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 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: 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 burst panel assembly for normally covering a vent opening of structure which defines an area to be protected from the buildup of dangerously high internal pressures has two frangible panels disposed in spaced, face-to-face relationship along with a core of expanded polyurethane foam which functions to dampen vibrations received from the structure and transmitted to the frangible panels. The foam is introduced in an initially flowable condition into the space between the panels and thereafter expands while curing to a solidified configuration for continuously exerting pressure on both of the panels, to thereby substantially reduce the fatigue stress that would otherwise occur along lines of weakness of burst patterns that are formed in both of the panels.

Abstract: A two directional rupture disc assembly is provided which serves in a fluid reactor system as a safety relief valve when a critical condition, such as predetermined pressure positive or negative, is encountered. That is, the rupture disc assembly hereof is operatively coupled to a reactor vessel and allows fluid flow in one direction when one reactor system condition is encountered and allows fluid flow in an opposite direction when another reactor system condition is encountered. Thus, under normal conditions, the reactor system operates in a certain pressure range with the assembly hereof in flow blocking disposition, but if a reactor condition outside of the normal operating range is encountered, the assembly ruptures to permit fluid flow in the appropriate direction. Preferably, the rupture disc assembly includes a pair of flat rupture discs and an imperforate membrane between the two discs.