Burst disc assembly comprising a rupture disc, a rupture disc holder and a means for centering the rupture disc assembly in a flange connection

Abstract

Rupture disc assembly - comprising a rupture disc (1), - comprising a rupture disc holder (2), and - comprising at least one means (3) for centering the rupture disc assembly in a flange connection, - wherein the rupture disc (1) has a rim (11) and a central region (12) enclosed by the rim (11), which is destroyed when the rupture disc (1) bursts in order to allow a fluid flow through the rupture disc assembly, - wherein the rupture disc holder (2) comprises a first ring- or frame-like retaining means (21) and a second ring- or frame-like retaining means (22), each having a through-opening through which a fluid can flow when the rupture disc (1) bursts, - wherein an rim of the rupture disc (1) is arranged between the first retaining means (21) and the second retaining means (22), - wherein the at least one means (3) for centering comprises a ring (31) or frame having a through-opening.through which a fluid can flow when the rupture disc (1) bursts, wherein the ring (31) or frame of the at least one centering means (3) has indentations (311, 312) in an inner or outer contour or recesses that accommodate screws or threaded bolts of the flange connection, and wherein the at least one centering means (3) is attached to the first and / or the second retaining means (21, 22), characterized in that the rupture disc holder (2) is arranged within the passage opening of the at least one centering means (3).

Description

The present invention relates to a rupture disc assembly for insertion into a flange connection, comprising a. a rupture disc and b. a rupture disc holder, c. wherein the rupture disc has an edge and a central region enclosed by the edge, which is destroyed when the rupture disc bursts in order to allow a fluid flow through the rupture disc assembly, d. wherein the rupture disc holder has a first ring- or frame-like retaining element and a second ring- or frame-like retaining element, each having a through-opening through which a fluid can flow when the rupture disc bursts, and e. wherein an edge of the rupture disc is arranged between the first retaining element and the second retaining element. Such rupture disc assemblies are designed to separate two sections of a fluid line using the rupture disc. For this purpose, the rupture disc assemblies are inserted between the two flanges of the flanged connection in the fluid line and within the bolts or threaded studs of the flanged connection. Tightening the bolts or threaded studs then clamps the rupture disc assemblies between the flanges. Only when an event causes the pressure difference between the two sections of the fluid line to increase, the bursting pressure of the rupture disc is reduced by suitable means, or the rupture disc is destroyed by suitable means, are the two sections of the fluid line connected and the fluid allowed to flow through the line. This can be useful for pressure relief in a container or line protected by the rupture disc. This can prevent explosions of the protected container or line. To ensure the proper functioning of the rupture disc assembly, it is crucial that the assembly is positioned coaxially with the flange connection. Therefore, to center the rupture disc assembly on the axis of the flange connection, the first and / or second retaining element of the rupture disc holder in known rupture disc assemblies is designed with indentations or recesses in an outer contour that accommodate the bolts or threaded studs of the flange connection. These indentations or recesses are arranged in a pattern that corresponds to the pattern of the bolts or threaded studs. This ensures that the rupture disc assembly is installed coaxially with the axis of the flange connection between the flanges. Burst discs are available for various nominal diameters of fluid lines and flange connections. At the same time, flange connections of the same nominal diameter can be designed according to different standards. Depending on the standard, flanges of the same nominal diameter may have different hole patterns. Therefore, the bolts or threaded studs are arranged differently in flange connections manufactured according to different standards. This necessitates the design of separate retaining elements for the rupture disc holder for each standard, ensuring that the rupture disc holder and the rupture disc can be arranged coaxially to the axis of the flange connection. This results in a wide variety of designs. To reduce the variety of rupture disc holders, document EP 1 800 042 A2 proposes a rupture disc arrangement with at least one means for centering the rupture disc arrangement in a flange connection, a. wherein the centering means has a ring having a through-opening through which a fluid can flow when the rupture disc has ruptured, b. wherein the ring of the centering means has indentations or recesses that accommodate screws or threaded studs of the flange connection, and c. wherein the centering means is attached to the first and / or the second holding means. The advantage of this known rupture disc arrangement is that it has the means for centering the rupture disc arrangement in a flange connection of a fluid line. The centering device for the rupture disc assembly known from document EP 1 800 042 A2 is attached to the first and second retaining elements of the rupture disc assembly in two ways. Firstly, the ring of the centering device is clamped between the first and second retaining elements. Secondly, the centering devices have two tabs that are screwed onto the first and second retaining elements. The tabs are manufactured from a single sheet metal blank along with the ring. For this purpose, both tabs are angled outwards from the ring by folding over so that they are at a right angle to the ring. Folding the tabs over does not usually result in them being in the exact desired position. Folding always involves a certain degree of tolerance. Therefore, using the tabs alone, it is not possible to connect the centering device to the rupture disc holder in a precisely defined position. Even simply clamping the ring between the first and second retaining elements does not allow for precise positioning of the ring relative to the rupture disc holder. To ensure that the ring can be positioned precisely relative to the rupture disc holder, and consequently that the entire assembly can be positioned precisely relative to the axis of the flange connection, further provisions have been made in the rupture disc arrangement known from document EP 1 800 042 A2. One of the two retaining elements of the rupture disc holder has an annular shoulder on the surface facing the other retaining element. This shoulder has an outer diameter that corresponds to the inner diameter of the ring of the centering element. The ring is placed on the surface in such a way that it surrounds the shoulder. This positions the ring radially.Furthermore, one of the two retaining elements has pins that protrude through recesses in the ring and into recesses in the other retaining element. This also allows for precise positioning in the circumferential direction. These pins have the disadvantage that they can be damaged during the assembly of the rupture disc assembly. In the worst case, this can render the assembly or parts of it unusable. Another disadvantage of the rupture disc assembly known from document EP 1 800 042 A2 is that the ring is held clamped between the two retaining elements. As a result, the edge of the rupture disc, which is also held clamped between the two retaining elements, rests partly on the ring of the centering element and partly on the retaining element with its shoulder. This can lead to leaks at this point. The invention was therefore based on the objective of remedying these disadvantages. This problem is solved according to the invention by arranging the burst disc holder within the passage opening of the at least one centering means. Because the rupture disc holder is arranged within the centering means, it is impossible for the ring or frame of a centering means for a rupture disc assembly according to the invention to be clamped between the retaining means of the rupture disc holder. This allows both retaining means to rest with their full surface against the edge of the rupture disc. In this way, a better seal can be achieved than with the known solution. According to the invention, the through-opening of the at least one centering means can have an edge that corresponds to or is larger than the outer contour of at least one of the two retaining means of the rupture disc holder. If the edge of the means corresponds to the outer contour of one of the two retaining means, the positioning of the means relative to the rupture disc holder is achieved by arranging the corresponding retaining means in the centering means. If the through-opening is larger, positioning by other means is necessary. The at least one centering means may have one or more retaining elements attached to the first or second retaining element of the rupture disc holder. It is possible that the ring or frame of the at least one centering means is attached to the retaining element(s). This allows the position of the ring or frame relative to the rupture disc holder to be fixed. It is possible that the retaining element(s) and the ring or frame are connected to each other via fasteners, in particular via screws. The holding elements can be brackets or similar. It is possible that the retaining element(s) are attached to the ring or frame as a single piece. For example, the retaining element could be a tab that projects from the ring or frame, or the retaining elements could be tabs that project from the ring or frame. The ring or frame of at least one centering device can be a single piece. The ring or frame of the at least one centering means can be one-piece or multi-piece. If the ring or frame is multi-piece, the parts of the ring or frame can be detachably connected to one another. Preferably, the parts are designed such that, after assembly of the rupture disc assembly according to the invention in a flange connection, they can be detached from and removed from the rupture disc holder. It is then possible to assemble the ring or frame, and possibly also the retaining elements, with another rupture disc holder and another rupture disc to form a further rupture disc assembly according to the invention, which can then be inserted in a centered position in a flange connection. According to the invention, the ring or frame of the at least one centering means can be a plastic part or an assembly of plastic parts. A rupture disc arrangement according to the invention can be used in a fluid line with a flanged connection between a first flange and a second flange of the flanged connection. The rupture disc arrangement can block the flow through the fluid line. Screws or threaded bolts can be guided for centering by indentations in an outer contour of the ring or frame, or by recesses in the ring or frame of the device. Further features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are used for identical or similar parts and for parts with identical or similar functions. The drawings show: Fig. 1 an exploded view of a first exemplary embodiment of a rupture disc assembly according to the invention, Fig. 2 a view of the rupture disc assembly from Fig. 1, Fig. 3 an exploded view of a second exemplary embodiment of a rupture disc assembly according to the invention, and Fig. 4 a view of the rupture disc assembly from Fig. 3. It is not necessary for an arrangement according to the invention to have all the features described below. It is also possible for a device according to the invention to have only individual features of one of the described embodiments. The two embodiments of a rupture disc arrangement according to the invention are largely constructed from identical components. These identical components are a rupture disc 1, a rupture disc holder 2 comprising a first holding element 21 and a second holding element 22, holding elements 32 of a means 3 for centering the rupture disc arrangement, screws 33 for attaching the holding elements 32 to the first holding element 21 and to the second holding element 22, and screws 34 for attaching a ring 31 of the means 3 for centering to the holding elements 21 and 22. In addition to the retaining elements 32, each means 3 for centering both embodiments also includes a ring 31. These rings 31 of the means 3 for centering differ between the two embodiments. The differences between the two rings 31 will be discussed later. The first retaining elements 21 are essentially rectangular rings in cross-section. These rings have rectangular recesses in their outer surface, spaced 90° apart from each other. Retaining elements 32, designed as brackets, are inserted into these recesses and secured with two screws 33 each, which are screwed into threaded holes in the base of the recesses. The second retaining elements 22 are also essentially rectangular rings in cross-section. These rings also have rectangular recesses in their outer surface, offset from each other at an angle of 90°. Retaining elements 32, designed as brackets, are inserted into these recesses and fastened with two screws 33 each, the screws being screwed into threaded holes in the base of the recesses. A shoulder is provided on the side of the second holding element 22 facing the first holding element 21. The rim 11 of the rupture disc 1 is inserted within this shoulder. This positions the rupture disc 1 in the rupture disc holder. The shoulder is interrupted at one point. At this point, a tab 13 of the rupture disc 1 projects outwards from the rupture disc holder. A type plate for the rupture disc 1 is attached to the tab 13. The tab 13 also ensures the circumferential positioning of the rupture disc 1. The first and second retaining elements 21, 22 are rotated relative to each other such that a retaining element 32 attached to the first retaining element 21 and a retaining element 32 attached to the second retaining element 22 are aligned with each other. Each of the retaining elements 32 has a hole, preferably a threaded hole, in this alignment direction. The screws 34 pass through these holes and connect the retaining elements 32 on the first retaining element 21 and the retaining elements 32 on the second retaining element 22 to each other. The screws 34 hold the rupture disc holder 2 and the rupture disc 1 together. The rings 31 of the means 3 are attached for centering between the retaining elements 32 on the first retaining means 21 and the retaining elements 32 on the second retaining means 22. These rings have a through-hole whose inner diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of the two retaining means 21, 22. The rings 31 therefore enclose the disc holders 2 with no or almost no play, so that the radial position of the rings 31 is fixed. The rings 31 have four through-holes arranged at 90° intervals. These holes are aligned with the retaining elements 32 on the first and second retaining means 21, 22, namely with the holes in which the screws 34 are screwed, connecting the two retaining means 21, 22 to each other. The screws 34 also pass through the holes, thus positioning the rings 31 circumferentially as well. The ring 31 of the means 3 for centering both embodiments has various indentations 311, 312, holes, or recesses. These indentations, holes, or recesses form a pattern that corresponds to the pattern of the threaded holes in the flanges of a flange connection. Screws or threaded studs of the flange connection, which connect the flanges, are guided through the indentations 311, 312, holes, or recesses in the rings 31. This also determines the position of the rupture disc assemblies relative to the flange connections. Centering of the rupture disc assemblies is thus achieved. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature EP 1 800 042 A2 [0007, 0009, 0011, 0012]

Claims

Rupture disc assembly - comprising a rupture disc (1), - comprising a rupture disc holder (2), and - comprising at least one means (3) for centering the rupture disc assembly in a flange connection, - wherein the rupture disc (1) has a rim (11) and a central region (12) enclosed by the rim (11), which is destroyed when the rupture disc (1) bursts in order to allow a fluid flow through the rupture disc assembly, - wherein the rupture disc holder (2) comprises a first ring- or frame-like retaining means (21) and a second ring- or frame-like retaining means (22), each having a through-opening through which a fluid can flow when the rupture disc (1) bursts, - wherein an rim of the rupture disc (1) is arranged between the first retaining means (21) and the second retaining means (22), - wherein the at least one means (3) for centering comprises a ring (31) or frame having a through-opening.through which a fluid can flow when the rupture disc (1) bursts, wherein the ring (31) or frame of the at least one centering means (3) has indentations (311, 312) in an inner or outer contour or recesses that accommodate screws or threaded bolts of the flange connection, and wherein the at least one centering means (3) is attached to the first and / or the second retaining means (21, 22), characterized in that the rupture disc holder (2) is arranged within the passage opening of the at least one centering means (3). Burst disc arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the passage opening of the at least one means (3) for centering has an edge which corresponds to an outer contour of at least one of the two retaining means of the rupture disc holder or is larger than this outer contour. Burst disc arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one centering means (3) has one or more retaining elements (32) which are attached to the first retaining means (21) or the second retaining means (22) of the rupture disc holder. Burst disc arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the ring (31) or the frame of the at least one centering means (3) is attached to the retaining element (32) or the retaining elements (32). Burst disc arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the retaining element(s) (32) are connected in one piece to the ring or the frame. Burst disc arrangement according to claim 5, characterized in that the retaining element is a tab which is projected towards the ring or the frame, or the retaining elements are tabs which are projected towards the ring or the frame. Burst disc arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the ring (31) or the frame of the at least one centering means (3) is a single piece. Burst disc arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the ring or frame of the at least one centering means (3) is multi-part. Burst disc arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the parts of the ring or the frame are detachably connected to one another. Burst disc arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the ring or frame of the at least one centering means is a plastic part or an assembly of plastic parts. Fluid line with a flange connection comprising a first flange and a second flange and a burst disc arrangement inserted between the flanges of the flange connection, with which a flow through the fluid line is blocked, characterized in that the burst disc arrangement is designed according to one of claims 1 to 10 and screws or threaded bolts are guided for centering through the indentations in an outer or inner contour or recesses (311, 312) of the ring (31) or frame of the means (3).

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