Abstract: A pressure relief apparatus for venting a tank comprising an inlet port, an outlet port, a closure member retained, relative to the inlet and outlet ports, for preventing, or substantially preventing, fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port, a trigger mechanism including a temperature response portion, and a compartment for receiving pressurized fluid from the outlet port and communicating the received pressurized fluid to the trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism and the closure member are cooperatively configured to release the closure member and establish fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port, thereby venting the tank, upon detection of a temperature at or above a predetermined temperature threshold or upon pressurization of the compartment at or above a predetermined pressure threshold.

Abstract: There is provided a valve apparatus. The valve apparatus includes a body, a closure member, upstream and downstream compartments, a closure member passage, a first fluid pressure-receiving surface fraction and a second fluid pressure-receiving surface fraction. The body includes an inlet port, a first outlet port, and a second outlet port. The closure member is configured for movement between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the first outlet port is open. In the closed position, the first outlet port is closed. While the fluid pressure within an upstream compartment is equal to the fluid pressure within a downstream compartment, the closure member is biased to the closed position.

Abstract: A temperature activated valve is provided comprising a trigger for effecting actuation of the valve. The trigger includes a temperature responsive trigger portion including a plurality of constituent trigger segments connected to one another in series. The constituent trigger segments include a plurality of temperature responsive trigger segments. Each one of the temperature responsive trigger segments, independently, includes a composite material, the composite material including: (a) a shape changing material-comprising component configured to assume a change in shape in response to receiving of heat energy by the temperature responsive trigger segment, and (b) a relatively inelastic material-comprising component having a modulus of elasticity that is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the shape changing material-comprising component.

Abstract: There is provided a valve comprising a body, a passageway, a sealing member, a trigger, and a temperature responsive trigger actuator. The passageway is defined by the body, wherein the passageway includes an inlet and an outlet. The sealing member is configured for movement between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position, the sealing member prevents fluid communication between the inlet and outlet of the passageway, and in the open position, the inlet and the outlet of the passageway are in fluid communication.

Abstract: A temperature activated valve is provided comprising a trigger for effecting actuation of the valve. The trigger includes a temperature responsive trigger portion including a plurality of constituent trigger segments connected to one another in series. The constituent trigger segments include a plurality of temperature responsive trigger segments. Each one of the temperature responsive trigger segments, independently, includes a composite material, the composite material including: (a) a shape changing material-comprising component configured to assume a change in shape in response to receiving of heat energy by the temperature responsive trigger segment, and (b) a relatively inelastic material-comprising component having a modulus of elasticity that is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the shape changing material-comprising component.

Abstract: A temperature activated valve is provided comprising a trigger for effecting actuation of the valve. The trigger includes a temperature responsive trigger portion including a plurality of constituent trigger segments connected to one another in series. The constituent trigger segments include a plurality of temperature responsive trigger segments. Each one of the temperature responsive trigger segments, independently, includes a composite material, the composite material including: (a) a shape changing material-comprising component configured to assume a change in shape in response to receiving of heat energy by the temperature responsive trigger segment, and (b) a relatively inelastic material-comprising component having a modulus of elasticity that is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the shape changing material-comprising component.