Patent · US Expired

Staged pressure relief assembly

US4777974A · kind A · utility

25Cited by
7References
1Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 27, 1987
Grant dateOct 18, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 27, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/1744
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A pressure relief panel assembly for rupture discs, explosion vents and the like has a plurality of frangible panel portions which burst at different pressures to present a pressure relieving aperture having a cross-sectional area which varies in accordance with the number of panel portions which have ruptured. In one embodiment of the invention, the assembly comprises two frangible panels positioned in face-to-face relationship in covering disposition to a vent opening, and the innermost panel has an orifice which functions as a pressure relieving aperture once the outermost panel ruptures; subsequently, further build up of pressure causes the innermost panel to burst and present a pressure relieving aperture larger than the orifice so that the structure to be protected is fully vented. In certain forms of the invention, a discontinuous pattern of perforated lines of weakness in the innermost panel serve as pressure relieving apertures once the outermost panel ruptures. In another embodiment, the assembly comprises a single panel having one set of weakness lines defining a first frangible panel portion and a second set of weakness lines surrounding the first set and defining a sec…

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