1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is a rupture disk pressure relief assembly for a spray painting pump.
2. Description of the Related Art
Reciprocating piston-type pumps for spray painting equipment are generally known and disclosed, for example, in the Snetting et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,445. Pumps of this type include a housing with inlet and outlet ports in communication with a paint-pumping chamber. The inlet port is configured to be fluidly connected to a source of paint, while the outlet port is configured to be fluidly connected to a paint spray gun. A piston assembly is mounted for reciprocal motion within the paint-pumping chamber, and is driven by a motor. During operation of the pump, paint is drawn into the paint-pumping chamber through the inlet port. Paint within the paint-pumping chamber is then pressurized by the piston assembly and forced out through the outlet port to the spray gun. It is to be understood that although the present invention is described with respect to piston type pumps, the present invention is believed to be applicable to other types of pumps having a pressurized chamber, for example, diaphragm pumps.
Pumps to which the present invention is directed are conventionally designed to operate at spray pressures within a predetermined operating range of pressures. An operator will select the desired spray pressure through actuation of a pressure selector. A pressure regulating system within the pump maintains the selected spray pressure. Such pumps also typically include spring-biased check valves or leak valve arrangements to vent the pump chamber and ports to atmosphere if the pressure within the pump exceeds a predetermined pressure level.