Abstract: A safety head is disclosed. More particularly, a safety head comprising a circular flange portion and at least one protrusion is disclosed, wherein the at least one protrusion has a face exhibiting a blended radius of curvature. The circular flange portion may be thicker than the at least one protrusion. A safety head assembly is also disclosed, wherein the safety head assembly comprises an inlet safety head and an outlet safety head. Additionally, a safety head assembly is disclosed wherein the inlet safety head comprises a peripheral protrusion, the outlet safety head comprises a peripheral protrusion, and a clamp ring is configured to engage with the peripheral protrusions.

Abstract: A buckling pin valve and associated methods are disclosed. More specifically, a buckling pin valve is disclosed with a valve body having an inlet and an outlet, a valve seat at the valve body inlet, a valve plug configured to sealingly engage with the valve seat, a pin cage attached to the valve body and configured to mount a buckling pin, and a shaft configured to transfer forces from the valve plug to the buckling pin. A buckling pin valve also is disclosed with a pin cage being made of a rigid all-in-one construction. A method of manufacturing a pin cage for a buckling pin actuated valve is disclosed, wherein the method comprises fabricating a pin cage from a single piece of metal. A method of manufacturing a buckling pin actuated valve also is disclosed.

Abstract: A rupture disk (20), along with associated methods, is disclosed. More particularly, a miniaturized rupture disk is disclosed, comprising a transition area (23) configured to determine a pressure at which the rupture able portion will rupture. A method for forming a rupture disk is also disclosed, wherein a radius (R) of a transition area is configured to set the burst pressure of the rupture disk. A rupture disk having an indent at its apex (24) and a circular line of weakness configured to improve opening performance is also disclosed. Additionally, a method of relieving pressure in a pressurized system is disclosed, wherein a set of rupture disks is provided, wherein each rupture disk in the set has a different radius of transition area. A rupture disk may be selected from the set and installed based on a burst pressure set by the radius of transition area.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing the integrity of a pressure relief device, along with associated systems and methods, are disclosed. The sensor may sense a designed area of weakness of a pressure relief device, such as an explosion vent or rupture disk. A monitor may monitor a signal from the sensor, which may be transmitted between the sensor and monitor by way of a sensor loop. In response to a change in the designed area of weakness, the signal from the sensor may be altered or interrupted, indicating that the designed area of weakness has changed. The signal from the sensor may be, for example, an electrical signal, optical signal, or an air flow in a pneumatic loop.

Abstract: A flange adapter is provided for positioning an insert device within a pressurized fluid system. A flange adapter assembly includes a pressure containing boundary and a flange adapter configured to be selectively connected to the pressure containing boundary. The adapter is configured to interchangeably fit a plurality of flange standards for the same nominal size. The adapter may also interchangeably fit a plurality of pressure ratings for the same nominal size. The flange adapter may be manufactured separate from the pressure containing boundary to allow for utilizing less costly material and to increase standardization of safety heads. The present invention also includes a gasket design having multi-flange compatibility for use in pressurized fluid systems.

Abstract: A flame mitigation device (26), along with associated systems and methods, is disclosed. More particularly, a flame mitigation device (26) has at least one sensor (25) configured to sense a flame (21), and at least one suppression agent (28) release device configured to release a flame suppression agent into the projected flame path when the flame is sensed. The sensor (25) may sense the flame either directly or indirectly. A flame mitigation system (26) is also disclosed, wherein the system includes an enclosure (22) and at least one pressure release device configured to release a flame from the enclosure. The system (26) may include at least one sensor (25) configured to sense the flame (21), and a device configured to release a suppression agent (28). A method of mitigating a flame in a combustible material system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a rupture disk is disclosed. More particularly, a hinge assembly is disclosed having a first hinge member with a flange body and a collapsible hinge, and a second hinge member with a platform hinge, wherein the collapsible hinge is configured to be positioned between the platform hinge and a rupture disk. A rupture disk hinge is also disclosed, having a flange body and a collapsible hinge extending from the flange body. The collapsible hinge may have an approach extending from the flange body, a platform extending from the approach, and a lip extending from the platform. A rupture disk hinge also is disclosed having a hinge extension that extends along a diameter of a flange body across a central fluid flow path.

Abstract: A system and associated methods of quality control for a pressure relief device are disclosed. More specifically, a system and method including one or more of non-destructive dimensional or visual verification, unique identification (e.g., serialization), and image capture of a pressure relief device or a constituent component of such a device are disclosed. A system and method are disclosed in which a checked physical attribute of a pressure relief device, or component thereof, is compared against a statistically expected attribute to determine whether the device or component is suitable for further manufacture or delivery to a customer.

Abstract: Pressure response devices, systems, and associated methods. The pressure response device includes a flange portion, a central portion, and an angled frustum portion provided between the flange portion and the central portion, with the angled frustum potion configured to activate upon experiencing a predetermined pressure differential. Pressure response systems may include a projection, a conductive arch, or a photo emitter configured to indicate a response to the predetermined pressure differential. Pressure response device may be a battery device, with the pressure response member configured to form part of an electrical conducting path until a predetermined pressure condition is reached.

Abstract: A pressure relief device is disclosed for a system containing a pressurized fluid. The device includes a main valve body having inlet and outlet flow ports and a valve plug positioned to seal the flowpath of the pressurized fluid between the inlet port and the outlet port of main valve body. A force transmission component is connected to the valve plug and an activation component is installed between the force transmission component and a mounting surface. The activation component is configured to prevent axial movement of the valve plug until a predetermined pressure is exerted on the valve plug. The force transmission component more efficiently transfers the output force acting on the valve plug to the activation component.

Abstract: A pressure relief device is provided with enhanced fatigue resistance. The pressure relief device may include, inter alia, rupture disks assemblies and explosion panel assemblies. The explosion panel assemblies include a first explosion panel, a second explosion panel, and a non-rigid buffering layer that may be selected for its thermal insulation properties. The buffering layer is interposed between the first and second explosion panels and may be configured to oppose inward flexing of these panels. The buffering layer may force surfaces of the first and second explosion panels to extend outwardly.

Abstract: A spool valve is formed from a spool having two adjacent lands of equal cross-sectional dimensions, and a third land having greater cross-sectional dimensions than the other two. The spool reciprocably moves through a bore formed in a housing, so as to open and close fluid communication between selected pairs of ports formed in the housing. The bore includes a first chamber which receives the third land of the spool and has no externally communicating port formed in its walls. The spool valve may be used as a control valve for the actuator of a system valve. As the spool valve begins to actuate, the third land becomes exposed to actuator pressure. The greater area of the third land serves to increase the force applied to the spool valve by the actuator pressure source, enhancing protection from unintended or malicious resetting of the spool.

Abstract: A pressure relief device is disclosed that is designed to open in response to a pre-determined pressure differential. The pressure relief device includes a panel member, and at least one release mechanism. The release mechanism has a first end, a failure portion configured to fail upon experiencing a predetermined load, and a second end. The at least one release mechanism is configured to hold the panel member against a frame prior to experiencing the predetermined pressure differential.

Abstract: A pressure relief device is provided. The pressure relief device includes a sealing member and a low-pressure support member that is adapted to provide support to the sealing member when the sealing member is subject to a certain pressure differential. The low pressure support member includes an annular flange and at least one supporting projection. A cutting element is adapted to puncture the sealing member when the sealing member is subject to a predetermined pressure differential. The pressure relief device may further include a high pressure support member and safety heads forming a pre-torqued assembly. The supporting projection may optionally include an area of weakness either wholly within or on the periphery thereof.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring a pressurized container having an auxiliary device are provided. The system includes a sensor operable to provide a signal representative of at least one operating condition of the pressurized container. The system also includes a control operable to receive the signal from the sensor and generate a warning when the sensed operating condition will impact the operation of the auxiliary device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for two-way telemetry is provided. For one embodiment, a telemetry interface module may receive data regarding the strength of transmitted signals. The telemetry interface module may transmit a query message to another telemetry interface module and receive a reply message containing received signal strength indicator (RSSI) data for the query message as received by the other telemetry interface module. For one embodiment, a telemetry interface module may adjust a transmission power level. For one embodiment, a telemetry interface module may select between a plurality of antennae for reception and transmission.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a pressure relief device are provided. The system includes a release sensor that provides an indication when the pressure relief device activates. A wireless transmitter is connected to the release sensor and sends a wireless transmission having an activation signal when the indication is provided by the release sensor. A receiver receives the wireless transmission from the transmitter and generates a warning when the activation signal is identified.

Abstract: A pressure relief device is provided. The pressure relief device includes a sealing member and a low-pressure support member that is adapted to provide support to the sealing member when the sealing member is subject to a certain pressure differential. The low pressure support member includes an annular flange and at least one supporting projection. A cutting element is adapted to puncture the sealing member when the sealing member is subject to a predetermined pressure differential. The pressure relief device may further include a high pressure support member and safety heads forming a pre-torqued assembly. The supporting projection may optionally include an area of weakness either wholly within or on the periphery thereof.

Abstract: A valve for controlling a flow of fluid to a pump is disclosed. The valve includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a first surface and an inlet opening, a first opening, a second opening, and an outlet opening extending through the first surface. The second member includes a second surface in contact with the first surface. The second member is movable relative to the first member between a first position and a second position while maintaining the first and second surfaces in contact with each other. At least one of the first surface and the second surface is made of a self-lubricating material. In the first and second positions, the second member allows selective flow communication among the inlet, first, second, and outlet openings and controls a flow into and out of the pump.