Relief Valve Opens And Closes Quickly

Abstract

Relief valve opens quickly to relieve excess pressure and closes quickly when pressure drops slightly below relief pressure. O-ring exposes one or more ports under high pressure, releasing excess pressurized fluid. Adjusting screw used to change compression on Belleville-spring washers and to set pressure at which valve opens. Designed for use aboard Space Shuttle to vent pressurized hydrazine to vacuum, valve concept useful in industrial applications where rapid opening, rapid closing, or low susceptibility to blockage by vented fluid required.