Rupture Disc Heater Assembly for Rapid Burst Pressure Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rupture disc testing methods are resource-intensive, time-consuming, and energy-inefficient, leading to long lead times and reduced production throughput.

Innovation Solution

A rapid heater system for rupture disc testing that heats the disc to a test temperature in less than 5 minutes, utilizing a clamp subassembly, heater assembly with heating elements, and a controller to manage temperature and pressure, allowing for efficient and rapid certification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If conventional heating methods are used for rupture disc testing, then the disc can be heated to test temperature, but the test time becomes excessively long (hours instead of minutes)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating speedVSAvoidtest time

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is segmented into multiple heating zones with independent heating elements positioned at different locations around the rupture disc. This allows simultaneous heating of multiple areas, dramatically increasing the overall heating speed and reducing total test time from hours to minutes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heating approach transitions from conventional single-point or surface heating to three-dimensional volumetric heating by positioning heating elements both inside and outside the rupture disc. This multi-dimensional heating configuration enables rapid temperature distribution throughout the entire disc structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If rapid heating is implemented to reduce test time, then productivity increases, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction throughputVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system maintains continuous thermal action through multiple heating zones operating simultaneously, ensuring efficient energy utilization. The system avoids intermittent heating cycles and maintains optimal temperature distribution throughout the test process, reducing total energy consumption while achieving rapid heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts heating parameters including power distribution across different zones, heating duration, and temperature profiles based on real-time feedback. This optimized parameter control ensures rapid heating is achieved with minimum energy expenditure by avoiding both under-heating and excessive overheating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If multiple heating zones are used to achieve uniform temperature distribution, then heating efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidheater assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating assembly uses standardized, multi-functional heating elements that can serve multiple purposes: providing heat, acting as temperature sensors, and serving as structural support components. This universality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity despite the presence of multiple heating zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system significantly reduces test time from hours to minutes, enabling faster production and shipment of rupture discs by using convection and radiative heating, with a heater assembly that heats rupture discs to test temperatures in under 90 seconds and cools them down in 20 seconds.

Implementation Method 1

heat the rupture disc via convection of the pressurized gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

heats the rupture disc to a test temperature in less than 5 minutes... utilizing a clamp subassembly, heater assembly with heating elements... using convection and radiative heating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiative heating: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS20250369845A1Systems and methods for testing a rupture disc

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 FISHER ROSEMOUNT SYST INC

AI summary

A test assembly for a rupture disc includes a disc holder and a clamp arranged to hold the rupture disc and constrain the rupture disc in an axial direction. A heater assembly can be in thermal communication with the disc holder to heat the rupture disc and pressurized gas supplied under the dome of the rupture disc. The heater assembly can rapidly heat the rupture disc to a set temperature and the test assembly and provide pressurized gas under the dome to determine and record a bursting pressure at the set temperature. The heater assembly can include a heater body and heating elements that project into a central opening of the heater body.