US3768299A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic test valve for testing pressure relief valves
Assignee: LEE TEX VALVE Inc
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Filing: 1972-06-26
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1992-06-26
Abstract
Abstract An automatic test valve for testing a pressure relief valve adapted to be positioned between an inlet flange of the relief valve and a companion flange of a pressure system. The valve includes a cylindrical body defining a chamber and having a base member with an orifice therein. A spring biased pivotal clapper valve member normally closes the orifice. The orifice is larger than the orifice of the pressure relief valve being tested. The body is provided with an inlet opening leading into the chamber and a discharge opening leading from the chamber to permit pressurized test fluid to be introduced into the chamber and to permit fluid to be discharged therefrom so that the chamber may be purged without removing the valve from the pressure system. To test a pressure relief valve, the test valve is mounted between the relief valve inlet flange and a companion flange of the pressure system and a fluid is then introduced under pressure on the pressure relief valve side of the test valve and the pressure increased on that side to at least the pressure at which the relief valve is set to open. The test valve may also be purged by passing pressurized fluid therethrough at a pressure lower than the pressure relief valve opening pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 L Garren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:28
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K15/00; F16K15/02; F16K15/03; F16K15/033; F16K17/00; F16K17/02; F16K17/04; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7837; Y10T137/7838; Y10T137/7842
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A test valve for testing a pressure relief valve having an inlet flange adapted for connecTion to a companion flange of a pressure system comprising a valve body adapted to be positioned in fluid tight relation between a pressure relief valve inlet flange and a companion flange of a pressure system, a chamber defined by said body, said body including a base member, an orifice defined by said base member, a pivotal clapper valve member normally closing said orifice, spring means biasing said clapper valve member to its normally closed position, said clapper valve member being adapted to automatically open and close in response to variations in pressure, an inlet opening in said body leading into said chamber to permit fluid under pressure to be introduced into said chamber, and a discharge opening in said body leading from said chamber to permit fluid to be discharged therefrom whereby said chamber may be purged without removing said valve from the pressure system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A test valve for testing a pressure relief valve having an inlet flange adapted for connecTion to a companion flange of a pressure system comprising a valve body adapted to be positioned in fluid tight relation between a pressure relief valve inlet flange and a companion flange of a pressure system, a chamber defined by said body, said body including a base member, an orifice defined by said base member, a pivotal clapper valve member normally closing said orifice, spring means biasing said clapper valve member to its normally closed position, said clapper valve member being adapted to automatically open and close in response to variations in pressure, an inlet opening in said body leading into said chamber to permit fluid under pressure to be introduced into said chamber, and a discharge opening in said body leading from said chamber to permit fluid to be discharged therefrom whereby said chamber may be purged without removing said valve from the pressure system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A test valve according to claim 1 wherein said orifice is larger than the orifice of the pressure relief valve being tested.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A test valve according to claim 2 wherein said orifice is from 10 to 20 per cent larger than the orifice of the pressure relief valve being tested.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A test valve according to claim 1 wherein said body is cylindrical in configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A test valve according to claim 1 wherein said base member includes a recessed area surrounding said orifice to receive said clapper valve member when in its closed position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A test valve according to claim 1 wherein said clapper valve member is pivotally mounted on a pin secured to said base member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A test valve according to claim 6 wherein said spring means comprises a torsion spring coiled around said pin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A test valve according to claim 6 wherein said pin is mounted in an elongated slot in said base member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A test valve according to claim 8 wherein said slot extends inwardly from one edge of said base member and which includes a plug inserted into said slot to close the end of said slot adjacent said one edge in pressure tight relationship.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
176 words
A test valve for testing a pressure relief valve having an inlet flange adapted for connection to a companion flange of a pressure system comprising a cylindrical valve body adapted to be positioned in fluid tight relation between a pressure relief valve inlet flange and a companion flange of a pressure system, a chamber defined by said body, said body including a base member, an orifice defined by said base member, said orifice being larger than the orifice of the pressure relief valve being tested, a pivotal clapper valve member normally closing said orifice, spring means biasing said clapper valve member to its normally closed position, said clapper valve member being adapted to automatically open and close in response to variations in pressure, an inlet opening in said body leading into said chamber to permit fluid under pressure to be introduced into said chamber, and a discharge opening in said body leading from said chamber to permit fluid to be discharged therefrom whereby said chamber may be purged without removing said valve from the pressure system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
176 words
A test valve for testing a pressure relief valve having an inlet flange adapted for connection to a companion flange of a pressure system comprising a cylindrical valve body adapted to be positioned in fluid tight relation between a pressure relief valve inlet flange and a companion flange of a pressure system, a chamber defined by said body, said body including a base member, an orifice defined by said base member, said orifice being larger than the orifice of the pressure relief valve being tested, a pivotal clapper valve member normally closing said orifice, spring means biasing said clapper valve member to its normally closed position, said clapper valve member being adapted to automatically open and close in response to variations in pressure, an inlet opening in said body leading into said chamber to permit fluid under pressure to be introduced into said chamber, and a discharge opening in said body leading from said chamber to permit fluid to be discharged therefrom whereby said chamber may be purged without removing said valve from the pressure system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
134 words
A pressure relief valve testing apparatus comprising a pressure relief valve having a valve housing with an inlet at one extremity thereof, said relief valve being adapted to open at a predetermined pressure, a pressure system normally connected to said relief valve, and a separate test valve having a valve body external to said pressure relief valve housing, mounted between said pressure system and said inlet extremity of said pressure relief valve housing, said test valve being adapted for automatically opening and closing in response to variations in pressure in said pressure system, said test valve also being adapted for selective connection to an external source of pressurized fluid for testing said relief valve such that both said pressure system and said external sourcE may be in simultaneous communication with said pressure relief valve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
134 words
A pressure relief valve testing apparatus comprising a pressure relief valve having a valve housing with an inlet at one extremity thereof, said relief valve being adapted to open at a predetermined pressure, a pressure system normally connected to said relief valve, and a separate test valve having a valve body external to said pressure relief valve housing, mounted between said pressure system and said inlet extremity of said pressure relief valve housing, said test valve being adapted for automatically opening and closing in response to variations in pressure in said pressure system, said test valve also being adapted for selective connection to an external source of pressurized fluid for testing said relief valve such that both said pressure system and said external sourcE may be in simultaneous communication with said pressure relief valve.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
133 words
A pressure relief valve testing apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said separate test valve comprises a valve body having an open top portion adapted to mate with said inlet at said extremity of said pressure relief valve housing, a bottom portion adapted to mate with said pressure system, said bottom portion having an orifice and valving means adapted to open or close said orifice automatically in response to variations in pressure in said pressure system, and sidewall portions extending between said top portion and said bottom portion, said sidewall portions including an inlet opening which either may be closed or may be open and connected to said external source of pressurized fluid whereby, when so opened and connected, pressurized fluid from said external source may be introduced therethrough into said testing apparatus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
A pressure relief valve testing apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said separate test valve body sidewall portions further include a discharge opening which may be either open or closed whereby, when open, pressurized fluid introduced into said test valve body through said inlet opening may be discharged through said discharge opening to purge said testing apparatus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2178901A
Cited
US3049148A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |