Pressure and temperature relief valve

Claim 1

A pressure and temperature relief valve comprising an integral casing having first port, a second port axially aligned with said first port, a third outlet port, and a single chamber communicating with said ports; insert means secured in said second port, said insert means defining an inlet to said casing and including a wall extending into said chamber to define a valve seat and an inner surface defining register means; a valve member cooperating with said valve seat to control flow between said second port and said third outlet port; a thermostat assembly including temperature sensing means and actuator means controlled by said temperature sensing means for engaging said valve member to move said valve member away from said valve seat when said temperature sensing means senses a predetermined high limit temperature; retainer means holding said thermostat assembly and including clip means engaged with said register means to align said thermostat assembly with said valve seat and said valve member; an adjustment plug secured in said first port; valve stem means loosely attached to said valve member and having an external end extending through said adjustment plug; manual lever assembly means engaging said external end of said valve stem means to permit manual opening of said pressure and temperature relief valve, said manual lever assembly including a lever having a spherical recess therein, and a swivel ball disposed in said recess and having a central bore therethrough, said valve stem extending through said bore and having an enlarged head captured by said swivel ball; a first spring retaining cup having a first bottom portion with a first aperture centrally disposed therein and an integral first side wall forming a first helical shoulder and a first stop, said first bottom portion engaging said adjustment plug with said valve stem means extending through said first aperture; a second spring retaining cup having a second bottom portion with second aperture cenTrally disposed therein and an integral second side wall forming a second helical shoulder and a second stop, said second bottom portion engaging said valve member with said valve stem means extending through said second aperture; and a helical bias spring having a first end received in said first retaining cup to abut said first stop and engage said first helical shoulder and a second end received in said second retaining cup to abut said second stop and engage said second helical shoulder such that said helical bias spring is mounted in compression between said adjustment plug and said valve member whereby said helical bias spring is axially aligned with said valve stem.