Rotating Pressure Relief Closure for Vibration-Stable Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure relief devices in medium and high voltage systems, such as switchgear, face issues with flaps opening due to jolts or vibrations, leading to inadequate closure during normal operation and potential overpressure events like arcs, which can result in insufficient pressure relief.

Innovation Solution

A pressure relief device with a pressure control mechanism featuring movable and rotatable closure elements, locking mediators, and rotation limiters, where gravity or overpressure can trigger the rotation of the closure to open the gas outlet area, ensuring reliable pressure relief during overpressure events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If flaps are used to seal the gas outlet area, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the flaps may open due to shocks and vibrations during transport and normal operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The closure element is designed to be movable rather than fixed, capable of rotating between a closed position (sealing the gas outlet area) and an open position (allowing pressure relief). This dynamic design allows the closure to respond to pressure changes while maintaining reliability during transport through the locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A locking element acts as an intermediary between the closure element and the pressure guide device, preventing unintended rotation during transport. The locking element engages with the closure element to maintain its position, serving as a mediator that ensures reliability without compromising the ability to open when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the closure is securely locked to prevent unintended opening, then reliability during transport is improved, but the response time to open during overpressure events may be delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidresponse speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The locking element is designed to be disengageable by the pressure force itself. The locking mechanism prevents unintended opening during transport, but the closure element can rotate against the locking element when pressure force acts on it, ensuring both reliability and rapid response when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure force generated during an overpressure event automatically disengages the locking element and rotates the closure element to the open position. The system uses its own operational pressure to trigger the opening action, eliminating the need for external actuators or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the closure element is made rotatable to ensure reliable opening, then pressure relief effectiveness is improved, but the risk of unintended opening during normal operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure relief effectivenessVSAvoidunintended opening
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking element serves as an intermediary that prevents unintended rotation of the closure element during normal operation and transport. It engages with the closure element to maintain its closed position, allowing the closure to be rotatable for effective pressure relief while preventing harmful unintended openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking element is positioned to engage with the closure element before any pressure event occurs, pre-preventing unintended rotation during transport and normal operation. This preliminary locking action ensures the closure remains sealed until a genuine pressure relief event requires opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If a complex locking mechanism is added to prevent unintended opening, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is segmented into simple, discrete components: a locking element with a locking surface and a closure element with a corresponding engagement surface. This segmentation allows each component to be simple in design while collectively providing reliable locking functionality without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism relies on changes in the positional parameters of the closure element (rotated locked vs. rotated open) and the engagement/disengagement of the locking element. This parameter-based approach provides reliable locking without requiring complex mechanical structures, maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliability.

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 provides a reliable and cost-effective pressure relief mechanism that effectively opens to allow pressure release during overpressure events, ensuring the system's safety and integrity by using gravity or overpressure to initiate the rotation of the closure, thus preventing unintentional opening and ensuring defined end states.

Implementation Method 1

in the event of overpressure in the medium- and/or high-voltage installation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOverpressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the rotation of the pressure guidance device closure can be triggered by gravity and/or overpressure within the pressure guidance device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3821507B1Pressure relief device
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 SIEMENS AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a pressure relief device, in particular a pressure relief device for medium- and/or high-voltage installations, comprising: a pressure-conducting device, wherein the pressure-conducting device has one or more gas inlet regions and one or more gas outlet regions; and a pressure-conducting device closure, wherein the pressure-conducting device closure closes the pressure-conducting device and thus the gas outlet region(s) in a first position and said pressure-conducting device closure does not close the pressure-conducting device and thus the gas outlet region(s) in a second position.