Vibration resistant explosion control vent

US4662126A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Fike Corporation · US

Inventor

• Eddie R. Malcolm · Independence, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 23, 1986
• Grant date: May 5, 1987
• Expiry date: May 23, 2006

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16K17/162
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A burst panel assembly for normally covering a vent opening of structure which defines an area to be protected from the buildup of dangerously high internal pressures has two frangible panels disposed in spaced, face-to-face relationship along with a core of expanded polyurethane foam which functions to dampen vibrations received from the structure and transmitted to the frangible panels. The foam is introduced in an initially flowable condition into the space between the panels and thereafter expands while curing to a solidified configuration for continuously exerting pressure on both of the panels, to thereby substantially reduce the fatigue stress that would otherwise occur along lines of weakness of burst patterns that are formed in both of the panels. In a preferred method of construction of the burst panel assembly, pressurized air is initially introduced into the space between the panels to shift one of the panels outwardly to a pre-bulged configuration, and subsequently a negative pressure is applied to the outside face of the opposite panel to shift the same in an outward direction while filling the space with the initially flowable foam material, so that the foam expands …