap valve elements pivotally mounted adjacent each through flow passage. The valve elements are adapted in a first position to overlie the associated through flow passage for blocking flow, but when pivoted toward a second position, they open to permit flow. The flap valve elements are each pivotally mounted by separate hinges which act to bias the valve elements toward the first position with a preselected force. The hinges on separate ones of the flap valve elements are arranged to provide different preselected biasing forces such that the number of valve elements moving toward the open position at any point in time depends upon the then current level of pressure of fluid on the upstream side of the valve.
In a valve for use in ventilation of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle and comprising a housing defining a plurality of through flow passages with separate flap valve elements pivotally mounted adjacent each through flow passage and adapted in a first position to overlie the associated through flow passage for blocking flow therethrough and when pivoted toward a second position permitting flow, the improvement wherein said separate flap valve elements are each pivotally mounted by separate hinge means which act to bias the valve elements toward the first position with a preselected force, the hinge means on separate ones of said flap valve elements providing different preselected biasing forces such that the number of valve elements moving toward the second position at any point in time depends upon the then current level of pressure of fluid on the upstream side of the valve.
In a valve for use in ventilation of a motor vehicle and comprising a housing defining a plurality of through flow passages with separate flap valve elements mounted adjacent each through flow passage for assuming a first position for blocking flow therethrough in one direction and movable to an open position for permitting flow therethrough in the opposite direction, the improvement wherein each of the separate flap valve elements is pivotally mounted by separate hinge means which act to bias the valve elements toward the first position to resist movement to the open position, the hinge means on separate ones of the flap valve elements providing different preselected biasing forces such that the number of valve elements moving toward the open position at any point in time is dependent on the pressure of the fluid acting to move the valve elements toward the open position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.