Abstract: A pressure responsive valve assembly is disclosed as having a frangible burst disk that largely controls actuation of the valve. The valve assembly includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a valve seat therein. An actuating unit includes a collapsible fluid chamber and a moveable pressure responsive valve member. The valve member is engageable with the valve seat, positioned to experience the pressure conditions at the inlet, and operably coupled with the mechanism to cause collapsing of the fluid chamber when the valve member moves relative to the valve seat to establish or close communication between the inlet and outlet. The rupture disk normally blocks fluid flow from the chamber and thereby prevents collapsing of the chamber and corresponding movement of the valve member until the valve member experiences a predetermined maximum pressure at the inlet.

Abstract: Improved burst disk-type pressure responsive valve assemblies (20, 184) of the pressure relief and shutdown variety are provided which utilize frangible burst disks (30, 204) which largely determine the set point pressures for the valves. The assemblies (20, 184) include a housing (22, 186) having an inlet (24, 188), an outlet (26, 190) with a valve seat (28, 192) therein. The housing (22, 186) also supports a frangible burst disk (30, 204). An actuating unit (32, 210) within the housing (22, 186) includes a shiftable, pressure responsive piston (78, 212) supporting a valve stem actuator rod (82, 214); the rod (82, 214) is operatively coupled with a disk actuating element (84, 216) located adjacent a face of the rupture disk (30, 204).

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a sudden rise in pressure of a source thereof is disclosed which is especially useful for activating explosion suppression or isolation equipment by virtue of the fact that the apparatus is capable of detecting a sudden, incipient rise in pressure in a containment system which could result in a destructive overpressure in the system. The sudden pressure detection apparatus is provided with a housing having a pair of opposed passages defining fluid inlets closed with deflectable diaphragm means interconnected by a rod assembly having means thereon for operating a switch which controls activation of the suppression or isolation equipment. One of the housing inlets is adapted to be coupled to the source of system pressure. A pressure equalization conduit extends between and intercommunicates the housing passages to equalize the pressure on the diaphragm means.

Abstract: A suppressant delivery and release nozzle structure is disclosed for an explosion protection system. The nozzle is a reducing elbow, concentric or eccentric mounting a rupture disc at its small end. A selectively actuatable detonator housed in the nozzle adjacent the disc permits substantially instantaneous opening of the disc upon command for release and delivery of suppressant to a zone to be protected from an explosion hazard. The configuration of the nozzle assures unimpeded discharge of suppressant from the system in a minimum of time without significant two-phase flow. The nozzle is equally adaptable for liquid or powdered suppressant compositions.

Abstract: A backflash interrupter device is provided which can be placed in-line in a run of pipe, duct, or the like for preventing a pressure wave and any subsequent flame front traveling along the run from passing beyond the device. The preferred backflash interrupter device includes a chamber base and a vent cap cooperatively defining a transfer chamber with at least two fluid-conducting members coupled therewith with the distal ends thereof configured for coupling with respective terminal ends of portions of the run of pipe, duct, or the like.

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.