Abstract: The present invention is directed to pressure relief devices and to corresponding pressure relief assemblies that have improved vacuum resistance, improved fragmentation resistance, and/or improved burst control while maintaining low mass. The pressure relief device includes a substantially flat flange section and a domed section. The domed section may include a transitional line that defines a change in the shape of the domed section. The pressure relief device may also include a bracket for securing or aligning a domed section to a flange section. The pressure relief device may further include a stress distribution feature that is disposed transversely to a line of weakness in the domed section. The pressure relief assembly may include a fastener having a wire that is configured to break and release the pressure relief device when subject to a predetermined tensile load.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pressure relief devices and to corresponding pressure relief assemblies that have improved vacuum resistance, improved fragmentation resistance, and/or improved burst control while maintaining low mass. The pressure relief device includes a substantially flat flange section and a domed section. The domed section may include a transitional line that defines a change in the shape of the domed section. The pressure relief device may also include a bracket for securing or aligning a domed section to a flange section. The pressure relief device may further include a stress distribution feature that is disposed transversely to a line of weakness in the domed section. The pressure relief assembly may include a fastener having a wire that is configured to break and release the pressure relief device when subject to a predetermined tensile load.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pressure relief devices and to corresponding pressure relief assemblies that have improved vacuum resistance, improved fragmentation resistance, and/or improved burst control while maintaining low mass. The pressure relief device includes a substantially flat flange section and a domed section. The domed section may include a transitional line that defines a change in the shape of the domed section. The pressure relief device may also include a bracket for securing or aligning a domed section to a flange section. The pressure relief device may further include a stress distribution feature that is disposed transversely to a line of weakness in the domed section. The pressure relief assembly may include a fastener having a wire that is configured to break and release the pressure relief device when subject to a predetermined tensile load.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pressure relief devices and to corresponding pressure relief assemblies that have improved vacuum resistance, improved fragmentation resistance, and/or improved burst control while maintaining low mass. The pressure relief device includes a substantially flat flange section and a domed section. The domed section may include a transitional line that defines a change in the shape of the domed section. The pressure relief device may also include a bracket for securing or aligning a domed section to a flange section. The pressure relief device may further include a stress distribution feature that is disposed transversely to a line of weakness in the domed section. The pressure relief assembly may include a fastener having a wire that is configured to break and release the pressure relief device when subject to a predetermined tensile load.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pressure relief devices and to corresponding pressure relief assemblies that have improved vacuum resistance, improved fragmentation resistance, and/or improved burst control while maintaining low mass. The pressure relief device includes a substantially flat flange section and a domed section. The domed section may include a transitional line that defines a change in the shape of the domed section. The pressure relief device may also include a bracket for securing or aligning a domed section to a flange section. The pressure relief device may further include a stress distribution feature that is disposed transversely to a line of weakness in the domed section. The pressure relief assembly may include a fastener having a wire that is configured to break and release the pressure relief device when subject to a predetermined tensile load.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pressure relief devices and to corresponding pressure relief assemblies that have improved vacuum resistance, improved fragmentation resistance, and/or improved burst control while maintaining low mass. The pressure relief device includes a substantially flat flange section and a domed section. The domed section may include a transitional line that defines a change in the shape of the domed section. The pressure relief device may also include a bracket for securing or aligning a domed section to a flange section. The pressure relief device may further include a stress distribution feature that is disposed transversely to a line of weakness in the domed section. The pressure relief assembly may include a fastener having a wire that is configured to break and release the pressure relief device when subject to a predetermined tensile load.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved rupture disk apparatus and manufacturing method. The apparatus includes a rupture disk having at least one area of weakness formed by the displacement of material through a partial shearing motion. The weakened area is capable of withstanding pressure cycling because the rupture disk flange acts to support the weakened area during use. The apparatus further includes a safety member adjacent to the rupture disk on the outlet side to ensure opening, the safety member having at least one rupture-initiating, stress-concentrating point positioned to contact the rupture disk weakened area.

Abstract: Rotatable valve assembly includes a mounting mechanism for rotatably mounting a valve in a housing. The mounting mechanism includes a shaft having an outside end extending through the housing. A conversion mechanism converts fluid pressure in the housing into torque exerted on the shaft. A release mechanism is located outside the housing for preventing rotation of the shaft and valve when the torque exerted on the shaft is below a selected magnitude. A linearizing mechanism converts the forces exerted on the release mechanism by the shaft into a linear force. The release mechanism allows the shaft to rotate when the torque exerted on the shaft and the linear force exerted on the release mechanism exceeds a selected magnitude. A seal is provided for sealing the gap between the valve and the housing in the closed position of the valve.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved rupture disk apparatus and manufacturing method. The apparatus includes a rupture disk having at least one area of weakness formed by the displacement of material through a partial shearing motion. The weakened area is capable of withstanding pressure cycling because the rupture disk flange acts to support the weakened area during use. The apparatus further includes a safety member adjacent to the rupture disk on the outlet side to ensure opening, the safety member having at least one rupture-initiating, stress-concentrating point positioned to contact the rupture disk weakened area.

Abstract: Rotatable valve assembly includes a mounting mechanism for rotatably mounting the valve in a housing, the mounting mechanism including a shaft having an outside end extending through the housing. A conversion mechanism converts fluid pressure in the housing into torque exerted on the shaft. A release mechanism is located outside the housing for preventing rotation of the shaft and valve when the torque exerted on the shaft is below a selected magnitude. The release mechanism allows the shaft to rotate when the torque exerted on the shaft exceeds a selected magnitude. A seal is provided for sealing the gap between the housing and the valve in the closed position. The seal has a first portion secured to the housing on a first side of the rotational axis of the valve, a second portion secured to the valve on a second side of the rotational axis, a first transitional portion coinciding with the rotational axis, and a second transitional portion coinciding with the rotational axis.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved rupture disk apparatus and manufacturing method. The apparatus includes a rupture disk having at least one area of weakness formed by the displacement of material through a partial shearing motion. The weakened area is capable of withstanding pressure cycling because the rupture disk flange acts to support the weakened area during use. The apparatus further includes a safety member adjacent to the rupture disk on the outlet side to ensure opening, the safety member having at least one rupture-initiating, stress-concentrating point positioned to contact the rupture disk weakened area.

Abstract: Rotatable valve assembly includes a mounting mechanism for rotatably mounting a valve in a housing. The mounting mechanism includes a shaft having an outside end extending through the housing. A conversion mechanism converts fluid pressure in the housing into torque exerted on the shaft. A release mechanism is located outside the housing for preventing rotation of the shaft and valve when the torque exerted on the shaft is below a selected magnitude. A linearizing mechanism converts the forces exerted on the release mechanism by the shaft into a linear force. The release mechanism allows the shaft to rotate when the torque exerted on the shaft and the linear force exerted on the release mechanism exceeds a selected magnitude. A seal is provided for sealing the gap between the valve and the housing in the closed position of the valve.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved rupture disk apparatus and manufacturing method. The apparatus includes a rupture disk having at least one area of weakness formed by the displacement of material through a partial shearing motion. The weakened area is capable of withstanding pressure cycling because the rupture disk flange acts to support the weakened area during use. The apparatus further includes a safety member adjacent to the rupture disk on the outlet side to ensure opening, the safety member having at least one rupture-initiating, stress-concentrating point positioned to contact the rupture disk weakened area.

Abstract: An inverting, rupturable, pressure relieving apparatus includes a structure having a wall for containing pressurized fluid and an asymmetrical indentation in the wall. The indentation has a base connecting the indentation to the wall, a protuberant side for contacting the pressurized fluid, a recessed side opposite the protuberant side, and an axis about perpendicular to the base and extending through the center of the indentation at the base. The asymmetry of the indentation creates an inversion initiation face in the indentation having a smaller angle with the base and less resistance to inversion than the remainder of the indentation.

Abstract: Rotatable valve assembly includes a mounting mechanism for rotatably mounting the valve in a housing, the mounting mechanism including a shaft having an outside end extending through the housing. A conversion mechanism converts fluid pressure in the housing into torque exerted on the shaft. A release mechanism is located outside the housing for preventing rotation of the shaft and valve when the torque exerted on the shaft is below a selected magnitude. The release mechanism allows the shaft to rotate when the torque exerted on the shaft exceeds a selected magnitude. A seal is provided for sealing the gap between the housing and the valve in the closed position. The seal has a first portion secured to the housing on a first side of the rotational axis of the valve, a second portion secured to the valve on a second side of the rotational axis, a first transitional portion coinciding with the rotational axis, and a second transitional portion coinciding with the rotational axis.

Abstract: Vacuum support and rupture disk assembly in which the vacuum support member does not restrict flow through the rupture disk includes a rupture disk having opposite faces defining a plane and a blow-out portion of selected planar dimension; a vacuum support member positionable adjacent a face of the rupture disk and being smaller in planar dimension than the blow-out portion; and a retainer for holding the vacuum support member adjacent the face of the rupture disk and restraining motion of the vacuum support member in all directions except through the rupture disk in such a manner than the entire vacuum support will pass through the blow-out portion if the rupture disk ruptures.

Abstract: An inverting, rupturable, pressure relieving apparatus includes a structure having a wall for containing pressurized fluid and an asymmetrical indentation in the wall. The indentation has a base connecting the indentation to the wall, a protuberant side for contacting the pressurized fluid, a recessed side opposite the protuberant side, and an axis about perpendicular to the base and extending through the center of the indentation at the base. The asymmetry of the indentation creates an inversion initiation face in the indentation having a smaller angle with the base and less resistance to inversion than the remainder of the indentation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure surge resistant rupture disk assembly adapted to be sealingly clamped across a pressurized fluid containing passageway. The assembly basically comprises first and second rupture members having predetermined rupture pressures and means disposed between the first and second rupture members for providing a space for containing pressurized fluid within the assembly and for supporting the second rupture member against the first rupture member during a momentary pressure surge. The second rupture member faces the pressurized fluid and has at least one opening therein for allowing a restricted pressurized fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure surge resistant rupture disk assembly adapted to be sealingly clamped across a pressurized fluid containing passageway. The assembly basically comprises first and second rupture members having predetermined rupture pressures, the second rupture member facing the pressurized fluid and having a predetermined rupture pressure equal to or lower than the rupture pressure of the first rupture member. At least one opening is provided in the second rupture member for allowing a restricted pressurized fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: Nonfragmenting rupture disk assemblies and methods are provided. The assemblies basically comprise an inlet rupture disk supporting member for communicating fluid pressure to said rupture disk, an outlet rupture disk supporting member including a pressure relieving fluid flow passageway therethrough, a rupture disk sealingly clamped between the inlet and outlet supporting members which forms a hinged blow-out portion that is folded into the outlet supporting member upon pressure relieving rupture and fluid flow through the ruptured disk, and catching means disposed in the outlet supporting member for catching the leading edge of the blow-out portion as it is folded into the outlet supporting member thereby preventing fragmentation of the blow-out portion.