Method and apparatus for forming a rupture disk

• US 6,321,582 B1
• Filed: 05/11/2000
• Issued: 11/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems LLC (International Systems & Controls Corp.)
• Original Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems LLC (International Systems & Controls Corp.)
• Inventors: Daly, John, Cullinane, Donall, Lowe, Barry, Brazier, Geof, Klein, Greg, Tomasko, John, Rooker, Mitch, Farwell, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Tolan, Ed
• Application Number:
  US09/568,505
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• Field of Search: 72/55, 72/56, 72/57, 72/60, 723/72, 723/792
• US Class Current: 72/57
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/1606 of the reverse-buckling-type F16K17/1633 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1699 Means for holding entire disc after rupture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1737 Reverse buckling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1744 Specific weakening point

Abstract

An improved rupture disk assembly and methods and apparatuses for forming a rupture disk are disclosed. The rupture disk assembly includes a rupture disk having a flange connected to a dome-shaped rupturable portion by a transition area. The rupturable portion includes a structural apex formation at or near the apex of the dome and is configured to rupture when exposed to a fluid having a predetermined pressure. Preferably, a safety member is disposed adjacent the rupture disk. The safety member includes a hinge about which the disk bends when the disk ruptures. The present invention is also directed to an apparatus and method for consistently, accurately, and repeatably forming a structural apex formation in a rupture disk before the formation of the rupture disk dome, during the formation of the rupture disk dome, and after the formation of the rupture disk dome.

Claims

1. A method of forming an indentation in a rupture disk, comprising the steps of:

supporting a first side of a rupture disk blank with a first member having an opening;

engaging a second member aligned with the opening in the first member with a second side of the rupture disk blank at or near the center of the rupture disk blank to displace a section of the rupture disk blank relative to the first member, thereby creating an indentation at or near the center of the rupture disk blank; and

subjecting a portion of the rupture disk blank to a pressurized fluid after the indentation is created to form said portion of the rupture disk blank into a domed shape such that the indentation is disposed at or near the apex of the domed shape.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first member is an anvil and the centerline of the opening in the anvil is aligned with the center of the rupture disk blank.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second member is a punch and the centerline of the punch is offset from the center of the rupture disk blank.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second member displaces the section of the rupture disk blank in shear.

5. A rupture disk having an indentation formed in accordance with the process of claim 1.

6. An apparatus for forming a rupture disk from a blank, comprising:

a clamp configured to fixably secure an outer perimeter of the blank, the clamp having a pathway configured to direct a pressurized fluid against the unclamped portion of the blank, the pressurized fluid acting on the unclamped portion to displace the unclamped portion of the blank relative to the clamp;

a mold having a concave shape configured to receive the unclamped portion of the blank as the unclamped portion is displaced relative to the clamp and to form the unclamped portion of the blank into a domed shape generally corresponding to the concave shape of the mold; and

a member projecting from the concave shape of the mold and configured to engage the unclamped portion of the blank as the unclamped portion is displaced relative to the clamp to thereby form an indentation at or near the apex of the domed shape.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the member is a punch and the centerline of the punch is aligned with the apex of the domed shape.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the member is a punch and the punch has a circular cross section.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the member is a punch and the punch includes a tip having a concave surface.

10. A method of forming a rupture disk from a blank, comprising the steps of:

clamping the outer perimeter of the blank;

directing a pressurized fluid against a central portion of the blank to displace the central portion of the blank relative to the outer perimeter and into a mold having a concave shape;

forming the central portion of the blank into a domed shape generally corresponding to the concave shape of the mold; and

engaging a member projecting from the concave shape of the mold with the central portion of the blank as the central portion is formed into the domed shape to form an indentation at or near the apex of the domed shape.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

removing the member from the mold; and

directing a pressurized fluid having a second pressure against the central portion to reduce the depth of the indentation relative to the apex of the domed shape.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of controlling the depth of the indent relative to the apex of the dome by adjusting the member relative to the mold.

13. A rupture disk formed in accordance with the process of claim 10.