Fluid relief device
First Claim
1. A fluid pressure relief device for a container adapted to contain fluid at a normal fluid pressure, the fluid pressure relief device openable in response to a predetermined pressure level of fluid in an interior space within the container, the fluid pressure relief device comprisinga body with a primary channel therethrough for escape of fluid from the container, the primary channel disposable in fluid communication with the interior space of the container, a cover movably disposed over the primary channel and movable by force of the fluid within the interior space of the container when it reaches a predetermined escape pressure greater than the normal fluid pressure, the cover movable apart from the body and away from the primary channel by said force of the fluid thereby permitting escape of fluid from the interior space of the container through the primary channel,at least two seals between the body and the cover for sealing therebetween,a barrier fluid chamber formed between the at least two seals, anda chamber inlet for supplying a barrier fluid to the barrier fluid chamber at a pressure different from the normal fluid pressure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention discloses a fluid relief device for relieving pressure of a fluid stored in a container or tank, or fluid used in a piece of equipment. In one aspect such a device has a body member with a primary channel therethrough in communication with a container of a contained fluid under pressure. When the pressure of the contained fluid under pressure exceeds a predetermined level, the pressure of the contained fluid moves a cover which is sealingly in place to close off the primary channel. During normal conditions the force of the contained fluid is insufficient to move the cover and leakage of the contained fluid past the cover is inhibited by the provision of a barrier fluid supplied into a barrier fluid chamber to oppose the contained fluid, the barrier fluid at a pressure greater than the normal pressure of the contained fluid. Seals may be provided on one or two sides of the barrier fluid chamber--a first seal to seal the primary channel-chamber interface and a second seal to seal the chamber-exterior interface. Fluid under pressure supplied to the chamber may leak past the first seal into the container. In one aspect an inert barrier fluid, e.g. nitrogen is used. Devices according to this invention may be used with pressure relief devices and vacuum relief devices.
133 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A fluid pressure relief device for a container adapted to contain fluid at a normal fluid pressure, the fluid pressure relief device openable in response to a predetermined pressure level of fluid in an interior space within the container, the fluid pressure relief device comprising
a body with a primary channel therethrough for escape of fluid from the container, the primary channel disposable in fluid communication with the interior space of the container, a cover movably disposed over the primary channel and movable by force of the fluid within the interior space of the container when it reaches a predetermined escape pressure greater than the normal fluid pressure, the cover movable apart from the body and away from the primary channel by said force of the fluid thereby permitting escape of fluid from the interior space of the container through the primary channel, at least two seals between the body and the cover for sealing therebetween, a barrier fluid chamber formed between the at least two seals, and a chamber inlet for supplying a barrier fluid to the barrier fluid chamber at a pressure different from the normal fluid pressure.
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11. The fluid pressure relief device of claim 48 wherein the control monitor apparatus includes alarm apparatus for presenting an alarm when the barrier fluid pressure changes a set amount from a pre-set baseline pressure.
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17. A sealing system for sealing an interface between a fluid pressure relief device'"'"'s movable cover and a body with a primary channel therethrough for escape of contained fluid from a container on which the fluid relief device is mounted, the fluid pressure relief device openable in response to a predetermined pressure level of contained fluid in an interior space of the container, the contained fluid initially at a normal fluid pressure, the cover movable apart from the body and away from the primary channel by the force of fluid within the interior space of the container that attains a pressure greater than the normal pressure, thereby permitting escape of contained fluid from the interior space of the container through the primary channel, the sealing system comprising
a first seal between the body and the cover and encompassing an opening of the primary channel of the body, a second seal between the body and the cover and spaced apart from the first seal, and the second seal encompassing the first seal, a barrier fluid chamber between the first and second seals, and a barrier fluid under pressure within the barrier fluid chamber.
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20. A fluid pressure relief device for a container adapted to contain fluid at a normal fluid pressure, the device comprising
a body with a primary channel therethrough for escape of fluid from the container, a cover movably disposed over the primary channel and movable by force of the fluid when it reaches a predetermined escape pressure greater than the normal fluid pressure, the cover movable apart from the body and away from the primary channel by said force of the fluid thereby permitting escape of fluid from the container through the primary channel, at least two seals between the body and the cover for sealing therebetween, a barrier fluid chamber formed between the at least two seals, a chamber inlet for supplying a barrier fluid to the barrier fluid chamber at a pressure different from the normal fluid pressure, and control monitor apparatus for monitoring pressure of the contained fluid in the container, for monitoring pressure of barrier fluid in the barrier fluid chamber, and for controlling pressure of contained fluid and of barrier fluid.
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22. A fluid pressure relief device for a container adapted to contain fluid at a normal fluid pressure, the device comprising
a body with a primary channel therethrough for escape of fluid from the container, a cover movably disposed over the primary channel and movable by force of the fluid when it reaches a predetermined escape pressure greater than the normal fluid pressure, the cover movable apart from the body and away from the primary channel by said force of the fluid thereby permitting escape of fluid from the container through the primary channel, at least two seals between the body and the cover for sealing therebetween, a barrier fluid chamber formed between the at least two seals, a chamber inlet for supplying a barrier fluid to the barrier fluid chamber at a pressure different from the normal fluid pressure, a barrier fluid in the barrier fluid chamber at a pressure less than the normal fluid pressure, and vacuum apparatus for supplying a vacuum on the barrier fluid chamber to maintain barrier fluid pressure below that of the contained fluid.
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24. A fluid pressure relief device for a container adapted to contain fluid at a normal fluid pressure, the device comprising
a body with a primary channel therethrough for escape of fluid from the container, a cover movably disposed over the primary channel and movable by force of the fluid when it reaches a predetermined escape pressure greater than the normal fluid pressure, the cover movable apart from the body and away from the primary channel by said force of the fluid thereby permitting escape of fluid from the container through the primary channel, at least two seals between the body and the cover for sealing therebetween, a barrier fluid chamber formed between the at least two seals, a chamber inlet for supplying a barrier fluid to the barrier fluid chamber at a pressure different from the normal fluid pressure, and wherein the container fluid is a first gas and the barrier fluid is a second gas different from the first gas, the device further comprising gas analyzer means for analyzing gas from the barrier fluid chamber, and transmission means for transmitting gas from the barrier fluid chamber to the gas analyzer means.
Specification