Pressure relief device

Abstract

The present application relates to a pressure release device including a housing member having an internal space, a piston member disposed in the internal space of the housing member, and a fusible member disposed in a region below the piston member. The piston member includes an upper end region formed at an upper end in a vertical direction (H), and a connecting region formed below the upper end region and extending downward from the upper end region while being connected to the upper end region. A first width (W1) of the upper end region in a horizontal direction (A) is equal to or smaller than a second width (W2) of the connecting region in the horizontal direction (A).

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0023242, filed on February 22, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes set forth herein. Technical Field

[0003] Exemplary embodiments relate to a pressure relief device, and more specifically, to a thermally activated pressure relief device having a structure that can safely discharge gas when the pressure of the gas increases. Background Technology

[0004] Thermally activated pressure relief devices (TPRDs) connected to a tank used for storing gas are typically kept sealed to prevent gas from escaping, but are provided with channels to release gas from inside the tank when the temperature of the tank or its surrounding environment rises, thereby preventing damage to or explosion of the tank.

[0005] TPRDs (Polymerized Fusible Refrigerators) are mainly divided into glass sphere type and metal fusion type. Glass sphere type TPRDs have a structure in which the glass sphere normally blocks the flow channel inside the TPRD, but when the temperature of the glass sphere exceeds a certain value, the glass sphere breaks to ensure the flow channel for venting gas. On the other hand, metal fusion type TPRDs have a structure in which the fuse element, made of a low-melting-point material, melts when the temperature exceeds a certain value to ensure the flow channel for venting gas. In metal fusion type TPRDs, the fusible element is made of metal or contains metal, thus providing strong resistance to external impacts and vibrations.

[0006] However, in the metal-melting type TPRD according to related technologies, the flow rate of the discharged gas is determined based on the amount of melting of the fuse component. Therefore, rapid gas discharge cannot be guaranteed, and thus the reliability of the TPRD's operational performance deteriorates. Summary of the Invention

[0007] An exemplary embodiment of this application provides a metal melting type TPRD that enables rapid gas discharge regardless of the amount of melting of the fuse component, thereby improving the reliability of operational performance.

[0008] An embodiment of this application provides a pressure relief device comprising a housing member, a piston member, and a fusible member. The housing member has an internal space communicating with the outside through an upper region. The piston member is disposed in the internal space of the housing member and is movable in a vertical direction (H). The fusible member is disposed in a region below the piston member. The piston member includes an upper region formed at an upper end in a vertical direction (H) and a connecting region formed below the upper region and extending downward from the upper region while connecting to the upper region. The first width (W1) of the upper region in a horizontal direction (A) is equal to, or smaller than, the second width (W2) of the connecting region in a horizontal direction (A).

[0009] The pressure relief device may further include a first sealing member surrounding the outer surface of the connection area.

[0010] The pressure relief device may further include a first auxiliary member that surrounds the outer surface of the connection area and is disposed below the first sealing member.

[0011] The piston component may further include a protruding region and a recessed region, the protruding region being formed below the connecting region and having a third width (W3) in the left-right direction (A) greater than the second width (W2), the recessed region being formed below the protruding region and extending downward from the protruding region while connecting to it, and having a fourth width (W4) in the left-right direction (A) less than the third width (W3), wherein the pressure relief device further includes a second sealing member surrounding the outer surface of the recessed region.

[0012] The pressure relief device may further include a second auxiliary member surrounding the outer surface of the recessed area and disposed below the second sealing member.

[0013] The brittleness of the first auxiliary component can be greater than that of the first sealing component.

[0014] The elongation of the first sealing member can be greater than the elongation of the first auxiliary member.

[0015] The interior space may include a first interior space and a second interior space. The first interior space is connected to the outside through the upper region of the shell member and has a first space width (S1) in the left-right direction (A). The second interior space is disposed below the first interior space, is connected to the first interior space, and has a second space width (S2) in the left-right direction (A) that is greater than the first space width (S1). The connecting region and the protruding region are inserted into the second interior space.

[0016] The width of the first sealing member along the left-right direction (A) may be greater than the width of the first space (S1) of the first internal space.

[0017] The interior space may further include a third interior space disposed below the second interior space, communicating with the second interior space, and the width (S3) of the third space in the left-right direction (A) is greater than the width (S2) of the second space.

[0018] The pressure relief device may further include a spring member that surrounds the outer surface of the piston member and presses the piston member downward.

[0019] The spring member can be inserted into the third internal space, and the width of the spring member in the left-right direction (A) can be greater than the width of the second space (S2).

[0020] The pressure relief device may further include a porous member disposed in the region below the fusible member and supporting the fusible member upward. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are included and form part of this specification, are used to further understand this application and illustrate embodiments of the application. Together with the description, they are used to explain the principles of the application.

[0022] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view showing the structure of the pressure relief device according to this application is provided.

[0023] Figure 2 An enlarged cross-sectional view is shown of the upper portion and the surrounding portion of the piston member disposed in the pressure relief device according to this application. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The pressure relief device according to this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view showing the structure of the pressure relief device according to this application is provided. Figure 2 An enlarged cross-sectional view is shown of the upper portion and the surrounding portion of the piston member disposed in the pressure relief device according to this application.

[0026] The pressure relief device 10 according to this application is configured to be connected to a tank for storing gas, and may be provided with a channel for venting the gas stored in the tank when the temperature of the storage tank rises, thereby reducing the internal pressure of the tank. In one example, the pressure relief device 10 according to this application may be connected to a hydrogen storage tank. For example, the pressure relief device 10 may be a thermally activated pressure relief device (TPRD).

[0027] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2The pressure relief device 10 may include a housing member 100 having an internal space communicating with the outside through an upper region. When the pressure relief device 10 is coupled to a tank, the internal space formed in the housing member 100 can be connected to a valve member (not shown), thereby communicating with the internal space of the tank. As described below, the internal space can be divided into multiple spaces according to its width along the left-right direction A.

[0028] Furthermore, the pressure relief device 10 may further include a piston member 200 disposed within the internal space of the housing member 100 and movable in the vertical direction H. The piston member 200 may seal the internal space of the housing member 100. The pressure relief device 10 may further include a fusible member 300 disposed in the region below the piston member 200 and supporting the piston member 200 upwards. The fusible member 300 may be made of a low-melting-point material. More specifically, the melting point of the fusible member 300 may be lower than the melting point of the housing member 100 and the melting point of the piston member 200. In one example, the fusible member 300 may be a low-melting-point alloy, and the melting point of the fusible member 300 may be approximately 110 degrees Celsius.

[0029] As described above, the piston member 200 normally seals the internal space of the housing member 100. Then, when the temperature of the pressure relief device 10 rises, the fusible member 300 melts, and the piston member 200 moves downward. Accordingly, the sealing of the internal space by the piston member 200 is released. Therefore, gas that has flowed in through the upper region of the housing member 100 can be discharged through the internal space.

[0030] Meanwhile, the piston component 200 may include an upper region 210 and a connecting region 220. The upper region 210 is formed at the upper end along the vertical direction H, and the connecting region 220 is formed below the upper region 210 and extends downward from the upper region 210 while connecting to the upper region 210.

[0031] Here, according to such Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in this application, the first width W1 of the upper region 210 along the left-right direction A can be equal to, or smaller than, the second width W2 of the connecting region 220 along the left-right direction A. This can be understood as the upper region 210 of the piston member 200 not having a shape that protrudes along the left-right direction A.

[0032] As described above, when the piston member 200 moves downward as the fusible member 300 melts, the gas flowing in from the tank connected to the pressure relief device 10 is discharged through the space between the piston member 200 and the housing member 100 within the internal space of the housing member 100. Here, according to this application, the upper end region 210 of the piston member 200 (where the gas flowing into the internal space first reaches) has a shape that does not protrude in the left-right direction A, thereby increasing the gap between the piston member 200 and the housing member 100. Therefore, according to this application, when the fusible member 300 melts, the gas can be discharged rapidly.

[0033] Continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 According to this application, the pressure relief device 10 may further include a first sealing member 410 and a first auxiliary member 420, the first sealing member 410 surrounding the outer surface of the connection region 220, the first auxiliary member 420 surrounding the outer surface of the connection region 220, and disposed below the first sealing member 410.

[0034] The first sealing member 410 can be configured to seal the space between the housing member 100 and the piston member 200, thereby enabling a more effective seal of the internal space formed in the housing member 100 under normal conditions. The first auxiliary member 420 can be configured to support the first sealing member 410 upwards. More specifically, the first sealing member 410 can be configured to seal the space between the housing member 100 and the piston member 200, thereby preventing gas inside the tank from leaking through the pressure relief device 10 under normal conditions.

[0035] Here, according to this application, the elongation of the first sealing member 410 can be greater than the elongation of the first auxiliary member 420. Elongation indicates the degree of change in the length of the specimen when a tensile force is applied to it. Therefore, the above description of elongation can be understood as follows: when the same tensile force is applied to the first sealing member 410 and the first auxiliary member 420 respectively, the change in length of the first sealing member 410 can be greater than the change in length of the first auxiliary member 420. The relatively higher elongation of the first sealing member 410 ensures that the first sealing member 410 more effectively compresses the inner surface of the housing member 100 and the outer surface of the piston member 200 (the inner surface of the housing member 100 and the outer surface of the piston member 200 define the internal space), thereby improving sealing performance. In one example, the first sealing member 410 can be an O-ring made of rubber material.

[0036] On the other hand, according to this application, the brittleness of the first auxiliary member 420 can be greater than that of the first sealing member 410. Brittleness refers to the degree of fracture due to external force. The relatively higher brittleness of the first auxiliary member 420 compared to the first sealing member 410 ensures that when gas is discharged as the piston member 200 descends (due to the melting of the fusible member 300), the first auxiliary member 420 is more easily broken by the pressure of the gas, thereby achieving rapid gas discharge.

[0037] That is, under normal conditions, the position of the first sealing member 410 must be fixed to ensure a seal between the housing member 100 and the piston member 200. However, when gas needs to be discharged, the first auxiliary member 420 no longer needs to support the first sealing member 410. Therefore, when the first auxiliary member 420 is relatively brittle, it can be more easily broken by gas pressure, and correspondingly, the first sealing member 410 can be more easily separated from the piston member 200. Thus, gas can be rapidly discharged through the space between the housing member 100 and the piston member 200. In one example, the first auxiliary member 420 may comprise polyetheretherketone (PEEK). In another example, the first auxiliary member 420 may comprise polyamide or polyimide.

[0038] Continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The piston member 200 may further include a protruding region 230 and a recessed region 240. The protruding region 230 is formed below the connecting region 220, extends downward from the connecting region 220 while connecting to the connecting region 220, and its third width W3 in the left-right direction A is greater than its second width W2. The recessed region 240 is formed below the protruding region 230, extends downward from the protruding region 230 while connecting to the protruding region 230, and its fourth width W4 in the left-right direction A is less than its third width W3. This can be understood as the piston member 200 having a protruding shape in the protruding region 230 and a recessed shape in the recessed region 240 in the left-right direction A.

[0039] Here, the pressure relief device 10 may further include a second sealing member 430 and a second auxiliary member 440, the second sealing member 430 surrounding the outer surface of the recessed region 240, the second auxiliary member 440 surrounding the outer surface of the recessed region 240 and disposed below the second sealing member 430.

[0040] The second sealing member 430 may be a component corresponding to the first sealing member 410, and the second auxiliary member 440 may be a component corresponding to the first auxiliary member 420. Therefore, the above description of the first sealing member 410 and the first auxiliary member 420 can be applied to the second sealing member 430 and the second auxiliary member 440 in the same manner.

[0041] That is, the second sealing member 430 can be configured to seal the space between the housing member 100 and the piston member 200, thereby enabling a more effective seal of the internal space formed in the housing member 100. The second auxiliary member 440 can be configured to support the second sealing member 430 upwards. Furthermore, the elongation of the second sealing member 430 can be greater than that of the second auxiliary member 440, and the brittleness of the second auxiliary member 440 can be greater than that of the second sealing member 430.

[0042] Continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The internal space of the aforementioned shell component 100 can be divided into multiple spaces according to the width along the left-right direction A.

[0043] More specifically, the internal space of the shell member 100 may include a first internal space P1 and a second internal space P2. The first internal space P1 communicates with the outside through the upper region of the shell member 100 and has a first space width S1 in the left-right direction A. The second internal space P2 is disposed below the first internal space P1, communicates with the first internal space P1, and its second space width S2 in the left-right direction A is greater than the first space width S1.

[0044] Here, according to this application, the connecting region 220 and the protruding region 230 can be inserted into the second internal space P2. Furthermore, the upper region 210 can be inserted into the first internal space P1.

[0045] Furthermore, according to this application, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the width of the first sealing member 410 in the left-right direction A can be greater than the first space width S1 of the first internal space P1. This can be understood as forming a stepped region at the boundary between the inner surface of the shell member 100 defining the first internal space P1 and the inner surface of the shell member 100 defining the second internal space P2. Therefore, according to this application, in the unmelted state of the fusible member 300, it is possible to prevent the first sealing member 410 from separating to the outside via the upper end region 210 of the piston member 200.

[0046] That is, according to this application, the width of the first sealing member 410 is greater than the first space width S1 of the first internal space P1. Therefore, as... Figure 2As shown, when the first sealing member 410 moves upward relative to the piston member 200, the stepped region formed at the boundary between the inner surface of the housing member 100 defining the first internal space P1 and the inner surface of the housing member 100 defining the second internal space P2 obstructs the first sealing member 410. Therefore, even if the upper end region 210 of the piston member 200 does not protrude in the left-right direction A, it is still possible to effectively prevent the first sealing member 410 from separating from the piston member 200 before the fusible member 300 melts.

[0047] Continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The internal space of the housing member 100 may further include a third internal space P3, which is disposed below and communicates with the second internal space P2, and whose width S3 along the left-right direction A is greater than the width S2 of the second space. This can be understood as forming a stepped region at the boundary between the inner surface of the housing member 100 defining the second internal space P2 and the inner surface of the housing member 100 defining the third internal space P3. Furthermore, the pressure relief device 10 may further include a spring member 500 surrounding the outer surface of the piston member 200 and pressing the piston member 200 downwards. The spring member 500 may be configured to press the piston member 200 downwards and move the piston member 200 downwards when the fusible member 300 melts; therefore, air can be rapidly discharged even under relatively low pressure conditions when the fusible member 300 melts.

[0048] Here, the spring member 500 can be inserted into the third internal space P3, and the width of the spring member 500 in the left-right direction A can be greater than the width S2 of the second space. Therefore, the spring member 500 can be configured such that the stepped region formed at the boundary between the inner surface of the housing member 100 defining the second internal space P2 and the inner surface of the housing member 100 defining the third internal space P3 can compress the spring member 500. Correspondingly, the spring member 500 can press down on the piston member 200.

[0049] At the same time, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the pressure relief device 10 according to this application may further include an O-ring member 550 and an auxiliary ring member 600. The O-ring member 550 is coupled to the housing member 100 to surround the outer surface of the upper region of the housing member 100. The auxiliary ring member 600 is disposed below the O-ring member 550 to support the O-ring member 550 upwards. The O-ring member 550 may be configured to prevent gas (e.g., hydrogen) from leaking from the area of ​​the housing member 100 fastened to the valve of the tank, and the auxiliary ring member 600 may be configured to support the O-ring member 550 to maintain the sealing capability of the O-ring member 550.

[0050] Furthermore, the pressure relief device 10 may further include a plug member 650, which is inserted into and connected to a through region formed in the side surface of the lower region of the housing member 100. As the fusible member 300 melts, as gas passes through and flows through the space between the housing member 100 and the piston member 200, the gas can be discharged from the pressure relief device 10 to the outside via an outlet formed in the plug member 650.

[0051] Furthermore, the pressure relief device 10 may further include a porous member 700 disposed in the region below the fusible member 300 and supporting the fusible member 300 upwards. Under normal conditions, the porous member 700 supports the fusible member 300 and prevents the piston member 200 from moving downwards; however, when the fusible member 300 melts, the porous member 700 provides a channel through which the fluid formed by the melting of the fusible member 300 passes. Therefore, as the fusible member 300 is discharged to the outside via the porous member 700, the piston member 200 can move downwards. Accordingly, gas can be discharged via the pressure relief device 10. In one example, the porous member 700 may be a mesh member.

[0052] Continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The pressure relief device 10 may further include a cover member 750, which is inserted into and coupled to the lower region of the housing member 100. The cover member 750 may be configured to prevent foreign matter from entering the interior space of the housing member 100 from the outside.

[0053] According to this application, a metal melting type TPRD is provided, which enables rapid gas discharge regardless of the amount of melting of the fuse component, thereby improving the reliability of operational performance.

[0054] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific exemplary embodiments and accompanying drawings, it is not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various improvements and modifications can be made within the scope of the technical concept of this application and the equivalence of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pressure relief device, comprising: A shell component having an internal space communicating with the outside through an upper region; The piston component is located within the internal space of the housing component and is capable of moving in the vertical direction (H); A fusible component located in the area below the piston component; The piston component includes: The upper region is formed at the upper end along the vertical direction (H); A connecting region is formed below the upper region and extends downward from the upper region and connects to the upper region. Wherein, the first width (W1) of the upper region along the left-right direction (A) is equal to or less than the second width (W2) of the connecting region along the left-right direction (A). The pressure relief device further includes: A first sealing member surrounds the outer surface of the connection area; and A first auxiliary member surrounds the outer surface of the connection area and is located below the first sealing member. The first auxiliary component is configured to support the first sealing component upwards. The first auxiliary component is more brittle than the first sealing component.

2. The pressure relief device according to claim 1, wherein the piston member further comprises: A protruding area is formed below the connecting area, and its third width (W3) along the left-right direction (A) is greater than the second width (W2). A recessed region is formed below the protruding region, extends downward from the protruding region and connects to the protruding region, and its fourth width (W4) in the left-right direction (A) is smaller than the third width (W3). The pressure relief device further includes a second sealing member surrounding the outer surface of the recessed area.

3. The pressure relief device according to claim 2, further comprising a second auxiliary member surrounding the outer surface of the recessed region and disposed below the second sealing member.

4. The pressure relief device according to claim 1, wherein, The elongation of the first sealing member is greater than that of the first auxiliary member.

5. The pressure relief device according to claim 2, wherein, The internal space includes: A first interior space, which communicates with the outside through the upper region of the shell member, and has a first space width (S1) in the left-right direction (A). The second internal space is located below the first internal space and is connected to the first internal space, and its width (S2) along the left-right direction (A) is greater than the width (S1) of the first space. The connecting region and the protruding region are inserted into the second internal space.

6. The pressure relief device according to claim 5, wherein, The width of the first sealing member in the left-right direction (A) is greater than the width of the first space (S1) of the first internal space.

7. The pressure relief device according to claim 5, wherein, The internal space further includes a third internal space, which is located below the second internal space, communicates with the second internal space, and has a width (S3) in the left-right direction (A) that is greater than the width (S2) of the second space.

8. The pressure relief device according to claim 7, further comprising a spring member surrounding the outer surface of the piston member and pressing the piston member downward.

9. The pressure relief device according to claim 8, wherein, The spring component is inserted into the third internal space; The width of the spring member in the left-right direction (A) is greater than the width of the second space (S2).

10. The pressure relief device according to claim 1, further comprising a porous member disposed in the region below the fusible member and supporting the fusible member upward.

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