Rupture panel

• US 6,367,203 B1
• Filed: 09/11/2000
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Oklahoma Safety Equipment Company, Inc. (Halma PLC)
• Original Assignee: Oklahoma Safety Equipment Company, Inc. (Halma PLC)
• Inventors: Graham, James R., Miller, Tom P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CHI Q
• Application Number:
  US09/658,351
• Time in Patent Office: 575 Days
• Field of Search: 52/1, 52/98, 52/99, 521/00, 522/08, 522/00, 522/02, 220/89.1, 220/89, 220/89.2, 220/89.3, 220/207, 137/68.1, 137/70
• US Class Current: 52/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/36 Weakened parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1782 Frangible element returns pressure responsive valve

Abstract

A rupture panel for relieving an excess pressure differential between the interior and exterior of a vessel having a wall and an opening through the wall includes a first frame section connected to the vessel wall at the opening and a pair of pressure relief panels mounted to the frame, each panel having a stitched portion, the stitched portions providing opening capability on both vacuum and burst pressure control (or on either vacuum or burst pressure control). A pair of sealing members that sandwich the pair of pressure relief panels there between are provided, one of the sealing members engaging one of the pressure relief panels, the other sealing member engaging the other pressure relief panel. Each of the sealing members has a sealing surface that covers a stitched portion of an adjacent relief panel. A second frame section connects to the first frame section and connections are provided that join the first and second frame sections together, clamping the pressure relief panels and sealing members there between.

Claims

1. A rupture panel for relieving an excess pressure differential between the interior and the exterior of a vessel having a wall and an opening through the wall, comprising:

a) a first frame section connected to the vessel wall at the opening and having a central opening;

b) a pair of pressure relief panels mounted to the frame, each panel having a periphery and a peripheral stitched portion positioned next to the periphery, the stitched portions of the respective panels providing opening capability on vacuum and burst pressure control;

c) a pair of sealing members that sandwich the pair of pressure relief panels there between, one of the sealing members engaging one of the pressure relief panels, the other sealing member engaging the other pressure relief panel, each of the sealing members having a central opening;

d) each of the sealing members having a periphery and a peripheral sealing surface surrounding its central opening that covers a peripheral stitched portion of an adjacent pressure relief panel;

e) a second frame section that connects to the first frame section, the second frame section having a central opening; and

f) connectors that join the first and second frame sections together, clamping the pressure relief panels and sealing member there between.

2. The rupture panel of claim 1 wherein the stitched portion comprises a circuitous stitch that extends around a substantial portion of the periphery of each sealing member.

3. The rupture panel of claim 1 wherein the stitched portion comprises a circuitous stitch that extends around most of the periphery of each sealing member.

4. The rupture panel of claim 1 wherein the connectors comprise a plurality of bolted connections.

5. The rupture panel of claim 1 wherein each frame section has a central opening, and wherein the stitched portion of each pressure relief panel communicates with a frame section central opening.

6. The rupture panel of claim 5 wherein each frame section has an inner surface at the opening, and the sealing members extend inwardly of the inner surfaces of the frame members.

7. The rupture panel of claim 1 wherein each frame section has an inner surface next to the frame section opening, and the sealing members each have an edge that extends inwardly of the inner surfaces of the frame members.

8. The rupture panel of claim 7 wherein the stitched portion is positioned in between the inner surface of the frame sections and the pressure relief panel openings.

12. The rupture panel of claim 4 wherein the stitched portion comprises a circuitous stitch that extends around a substantial portion of the periphery of each sealing member.

9. A rupture panel for relieving an excess pressure differential between the interior and the exterior of a vessel having a wall and an opening through the wall, comprising:

a) a first frame section connected to the vessel wall at the opening, and having a frame section opening;

b) a pair of pressure relief panels mounted to the frame section, each panel having a periphery and a peripheral stitched portion next to the periphery, the stitched portions of the panels providing opening capability on either vacuum or burst pressure control;

c) a pair of sealing members that sandwich the pair of pressure relief panels there between, one of the sealing members engaging one of the pressure relief panels, the other sealing member engaging the other pressure relief panel;

d) each of the sealing members having a sealing surface that covers and seals a stitched portion of an adjacent pressure relief panel;

e) a second frame section that connects to the first frame section, and having a frame section opening; and

f) connectors that join the first and second frame sections together, clamping the pressure relief panels and sealing member there between.

10. The rupture panel of claim 9 wherein one of the sealing members has a central opening.

11. The rupture panel of claim 9 wherein both of the sealing members has a central opening.

13. The rupture panel of claim 9 wherein the stitched portion comprises a circuitous stitch that extends around most of the periphery of each sealing member.

14. The rupture panel of claim 9 wherein the connectors comprise a plurality of bolted connections.

15. The rupture panel of claim 9 wherein the stitched portion of each pressure relief panel communicates with the central frame openings.

16. The rupture panel of claim 15 wherein each frame section has an inner surface at the frame section opening, and the sealing members extend inwardly of the inner surfaces of the frame sections.

17. The rupture panel of claim 9 wherein each frame section has an inner surface at the frame section opening, and the sealing members extend inwardly of the inner surfaces of the frame sections.

18. The rupture panel of claim 17 wherein the peripheral stitched portion of each pressure relief panel is positioned in between the inner surface of the frame sections and the pressure relief panel openings.

19. A rupture panel for relieving an excess pressure differential between the interior and the exterior of a vessel having a wall and an opening through the wall, comprising:

a) a supportive frame that includes a first frame section connected to the vessel wall at the opening and a second frame section, each of the frame sections having a central flow opening;

b) a pressure relief panel assembly that is mounted to the supportive frame, and generally in between the frame sections, the panel assembly including;

i) a pair of relief panels, each having a periphery that has a peripheral stitched portion, the stitched portions providing opening capability on vacuum and burst pressure control;

ii) a pair of sealing members that sandwich the pair of relief panels there between, one of the sealing members engaging one of the pressure relief panels and the first frame section, the other sealing member engaging the other pressure relief panel and the second frame section;

c) each of the sealing members having a sealing surface that covers a peripheral stitched portion of an adjacent pressure relief panel; and

d) connectors that join the first and second frame sections together, clamping the pressure relief panels and sealing member there between.

20. The rupture panel of claim 19 wherein one of the sealing members has a central opening.

21. The rupture panel of claim 19 wherein both of the sealing members has a central opening.

22. The rupture panel of claim 19 wherein the stitched portion comprises a circuitous stitch that extends around a substantial portion of the periphery of each sealing member.

23. The rupture panel of claim 19 wherein the stitched portion comprises a circuitous stitch that extends around most of the periphery of each sealing member.

24. The rupture panel of claim 19 wherein the connectors comprise a plurality of bolted connections.

25. The rupture panel of claim 19 wherein each of the supported frames is generally rectangular in shape.

26. The rupture panel of claim 19 wherein the panel assembly has a generally rectangular shape.