Pressure maintenance valve for pneumatic apparatus such as air spring systems

US6173738A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Daimlerchrysler AG · US

Inventors

• Andreas Opara · Fellbach, DE
• Gerhard Lohmann · Asperg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 6, 1999
• Grant date: Jan 16, 2001
• Expiry date: Jul 6, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/7836
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

In a pressure maintenance valve for pneumatic apparatus including a valve housing having inlet and outlet passages, a valve member is disposed in the housing and includes a membrane having at one side thereof an annular valve structure disposed opposite an annular valve seat which divides the space adjacent the membrane into inner and outer concentric chambers when the valve structure is seated on the valve seat. A valve spring is disposed at the other side of the membrane for biasing the membrane into engagement with the valve seat. One of the concentric chambers is in communication with the inlet passage and the other with the outlet passage, whereby the membrane is held in an open valve position as long as the pressure in the inlet and outlet passages is greater than a certain value but the membrane closes the valve to maintain the predetermined pressure in the outlet passage when the pressure falls below that certain value. The membrane is manufactured in the shape, which it assumes in its valve opening position.