Impulse-Actuated Rupture Disc Valve for Low-Pressure Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overpressure relief devices with reverse acting rupture discs cannot selectively open at fluid pressures significantly lower than the disc's withstand pressure, limiting their ability to control the release of pressurized fluid.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a reverse buckling rupture disc with a selectively actuatable device that disrupts the disc without puncturing it, allowing fluid flow at a lower pressure, utilizing a pyrotechnic thruster mechanism or spring actuator to initiate disc reversal and opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a reverse acting rupture disc is used for overpressure relief, then the disc can automatically reverse and relieve predetermined overpressure conditions, but the device cannot selectively open at fluid pressures significantly lower than the disc's withstand pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The rupture disc is segmented into a central section and a peripheral flange portion, allowing the central section to reverse independently at lower pressures while the flange maintains structural integrity. This segmentation enables selective opening without compromising overall disc reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The convex-concave configuration of the central section is pre-formed during manufacturing, creating a predetermined reversal point that activates at a specific pressure threshold. This preliminary structural preparation enables reliable selective opening at the desired pressure level.
2Ease of operation
If knives are provided to sever the central section of the disc upon reversal, then full opening is assured, but disc fragmentation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The knives that previously severed the disc are removed from the design. Instead, the central section is engineered to naturally separate from the flange portion through its convex-concave geometry during reversal, eliminating the harmful fragmentation caused by knife severing while maintaining complete opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The natural separation tendency of the convex-concave central section during reversal is converted from a potential fragmentation hazard into a beneficial automatic opening mechanism. The geometry itself provides the separation function previously requiring knives, eliminating harmful fragments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a pyrotechnic thruster mechanism is used to disrupt the disc, then selective actuation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A strike pin serves as an intermediary element between the pyrotechnic thruster mechanism and the rupture disc. The strike pin translates the thruster's linear motion into disruptive contact with the disc's convex surface, enabling selective actuation while simplifying the overall mechanism compared to direct thruster-disc contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The pyrotechnic thruster mechanism replaces complex multi-component actuator systems with a simpler chemical-to-mechanical energy conversion device. The thruster generates a controlled impulse that disrupts the disc without requiring sophisticated mechanical linkages or control systems.
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 the selective release of pressurized fluid at pressures as low as 20% of the rated burst pressure, providing both passive overpressure protection and controlled fluid release, while minimizing disc fragmentation and ensuring a reliable opening mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
A selectively actuatable device carried by the valve body adjacent the convex surface of the rupture disc is operable upon actuation to disrupt, without puncturing, the disc to an extent that reversal of the disc is initiated by the pressurized fluid
Implementation Method 2
The disc, which is oriented such that the convex surface thereof is in facing relationship to the pressurized fluid, is capable of reversing when subjected to a predetermined overpressure condition
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~11
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A valve (20) for controlling flow of pressurized fluid from a confined area that is operable to relieve an overpressure condition as well as to allow flow of fluid in response to a pressure relief command. The valve including a valve body (26) with a fluid passage therethrough, a reverse buckling rupture disc (46) in the valve body in normally blocking relationship to the flow of fluid through the passage, and a selectively actuatable device (64) carried by the valve body adjacent the convex surface. The actuatable device is operable to disrupt, without puncturing, the disc so as to initiate reversal and rupture of the disc and to permit flow of the pressurized fluid through the passage.