High pressure fluid delivery system with automatic priming valve

Abstract

An improved valve assembly for automatically priming a hydraulic pump during a suction-fed application wherein the pump must draw fluid from within a holding tank for subsequent pressurization and transmission by the pump. The valve assembly of the present invention is provided in fluid communication with the outlet line of the pump and is capable of sensing the difference between fluid and air such that the air disposed within the pump at start-up may be quickly and efficiently bled from the system before the valve automatically closes once the fluid has been drawn into the pump in an amount sufficient to bring the pump into a fully primed condition. The valve assembly includes a housing member, a poppet member, a biasing means, and sealing means. The housing member includes a bore extending between an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, and a slotted shoulder member extending radially inward from the inlet aperture. The biasing means biases the poppet member between a priming mode, wherein the poppet member is disposed in contact with the shoulder member such that a path of fluid communication extends from the slots of the shoulder member to the outlet aperture, and a closed mode, wherein the poppet member is disposed in contact with the sealing means such that the aforementioned path of fluid communication is closed.