Contamination-free pyrovalve

Details Contamination-free pyrovalve Contamination-free pyrovalve

2001-03-16

2003-10-28

Buiz, Michael Powell (Department: 3753)

Fluid handling

Processes

C137S068130, C137S070000, C251S251000, C251S077000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06637448

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to pyrovalves, and specifically to a contamination free pyrovalve.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An example of a known pyrovalve is shown in
FIG. 1
in cross-section. A shear section
10
provides for opening a valve
13
. As known to those of ordinary skill in the art, a section of pipe
16
is machined with a slug
22
disposed there between such that the valve
13
is normally closed. As shown in
FIG. 1
, the shear section
10
is typically a one-piece machined assembly. The slug
22
is positioned such that the downward force of a ram
25
causes reduced width sections
28
to fracture such that the slug
22
is capable of translatory motion in the direction of the ram
25
. The ram
25
is propelled downward by means of an explosive as known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The force of the ram
25
propels the slug
22
downward onto a projection
31
such that the slug
22
clears the two sections of pipe
16
,
19
and the valve
13
is opened. When these types of valves are activated, fine metal particles that are produced by the shearing of the metal may enter the pipes.
Accordingly, what is needed is a contamination-free pyrovalve that does not require the shearing of metal and therefore reduces the likelihood of producing fine metal particles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meets the above-described need by providing a contamination free pyrovalve. The present invention provides a valve having a slug that is press fit into position to establish a normally closed valve. By having the slug pressed into position, there is less of a chance for shearing of metal when the ram dislodges the slug to open the valve.
The present invention comprises a contamination-free pyrovalve having first tubing section and a second tubing section. The first and second tubing sections are disposed in spaced-apart relation such that a conveying path between the first and second tubing section is established. An opening is disposed between the first and second tubing sections. A valve body is fixedly attached to the first and second tubing sections. The valve body has a bore. A ram is disposed inside the bore of the valve body.
A slug is disposed in the opening between the first tubing section and the second tubing section. The slug is held in position by a frictional fit.
A combustion chamber is disposed in operative relation to the ram such that when an explosive material is ignited the pressure inside the chamber causes the ram to move through the bore to strike the slug and to displace it from the opening between the first and second tubing sections such that the valve is opened.
The valve of the present invention may also include a deceleration post that engages with a bore disposed in the slug.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3141470 (1964-07-01), La Fontaine
patent: 3474809 (1969-10-01), Gordon
patent: 3494370 (1970-02-01), Wahl et al.
patent: 3548848 (1970-12-01), Stichling
patent: 4003395 (1977-01-01), Tyler
patent: 4579136 (1986-04-01), Oman et al.
patent: 4619284 (1986-10-01), Delarue et al.
patent: 5154876 (1992-10-01), Ehrke et al.

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