Fast opening valve

US4732189A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland · GB

Inventors

• Terence V. Jones · Abingdon, GB
• Peter J. Loftus · Derby, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: May 6, 1986
• Grant date: Mar 22, 1988
• Expiry date: May 6, 2006

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/7769
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A fast opening plug valve especially for release of high pressure gas. The plug has an internal chamber and is held in the closed position by the pressure of gas within this chamber which acts on a fixed wall. The opening stroke is driven by valve inlet pressure upon release of gas from the plug chamber to a dump chamber. Flow from the plug chamber to the dump chamber is choked towards the end of the valve opening cycle to decelerate the plug. Plug acceleration at the start of the opening cycle is commenced prior to opening to minimize the opening period. Release of pressure from the plug chamber may be initiated by action of a slide valve and linked to rise of valve inlet pressure. The valve has application in wind tunnels.