Valves with counterweights to assist in opening and closing are described, which can release large volumes of gas almost instantaneously, and provide airtight seals

Dillard, W. H.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

.Sealing 
Gasket 
Bottom of 
Box 
December 1972
	 B72-10536 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
John F Kennedy Space Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code XI, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
High-Volume Pressure Relief Valve 
Gas	 Expaning Gases 
Escape 
Passages
Aluminum 
Housing 
Escaping Gas
	
Locking Nut 
The problem: 
Large enclosed systems that build up extreme gas 
pressure in a short time, as from an explosion, require 
some way of quickly releasing the gas without damaging 
the system. Currently used valves cannot release a large 
quantity of gas quickly, while blow out discs leave the 
system permanently open.
The solution: 
Valves have been designed to use counterweights to 
assist in opening and/or closing. They can release large 
volumes of gas almost instantaneously and provide an 
air-tight seal under normal conditions. 
(continued overleaf) 
This document was pj'epared under the Sponsorship of the National
	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States
	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19720000535 2020-03-17T03:35:12+00:00Z
How it's done: 
Figures 1 and 2 show the valve in the closed and 
open position, respectively. As shown here, the valve is 
mounted inside the enclosure in a vertical position with 
the Teflon piston A at the top. Under normal pressure, 
the two counterweights, C-i and C .2, exert pressure on 
pin B of the Teflon piston, and the valve is closed. When 
pressure on the top of A is great enough to cause the 
downward force on the pin B to exceed the upward 
force from the counterweights, C-i and C .2 pivot up-
wards, and the Teflon piston lowers inside the valve 
housing. This releases gas through the openings in the 
piston. A cut-out in the counterweights serves as a gas 
passage to the outside. 
This simply constructed valve requires little main-
tenance. Similar valves may be designed for a wide 
range of pressures by using different counterweights.
Notes: 
1. This valve could also be used as a coarse pressure 
regulator for low pressure systems. 
2. Requests for further information may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Kennedy Space Center 
Code AD-PAT 
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899 
Reference: B72-10536 
Patent status: 
NASA has decided not to apply for a patent. 
Source: Wendall H. Dullard of 
Bendix Corp.
under contract to
Kennedy Space Center
(KSC.10707)
40- 
B72. 10536	 Category 07


High-volume pressure relief valve

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

NASA Technical Reports Server