Abstract: A tubing drain with a reusable body and a replaceable sacrificial burst element, the tubing drain comprising an annular body with a window and first and second connector ends, each connector end connectable to an end of tubing sections in a tubing string. The tubing drain also has an inner body insertable into the annular body, the inner body providing the replaceable sacrificial burst element. A burst profile in the inner body aligns with the window in the annular body and provides a burst element which may be configured to burst when a target pressure differential occurs across the burst profile, thereby draining fluids from the tubing string into the casing string.

Abstract: A release mechanism includes a frame with an interior. The release mechanism also includes a prestrained element coupled to the interior of the frame. The prestrained element creates a seal with the frame. The prestrained element is notched in one or more regions. The prestrained element is configured to fracture when heated to a predetermined temperature allowing the interior to open. The fracture is based on the notched regions of the prestrained element such that separation initiates within the notched regions. The remaining regions of the prestrained element unfractured. The shape memory alloy element can include one or more of a nickel-titanium alloy, a titanium-nickel alloy, a copper-zinc-aluminum alloy, a copper aluminum nickel alloy, and a nickel titanium hafnium alloy. Heating of the shape memory alloy element causes a stress in the shape memory alloy that causes fracturing of the prestrained alloy when sufficient heating has been achieved.

Abstract: A reverse-acting pressure relief device (10) is provided comprising buckling-control structures, namely pocket regions (20, 22) and belt regions (24) having differing material thicknesses. The pocket regions (20, 22) generally comprise areas of reduced material thicknesses and serve to weaken the structural integrity of the bulged section (12) of device (10) so that reversal can be initiated at lower pressures. Belt regions (24) generally comprise areas of enhanced mechanical properties that assist with reversal control and opening of bulged section (12) thereby ensuring complete opening of the device (10).

Abstract: A flow controller includes a housing having central portion and finger-gripping portions on either side of the central portion. The housing defines an interior flow path and includes a breakable member at least partially positioned within the interior flow path of the housing to prevent the passage of fluid through the flow path. The breakable member includes a stem integrally molded to a tubular member. The finger-gripping portions and the central portion define an outermost surface and the outermost surface of the finger gripping portions extends radially outwardly of the outermost surface of the central portion. The central portion includes a wall having a selected thickness.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cylindrical holder member for a bi-directional bulged rupture disc. The support body of the holder has a rim that supports the rupture disc with the concave surface of the disc facing the holder. The support body is provided with a unitary one-piece, centrally creased cutting element that is of generally V-shaped configuration in plan view. The cutting element has a pair of elongated converging leg components with each leg component being connected to and supported by the interior wall surface of the holder body, with each leg component having an arcuate cutting edge. The cutting edges of the leg components merge at the crease in the cutting element to define a central cutting edge peak section. The cutting element is positioned in the holder with the cutting edge peak section extending beyond the rim of the support body into the concave area 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: This invention relates to an explosion pressure relief device with a wall and a framework fixing the wall. In the case of an explosion in a container to which an explosion pressure relief device is attached, such explosion pressure relief device serves to allow the pressure wave to escape at best greatly weakened.

Abstract: Non-fragmenting pressure relief apparatus includes at least one circular rupture disc having a central asymmetric bulged section and a peripheral flange portion. A semi-circular line of weakness extends around the periphery of the bulged section and presents a hinge portion between the ends of the line of weakness. A hold-down member for the rupture disc having an inner opening surrounding the bulged section of the disc is provided with a unitary segment that extends into the inner opening of the hold-down member. The spaced end extremities of the line of weakness extend beneath the hold-down member segment. The hinge portion of the disc upon rupture of the disc bends about a fulcrum defined by the outer margin of the hold-down segment, which in conjunction with deflection of the segment of the hold-down member contributes to anti-fragmentation of the disc.

Abstract: A tear out test plug for plumbing installations includes a cylindrical body having a peripheral sidewall, a closed end and an open end. A positioning flange extends outwardly from the peripheral sidewall at the open end. An end wall closes the closed end. A frangible strip extends from the open end, down the peripheral sidewall, and across at least a portion of the end wall.

Abstract: A tear out test plug for plumbing installations includes a cylindrical body having a peripheral sidewall, a closed end and an open end. A positioning flange extends outwardly from the peripheral sidewall at the open end. An end wall closes the closed end. A frangible strip extends from the open end, down the peripheral sidewall, and across at least a portion of the end wall.

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: A hybrid gas generator comprises a chamber that contains pressurized fluid and that is sealed off by a rupturable membrane, and a pyrotechnical propellant charge that ruptures the membrane when it is ignited. The gas generator further comprises a nozzle wall that is arranged between the propellant charge and the membrane and that has at least one passage opening through which combustion products generated upon ignition of said pyrotechnical propellant charge flow towards the membrane. The passage opening has such a shape and is oriented with respect to the membrane in such a way that, when the membrane is ruptured, there are formed sections of said membrane that remain all connected to an edge of the membrane.

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 improved rupture disk assembly for a pressure relief system is disclosed. The rupture disk assembly is sealed between an inlet support member and an outlet support member, each of which define a central fluid pathway. A rupture disk that includes a flange connected to a dome-shaped rupturable portion by a transition area is sealed between the support members. The rupturable portion may include an indentation positioned at the apex of the dome and a score line having a first and a second end. A safety member that has a hinge including a knuckle and a tongue is positioned between the rupture disk and the outlet support member. The knuckle extends downwardly into the dome and extends laterally across the dome to a point that is inside the area circumscribed by the score line or inside the area circumscribed by an arc connecting the two ends of the score line.