US3665958A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vent closure device
Assignee: GPE Controls Inc
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Filing: 1968-09-16
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Granted: 1972-05-30
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Expires: 1988-09-16
Abstract
Abstract A hinged cover for a vent opening with safety features to insure reliability of operation in remote and critical applications, such as nuclear reactors. Means are provided for opening the cover from a remote location to insure its freedom of movement, and to then move it back to the closed position. The latter means comprises a return spring, and a standby spring is provided to become operative only in the event of breakage or other malfunction of the first spring.
Inventors
- 👤 Evald Dunkelis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 04:04
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K17/00; F16K15/00; F16K15/02; F16K15/03; F16K15/033; F16K15/18; F16K15/182; G; G21; G21C; G21C13/00; G21C13/02; G21C13/028; G21C13/0285; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7837; Y10T137/7876; Y10T137/7898
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
In a relief vent having a cover movable between open and closed positions relative to a seat in response to a predetermined pressure differential, the combination comprising: a. first means biasing said cover toward said closed position; b. second means movable from an inoperative to an operative position, in the latter of which said second means biases said cover toward said closed position; and c. third means for permitting said second means to move from said inoperative to said operative position in response to a failure of said first means rendering the latter ineffective to exert a biasing force on said cover.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a relief vent having a cover movable between open and closed positions relative to a seat in response to a predetermined pressure differential, the combination comprising: a. first means biasing said cover toward said closed position; b. second means movable from an inoperative to an operative position, in the latter of which said second means biases said cover toward said closed position; and c. third means for permitting said second means to move from said inoperative to said operative position in response to a failure of said first means rendering the latter ineffective to exert a biasing force on said cover.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said cover is hingedly mounted and said first means comprises a first torsion spring biasing said cover about its hinged mounting toward said closed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein auxiliary means are provided for selectively moving said cover to said open position independently of said pressure differential.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention according to claim 3 wherein said auxiliary means comprise a rotatable arm mounted for coaction with said cover.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention according to claim 3 and further including limit switch means movable between open and closed positions in response to movement of said cover to indicate whether said cover is in its open or closed position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein said second means comprises a second torsion spring held in said inoperative position by said third means which includes retaining means responsive to the biasing force supplied by said first torsion spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention according to claim 6 wherein said retaining means comprise hook means releasably holding one end of said second spring and a movable element held in an initial position by said first torsion spring wherein said movable element prevents release of said one end of said second spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention according to claim 7 wherein said third means further includes additional biasing means for moving said movable element away from said initial position upon failure of said first spring, thereby releasing said one end of said second spring from said hook means for movement into biasing engagement with said cover.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention according to claim 8 wherein said movable element is mounted for rotational movement away from said initial position and is biased toward such movement by said additional biasing means with a considerably smaller force than that exerted by said first spring on both said movable element and said cover.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention according to claim 6 wherein both of said first and second torsion springs are mounted upon the hinged mounting of said cover.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |