Buckle Tab Plate Vent Prevents Fragmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vent apparatuses for protecting structures from abnormal pressure conditions often fragment upon actuation, leading to potential damage and inefficiencies in pressure relief.

Innovation Solution

A vent apparatus featuring a burst member retained by non-fragmenting, bendable tabs that move to a member-clearing position without breaking, allowing rapid opening to relieve abnormal pressures without tab fragmentation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional vent apparatus are used to protect structures from abnormal pressure conditions, then pressure relief function is provided, but the tabs fragment upon actuation causing potential damage and reducing venting efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventing efficiencyVSAvoidtab fragmentation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and mechanical properties of the tabs by specifying they be made from materials with specific characteristics: non-fragmenting, bendable properties, and insensitivity to torque and load. This parameter change allows the tabs to deform plastically rather than fracture, eliminating the harmful fragmentation effect while maintaining the pressure relief function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the tabs with inherent flexibility and bendability before actuation occurs. By pre-configuring the tabs to be non-fragmenting and capable of buckling without breaking, the system cushions the potential harmful effects of pressure release, preventing tab fragmentation that could damage the protected structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If burst member is retained by multiple spaced apart tabs, then pressure relief function is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure relief capabilityVSAvoidtab assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the tab assembly into multiple spaced-apart individual tabs rather than using a single continuous structure. This segmentation allows each tab to independently buckle and deform without affecting the others, simplifying the overall design while maintaining reliable pressure relief capability across the entire burst member perimeter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different properties to different parts of the tab assembly: the tabs are designed with local flexibility and bendability at specific locations while maintaining overall structural integrity. This local quality differentiation allows the tabs to perform their specific function of holding and releasing the burst member without requiring complex mechanisms throughout the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If tabs are designed to be non-fragmenting and bendable, then tab structural integrity is maintained during actuation, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetab structural integrityVSAvoidtab geometry precision

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the tabs as simple, low-mass components that are intended to deform and potentially be replaced rather than maintained with high precision throughout their service life. This approach accepts that the tabs will undergo permanent deformation during actuation, reducing the need for high manufacturing precision while maintaining sufficient structural integrity for normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifies material and geometric parameters for the tabs that enable them to transition from a rigid, precision-critical state during manufacturing to a flexible, deformable state during actuation. By carefully selecting tab dimensions, material properties, and mounting configurations, the design achieves the desired structural integrity without requiring excessive manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution ensures efficient pressure relief without tab rupture or fragmentation, maintaining structural integrity and venting efficiency across varying pressure conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the tabs are operable to bend or buckle to a member-clearing position without fragmentation of the tabs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuckling: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS9199789B2Explosion vent including buckle tab plate

Publication Date: 2015.12.01 FIKE CORP

AI summary

Improved, non-fragmenting, high efficiency vent apparatus (10, 78) are provided for protecting a structure (12) from potentially damaging or destructive abnormal pressure conditions. The apparatus (10, 78) is positioned in covering relationship to a vent opening (14) formed in the structure (12), and generally includes a burst member (16) and a tab assembly (18) equipped with a series of tabs (56); the tabs (56) bend or buckle to a burst member-clearing position when the vent apparatus (10, 78) experiences an abnormal pressure condition, thereby permitting rapid opening of a central section of the burst member (16) to thus protect structure (12). The burst member (16) may be of domed or flat construction, and can be in the form of a quadrate panel or any other desired shape.