Abstract: A pressure relief device, comprising: a valve body (100) having a central bore, wherein a valve seat (130) is disposed within the central bore of the valve body (100); a plug (200); a spring (500) configured to press the plug (200) into sealing engagement with the valve seat (130); a bumper (300) extending from the plug (200), wherein the bumper (200) extends along a central axis of the spring (500); and a holder (400) configured to lock into the valve body (100), wherein the holder (100) is configured to hold the spring (500) within the valve body (100).

Abstract: A pressure relief module, such as a rupture disk module or a burst panel module, is disclosed. A pressure relief module may comprise a first membrane (10) configured to seal an opening of a contained system and configured to burst open when a pressure in the contained system reaches a predetermined burst pressure. A second membrane (20) may be joined to the first membrane to form a membrane interspace (30) with the first membrane. The membrane interspace (30) may be configured to prevent a backpressure in the contained system from changing the burst pressure required to burst open the first membrane (10). A pressure relief module may provide advantages for a low-pressure enclosure and/or to provide temperature stability and/or backpressure stability.

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 rotatable valve assembly (20) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the rotatable valve assembly (20) includes a valve body (22) and a valve plug (24). The valve plug (24) includes a seal configured to form a fluid-tight barrier with an interior surface of the valve body. The rotatable valve assembly may include additional seals, including a seal (96) provided in the valve body (22). The rotatable valve assembly (20) further may be used with a release mechanism (40) to control the pressure at which the valve plug (24) rotates into an open position.

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 pressure relief module, such as a rupture disk module or a burst panel module, is disclosed. A pressure relief module may comprise a first membrane (10) configured to seal an opening of a contained system and configured to burst open when a pressure in the contained system reaches a predetermined burst pressure. A second membrane (20) may be joined to the first membrane to form a membrane interspace (30) with the first membrane. The membrane interspace (30) may be configured to prevent a backpressure in the contained system from changing the burst pressure required to burst open the first membrane (10). A pressure relief module may provide advantages for a low-pressure enclosure and/or to provide temperature stability and/or backpressure stability.

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 pressure relief device, comprising: a valve body (100) having a central bore, wherein a valve seat (130) is disposed within the central bore of the valve body (100); a plug (200); a spring (500) configured to press the plug (200) into sealing engagement with the valve seat (130); a bumper (300) extending from the plug (200), wherein the bumper (200) extends along a central axis of the spring (500); and a holder (400) configured to lock into the valve body (100), wherein the holder (100) is configured to hold the spring (500) within the valve body (100).

Abstract: A rotatable pressure relief valve assembly is disclosed. The rotatable pressure relief valve assembly may comprise a rotatable plug mounted within a valve body, along with a release mechanism configured to engage with the shaft and hold the plug in a closed position until an opening pressure of the valve assembly is reached. An assembly may include a damper configured to absorb a rotational kinetic energy or a catching mechanism configured to retain the plug in an open position when the plug rotates into the open position. A plug may be wing-shaped or have a mass balanced across a rotatable shaft offset from a diameter of the plug. An assembly may include a buckling pin, torque pin, tensile member or other release mechanism, which may be pre-loaded. A thermal shield also may be provided.

Abstract: A rotatable valve assembly (20) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the rotatable valve assembly (20) includes a valve body (22) and a valve plug (24). The valve plug (24) includes a seal configured to form a fluid-tight barrier with an interior surface of the valve body. The rotatable valve assembly may include additional seals, including a seal (96) provided in the valve body (22). The rotatable valve assembly (20) further may be used with a release mechanism (40) to control the pressure at which the valve plug (24) rotates into an open position.

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: 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 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: 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: An improved rupture disk assembly and methods and apparatuses for forming a rupture disk are disclosed. The rupture disk assembly includes a rupture disk having a flange connected to a dome-shaped rupturable portion by a transition area. The rupturable portion includes a structural apex formation at or near the apex of the dome and is configured to rupture when exposed to a fluid having a predetermined pressure. Preferably, a safety member is disposed adjacent the rupture disk. The safety member includes a hinge about which the disk bends when the disk ruptures. The present invention is also directed to an apparatus and method for consistently, accurately, and repeatably forming a structural apex formation in a rupture disk before the formation of to the rupture disk dome, during the formation of the rupture disk dome, and after the formation of the rupture disk dome.