Spring-capture assembly for a spring-biased mechanism and pressure relief valve including same

摘要

A spring capture assembly is provided for securing a compression spring of a spring-biased mechanism, such as a spring-biased pressure relief valve, to permit disassembly of the mechanism without risk of damage or injury associate with rapid resiling of the spring from a compressed state. The assembly includes a tool, a housing having an opening for admitting passage of the tool and capturing the spring at one end, a spring retainer, and a compression spring mounted within the housing and captured at one end by said housing and toward an opposite end by the spring retainer. The tool is adapted for mating with the spring retainer and the housing to compress the spring therebetween. The spring capture assembly may be incorporated into a pressure relief valve for venting pressure and/or vacuum from a pressure vessel. Provided also is a method for disassembling a spring-biased mechanism including a spring capture assembly.

主权项

1. A pressure relief valve for venting a pressure vessel containing a pressurized fluid, comprising:
a mount, said mount having a lower portion adapted for mounting to the pressure vessel, a passageway for venting fluid therethrough, and an upper portion defining a first mating structure circumscribing said passageway; a valve seat supported on said mount about said passageway; a poppet matable with said valve seat to occlude said passageway and disrupt a flow of fluid therethrough, said poppet having an open position spaced from said valve seat and a closed position in abutting said valve seat; a housing having a first portion defining a second mating structure complementary to said first mating structure, and at least one vent to atmosphere configured such that, when said poppet is in said open position, said passageway is in fluid communication with said atmosphere, and an opening for admitting passage of a tool; a spring retainer having a mating structure mechanically interlockable with the tool, and a flange; and a compression spring mounted within said housing and captured at one end by said housing and at an opposite end by said flange of said spring retainer, said compression spring biasing said poppet from an open position spaced from said valve seat toward a closed position in abutting relationship with said valve seat, seat compression spring having an axis and said opening of said housing being aligned with said axis.