Flame Arrester Pressure Nut Assembly for Inspectable Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure relief devices for explosion-protected housings do not allow for easy visual inspection or replacement of the flame barrier body, and they lack flexibility in pressure coverage and material usage.

Innovation Solution

The pressure relief device features a pressure nut that can be screwed onto the flame barrier body, allowing for easy visual inspection and replacement. This design also enables the use of different materials for the flame barrier and allows for variable pressure coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the flame arrester is fastened with a material fit, force fit, or form fit in the longitudinal channel, then the flame arrester can be arranged without an ignition gap allowing gas to pass through, but the flame arrester cannot be easily visually inspected or replaced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflame arrester sealingVSAvoidvisual inspection and replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separable components: the flame arrester can be independently removed from the pressure relief device by unscrewing the pressure nut, allowing easy visual inspection and replacement while maintaining reliable sealing when installed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure nut provides a dynamic fastening mechanism that allows the flame arrester to be securely fixed during operation but easily removable when needed, transitioning between a fixed and accessible state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the pressure edge contacts the flame arrester for pressurization, then variable pressure loading is achieved, but the flame arrester visibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure loading flexibilityVSAvoidflame arrester visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure edge is designed to contact only a localized area of the flame arrester rather than covering the entire surface, providing sufficient pressurization while leaving the majority of the flame arrester externally visible for inspection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure edge applies pressure at a specific location rather than uniformly across the flame arrester, achieving the necessary pressurization effect with minimal obstruction to visibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive 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

The solution enables easy visual inspection and replacement of the flame barrier, improves flexibility in pressure coverage, and allows for the use of different materials, enhancing the safety and efficiency of the pressure relief device.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure nut (13) which pressurizes the flame arrester (11) in its inserted position and has a pressure edge (14) which protrudes radially inward at least in places, can be screwed onto a free end section (12) of the projecting nozzle section (9)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3478371B1Pressure release device
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LTD
  • EP3478371B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3478371B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3478371B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a pressure release device (1) for an explosion-proof, more particularly compression-resistant housing (2) with a wall connection piece (3), which can be at least partially inserted into a housing opening (4) in a housing wall (6) with its insert portion (5), which can be especially detachably secured from inside the housing and, in its inserted and secured position, lies externally on an opening edge (8) of the housing opening (4) by means of an outwardly radially protruding attachment flange (7), wherein the insert portion (5) also comprises a projecting portion (9), lying opposite the insert portion relative to the attachment flange (7), and a longitudinal canal (10) extending through the wall connection piece (3), in which a flame arrester body (11) is exchangably inserted, wherein a retaining nut (13), that applies pressure to the inserted flame arrester body (11), can be screwed onto a free end portion (12) of the protruding portion (9) by means of a pressure edge (14), which projects radially inwards at least in parts, and wherein the pressure edge (14) is in contact with an exterior viewing face of the flame arrester body (11).