Patent · US Expired

Heat activated vent

US4431716A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
4References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 11, 1983
Grant dateFeb 14, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 11, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/1782
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A heat activated vent for releasing an excess internal pressure in a container which pressure is accompanied by an abnormal rise in an internal temperature of the container uses a spring to store sufficient energy to propel a barb or spike to pierce a thin diaphragm. The spring is retained within a hollow vent housing between an end wall of the housing and a movable plate located within the housing and carrying a diaphragm piercing upright barb. A pierceable thin diaphragm is positioned adjacent to the sharp end of the barb and is arranged to provide a leak proof seal across an open end of the housing. The barb carrying plate is normally retained in a position wherein the barb is spaced from the diaphragm by a rigid pin extending between the plate and the housing and having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the housing. In one embodiment of the invention, one end of the pin projects through a hole in the plate and has a radially expanded head which engages the barb carrying plate. The other end of the pin is retained in a hole in the vent housing as a result of a shrink fit in the hole in the housing. The expanded head of the pin may be located on the outside surface of…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.