Dual Burst Disk Fluid Dispensing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for dispensing fire extinguishing agents face challenges such as the need for high-pressure storage, large volume requirements, and the use of explosives for rapid discharge, which are hazardous, complex, and regulated, leading to increased complexity and potential slow response times.

Innovation Solution

A fluid dispensing apparatus with a pressure vessel and reservoir, utilizing a first and second burst seal, where the piston moves to rupture the seals under controlled pressure differences, allowing for rapid and reliable discharge without explosives, ensuring simplicity and rapid response.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If explosives are used to rupture burst seals, then rapid discharge of fluid is achieved, but safety hazards and regulatory complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge speedVSAvoidsafety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes explosives from the system entirely, replacing them with a purely mechanical burst seal rupture mechanism. The burst seal is designed to rupture automatically when pressure differential exceeds its burst strength, eliminating the need for explosive devices and their associated safety hazards and regulatory requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical/explosive mechanism with a mechanical pressure-driven system. The high-pressure fluid itself provides the force to rupture the burst seal through purely mechanical means, substituting explosive chemistry with hydraulic mechanics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of time

If conventional single burst seal is used, then construction is simple, but response time is slow due to pressure differential requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single burst seal into two separate burst seals positioned at different locations in the system. The first burst seal is positioned to rupture when pressure differential between reservoir and environment exceeds its burst strength, and the second burst seal is positioned to rupture when pressure differential between pressure vessel and environment exceeds its burst strength. This segmentation enables faster response by eliminating the need to build up large pressure differentials across a single seal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediate chamber or space between the two burst seals that allows pressure equalization and facilitates the sequential rupture mechanism. This intermediary space enables the first seal to rupture at a lower pressure differential, then allows the second seal to rupture subsequently, achieving faster overall response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If outer burst seal has high burst strength for safety, then puncture resistance is improved, but pressure differential required for rupture increases response time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveburst seal strengthVSAvoidrupture speed

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the burst seal function into two separate seals with different burst strengths positioned at different locations. The first burst seal has lower burst strength and ruptures first, while the second burst seal has higher burst strength for safety but is positioned such that it ruptures after the first seal, maintaining both safety and rapid response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first burst seal acts as a preliminary rupture element that breaks the pressure seal first, creating a pressure differential that then causes the second burst seal to rupture. This preliminary action by the first seal accelerates the overall response time while the second seal maintains the required safety strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables rapid and reliable discharge of fire suppressants without the need for explosives, simplifying construction, transportation, and use while maintaining high-speed agent delivery and regulatory compliance.

Implementation Method 1

the first burst seal and the piston move toward the second aperture under a pressure difference |P1−P4| such that the piston ruptures the second burst seal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS7281672B2Dual burst disk

Publication Date: 2007.10.16 IEP TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

An apparatus and method for dispensing fluid including a pressure vessel at a first pressure and a reservoir at a second pressure. The reservoir communicates with the pressure vessel via a first aperture and with an environment at a third pressure via a second aperture. A reservoir vent having open and closed positions, that when opened the reservoir vents to a fourth pressure, and when closed the reservoir does not vent. A piston moveably disposed within the reservoir, and defines an aperture therethrough. A first burst seal disposed in the first aperture seals the pressure vessel from the reservoir, and engaged with the piston to be moveable therewith. A second burst seal disposed in the second aperture seals the reservoir from the environment. When the reservoir vents to the fourth pressure, the piston ruptures the second seal, and a first and third pressure difference ruptures the first seal.