Crashworthy valve

Claim 2

A crashworthy valve comprising: body means having a passage therethrough, said body means including first and second sections, coupling means for connecting said first and second sections, and a frangible region which allows relative movement between said sections when said sections are subjected to a predetermined load; means defining a valve seat in said passage; a valve element mounted for movement in said passage of said body means; means for urging said valve element to a closed position in which it is in engagement with said valve seat to close said passage; a restraining element; detent means for drivingly connecting said valve element and said restraining element so that said valve element can drive said restraining element in a first direction at least when said valve element is moving toward said closed position; abutment means engageable with said restraining element for preventing said restraining element from being driven by Said valve element in said first direction, said restraining element and said abutment means being relatively movable in response to said relative movement between said sections so that said abutment means no longer prevents said valve element from driving said restraining element in said first direction; and means responsive to said valve element driving said restraining element a limited distance in said first direction for releasing said detent means whereby said urging means can thereafter drive the valve element to the closed position without driving said restraining element.

Claim 3

A crashworthy valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said abutment means includes a bendable tab mounted on one of said sections.

Claim 4

A crashworthy valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said coupling means allows relative rotational movement between said sections.

Claim 5

A crashworthy valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes said frangible region and a second frangible region, said first and second regions being relatively weak in response to first and second loading modes, respectively, said first and second regions being spaced and said first and second modes being different.

Claim 6

A crashworthy valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said frangible region fails in response to axial compressive loads, said relative axial movement between said sections being the result of compressive failure of said frangible region.

Claim 7

A crashworthy valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes a sleeve telescopically receiving at least one of said sections, said sleeve includes said frangible region, said valve including a seal axially intermediate said frangible region and said valve seat whereby said sections can remain sealed to each other after fracture of the frangible region.

Claim 8

A crashworthy valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said frangible region fractures in response to said predetermined load, said valve element is recessed from said frangible region even when said valve element is in said closed position.

Claim 9

A crashworthy valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said restraining element projects generally axially of said valve element and is not directly coupled to said abutment means.

Claim 10

A crashworthy valve comprising: body means having a passage therethrough, said body means including first and second sections and coupling means for connecting said first and second sections, at least a portion of said body means being frangible to allow relative movement between said sections when said sections are subjected to a predetermined load; means defining first and second valve seats in said passage, said first and second valve seats being in said first and second sections, respectively; first and second valve elements mounted for movement in said passage toward said first and second valve seats, respectively, each of said valve elements having a closed position in which it engages the associated valve seat to close the passage and an initial position in which it is spaced from the associated valve seat and is substantially prevented from moving further away from the associated valve seat without fracturing the valve; means for urging each of said valve elements to its closed position; first and second restraining elements associated with said first and second valve elements, respectively, and extending generally toward each other; first detent means for drivingly interrelating the first restraining element and the first valve element so that said first valve element can drive the first restraining element generally toward the second restraining element at least when the first valve element is moving toward said closed position thereof; second detent means for drivingly interrelating the second valve element and the second restraining element so that the second valve element can drive the second restraining element generally toward said first restraining element at least when said second valve element is moving toward sAid closed position thereof; each of said restraining elements being independent of each other and being disconnected so as to allow relative movement therebetween when the frangible region ruptures; said restraining elements being arranged in opposing relationship so that the first and second valve elements are prevented from moving to the closed positions by the second and first restraining elements, respectively, and upon fracture of the frangible region, said restraining elements are displaced relative to each other to allow said valve elements to move toward their closed position; and at least one of said detent means being releasable in response to movement of the associated valve element and restraining element toward the closed position for a predetermined distance whereby such valve element can thereafter move to the closed position independently of its associated restraining element.

Claim 11

A crashworthy valve comprising: body means having a passage therethrough, said body means including first and second sections and coupling means for connecting said first and second sections, at least a portion of said body means being frangible to allow relative movement between said sections when said sections are subjected to a predetermined load; means defining first and second valve seats in said passage, said first and second valve seats being in said first and second sections, respectively; first and second valve elements mounted for movement in said passage toward said first and second valve seats, respectively, each of said valve elements having a closed position in which it engages the associated valve seat to close the passage and an initial position in which it is spaced from the associated valve seat and is substantially prevented from moving further away from the associated valve seat without fracturing the valve; means for urging each of said valve elements to its closed position; first and second restraining elements associated with said first and second valve elements, respectively, and extending generally toward each other; first detent means for drivingly interrelating the first restraining element and the first valve element so that said first valve element can drive the first restraining element generally toward the second restraining element at least when the first valve element is moving toward said closed position thereof; second detent means for drivingly interrelating the second valve element and the second restraining element so that the second valve element can drive the second restraining element generally toward said first restraining element at least when said second valve element is moving toward sAid closed position thereof; each of said restraining elements being independent of each other and being disconnected so as to allow relative movement therebetween when the frangible region ruptures; said restraining elements being arranged in opposing relationship so that the first and second valve elements are prevented from moving to the closed positions by the second and first restraining elements, respectively, and upon fracture of the frangible region, said restraining elements are displaced relative to each other to allow said valve elements to move toward their closed position; and at least one of said detent means being releasable in response to movement of the associated valve element and restraining element toward the closed position for a predetermined distance whereby such valve element can thereafter move to the closed position independently of its associated restraining element.

Claim 12

A crashworthy valve as defined in claim 9 wherein said restraining elements are in abutting relationship.

Claim 13

A crashworthy valve comprising: first and second valve bodies, each of said valve bodies having a passage therein, said first and second valve bodies defining first and second valve seats, respectively, in their respective passage; first and second valve elements mounted for movement in the passage of said first and second valve bodies, respectively; first biasing means for urging said first valve element into a closed position in which it is in engagement with said valve seat to close the passage of said first valve body; second biasing means for urging said second valve element to a closed position in which it is in engagement with said second valve seat to close the passage of said second valve body, each of said valve elements having an open position in which it is spaced at least a predetermined distance from its valve seat; coupling means for interconnecting said valve bodies with said passages thereof being in fluid communication, each of said valve elements moving toward the other of said valve elements in moving from the open position thereof toward the closed position thereof; means defining a weakened region on said valve which is deformable in response to a predetermined load to allow relative movement between said valve bodies; first and second restraining elements mounted, respectively, in said first and second valve bodies; first detent means for drivingly connecting the first restraining element and the first valve element so that said first valve element can drive the first restraining element is a first direction at least when said first valve element is moving toward said closed position thereof; second detent means for drivingly connecting the second valve element and the second restraining element so that said second valve element can drive the second restraining element in a second direction at least when said second valve element is moving toward said closed position thereof, said restraining elements projecting generally axially of their respective valve elements and into engagement with each other to thereby normally prevent said valve elements from moving to the closed positions thereof; and at least one of said detent means being releasable in response to relative axial movement between said valve bodies of less than said predetermined distance to release said one detent means whereby the first and second biasing means can urge both of said valve elements to said closed positions.

Claim 14

A crashworthy valve comprising: first and second valve bodies, each of said valve bodies having a passage therein, said first and second valve bodies defining first and second valve seats, respectively, in their respective passage; first and second valve elements mounted for movement in the passage of said first and second valve bodies, respectively; first biasing means for urging said first valve element into a closed position in which it is in engagement with said valve seat to close the passage of said first valve body; second biasing means for urging said second valve element to a closed position in which it is in engagement with said second valve seat to close the passage of said second valve body, each of said valve elements having an open position in which it is spaced at least a predetermined distance from its valve seat; coupling means for interconnecting said valve bodies with said passages thereof being in fluid communication, each of said valve elements moving toward the other of said valve elements in moving from the open position thereof toward the closed position thereof; means defining a weakened region on said valve which is deformable in response to a predetermined load to allow relative movement between said valve bodies; first and second restraining elements mounted, respectively, in said first and second valve bodies; first detent means for drivingly connecting the first restraining element and the first valve element so that said first valve element can drive the first restraining element is a first direction at least when said first valve element is moving toward said closed position thereof; second detent means for drivingly connecting the second valve element and the second restraining element so that said second valve element can drive the second restraining element in a second direction at least when said second valve element is moving toward said closed position thereof, said restraining elements projecting generally axially of their respective valve elements and into engagement with each other to thereby normally prevent said valve elements from moving to the closed positions thereof; and at least one of said detent means being releasable in response to relative axial movement between said valve bodies of less than said predetermined distance to release said one detent means whereby the first and second biasing means can urge both of said valve elements to said closed positions.

Claim 15

A crashworthy valve as defined in claim 11 including means for retracting said first restraining element relative to said valve element at least when the valve element is in said closed position.

Claim 16

A crashworthy valve as defined in claim 11 wherein said valve seats are closely adjacent so that the lengths of said passages between said valve seats are minimized.

Claim 17

A crashworthy valve comprising: a valve body having a passage therein, said valve body defining a valve seat in said pAssage; a valve element mounted for movement in said passage of said valve body; means for urging said valve element to a closed position in which it is in engagement with said valve seat to close said passage; a member adapted to carry the fluid; coupling means for coupling the valve body to the member, said coupling means including frangible means rupturable in response to a tensile load to allow separation of the valve body and the member; means for releasably holding the valve element in an open position in which the valve element is spaced from the valve seat at least a predetermined distance, the last mentioned means being responsive to relative movement between said valve body and the member to release said valve element whereby the urging means can urge the valve element to said closed position; seal means for sealing the region between said member and said valve seat for a time following rupture of the frangible means in response to a tensile load; and said coupling means including a sleeve at least a portion of said sleeve receiving at least a portion of one of said valve body and said member and said frangible means including a frangible region of said portion of said sleeve, said seal means including a resilient deformable seal between the sleeve and said one of said valve body and said member, said seal being axially intermediate said frangible region and said valve seat.

Claim 18

A crashworthy valve comprising: a valve body having a passage therein, said valve body defining a valve seat in said pAssage; a valve element mounted for movement in said passage of said valve body; means for urging said valve element to a closed position in which it is in engagement with said valve seat to close said passage; a member adapted to carry the fluid; coupling means for coupling the valve body to the member, said coupling means including frangible means rupturable in response to a tensile load to allow separation of the valve body and the member; means for releasably holding the valve element in an open position in which the valve element is spaced from the valve seat at least a predetermined distance, the last mentioned means being responsive to relative movement between said valve body and the member to release said valve element whereby the urging means can urge the valve element to said closed position; seal means for sealing the region between said member and said valve seat for a time following rupture of the frangible means in response to a tensile load; and said coupling means including a sleeve at least a portion of said sleeve receiving at least a portion of one of said valve body and said member and said frangible means including a frangible region of said portion of said sleeve, said seal means including a resilient deformable seal between the sleeve and said one of said valve body and said member, said seal being axially intermediate said frangible region and said valve seat.

Claim 19

A crashworthy valve comprising: body means having a passage therethrough, said body means including first and second sections and a frangible region which allows relative movement between said sections when said sections are subjected to a predetermined load; means defining a valve seat in said passage; at least one valve element mounted for movement in said passage of said body means; resilient means for urging said valve element to a closed position in which it is in engagement with said valve seat to close said passage; a restraining element mounted in said body means; abutment means engageable with said restraining element for holding said restraining element in a first position, said restraining element being movable relative to said abutment means in response to said relative movement between said sections whereby said restraining element can move out of said first position; a locking member engageable with said valve element, said restraining element holding said locking member and said valve element in cooperative locking relationship to prevent the valve element from moving to a closed position when said restraining element is in said first position and allowing said valve element to become free of said locking member when said restraining element moves out of said first position whereby the resilient means can move the valve element to a closed position; and said restraining element being axially compressively loaded against said abutment means at least when the restraining element is in said first position.

Claim 20

A crashworthy valve comprising: body means having a passage therethrough, said body means including first and second sections and a frangible region which allows relative movement between said sections when said sections are subjected to a predetermined load; means defining a valve seat in said passage; at least one valve element mounted for movement in said passage of said body means; resilient means for urging said valve element to a closed position in which it is in engagement with said valve seat to close said passage; a restraining element mounted in said body means; abutment means engageable with said restraining element for holding said restraining element in a first position, said restraining element being movable relative to said abutment means in response to said relative movement between said sections whereby said restraining element can move out of said first position; a locking member engageable with said valve element, said restraining element holding said locking member and said valve element in cooperative locking relationship to prevent the valve element from moving to a closed position when said restraining element is in said first position and allowing said valve element to become free of said locking member when said restraining element moves out of said first position whereby the resilient means can move the valve element to a closed position; and said restraining element being axially compressively loaded against said abutment means at least when the restraining element is in said first position.

Claim 21

A crashworthy valve as defined in claim 15 wherein said restraining element is structurally independent of and disconnected from said abutment means, said valve element being a first valve element mounted in said first section, said valve including a second valve element mounted in said second section, said abutment means being structure other than said second valve element.

Claim 22

A crashworthy valve comprising body means having a passage therethrough, said body means including first and second sections and a frangible region which allows relative movement between said sections when said sections are subjected to a predetermined load; means defining a valve seat in said first section, at least one valve element mounted for movement in said first section of said body means; resilient means for urging said valve element to a closed position in which it is in engagement with said valve seat to close said passage; holding means for holding the valve element in an open position in wHich the valve element is spaced from the valve seat; said valve element being movable in a first direction relative to said first section to a releasing position in response to a predetermined amount of said relative movement between said sections, said valve element being spaced from said valve seat in said releasing position; and said valve element being freed of said holding means in response to said valve element reaching said releasing position whereby the movement of said valve element from said open position to said releasing position causes the release of said valve element and allows said resilient means to subsequently move the valve element to the closed position.

Claim 23

A crashworthy valve comprising body means having a passage therethrough, said body means including first and second sections and a frangible region which allows relative movement between said sections when said sections are subjected to a predetermined load; means defining a valve seat in said first section, at least one valve element mounted for movement in said first section of said body means; resilient means for urging said valve element to a closed position in which it is in engagement with said valve seat to close said passage; holding means for holding the valve element in an open position in wHich the valve element is spaced from the valve seat; said valve element being movable in a first direction relative to said first section to a releasing position in response to a predetermined amount of said relative movement between said sections, said valve element being spaced from said valve seat in said releasing position; and said valve element being freed of said holding means in response to said valve element reaching said releasing position whereby the movement of said valve element from said open position to said releasing position causes the release of said valve element and allows said resilient means to subsequently move the valve element to the closed position.

Claim 24

A crashworthy valve comprising: body means having a passage therethrough, said body means including first and second sections and a frangible region which allows relative movement between said sections when said sections are subjected to a predetermined load; means defining a valve seat in said passage; at least one valve element mounted for movement in said passage of said body means; resilient means for urging said valve element to a closed position in which it is in engagement with said valve seat to close said passage; releasable means for holding the valve element in an open position in which the valve element is spaced from the valve seat; said valve element being movable in a first direction in response to said relative movement between said sections; said releasable means being responsive to a predetermined amount of said movement of said valve element in said first direction for releasing said valve element whereby said resilient means can move the valve element to the closed position; and said releasable means including a restraining element, abutment means engageable with said restraining element for holding said restraining element in a first position, and a locking member, said restraining element being movable relative to said abutment means out of said first position in response to said relative movement between said sections, said valve element being movable in said first direction in response to said movement of said restraining element, said restraining element holding said locking member and said valve element in cooperative locking relationship to prevent the valve element from moving to the closed position when said restraining element is in said first position and allowing said valve element to become free of said locking member when said restraining element moves out of said first position whereby said resilient means can move the valve element to a closed position.

Claim 25

A crashworthy valve comprising: body means having a passage therethrough, said body means including first and second sections and a frangible region which allows relative movement between said sections when said sections are subjected to a predetermined load; means defining a valve seat in said passage; at least one valve element mounted for movement in said passage of said body means; resilient means for urging said valve element to a closed position in which it is in engagement with said valve seat to close said passage; releasable means for holding the valve element in an open position in which the valve element is spaced from the valve seat; said valve element being movable in a first direction in response to said relative movement between said sections; said releasable means being responsive to a predetermined amount of said movement of said valve element in said first direction for releasing said valve element whereby said resilient means can move the valve element to the closed position; and said releasable means including a restraining element, abutment means engageable with said restraining element for holding said restraining element in a first position, and a locking member, said restraining element being movable relative to said abutment means out of said first position in response to said relative movement between said sections, said valve element being movable in said first direction in response to said movement of said restraining element, said restraining element holding said locking member and said valve element in cooperative locking relationship to prevent the valve element from moving to the closed position when said restraining element is in said first position and allowing said valve element to become free of said locking member when said restraining element moves out of said first position whereby said resilient means can move the valve element to a closed position.

Claim 26

A crashworthy valve as defined in claim 18 wherein said restraining element is compressively loaded when the restraining element is in the first position.