Pressure Accumulator Burst Disc Triggering Before Overpressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety devices for pressure accumulators in systems with high gas pressures, such as those in vehicles with energy recovery systems, fail to reliably initiate pressure reduction before dangerous overpressures are reached, particularly in malfunctions like fires or crashes, without requiring separate sensors for detection.
Innovation Solution
A safety device with a bursting disk fixed by a threaded insert, triggered by a pyrotechnic force element that can be actuated before overpressure is reached, allowing for proactive pressure reduction, and integrated with a sensor system to enable automatic activation during hazardous events, such as crashes, without additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bursting device is triggered only by overpressure exceeding a given value, then the device responds automatically to pressure buildup, but it cannot prevent dangerous overpressures from occurring in the first place
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by enabling the bursting device to be triggered before dangerous overpressure levels are reached. A sensor detects hazardous conditions (such as temperature increase or pressure trends) and activates a pyrotechnic force element that destroys the bursting disc, creating an opening in the duct. This preliminary action prevents the accumulation of dangerous overpressure by initiating pressure reduction in advance, rather than waiting for the overpressure to exceed a critical threshold.
2Reliability
If separate sensors are added to detect hazardous events for proactive pressure reduction, then preventive pressure reduction is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by integrating the safety device with the existing airbag sensor system of the vehicle. The airbag control unit, which already monitors for crashes and hazardous events, is repurposed to also trigger the pyrotechnic force element in the safety device. This multi-functional approach allows the same sensor system to serve both airbag deployment and pressure reduction functions, eliminating the need for separate sensors and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining preventive pressure reduction capability.
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
Ensures a safe, preventive pressure reduction in mobile systems, like vehicles, by creating a direct connection between the pressure accumulator and the environment, enhancing safety by reducing pressure before dangerous levels are achieved, and integrating with existing airbag systems for seamless operation.
Implementation Method 1
the force element is a pyrotechnic object which, when the propellant charge is ignited, deforms or destroys a wall section of the housing
Implementation Method 2
when the propellant charge is ignited, deforms or destroys a wall section of the housing
Implementation Method 3
the bursting disc of the bursting device is fixed in a pressure-carrying channel in the housing and closes this channel in a pressure-tight manner, which can be guided to the gas side of the pressure accumulator and opens out into the environment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A safety device, comprising a connection point (21) for a pressure accumulator (1) that is connected to a bursting unit (55) at the gas end via the connection point (21), is characterized in that the bursting unit (55) can be triggered by a controllable force element (73) and, in the triggered state, allows the pressure accumulator (1) to be emptied at the gas end.