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: There is provided a valve apparatus comprising a body including an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid passage extending from the inlet to the outlet, a closure member displaceable, relative to the fluid passage, from a closed position to an open position for effecting fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet, a retainer for retaining the closure member in the closed position, and an actuator including a stimulus responder for receiving a predetermined stimulus and effecting release of the closure member from retention by the retainer in response to the receiving of a predetermined stimulus.

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: 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 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 including an inlet port, a first outlet port, and a second outlet port, and a fluid passage network extending between the inlet port and the first and second outlet ports. The closure member is configured for movement between an open position and a closed position, wherein, in the open position, the first outlet port is open, and wherein, in the closed position, the first outlet port is closed. The upstream compartment is disposed between the inlet port and the closure member. The downstream compartment is disposed between the second outlet port and the closure member. The upstream and downstream compartments are established by the positioning of the closure member relative to the body.

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: 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 gas flow regulation module for use in a pressure vessel including a wall with an opening having a minimum opening diameter. The wall defines an interior space in the pressure vessel. The module includes a head portion, a neck portion, and a body portion. The body portion has a maximum diameter which is less than the minimum opening diameter, so that the body portion fits through the opening for positioning in the interior space. The gas flow regulation module includes a manual shut-off valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the module.

Abstract: A pressure relief device having a housing including an inlet, an outlet, and an inner wall defining a bore connecting the inlet and the outlet. The inlet is in communication with a fluid under pressure in a pressure vessel. The bore includes an inlet portion extending from the inlet toward the outlet, and an outlet portion extending from the outlet toward the inlet. The bore also includes a tapered portion connecting the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The inlet portion has a diameter which is less than the outlet portion's diameter. A plug is located in the bore and movable from a closed position, in which flow of fluid through the bore is blocked, to an open position, in which flow of the fluid through the bore is permitted in response to a pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: A pressure relief device comprising a body including an exterior surface, a cavity, an inlet, an outlet, and an aperture, each of the inlet, the outlet, and the aperture opening into the cavity, a temperature sensitive bonding element and a valve, disposed within the cavity and extending through the aperture, including a sealing member and a cap, the cap being joined to the exterior of the body by the temperature sensitive bonding element, and the sealing member being configured to seal the inlet when the cap is joined to the exterior surface of the body. The pressure relief device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the body further includes a retainer configured to prevent the valve from separating from the body when the cap becomes disengaged from the body.

Abstract: A gas flow regulation module for use in a pressure vessel including a wall with an opening having a minimum opening diameter. The wall defines an interior space in the pressure vessel. The module includes a head portion, a neck portion, and a body portion. The body portion has a maximum diameter which is less than the minimum opening diameter, so that the body portion fits through the opening for positioning in the interior space. The gas flow regulation module includes a manual shut-off valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the module.

Abstract: A pressure relief device having a housing including an inlet, an outlet, and an inner wall defining a bore connecting the inlet and the outlet. The inlet is in communication with a fluid under pressure in a pressure vessel. The bore includes an inlet portion extending from the inlet toward the outlet, and an outlet portion extending from the outlet toward the inlet. The bore also includes a tapered portion connecting the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The inlet portion has a diameter which is less than the outlet portion's diameter. A plug is located in the bore and movable from a closed position, in which flow of fluid through the bore is blocked, to an open position, in which flow of the fluid through the bore is permitted in response to a pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a valve apparatus comprising a conduit, including a first port, a second port, and a third port, a piston sealingly disposed within the conduit, including a first piston aperture and a second piston aperture, a piston valve configured to seal the second port, and a bore, extending from the first piston aperture to the second piston aperture, and configured to facilitate communication between the first port and the second port, and a valve, disposed within the conduit, and configured to seal the third port.

Abstract: A two-stage, bi-directional valve is provided for controlling gas flow into and out of a storage volume. The solenoid is provided to actuate a first stage piston to seal communication with a pressure source. In doing so, the sources imparted by the solenoid overcome biasing forces applied by a resilient spring on the first stage piston. Simultaneously, actuation of the first stage piston opens the bleed passage to permit the depressurization of space behind the second stage valve. Upon sufficient depressurization, the second stage valve is unseated from the main orifice by fluid pressure forces, thereby creating the flow path for escape of the gaseous fluid through the main orifice.

Abstract: The present invention provides a valve assembly comprising a first passageway including a first port, a second port defining a restrictive orifice, a third port, and a first valve seat defining a first orifice, a second passageway extending from the third port and including a minimum cross-sectional area defined by a minimum orifice, and also including a second valve seat defining a second orifice, a first piston sealingly disposed in the first passageway between (i) the first port and (ii) the second and the third ports, and configured to seal the first orifice, and a second piston disposed in the second passageway between the third port and the second valve seat, and configured to seal the second orifice, wherein the minimum cross-sectional area of the minimum orifice is larger than the cross-sectional area of the restrictive orifice, and wherein the second orifice is characterized by a smaller cross-sectional area than that of the first orifice.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure regulator comprising a housing including a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber, a moveable pressure boundary member configured to isolate the high pressure chamber from the low pressure chamber, a pintle valve, including a pintle stem and a pintle retainer, the pintle stem extending through the moveable pressure boundary member and carrying the pintle retainer, the pintle retainer being disposed in the low pressure chamber, and a resilient member interposed between the pintle retainer and the moveable pressure boundary member. The present invention also provides a pressure regulating valve comprising a housing, including a low pressure chamber and a high pressure chamber, a moveable pressure boundary member, a moveable pressure boundary member, configured to isolate the high pressure chamber from the low pressure chamber, and configured to limit movement of the moveable pressure boundary member.

Abstract: A pressure relief device comprising a body including an exterior surface, a cavity, an inlet, an outlet, and an aperture, each of the inlet, the outlet, and the aperture opening into the cavity, a temperature sensitive bonding element and a valve, disposed within the cavity and extending through the aperture, including a sealing member and a cap, the cap being joined to the exterior of the body by the temperature sensitive bonding element, and the sealing member being configured to seal the inlet when the cap is joined to the exterior surface of the body. The pressure relief device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the body further includes a retainer configured to prevent the valve from separating from the body when the cap becomes disengaged from the body.