Abstract: A pressure relief valve having a housing with an inlet port, an outlet port and a curvilinearly extending housing interior sidewall that defines a flow passageway through the housing from the inlet port to the outlet port. A piston assembly that is moveable between a closed position to establish a fluid-tight seal between the inlet port and the outlet port, and an open position to permit fluidic flow of pressurized fluid from the inlet port to the outlet port. The piston assembly has a piston head having a parabolically shaped piston face and elliptical perimeter that, when the inlet piston assembly is moved to the open position, aligns with the housing interior sidewall to provide a continuous transition from a position immediately upstream of the piston to a position immediately downstream of the piston.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a fluidic seal such as in a clean service relief valve. In accordance with some embodiments, a ring-shaped sealing member has an annular main body portion with an innermost surface at an innermost diameter, an outermost surface at an outermost diameter and opposing top and bottom flat surfaces which respectively extend between the innermost surface and the outermost surface. An annular first projection extends away from the top flat surface in a first direction, and an annular second projection extends away from the bottom flat surface in an opposing second direction.

Abstract: An environmental (weather) protective cover for a vent conduit. In accordance with some embodiments, a flexible body portion is adapted to cover a distal end of a vent conduit coupled to an upstream pressure source. A flap supported by the body portion has a flap slot opening. The body portion and the flap have a closed mode in which the vent conduit is sealed and an open mode in which the body portion and the flap slot opening are expanded when pressurized fluid discharging from the vent conduit is sufficient to flex the body portion and increase the slot opening to discharge the pressurized fluid. The body portion and the flap return to the closed mode when the pressurized fluid has been released.

Abstract: A normally open flow control valve includes a housing having an inlet port, an outlet port and an interior passageway with a valve seat. A moveable valve member has a sealing head supported for rotation by a cantilevered arm. The sealing head has a sealing member adapted to establish a fluidic seal against the valve seat in a closed position. A biasing member applies a biasing force to the valve member to bring a contact surface of the valve member into contacting engagement with a distal end of a projection pin in an open position. When a flow rate of a pressurized fluid at the inlet port exceeds a selected threshold, impingement of the pressurized fluid against the sealing head rotates the valve member from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: A protective cap assembly for a pressurized valve adapted to detect a leak therethrough. In accordance with various embodiments, the cap assembly includes a body adapted for placement in fluid communication with the valve, and a sensory indicator supported by the cap assembly body to provide human sensory indication of pressurized fluid leaking from the valve in its closed position. In various embodiments, the sensory indicator can be a whistle that makes an audible sound, a light emitting device that emits a visible light, or both. In further embodiments, the cap assembly body can be coupled to the vent conduit via a tether, and ejected responsive to exhausted pressurized fluid when the valve transitions to the open position. The displaced cap assembly body serves as a visual indication that the valve has opened.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a pressurized fluid. In accordance with some embodiments, a valve assembly includes a piston moved between closed and open positions. A sealing member is disposed within an annular recess of the piston and characterized as an endless annular ring extending about a central axis of the piston. The sealing member has an elongated circle cross-sectional shape when the sealing member is in an uncompressed state prior to installation in said recess. The cross-sectional shape is defined by parallel top and bottom surfaces having a length L in a direction perpendicular to and intersecting the central axis, and having opposing inner and outer surfaces of a radius R, the inner and outer surfaces respectively facing toward and facing away from the central axis, and wherein the dimensional value of L is at least five times greater than the dimensional value of R.

Abstract: A relief valve assembly to relieve overpressure of a pressurized fluid. In accordance with some embodiments, the assembly comprises a housing with an inlet and an outlet to form a conduit for a pressurized fluid. A normally closed valve member is axially displaceable within the housing to engage a valve seat to prevent a flow of the pressurized fluid along the conduit. A biasing member applies a bias force to the valve member to retain the valve member against the valve seat. A piston within the valve member contactingly engages the pressurized fluid. A mechanically collapsible member resists axial movement of the piston responsive to said contacting engagement of the pressurized fluid. The piston and collapsible member decouple the bias force supplied by the biasing spring member upon the valve member from a force upon the valve member applied by the pressurized fluid, thereby maintaining a bubble-tight seal.

Abstract: A fluid control assembly configured to isolate a pressurized fluid, including an under pressure abatement assembly having a collapsible member and an energy storage member for exerting a collapsing force on the collapsible member while contactingly engaging a pivotal valve member. A conduit path directs pressurized fluid to exert a force in opposition to the collapsing force so that when the fluid pressure falls below a low pressure threshold, the collapsing force will collapse the collapsible member and release the valve member. An over pressure abatement assembly can be included having a second collapsible member and a second valve member, a conduit path directing pressurized fluid to exert a force in a direction to collapse the second collapsible member and release the second valve member when the fluid pressure exceeds an upper pressure threshold.

Abstract: Apparatus for equalizing pressure within a vapor space of a storage vessel. In accordance with various embodiments, a pressure equalization assembly has a base housing member adapted to be mounted to a tank adjacent a tank aperture in fluidic communication with a vapor space of the tank. A canister assembly is adapted for removable engagement with the housing member between a closed position and an open position. The closed position establishes a fluidic seal interface between the housing member and the canister assembly. The open position provides user access to the vapor space through the tank aperture. The canister assembly further has a compound seal assembly with first and second pistons biased against corresponding first and second annular seal members while the canister assembly is in both the closed position and the open position. A third annular seal member is disposed between the canister assembly and the base housing member.

Abstract: A protective cap assembly for a pressurized valve adapted to detect a leak therethrough. In accordance with various embodiments, the cap assembly includes a body adapted for placement in fluid communication with the valve, and a sensory indicator supported by the cap assembly body to provide human sensory indication of pressurized fluid leaking from the valve in its closed position. In various embodiments, the sensory indicator can be a whistle that makes an audible sound, a light emitting device that emits a visible light, or both. In further embodiments, the cap assembly body can be coupled to the vent conduit via a tether, and ejected responsive to exhausted pressurized fluid when the valve transitions to the open position. The displaced cap assembly body serves as a visual indication that the valve has opened.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a pressurized fluid. In accordance with some embodiments, a valve assembly includes a piston moved between closed and open positions. A sealing member is disposed within an annular recess of the piston and characterized as an endless annular ring extending about a central axis of the piston. The sealing member has an elongated circle cross-sectional shape when the sealing member is in an uncompressed state prior to installation in said recess. The cross-sectional shape is defined by parallel top and bottom surfaces having a length L in a direction perpendicular to and intersecting the central axis, and having opposing inner and outer surfaces of a radius R, the inner and outer surfaces respectively facing toward and facing away from the central axis, and wherein the dimensional value of L is at least five times greater than the dimensional value of R.

Abstract: A relief valve assembly to relieve overpressure of a pressurized fluid. In accordance with some embodiments, the assembly comprises a housing with an inlet and an outlet to form a conduit for a pressurized fluid. A normally closed valve member is axially displaceable within the housing to engage a valve seat to prevent a flow of the pressurized fluid along the conduit. A biasing member applies a bias force to the valve member to retain the valve member against the valve seat. A piston within the valve member contactingly engages the pressurized fluid. A mechanically collapsible member resists axial movement of the piston responsive to said contacting engagement of the pressurized fluid. The piston and collapsible member decouple the bias force supplied by the biasing spring member upon the valve member from a force upon the valve member applied by the pressurized fluid, thereby maintaining a bubble-tight seal.

Abstract: A vapor pressure equalization assembly having an underpressure relief assembly and an overpressure relief assembly in fluidic communication with the vapor space of a liquid storage tank (vessel). The underpressure and overpressure relief assemblies each have movable pistons sealingly engageable with respective sealing members, and biasing members which exert respective biasing forces to maintain the pistons in sealing engagement with the sealing members. A predetermined underpressure or overpressure differential between the vapor space pressure and atmospheric pressure will cause one of the pistons to open fluidic communication of the vapor space to equalize the vapor space pressure with that of the surrounding atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing a sealing member with enhanced hoop strength. In some embodiments, a valve assembly includes a piston and first means for establishing a fluid-tight seal when the piston is in a closed position and for preventing a blow out condition when the piston is transitioned to an open position. In other embodiments, a sealing member is characterized as an endless annular ring which extends about a central axis, the sealing member comprising an elongated circle cross-sectional shape while the sealing member is maintained in an uncompressed state. In other embodiments, a method comprises extruding a sealing material through an extrusion assembly to form an endless annular ring which extends about a central axis, the extrusion assembly imparting a desired amount of curvilinearity along a longitudinal length of the material to form an orthogonal seam when a leading and trailing edge of the material are adjoined.

Abstract: An overpressure rotary valve assembly for detecting and abating an overpressure condition. A valve member is configured for movement between a closed position and an open position. A locking pin contactingly retains the valve member in a selected one of the open and closed positions. A piston is coupled to the locking pin, and a collapsible member is coupled to the piston. When a fluidic pressure upon the piston reaches a predetermined threshold, the piston mechanically collapses the collapsible member and pulls the pin from the valve member, thereby freeing the valve member to move to the remaining one of the open and closed positions. The locking pin is preferably decoupled from the piston so that the pin remains in place during initial stages of piston movement. Differential pressure across the valve member does not alter the setpoint since only upstream inlet fluid is applied to the piston.

Abstract: A valve activation assembly which mechanically collapses a collapsible member, such as a buckling pin, in response to both overpressure and underpressure conditions of a pressurized fluid. A retention member retains the valve member in a selected position with respect to the fluid, such as an open or closed position. A piston assembly is configured to mechanically collapse the collapsible member both when a fluidic pressure upon the piston assembly exceeds a first level, and when a fluidic pressure upon the piston assembly falls below a second level. Upon collapse of the collapsible member, the valve member releases the valve member, allowing the valve member to move to a different selected position (such as closed or open, respectively). A third piston member and a biasing member thereon can also be utilized. In some embodiments, a fluid is preferably held in compression between selected piston members.

Abstract: A valve activation assembly which mechanically collapses a collapsible member, such as a buckling pin, in response to both overpressure and underpressure conditions of a pressurized fluid. A retention member retains the valve member in a selected position with respect to the fluid, such as an open or closed position. A piston assembly is configured to mechanically collapse the collapsible member both when a fluidic pressure upon the piston assembly exceeds a first level, and when a fluidic pressure upon the piston assembly falls below a second level. Upon collapse of the collapsible member, the valve member releases the valve member, allowing the valve member to move to a different selected position (such as closed or open, respectively). A third piston member and a biasing member thereon can also be utilized. In some embodiments, a fluid is preferably held in compression between selected piston members.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a multiple orifice valve (MOV) for controlling a flow of pressurized fluid. A housing directs the flow from an inlet to an outlet and supports an interior stationary surface. A moveable surface selectively impedes the flow and is disposed in facing relation to the stationary surface to form a leakage path therebetween. A sealing member is disposed in a medial portion of the leakage path so that a leakage portion of the flow passing along said path compresses the sealing member against a shoulder portion of one of the surfaces to urge the sealing member across the path and form a mass seal. Preferably, the leakage path comprises a first portion in a first direction and a second portion in a different, second longitudinal direction, and the sealing member is compressed against the shoulder portion adjacent a junction between said first and second portions.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, program, and data structure for implementing a locking mechanism to control access to a shared resource. A request is received to access the shared resource. A determination is made of whether a first file has a first name. The first file is renamed to a second name if the first file has the first name. A second file is updated to indicate the received request in a queue of requests to the shared resource if the first file is renamed to the second name. An ordering of the requests in the queue is used to determine whether access to the shared resource is granted to the request. The first file is renamed to the first name after the second file is updated.

Abstract: A spring assembly and an apparatus incorporating the same. The spring assembly includes a base block configured to be rigidly fixed to a frame. A pair of nominally identical spring rods is cantilevered from the base block in a first direction. Each rod has a length, a proximal end rigidly fixed to the base and a free distal end. The distal ends are configured to engage a linkage member to resist movement of the linkage member by axial deflection of said rods away from the first direction. The spring rods are each preferably characterized as substantially cylindrical in shape and formed from steel or other suitable spring material. A fulcrum preferably provides support to an intermediary portion of the spring assembly to adjust the spring force range. The spring assembly is preferably utilized in a liquid level indicator to indicate a height of a column of liquid in a vessel.