Granted Patent B2

US 7,556,559 · App. 11/047,436 · Granted Jul 7, 2009

Abstract

Claims (15)

1. A control and pressure relief valve for relieving air pressure from an automotive vehicle interior to an atmospheric pressure outside said vehicle interior, said valve adapted to be mounted on a valve mounting location, said valve mounting location having an inlet in fluid communication with said vehicle interior and an outlet in fluid communication with said atmospheric pressure, comprising:

a frame member defining at least one relief valve disposed in said mounting location and operable to allow air to flow from said vehicle interior to atmospheric pressure when said air pressure in said vehicle interior exceeds a first predetermined pressure value, said first predetermined pressure value being greater than said atmospheric pressure, said frame member biased by springs disposed between said valve mounting location and said frame member, said frame member selectively sealing said valve mounting location inlet; and

at least one louver defining a control valve disposed in said frame and operable to allow air to flow from said vehicle interior to said atmospheric pressure when said air pressure in said vehicle interior exceeds a second predetermined pressure value, said second predetermined value being greater than said atmospheric pressure and less than said first predetermined pressure value.

2. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said valve mounting location inlet defines a single aperture and said at least one control valve and said at least one relief valve are disposed in said single aperture.

3. The valve according to claim 1 wherein said springs are adjustable to vary said first predetermined pressure value.

4. A control and pressure relief valve for relieving air pressure from an automotive vehicle interior to an atmospheric pressure outside the vehicle interior, comprising:

a valve mounting location having an aperture with an inlet in fluid communication with the vehicle interior and an outlet selectively in fluid communication with the atmospheric pressure;

a relief valve including a plurality of posts mounted to and extending from the valve mounting location, a frame member slidably mounted on the plurality of posts and selectively covering and sealing against the aperture, and a spring configured to bias the frame member into contact with the valve mounting location, the relief valve being operable to allow air to flow from the vehicle interior to atmospheric pressure when the air pressure in the vehicle interior exceeds a first predetermined pressure value, the first predetermined pressure value being greater than the atmospheric pressure; and

a control valve mounted on the frame member and configured to allow air to flow from the vehicle interior to the atmospheric pressure when the air pressure in the vehicle interior exceeds a second predetermined pressure value, the second predetermined pressure value being greater than the atmospheric pressure and less than the first predetermined pressure value.

5. The valve according to claim 4 wherein the control valve is a louver pivotally mounted on the frame member.

6. The valve according to claim 4 wherein the spring is adjustable to vary the first predetermined pressure value.

7. The valve according to claim 4 wherein the spring is mounted between the frame member and the valve mounting location.

8. The valve according to claim 4 wherein the spring is mounted between the frame member and a free end of one of the plurality of posts.

9. The valve according to claim 4 wherein the control valve is a pair of louvers, each pivotally mounted on the frame member.

10. The valve according to claim 4 wherein the spring is one of a plurality of springs, with each of the plurality of springs mounted on a respective one of the plurality of posts.

Assignments (13)