Plug for relief vent

Abstract

Relief vent plug. The invention relates to a plug (1) for one end (X) of a tubular relief vent (E), comprising a substantially tubular body (2) adapted to be fitted onto the end (X) of the vent (E) and a face (3) sealing the body (2), wherein the face (3) comprises at least one slot (4) so ​​as to be able to deform and open under the effect of a differential pressure below a threshold, so as to allow relief. Abstract figure: Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Plug for relief vent Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a plug suitable for being placed at the end of a tubular vent. This plug must be suitable for protecting the vent against the introduction of materials which could obstruct it while allowing unloading at any time. Prior art

[0002] It is known to use a plug to close the end of a tubular vent in order to prevent the introduction of material, which is detrimental in that it risks obstructing it and preventing or reducing the load shedding capacity. At all times a vent must remain capable of allowing load shedding.

[0003] It is also known to use a valve, preventing any entry of material in one direction, while allowing unloading in the other direction. However, such a component is expensive.

[0004] Also, an inexpensive means is sought, preventing any entry of material in one direction, and allowing unloading in the other direction, with priority given to unloading. Summary of the invention

[0005] The invention proposes to provide a plug for one end of a tubular relief vent, comprising a substantially tubular body, capable of being fitted to the end of the vent and a face closing the body in a sealed manner, where the face comprises at least one slot, in order to be capable of deforming and opening under the effect of a differential pressure lower than a threshold, so as to allow relief.

[0006] Particular characteristics or embodiments, usable alone or in combination, are:

[0007] - the face is convex,

[0008] - said at least one slot comprises two slots, preferably perpendicular cular,

[0009] - the face is made of elastic material, so that its deformation is reversible,

[0010] - the face comprises a non-return element, such as an internal grid, so as to prohibit the opening of the slot inwards.

[0011] - the cap 1 comprises a connecting element shaped to be attached to the vent.

[0012] - the body is made of elastic material, and is shaped and sized so that the plug is ejected from the end of the vent under the effect of differential pressure above the threshold,

[0013] - the body and the face are made of material,

[0014] - the body is fitted on the outside of the end,

[0015] - the body is fitted inside the end,

[0016] - the threshold is between 1 and 2 bars, preferably equal to 1.5 bars.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the invention, a relief valve for pressurized gas, such as hydrogen, comprising a relief vent, wherein the vent is equipped with such a plug. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0019] [Fig-1] shows, in axial sectional view, a vent equipped with a plug according to the invention, in the absence of pressure,

[0020] [Fig.2] shows, in transverse view, the device of [Fig.l],

[0021] [Fig.3] shows, in axial sectional view, the device of [Fig.l], in the presence of low pressure,

[0022] [Fig.4] shows, in transverse view, the device of [Fig.3],

[0023] [Fig.5] shows, in axial sectional view, the device of [Fig.l], in the presence with strong pressure,

[0024] [Fig.6] shows, in axial sectional view, a vent equipped with a plug, according to a other embodiment,

[0025] [Fig.7] shows, in transverse view, the device of [Fig.6]. Description of the embodiments

[0026] With reference to [Fig.l], the invention relates to a plug 1, of the type capable of protecting an end X of a tube, such as a tubular relief vent E.

[0027] Such a vent E has a safety function. It allows, for a fluid management installation, at the outlet of a relief valve or a safety device, for example associated with a storage tank, to let the fluid escape or relieve it, via the vent E, until its outlet, generally into the open air, at the end X.

[0028] When the vent E is used for load shedding, it is essential that it allows the fluid to pass towards the outlet. However, when the vent E is not used, its end X can allow foreign bodies to enter, such as dust, water, mud, gravel, etc. Such an introduction could partially or completely block the section of the vent E and thus seriously impair its function. Also, it is appropriate to protect this end X, without preventing load shedding which could occur at any time.

[0029] For this purpose, the invention proposes a stopper 1. This stopper comprises a body 2 sen possibly tubular. This body 2 is suitable for being fitted to the end X of the vent E. Also, it has a section similar to the section of the end X, which can be any, preferably circular, as illustrated. This fitting is preferably adjusted so that the plug 1 remains on the end X as long as the differential pressure remains below a threshold.

[0030] It is understood herein that a differential pressure is the relative pressure at the vent E, i.e. the difference between the pressure inside the vent E and the pressure outside the vent E.

[0031] The stopper 1 also comprises a face 3. This face 3 is substantially perpendicular to the body, the section of which it closes in a sealed manner.

[0032] According to an advantageous characteristic, more particularly illustrated in figures 2-4, 6, the face 3 comprises at least one slot 4. Said at least one slot 4 allows the face 3, at least locally, to deform under the effect of a pressure lower than a threshold coming from the vent E, in order to open so as to let the fluid pass and allow unloading. This is more particularly illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0033] According to another characteristic, more particularly illustrated in [Fig.6], the face 3 is convex. Such a convex face 3 has a bulge towards the outside of the vent E. Such a shape offers greater resistance to an attempt to open the slot 4 from the outside. This allows the cap to better resist an attempt to introduce a foreign body from the outside, including pressure from a high-pressure cleaner.

[0034] According to another characteristic, more particularly illustrated in figures 2, 4 and 6, said at least one slot 4 comprises two slots 4. These two slots 4 are preferably perpendicular to each other.

[0035] According to another characteristic, the face 3 is made of elastic material. This advantageously allows its deformation to be reversible. Thus, under the effect of a differential pressure lower than a threshold, the face 3 deforms and opens at the lips of the slots 4, so as to let the fluid out, during a relief. Then, when the pressure decreases, the elasticity of the material acts to replace the lips of the slots 4 in their initial position, ensuring closure of the vent E. The elasticity of the material advantageously allows automatic reversibility, activating as soon as the pressure level decreases.

[0036] According to another characteristic, the face 3 is completed by a non-return element (not shown). This non-return element can take the form of a grid arranged against the face 3 on the inner side. Thus, a fluid coming from the vent E can pass through the non-return element and open the slot 4 to exit the vent E. On the contrary, pressure against the face 3 coming from the outside, pushing inwards, pushes the face 3 against the non-return element and cannot open the slot 4, the lips of which remain pressed against the non-return element.

[0037] According to another characteristic, the plug 1 comprises a connecting element (not shown) shaped to be attached to the vent E. This connecting element prevents the plug 1 from becoming a dangerous projectile for people who may be around the plug 1 in the event of ejection.

[0038] Independently or additionally, according to another characteristic, the body 2 is also made of elastic material. This advantageously allows the assembly of the body 2 with the end X of the vent E to be carried out with a restoring force. This is obtained by conforming and dimensioning the body 2 in such a way that its installation on the end X requires a slight deformation. Also, the elasticity of the material, under the effect of said deformation, produces a restoring force. This restoring force, associated with an adjusted dimensioning of the body 2 relative to the section of the end X, ensures that the plug 1 is held on the end X, as long as the pressure remains below the threshold.

[0039] On the contrary, when the pressure becomes higher than the threshold, the plug 1 must be ejected from the end X. For this, the body 2 is shaped and dimensioned so that the restoring force becomes insufficient and the plug 1 is ejected from the end X of the vent E under the effect of a pressure higher than the threshold. Also, the dimensioning of the body 2 is such that the restoring force created keeps the plug 1 on the end X as long as the pressure remains lower than the threshold, favoring an exit of fluid through said at least one slot 4, but that it disappears in the face of a pressure higher than the threshold and the plug 1 slides along the vent E until it is ejected. The conformation and dimensioning of the body 2 includes the surface condition, more or less smooth, of the surface of the body 2 in contact with the surface of the end X. Such ejection of the plug 1 is more particularly illustrated in [Fig.5].

[0040] A person skilled in the art knows how to choose the material, and how to shape and size the body 2 of the plug 1 as a function of an ejection pressure.

[0041] Such ejection of the plug 1 is advantageous in that it favors the critical function of load shedding relative to protection of the vent E.

[0042] It appears that this second mode of unloading is not reversible. Once the plug 1 is ejected, it does not return to its place. However, this is not detrimental, because a pressure above the threshold only occurs in a critical case, for which maintenance intervention is necessary.

[0043] Thus, the plug 1 allows the following operation.

[0044] Below the threshold, face 3 of the plug opens so as to allow the fluid to escape. The opening / closing of face 3 is reversible. This is suitable for nominal operation of the vent where the regulation leads to functional unloading of small quantities of fluid, typically less than 1 liter per unloading.

[0045] If the pressure increases, until it exceeds the threshold, the plug 1 is ejected. This operation is non-reversible and corresponds to a critical operation where the vent E is used for unloading a larger quantity of fluid, typically greater than 1 liter. This is a safety or emergency unloading, and the full unloading capacity must be sought with a maximum section of the vent E.

[0046] According to another characteristic, the threshold is between 1 and 2 bars. Preferably the threshold is equal to 1.5 bars.

[0047] The different elasticity constraints of the materials can advantageously be met with the same material. This material is preferably a plastic or elastomer type material.

[0048] According to another characteristic, the body 2 and the face 3 are advantageously made of material, for example by injection molding.

[0049] As illustrated in figures 1-7, the body 2 is fitted outside the end X. Here the deformation of the body 2 creating a restoring force is an extension of the body 2. Here the internal diameter of the body 2 is substantially equal to the external diameter of the vent E.

[0050] Alternatively, the body 2, of the same shape but smaller, can be fitted inside the end X. In this case the deformation of the body 2 creating a restoring force is a compression of the body 2. Here the external diameter of the body 2 is substantially equal to the internal diameter of the vent E. This embodiment is not shown.

[0051] In both cases, the body 2 may have a slight conicity in order to adjust the restoring force.

[0052] The invention also relates to a relief valve for pressurized gas, such as hydrogen, comprising a relief vent E, where the vent E is equipped with such a plug 1.

[0053] The invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the preceding description. This should be considered as illustrative and given by way of example and not as limiting the invention to this description alone. Numerous alternative embodiments are possible. List of reference signs

[0054] 1: stopper,

[0055] 2: body,

[0056] 3: face,

[0057] 4: slot,

[0058] E: vent,

[0059] X: end.

Claims

Claims

1. Plug (1) for one end (X) of a tubular relief vent (E), comprising a substantially tubular body (2), capable of being fitted to the end (X) of the vent (E) and a face (3) closing the body (2) in a sealed manner, the face (3) comprising at least one slot (4), in order to be capable of deforming and opening under the effect of a differential pressure lower than a threshold, so as to allow relief, characterized in that the body (2) is made of elastic material, and is shaped and dimensioned so that the plug (1) is ejected from the end (X) of the vent (E) under the effect of a differential pressure higher than the threshold.

2. Stopper (1) according to the preceding claim, where the face (3) is convex.

3. Cap (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one slot (4) comprises two slots (4), preferably perpendicular.

4. Stopper (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the face (3) is made of elastic material, so that its deformation is reversible.

5. Cap (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the face (3) comprises a non-return element, such as an internal grid, so as to prevent the slot (4) from opening inwards.

6. A plug (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the body (2) and the face (3) are made of material.

7. A plug (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the body (2) is adapted to be fitted outside the end (X).

8. A plug (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the body (2) is adapted to be fitted inside the end (X).

9. Plug (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, where the threshold is between 1 and 2 bars, preferably equal to 1.5 bars.

10. Relief valve for pressurized gas, such as hydrogen, comprising a relief vent (E), characterized in that the vent (E) is equipped with a plug (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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