Abstract: Intelligent temperature and pressure gauge assemblies (52) for use with vessels (24) having pressurized hazard suppression materials therein include temperature and pressure sensors (136, 138) coupled with a digital processor (72) with associated memory for storing empirical temperature and pressure data. The data includes normalized linear temperature-pressure curves consistent with static or slowly changing temperature conditions experienced by the vessels (24), as well as nonlinear temperature-pressure curves consistent with rapidly changing temperature conditions. In use, the assemblies (52) repeatedly sense temperature and pressure conditions of the hazard suppression material and compare sensed values with stored values, and generate an output in conformance with the comparison. In this fashion, the assemblies (52) compensate for rapidly changing temperatures without generating false failure signals.

Abstract: Intelligent temperature and pressure gauge assemblies (52) for use with vessels (24) having pressurized hazard suppression materials therein include temperature and pressure sensors (136, 138) coupled with a digital processor (72) with associated memory for storing empirical temperature and pressure data. The data includes normalized linear temperature-pressure curves consistent with static or slowly changing temperature conditions experienced by the vessels (24), as well as nonlinear temperature-pressure curves consistent with rapidly changing temperature conditions. In use, the assemblies (52) repeatedly sense the temperature and pressure conditions of the hazard suppression material and compare these sensed values with the stored values, and generate an output in conformance with the comparison. In this fashion, the assemblies (52) compensate for rapidly changing temperatures without generating false failure signals.

Abstract: Methods of creating various laser-defined control structures on pressure relief devices are provided that utilize a laser having a field of view that is smaller than the overall dimensions of the laser-defined structure to be milled into the pressure relief device. The methods generally involve partitioning the working surface of the device into a plurality of tiles within which a particular segment of the control structure will be milled. Upon milling of a control structure segment in one tile, the pressure relief device and/or laser is repositioned so that a control structure segment in another tile may be created.

Abstract: Methods of creating various laser-defined control structures on pressure relief devices are provided that utilize a laser having a field of view that is smaller than the overall dimensions of the laser-defined structure to be milled into the pressure relief device. The methods generally involve partitioning the working surface of the device into a plurality of tiles within which a particular segment of the control structure will be milled. Upon milling of a control structure segment in one tile, the pressure relief device and/or laser is repositioned so that a control structure segment in another tile may be created.

Abstract: A reverse acting rupture disc is provided having a laser defined electropolished line-of-weakness recess, and an improved method of forming an electropolished line-of-weakness recess in a reverse acting rupture disc that assures full opening of the disc upon reversal. A rupture disc blank is pre-bulged, final bulged, and then provided with a layer of resist material. A laser is used to remove at least a portion of the layer of resist material corresponding to a desired line-of-weakness recess in the concave face of the bulged rupture disc. The disc is then subjected to an electropolishing operation to remove metal from the lased area of the rupture disc, thereby forming a lustrous polished line-of-weakness recess in the disc of desired configuration and of a predetermined depth that is related to material thickness.

Abstract: An apertured rupture disc support member (32, 90) is provided for use in a rupture disc assembly (70). A rupture disc (30, 30a) comprising one or more embossed segments (80) that are complemental with the support member apertures (56) is also disclosed. The pressure relief assembly (12) is particularly suited for use in sanitary pressure relief applications.

Abstract: A burst indicator (24) for use in a rupture disc assembly (12) is provided. The burst indicator (24) comprises a non-electrically conductive material having an outer annular portion (66) and an inner section (68) joined to the outer portion by a pair of bridge features (70, 72). A circuit comprising electrically conductive segments (78, 80) is located on the burst indicator (24) and can be used to monitor the integrity of the rupture disc (20). One electrically conductive segment (78) is located on the outer annular portion (66), and another electrically conductive segment (80) extends across the bridge features (70, 72) and inner section (68). Upon rupture of the rupture disc (20), one of the bridge features (72) carrying an electrically conductive segment (80) severs thereby opening the circuit.

Abstract: A reverse acting rupture disc and methods of forming the same are provided. Generally, the rupture disc comprises a bulged portion and a circumscribing flange area surrounding the bulged portion. The bulged portion includes a mechanically formed line-of-opening recess comprising a singular channel. In certain embodiments, the mechanical process by which the recess is formed utilizes a high-speed mill which removes a portion of metal from the bulged portion of the disc without disrupting the substantially uniform metallic grain structure of the metal adjacent the channel.

Abstract: An apertured rupture disc support member (32, 90) is provided for use in a rupture disc assembly (70). A rupture disc (30, 30a) comprising one or more embossed segments (80) that are complemental with the support member apertures (56) is also disclosed. The pressure relief assembly (12) is particularly suited for use in sanitary pressure relief applications.

Abstract: An apertured rupture disc support member (32, 90) is provided for use in a rupture disc assembly (70). A rupture disc (30, 30a) comprising one or more embossed segments (80) that are complemental with the support member apertures (56) is also disclosed. The pressure relief assembly (12) is particularly suited for use in sanitary pressure relief applications.

Abstract: A burst indicator (24) for use in a rupture disc assembly (12) is provided. The burst indicator (24) comprises a non-electrically conductive material having an outer annular portion (66) and an inner section (68) joined to the outer portion by a pair of bridge features (70, 72). A circuit comprising electrically conductive segments (78, 80) is located on the burst indicator (24) and can be used to monitor the integrity of the rupture disc (20). One electrically conductive segment (78) is located on the outer annular portion (66), and another electrically conductive segment (80) extends across the bridge features (70, 72) and inner section (68). Upon rupture of the rupture disc (20), one of the bridge features (72) carrying an electrically conductive segment (80) severs thereby opening the circuit.

Abstract: A valve for controlling flow of pressurized fluid from a confined area that is operable to relieve an overpressure condition as well as to allow flow of fluid in response to a pressure relief command. The valve including a valve body with a fluid passage therethrough, a reverse buckling rupture disc in the valve body in normally blocking relationship to the flow of fluid through the passage, and a selectively actuatable device carried by the valve body adjacent the convex surface. The actuatable device is operable to disrupt, without puncturing, the disc so as to initiate reversal and rupture of the disc and to permit flow of the pressurized fluid through the passage.

Abstract: An apertured rupture disc support member (32, 90) is provided for use in a rupture disc assembly (70). A rupture disc (30, 30a) comprising one or more embossed segments (80) that are complemental with the support member apertures (56) is also disclosed. The pressure relief assembly (12) is particularly suited for use in sanitary pressure relief applications.

Abstract: A valve for controlling flow of pressurized fluid from a confined area that is operable to relieve an overpressure condition as well as to allow flow of fluid in response to a pressure relief command. The valve including a valve body with a fluid passage therethrough, a reverse buckling rupture disc in the valve body in normally blocking relationship to the flow of fluid through the passage, and a selectively actuatable device carried by the valve body adjacent the convex surface. The actuatable device is operable to disrupt, without puncturing, the disc so as to initiate reversal and rupture of the disc and to permit flow of the pressurized fluid through the passage.

Abstract: A reverse acting rupture disc is provided having a laser defined electropolished line-of-weakness recess, and an improved method of forming an electropolished line-of-weakness recess in a reverse acting rupture disc that assures full opening of the disc upon reversal. A rupture disc blank is pre-bulged, final bulged, and then provided with a layer of resist material. A laser is used to remove at least a portion of the layer of resist material corresponding to a desired line-of-weakness recess in the concave face of the bulged rupture disc. The disc is then subjected to an electropolishing operation to remove metal from the lased area of the rupture disc, thereby forming a lustrous polished line-of-weakness recess in the disc of desired configuration and of a predetermined depth that is related to material thickness.

Abstract: A reverse acting rupture disc and methods of forming the same are provided. Generally, the rupture disc comprises a bulged portion and a circumscribing flange area surrounding the bulged portion. The bulged portion includes a mechanically formed line-of-opening recess comprising a singular channel. In certain embodiments, the mechanical process by which the recess is formed utilizes a high-speed mill which removes a portion of metal from the bulged portion of the disc without disrupting the substantially uniform metallic grain structure of the metal adjacent the channel.

Abstract: A reverse acting rupture disc is provided having a laser defined electropolished line-of-weakness recess, and an improved method of forming an electropolished line-of-weakness recess in a reverse acting rupture disc that assures full opening of the disc upon reversal. A rupture disc blank is pre-bulged, final bulged, and then provided with a layer of resist material. A laser is used to remove at least a portion of the layer of resist material corresponding to a desired line-of-weakness recess in the concave face of the bulged rupture disc. The disc is then subjected to an electropolishing operation to remove metal from the lased area of the rupture disc, thereby forming a lustrous polished line-of-weakness recess in the disc of desired configuration and of a predetermined depth that is related to material thickness.

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. The greater quantity C+ of HFC 125 required for the retrofitted system is determined by the formula C+=((TD?10)/(2×TCRIT)?TD×100) wherein TCRIT=0.Y×(TD?10)/(C+/100))+TD. The method may also be utilized to determine the amount of HFC 125 required for the retrofitted fire suppression system.

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 mouth and/or hand-held finger-actuated remote control unit is disclosed which is operable to permit selective variation of a pneumatic-operated controller (38, 42) having a proportional electrical control output to the electric motor (46) of a sewing machine (48). The unit comprises a hollow, elastic compressible bladder element (10, 110, 210) closed at one end and which is pneumatically connected to the controller. The bladder element is of length, width and height dimensions selected and proportioned to permit insertion of the bladder element in a person's mouth between the upper and lower teeth, or between the last fingers of a person's hand between the innermost knuckles and the person's palm. The bladder element is compressible by closing of a person's teeth thereon or movement of the fingers engaging the bladder toward the individual's palm to force air to the controller, thus controlling operation of the sewing machine.