Spring loaded safety valve (Ramsbotom Safety Valve)

Description of spring loaded safety valve:

 

It is loaded with a spring instead of weights. Hence it is called spring loaded safety valve. It consists of a cast iron body having two branch pipes P1 and P2. Two separate valves are placed over the valve seatings, which are fixed to the top of the branch pipes. A lever is placed over the valves by means of two conical pivots.

The lever is attached to a spring at its middle. The spring pulls the lever in downward direction. The lower end of the spring is attached to the valve body by means of a shackle. Thus the valves are held tight to their seats by the spring force.

Working of spring loaded safety valve:

 

When the steam pressure exceeds the normal working pressure , the valves rise up against the action of the spring and allow the steam to escape from the boiler till the pressure in the boiler reaches its working pressure.

The spring loaded safety valve is much lighter and compact compared with other safety valves. For locomotive or marine service, the safety valve should be such that it is unaffected by jerks and vibration likely to occur in such device. Hence spring loaded safety valve is preferred for locomotive and marine services, in addition to stationary boilers.