Abstract: An improved low pressure reverse buckling rupture disk and assembly are provided. The rupture disk comprises a concave-convex reversible member having a thickness and a configuration such that said member reverses when a predetermined fluid pressure is exerted on the convex side thereof and having one or more reinforcing embossments disposed therein. The rupture disk assembly includes the above-described rupture disk and knife blade means for severing the disk upon its reversal.

Abstract: A self-positioning rupture disk assembly which includes a rupture disk clamped between supporting members. A gasket member is attached to a peripheral portion of the rupture disk for providing a seal between at least one side of the rupture disk and the adjacent supporting member. A first protuberance is formed on the gasket member which is received by a complimentary recess in the adjacent supporting member whereby when the rupture disk and gasket member are clamped between the supporting members with the protuberance positioned within the recess, the rupture disk is aligned between the supporting members with the inlet and outlet sides thereof positioned adjacent the inlet and outlet supporting members, respectively.

Abstract: A pressure relief panel assembly including a single rupture panel is provided. The rupture panel includes a domed portion connected to a peripheral flat flange portion and has at least one slit formed therein defining a hinged blow-out part. The hinged blow-out part is connected to the remaining part of the rupture panel by an unslit hinge area and a plurality of rupture tabs.

Abstract: The invention renders fail safe a rupture disk assembly consisting of inlet head, outlet head, and rupture disk secured therebetween, whenever the assembly is installed upside down. A fail safe relief notch is formed in the inlet head disk seating surface to cause premature bursting of the rupture disk when the assembly is improperly installed.

Abstract: Low pressure, non-fragmenting rupture disks and assemblies including such disks are provided. The rupture disks are each basically comprises of a non-metallic rupture member having one or more lines of weakness formed by indentations therein which define blow-out portions in the rupture member. The blow-out portions are moved outwardly upon rupture of the rupture member along the lines of weakness, but remain attached to the rupture member by non-weakened portions thereof. A non-metallic reinforcing member is attached to the rupture member for preventing tearing of the non-weakened portions of the rupture member.

Abstract: A rupturable fluid flow indicator and a rupture disk assembly including the indicator are provided. The indicator is comprised of a rupturable member adapted to be clamped across a fluid flow passageway having at least one opening formed therein for weakening a portion of the member. An electric current conductor adapted to be electrically connected in an alarm circuit is attached across the weakened portion of the rupturable member whereby when the member ruptures as a result of fluid pressure exerted thereon, the conductor also ruptures.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for visually indicating the failure of a rupture disc comprised of an elongated hollow body member, a piston disposed in the body member which is moved therein by pressurized fluid pressure exerted thereon, and an elongated indicator pin which is pushed by the piston through an opening in the body when pressurized fluid causes the piston to be moved therein. The body member includes a pressurized fluid exhaust port which is opened by the movement of the piston. Pressurized fluid exhausted through the exhaust port can be vented to prevent abnormal rupture disk operation or it can be utilized to activate an alarm.

Abstract: An improved composite rupture disk assembly adapted to be supported between inlet and outlet supporting members is provided. The assembly is comprised of a resilient sealing member and a rupture member having a plurality of elongated openigs formed therein which extend outwardly from a central portion thereof. At least one rupture pressure determining score is formed in the rupture member connecting the inner ends of two or more of the elongated openings so that rupture of the composite assembly occurs when pressure is exerted on the sealing member and transmitted to the rupture member at a level equal to or exceeding the rupture pressure of the rupture member.

Abstract: A safety pressure relief device having a rupture disc with a conical central portion. The relief device comprises inlet and outlet support members wherein the rupture disc is positioned therebetween. The rupture disc has an annular outer flange portion with a conical central portion disposed radially inwardly therefrom. When positioned in the relief device, a tip of the conical portion is directed toward the inlet support member. Scoring is provided on the conical portion for defining at least one line of weakness thereon. In one embodiment, a plurality of linear scores extend radially on the conical portion and are spaced from the tip and base thereof. In another embodiment, the scoring includes a curvilinear score forming an incomplete circle adjacent the base, either spaced therefrom or contiguous therewith. With all embodiments, the rupture disc is adapted for rupturing at relatively low pressures without fragmentation.

Abstract: A vacuum support for use with a safety pressure relief rupture member. A vacuum support disk includes a convex side and a concave side with the convex side being positioned against a concave side of the rupture disk which also includes convex and concave sides. A arc-shaped slit, centered with respect to the vacuum support disk, is formed therethrough and permits fluid communication between either side of the vacuum support disk. A pair of opposed substantially parallel disk edges define opposte sides of the slit. The edges are urged against one another when the pressure on the concave side of the vacuum support disk is lower than the pressure on the convex side of the rupture disk thereby supporting the rupture disk.

Abstract: A vibration resistant rupturable pressure relief member for protecting structure subject to vibration from reaching an overpressure condition. The rupturable pressure relief member is comprised of a rupture panel having an elongated concave-convex bulged portion formed therein and having a score pattern on a side thereof which includes an elongated score extending longitudinally across the bulged portion the ends of which connect with additional divergent scores forming opposing V-shapes.

Abstract: Structure supporting apparatus which for a particular nominal size can be interchangeably sealingly clamped and centered between bolted flanges of varying pressure rating and design standard. The apparatus includes at least one support member having opposite parallel sides for sealingly engaging the seating surfaces of the flanges, a centrally positioned opening extending through the member and through the sides thereof for positioning structure supported thereby in alignment with the flow passageways in the flanges, the periphery of the support member being substantially square shape and including a pair of spaced apart recesses disposed in each of the four sides forming the substantially square shaped periphery thereof.

Abstract: A fluid pressure relief apparatus of the rupturable type which ruptures at different pressures depending upon the temperature of the fluid in contact therewith. A rupture member is provided supported by a support member which is maintained in place by a material having a selected melting point. When the fluid under pressure reaches the temperature at which the material melts, the support member ceases to support the rupture member causing the pressure at which rupture occurs to be lowered. A method of relieving pressurized fluid at a predetermined pressure level when the temperature of said fluid is below a preselected temperature and at a lower pressure level when the temperature is above said preselected temperature is also provided.

Abstract: A fluid pressure relief apparatus of the rupturable type which ruptures at different pressures depending upon the temperature of the fluid in contact therewith. A rupture member is provided supported by a support member which is maintained in place by a material having a selected melting point. When the fluid under pressure reaches the temperature at which the material melts, the support member ceases to support the rupture member causing the pressure at which rupture occurs to be lowered. A method of relieving pressurized fluid at a predetermined pressure level when the temperature of said fluid is below a preselected temperature and at a lower pressure level when the temperature is above said preselected temperature is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and assembly for relieving positive and/or negative pressure differentials between first and second fluid pressure zones. The rupture disk assembly is comprised of a flexible sealing member, a retainer means positioned on one side of the sealing member for engagement with and retention of the sealing member until disengaged therefrom when a predetermined negative pressure differential is exerted across the sealing member, and knife means for severing the sealing member spaced therefrom whereby the sealing member is prevented from contacting the knife means until disengaged from the retainer means.

Abstract: Pressure relieving fluid containers which provide a controlled rupture and pressurized fluid release when the pressure exerted on the container reaches a predetermined level. A substantially frustum-shaped indentation is included in a wall of the container and at least one score is formed on the part of the wall containing the indentation defining a rupture detachable blowout area. The frustum-shaped indentation is of a size with respect to the thickness of the wall containing it whereby when a predetermined fluid pressure is exerted on the wall, the indentation inverts and tears along the line of weakness created by the score thereby opening the portion of the wall corresponding to the blowout area and relieving fluid pressure therethrough.

Abstract: A rupturable pressure relief assembly of small unitary construction is provided comprised of a hollow housing which includes an annular supporting shoulder within the interior thereof, a circular rupture disk positioned within the housing on the annular supporting shoulder and an annular supporting member positioned within the housing which coacts with the annular supporting shoulder to clamp the rupture disk therebetween. A protruding annulet means is provided for contacting and biting into the rupture disk whereby it will not be moved by fluid pressure and a deformable annular spring means is positioned on the opposite side of the annular supporting member from the rupture disk whereby when the outlet end of the housing is folded over the deformable annular spring means, the rupture disk is rigidly clamped between the housing and the supporting member with the protruding annulet means biting into the rupture disk.

Abstract: A rupture disk assembly is provided which after rupture and pressurized fluid relief, recloses itself to prevent backflow therethrough. The assembly is comprised of a hollow rupture disk support member having a pressurized fluid inlet opening at one end and at least one pressurized fluid discharge port at the other end. A rupture disk is sealingly attached to the support member whereby until the rupture thereof, pressurized fluid is prevented from flowing through the support member to the discharge port therein.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for manufacturing a rupture disk containing one or more scores or perforations from a sheet metal section comprising the steps of cutting the sheet metal section into a disk, forming a concave-convex dome in the disk by applying pressurized fluid to one side thereof, and then forming one or more scores or perforations in the concave-convex dome of the disk while continuing to apply pressurized fluid thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved apparatus for manufacturing scored reverse buckling rupture disks. The scores on the disks radiate outwardly from central portions thereof toward the peripheries thereof and have known depths and depth variances.