Abstract: An activation rupture disc unit is provided that is capable of withstanding a substantially higher back pressure than its burst activation pressure. The unit includes a tubular housing having a fluid passage. Tapered wall structure defines at least a portion of the passage with the fluid outlet thereof being of greater area than the fluid inlet. A rupture disc is carried by the housing and has a central bulged section in fluid-blocking relationship to the passage. A tapered, self-releasing solid plug is positioned in and conforms to the tapered portion of the passage. The plug has a curved surface conforming to and positioned in full supporting relationship to the central section of the rupture disc. The plug is of sufficient mass to prevent rupture of the central section of the disc under a back pressure substantially greater than the activation pressure of the disc.

Abstract: An oil well completion tool having a tubular assembly defining an elongated main passage is adapted to be connected to a multiple-section tubing string within an oil well casing. A severable plug is mounted in the tubular assembly in normal blocking relationship to the passage. A movable shear cylinder unit has a plug-severing edge operable to sever an entire central segment of the plug from a remaining peripheral portion thereof. Separate hinge structure has an elongated U-shaped leg portion connected to the central segment of the plug. The leg portion of the hinge structure, which undergoes elongation, is operable to retain the severed central segment of the plug in the main passage while allowing the central segment of the plug to bodily shift independent of and in a direction away from the peripheral portion of the plug.

Abstract: An oil well completion tool having a tubular assembly defining an elongated main passage is adapted to be connected to a multiple-section tubing string within an oil well casing. A severable plug is mounted in the tubular assembly in normal blocking relationship to the passage. A movable shear cylinder unit has a plug-severing edge operable to sever an entire central segment of the plug from a remaining peripheral portion thereof. Separate hinge structure has an elongated U-shaped leg portion connected to the central segment of the plug. The leg portion of the hinge structure, which undergoes elongation, is operable to retain the severed central segment of the plug in the main passage while allowing the central segment of the plug to bodily shift independent of and in a direction away from the peripheral portion of the plug.

Abstract: An activation rupture disc unit is provided that is capable of withstanding a substantially higher back pressure than its burst activation pressure. The unit includes a tubular housing having a fluid passage. Tapered wall structure defines at least a portion of the passage with the fluid outlet thereof being of greater area than the fluid inlet. A rupture disc is carried by the housing and has a central bulged section in fluid-blocking relationship to the passage. A tapered, self-releasing solid plug is positioned in and conforms to the tapered portion of the passage. The plug has a curved surface conforming to and positioned in full supporting relationship to the central section of the rupture disc. The plug is of sufficient mass to prevent rupture of the central section of the disc under a back pressure substantially greater than the activation pressure of the disc.

Abstract: An operator controlled, selectively actuatable downhole dump valve assembly (22) for selective draining of pumping liquid from a producing oil well, sectionalized downhole pipe string (18). The assembly (22) includes a tubular pipe section (24) having endmost threading (34, 38) and a dump valve rupture disc fitting unit (26); the fitting unit (26) includes a metallic, concavo-convex disc (50) with preformed 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 thereby be removed from the well without contamination owing to spillage from the tubular string (18).

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 preformed 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: 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 preformed 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: 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: 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: Rupture disc bulkhead structure for use in a multi-stage rocket motor for missiles or the like wherein the disc is supported by a multiple apertured backup member. The disc has a series of bulges which define dimples that conform to the configuration of the apertures in the backup member. Bulging of the disc is carried out under a pressure exceeding that of the withstand pressure of the supported disc. Score lines in the disc aligned with the support segments of the apertured backup member permit the disc to rupture and open at a pressure significantly lower than the back pressure withstand value. The construction provides bulkhead structure which will withstand back pressures in the range of 2,000 to 10,000 static psig yet fully open in a forward direction at a static pressure of no more than about 100 to 400 psig.

Abstract: A fluid pressure relief assembly for a system operating under an elevated pressure includes a support structure having means defining a bore therethrough of desired cross-sectional configuration, the support structure being provided with a shoulder extending transversely into the bore and presenting a peripheral abutment surface which divides the bore into a first zone an a second zone. The assembly further includes a bidirectional relief means having a central frangible section, and means mounting the relief means across the bore of the support structure in normal flow blocking relationship thereto. A peripheral portion of the central frangible section is disposed to engage the shoulder for support thereby. The central portion of the frangible section within the innermost margin of the shoulder is constructed to undergo rupture only when the pressue in the first zone exceeds the pressure in the second zone by a preselected first magnitude.

Abstract: A hygienic pressure relief panel unit is provided which reliably ruptures at a predetermined pressure in order to prevent buildup of dangerous pressure within protected structure such as a vessel or the like defining an enclosed space, which prevents media passage therethrough before rupture, and which presents a sanitary, easily cleanable surface toward the vessel interior in order to inhibit accumulation of food particles, dust, or the like. The preferred panel unit includes a slotted stainless steel panel with the slots configured as a line of weakness for separation at a predetermined pressure, a sheet of PTFE material prepared on one side thereof to present an adhesive bonding surface, and an adhesive coupling the sheet and the panel, whereby the panel unit can be placed in a covering relationship with the vent opening of the protected structured in order to present the outer face of the PTFE sheet toward the vessel interior.

Abstract: A missile bulkhead rupture disc assembly for disposition between adjacent solid propellant stages which are ignited in sequential order has a central aperture which receives an igniter for detonating the first stage of propellant. In preferred forms, the rupture disc comprises a pre-bulged frangible element having a first burst pattern with a circular line of weakness circumscribing a central portion of the element surrounding the igniter, and the element also has a second burst pattern comprising a plurality of lines of weakness which extend in a radial direction outwardly from the circular line of weakness of the first burst pattern, and which are spaced from each other to define generally sector-shaped petals or segments of the frangible element.

Abstract: A method of affixing an aluminum rupture disc assembly to a 356 aluminum alloy heat-treated aluminum casting is disclosed wherein the rupture disc is of 1100 aluminum alloy, the disc is welded to a tubular member of 2219 aluminum alloy which in turn is fillet welded to the 356 aluminum alloy casting using a 4145 aluminum alloy rod. The disc is welded to the support member by an electro beam or TIG process while fillet welding of the support member to the 356 aluminum alloy casting is preferably accomplished by a TIG method. The procedure allows a rupture disc assembly to be mounted on a 356 aluminum alloy electronic housing unit which contains components cooled by a gaseous medium without adversely affecting the physical characteristics of the rupture disc, the support member therefor, or the cast housing.

Abstract: A multiple-duty leg exercise device is provided which includes a shiftable body-supporting pad respectively positionable in a use and a stowed position so as to permit alternate power hip or power leg exercises by the user. The pad is locked in respective positions by means of a ratchet-like mechanism including a pair of marginal, elongated apertured locking members and corresponding associated pivotal dogs coupled to the shiftable pad. The dogs include inclined forward surfaces which are successively cammed out of the aligned openings during shifting of the pad in one direction, and a trailing surface sequentially engaging the defining margins of the openings during rapid shifting of the pad in the opposite direction, in order to prevent the dogs from passing into the openings. When the pad is stopped in a desired position, gravity-induced pivoting of the dogs into the underlying locking member openings serves to lock the pad in place.