Abstract: This invention relates to a method of converting Halon-based fire suppression systems by substituting HFC 125 for the Halon without the need for changing the in place existing distribution piping. An amount of HFC 125 greater than the amount of Halon utilized in the fire suppression system is provided, which is under a pressure to effect exhaustion of the HFC 125 of the system within a time range exceeding about 10 seconds and up to about 25 seconds and which meets the standard fire extinguishing requirements for Class A and Class B fires. An existing fire suppression system is analyzed for flow characteristics to find TD of that system.

Abstract: A unitary, forward buckling rupture disc is provided that is adapted to be mounted in a holder in which the disc is in closing relationship to a tubing string in an oil well and has greatest utility for testing the integrity of the connection between the sections of oil well tubing strings. The disc is designed to withstand the fluid pressure head in the string and a leak test pressure, and to then burst and fully open under a predetermined overpressure. The concavo-convex bulged section of the disc has a non-circular, continuous score line formed in the concave face thereof. The score line is of continuously varying depth around its circumference and includes an outwardly projecting cam segment which is of greatest depth that ruptures first and is in direct opposition to a lesser depth score line portion forming a hinge area for the burst region of the disc.

Abstract: An improved dump valve assembly (22) is provided for use as a part of an elongated, sectionalized, tubular downhole pipe string (18). The assembly (22) includes a tubular pipe section (24) having endmost threading (34, 38) and a rupture disc fitting (26); the fitting (26) includes a metallic, preferably concavo-convex disc (50) with performed lines of weakness (52, 54) on one face thereof. The section (24) is interconnected between a pair of lower pipe sections (20a, 20b). In operation when it is desired to elevate the string (18) from the well, the fluid within the string (18) is pressurized sufficiently to rupture the disc (50), thereby allowing fluid within the string (18) to drain. The string (18) and other well components can then be removed from the well without contamination owing to spillage from the tubular string (18).

Abstract: Deflagration suppression and explosion isolation system (10) is provided for contained hazardous material. Containment structure (12) for a highly flammable, particulate or gaseous material is connected by a conduit (16) to an area (14) for collection or processing of the material. Normally, the particulate gaseous material is conveyed via the conduit (16) to the collection or processing area (14). However, the conduit is of a length and configuration such that upon unforeseen ignition of the material in the containment structure (12), flame and combustion generated pressure resulting from the incipient explosion in the containment structure can course along the conduit (16) connected thereto toward the collection or processing area (14) in the form of a deflagration front that transitions into a detonation stage before reaching the collection or processing area unless adequately suppressed and isolated.

Abstract: Deflagration suppression and explosion isolation system (10) is provided for contained hazardous material. Containment structure (12) for a highly flammable, particulate or gaseous material is connected by a conduit (16) to an area (14) for collection or processing of the material. Normally, the particulate gaseous material is conveyed via the conduit (16) to the collection or processing area (14). However, the conduit is of a length and configuration such that upon unforeseen ignition of the material in the containment structure (12), flame and combustion generated pressure resulting from the incipient explosion in the containment structure can course along the conduit (16) connected thereto toward the collection or processing area (14) in the form of a deflagration front that transitions into a detonation stage before reaching the collection or processing area unless adequately suppressed and isolated.

Abstract: A pressure responsive valve assembly is disclosed as having a frangible burst disk that largely controls actuation of the valve. The valve assembly includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a valve seat therein. An actuating unit includes a collapsible fluid chamber and a moveable pressure responsive valve member. The valve member is engageable with the valve seat, positioned to experience the pressure conditions at the inlet, and operably coupled with the mechanism to cause collapsing of the fluid chamber when the valve member moves relative to the valve seat to establish or close communication between the inlet and outlet. The rupture disk normally blocks fluid flow from the chamber and thereby prevents collapsing of the chamber and corresponding movement of the valve member until the valve member experiences a predetermined maximum pressure at the inlet.

Abstract: An isolation gate valve (10, 10a, 10b, 124, 146, 210) is provided which has a valve body (12, 126, 212) presenting a passageway (14, 214) therethrough; a shiftable, apertured gate member (18, 224) is located within the body (12, 126, 212) and is shiftable between a valve open position permitting flow through the passageway (14, 214) and a valve closed position wherein the member (18, 224) is shifted into a flow-blocking relationship relative to the passageway (14, 214). A valve actuator (20, 130, 220) is provided which includes a gas-generating cartridge unit (22, 22a, 22b, 222) which, upon actuation, generates a charge of high pressure subsonic gas for shifting the gate member (18, 224) at a velocity of about 0.2 to about 0.33 in./msec. Preferably, the actuator includes a piston housing (56, 56a, 56b, 256) having a piston (72, 72a, 72b, 272) therein with a piston rod (71, 71a, 71b, 271) coupled between the piston (72, 72a, 72b, 272) and the gate member (18, 224).

Abstract: Improved burst disk-type pressure responsive valve assemblies (20, 184) of the pressure relief and shutdown variety are provided which utilize frangible burst disks (30, 204) which largely determine the set point pressures for the valves. The assemblies (20, 184) include a housing (22, 186) having an inlet (24, 188), an outlet (26, 190) with a valve seat (28, 192) therein. The housing (22, 186) also supports a frangible burst disk (30, 204). An actuating unit (32, 210) within the housing (22, 186) includes a shiftable, pressure responsive piston (78, 212) supporting a valve stem actuator rod (82, 214); the rod (82, 214) is operatively coupled with a disk actuating element (84, 216) located adjacent a face of the rupture disk (30, 204).

Abstract: An explosion vent (10) for covering an opening (12) in an enclosure (14) subject to the build-up of pressure is disclosed. The explosion vent includes a peripheral flange (16) configured for attachment to the enclosure around the opening, a pressure relief panel (18) positioned within and hingedly connected to the flange, and a plurality of connectors or rupture tab assemblies (19) connecting the unhinged portion of the pressure relief panel to the flange. The connectors break when the enclosure is subjected to pressure build-up for permitting the panel to shift outwardly from the enclosure for uncovering the opening in the enclosure.

Abstract: A rate of rise detector assembly (16) for use with explosion suppression equipment (14,18). The detector assembly includes a pressure sensor or transducer (20) and a controller (22). The pressure transducer continuously measures the pressure in a protected area and sends signals representative of the pressure to the controller. The controller samples the transducer every 200 .mu.Sec to obtain a series of successive pressure measurements. The sampled pressure measurements are then stored in a memory table (28) having five positions. Each time the table is filled, the five pressure measurements are averaged to obtain an integrated mean pressure value having a sample time of 1 mSec and then erased from the table so that it can be filled with subsequent measurements. This results in the calculation of a series of mean pressure values each having a sample time of 1 mSec.

Abstract: Hazard suppression apparatus (10) is provided with a container (12) of suppression fluid and a non-explosive, pressurized gas-operated actuator assembly (16). The assembly (16) includes an actuator body (32) and first and second spaced apart rupture discs (36, 38) defining a zone (43) therebetween; the first disc (36) is preferably of bulged, scored configuration, whereas the second disc (38) is flat and has a series of vent openings (52) therethrough. A perforate, bar-type support (34) is positioned adjacent the second disc (38) and remote from the zone (43). A container (18) of high pressure actuating fluid is operatively coupled to the body (32) via a coupling unit (56) having an elongated, tubular nipple (58) equipped with a third rupture disc (62). A valve (70), adapted for connection with a hazard sensor is interposed between the container (18) and the coupling unit (56).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing the integrity of oil delivery tubing within an oil well casing includes a rupture disc holder coupled with the tubing near the lower end thereof. As successive lengths of tubing are added, the assembled tubing is subjected to a test pressure with the pressure maintained by the presence of the rupture disc within the holder. When the tubing assembly is complete, it is subjected to a higher burst pressure sufficient to rupture the disc. This opens a passage through the holder for installation of the push-pull rod and for passage of oil from the pump, which is coupled with the tubing below the level of the holder.

Abstract: A fire suppression or explosion protection system is having a manual actuator for an electrically responsive initiator or gas-generating cartridge activator. The manually operated actuator (10) for triggering the electrically responsive initiator (26) or gas-generating cartridge activator (17) includes a shaft (46), for generating a current for delivery to the initiator (26) or cartridge activator (17) when the shaft (46) is rotated; a manually moveable handle (38) shiftable between first and second positions at any desired speed; and structure (40) operably coupling the handle (38) with the shaft (46) for rotating the shaft (46) at a selected speed when the handle (38) is shifted between the first and second positions regardless of the speed at which the handle (38) is shifted for generating a current pulse of a selected magnitude for triggering the initiator (26) or gas-generating cartridge activator (17).

Abstract: A fire suppression or explosion protection system is having a manual actuator for an electrically responsive initiator or gas-generating cartridge activator. The manually operated actuator (10) for triggering the electrically responsive initiator (26) or gas-generating cartridge activator (17) includes a shaft (46), for generating a current for delivery to the initiator (26) or cartridge activator (17) when the shaft (46) is rotated; a manually moveable handle (38) shiftable between first and second positions at any desired speed; and structure (40) operably coupling the handle (38) with the shaft (46) for rotating the shaft (46) at a selected speed when the handle (38) is shifted between the first and second positions regardless of the speed at which the handle (38) is shifted for generating a current pulse of a selected magnitude for triggering the initiator (26) or gas-generating cartridge activator (17).

Abstract: An explosion suppressant dispersion nozzle 10 for dispersing suppressant material from a pressurized suppressant storage vessel 12 to a protected zone or room is disclosed. The nozzle 10 includes a cylindrical body section 20 presenting an inlet end 26 for attachment to the storage vessel 12 and a discharge end 28, and a concavo-convex cap section 24 attached to the discharge end 28. The body section 20 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced windows 32 each presenting generally rectangular openings for dispersing suppressant material laterally from the nozzle 10. The cap section 24 includes a central orifice 48 aligned with the longitudinal axis of the nozzle 10 for dispersing suppressant material axially from the nozzle 10 and a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes 50 spaced radially from the central orifice 48 for dispersing suppressant material radially from the nozzle 10.

Abstract: A multiple-domed, scored rupture disc (28) having a non-apertured disc body (62) provided with separate, side-by-side, semi-circular concavo-convex bulges (76) and an arcuate line of weakness (68) circumscribing the bulges is provided with a diametrical ridge (74) extending across and serving as a divider between the bulged areas of the disc body. The distance between the outer margin of the ridge and a plane through the annular planar section of the disc body is from about 0.3% to about 3% of the diameter of the bulged area to increase the rigidity of the divider ridge. The greater rigidity of the divider ridge decreases the burst pressure of the disc.

Abstract: An inline control valve (10-10F) having a fixed diverter member or plug (34-34F) positioned centrally of the flow passage (30-30F) and a sleeve (40-40F) mounted for movement between open and closed position relating to the plug (34-34F). One embodiment (FIGS. 2-4) includes a solenoid (72) for moving the sleeve (40) to an open position. A radially expandable metal seat ring (50) shown carried by the sleeve (40) in FIG. 4 seals against the plug (34) by radial expansion of the seat ring (50) relative to the sleeve (40). Another embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 includes a separate source of pressurized fluid (72A) for movement of the sleeve (40A) to an open position. The inline control valve (10F) is utilized in the embodiment of FIGS. 11-14 in combination with an indicator member (47F) to indicate an excessive fluid pressure.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a hardened outer shell (40) on a refractory metal workpiece (36) preferably heated in a fluidized bed of metallic oxide particles (38) in an environment of an inert gas and a reactive gas with the reactive gas either oxygen or nitrogen. The workpieces (36) are heated in the fluidized bed to a temperature between 800.degree. F. and 1600.degree. F. for a period of over two hours to form hardened outer shell (40) in two layers (42, 44). Outer layer (42) is an oxide or nitride layer having a thickness (T1) between 10 microns and 25 microns. Inner layer (44) is a case hardened layer of the refractory metal having a thickness (T2) between 25 microns and 75 microns. In one embodiment (FIG. 3 ) workpieces (56) may be cold worked by peening from finely divided metal oxide particles (54) to provide a uniform surface texture for subsequent hardening.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a hardened outer shell (40) on a refractory metal workpiece (36) preferably heated in a fluidized bed of metallic oxide particles (38) in an environment of an inert gas and a reactive gas with the reactive gas either oxygen or nitrogen. The workpieces (36) are heated in the fluidized bed to a temperature between 800 F. and 1600 F. for a period of over two hours to form hardened outer shell (40) in two layers (42, 44). Outer layer (42) is an oxide or nitride layer having a thickness (T1) between 10 microns and 25 microns. Inner layer (44) is a case hardened layer of the refractory metal having a thickness (T2) between 25 microns and 75 microns. In one embodiment (FIG. 3) workpieces (56) may be cold worked by peening from finely divided metal oxide particles (54) to provide a uniform surface texture for subsequent hardening.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring heat between workpieces and a container (10, 10A). The container (10, 10A) has particulate material (28) occupying a substantial portion of the volume of the container (10, 10A) and the container (10, 10A) is rotated to fluidize the particulate material which contacts the workpieces (30) for transferring heat between the container (10, 10A) and the workpieces (30). The container (10, 10A) is enclosed to provide a sealed volume within the container (10, 10A). A predetermined gas may be provided through an inlet (17, 31A) to the container (10, 10A) and gas may be exhausted from an outlet (16, 133A) from the container (10, 10A). The container may either be heated or cooled as desired.