Pressure relief valve for a vehicle

Abstract

A pressure relief valve including a housing that mounts in an aperture in a panel. The housing has a side wall defining an air flow passage. The side wall has a first side wall section at least partially defining the air flow passage. The first side wall section extends at an angle to the panel when the housing is mounted in the aperture in the panel. The first side wall section has an opening extending through the first side wall section. A valve element extends from the first side wall section. The valve element has a closed condition preventing air flow through the opening in the first side wall section and an open condition permitting air flow through the opening in the first side wall section. A louver assembly may be mounted in the aperture in the panel. The louver assembly has at least one louver that directs foreign matter and sound away from the valve element when the valve element is in the closed condition.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A pressure relief valve comprising:
 a housing that mounts in an aperture in a panel, the housing having a side wall defining an air flow passage;   a valve element having a closed condition preventing air flow through the air flow passage and an open condition permitting air flow through the air flow passage; and   a louver assembly mounted in the aperture in the panel, the louver assembly having at least one louver that directs foreign matter and sound away from the valve element when the valve element is in the closed condition to prevent foreign matter and sound from directly contacting the valve element when the valve element is in the closed condition;   the valve element opening toward the louver assembly as the valve element moves from the closed condition toward the open condition.   
     
     
         21 . The pressure relief valve as set forth in  claim 20  wherein the side wall has a first side wall section extending at an acute angle to the panel when the housing is mounted in the aperture in the panel, the first side wall section having an opening through which air flows when the valve element is in the open condition, the louver assembly directing foreign matter and sound away from the first side wall section. 
     
     
         22 . The pressure relief valve as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the side wall includes second and third side wall sections that extend generally perpendicular to the panel when the housing is mounted in the aperture in the panel, the housing including a fourth side wall section extending generally perpendicular to the second and third side wall sections, the first side wall section extending between the fourth and second side wall sections. 
     
     
         23 . The pressure relief valve as set forth in  claim 22  wherein the opening in the first side wall section extends through a portion of the second side wall section, the valve element preventing air flow through the opening in the second side wall section when in the closed condition and permitting air flow through the opening in the second side wall section when in the open condition. 
     
     
         24 . The pressure relief valve as set forth in  claim 20  wherein the at least one louver includes a first portion located adjacent the panel extending at a first angle to the panel when the louver is mounted in the aperture in the panel and a second portion spaced from the panel extending at a second angle to the panel when the louver is mounted in the aperture in the panel, the second angle being smaller than the first angle. 
     
     
         25 . The pressure relief valve as set forth in  claim 20  wherein the louver includes a latching member for snapping into a louver opening in the housing. 
     
     
         26 . The pressure relief valve as set forth in  claim 25  wherein a seal extends over the louver opening in the housing, the latching member extending from the louver engaging the seal when the louver is connected with the housing. 
     
     
         27 . The pressure relief valve as set forth in  claim 20  wherein a sound absorbing member is connected with the housing and is located within the air flow passage. 
     
     
         28 . The pressure relief valve as set forth in  claim 20  wherein the louver assembly directs all foreign matter and sound away from the valve element when the valve element is in the closed condition to prevent foreign matter and sound from directly contacting the valve element when the valve element is in the closed condition. 
     
     
         29 . The pressure relief valve as set forth in  claim 20  wherein the louver assembly changes the direction of the foreign matter and sound traveling in a direction toward the valve element when the valve element is in the closed condition to prevent foreign matter and sound from directly contacting the valve element when the valve element is in the closed condition. 
     
     
         30 . The pressure relief valve as set forth in  claim 20  wherein foreign matter and sound traveling in a first direction toward the valve element when the valve element is in a closed condition is directed in a second direction different from the first direction by the louver assembly when the foreign matter and sound enter the louver assembly to prevent foreign matter and sound from directly contacting the valve element when the valve element is in the closed condition. 
     
     
         31 . The pressure relief valve as set forth in  claim 20  wherein the housing mounts in an aperture in a portion of the panel, the portion of the panel lying in a plane, the side wall having a first side wall section, a second side wall section, and a third side wall section, the first, second, and third side wall sections at least partially defining the air flow passage, the first side wall section extending at an angle to the panel when the housing is mounted in the aperture in the panel, the first side wall section having an opening extending through the first side wall section, the second and third side wall sections extending generally parallel to each other and perpendicular to the plane in which the portion of the panel lies when the housing is mounted in the aperture of the panel, the first side wall section extending obliquely to the second and third side wall sections, the valve element extending from the first side wall section, the valve element preventing air flow through the opening in the first side wall section when in the closed condition and permitting air flow through the opening in the first side wall section when in the open condition, the valve element pivoting between the closed condition and the open condition about an axis extending at an angle relative to the plane in which the portion of the panel lies. 
     
     
         32 . The pressure relief valve as set forth in  claim 31  wherein the first side wall section extends at an acute angle to the plane in which the portion of the panel lies when the housing is mounted in the aperture in the panel. 
     
     
         33 . The pressure relief valve as set forth in claim  1  wherein the housing includes a fourth side wall section at least partially defining the air flow passage and extending generally perpendicular to the second and third side wall sections, the first side wall section extending between the fourth and second side wall sections.