Rupture Disc Support Structure for Controlled Fluid Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid passage control arrangements using rupture disks require precise actuation to reduce the bursting pressure below the high-pressure side, which is complex and prone to damage, whereas the proposed solution simplifies the design by using a support element on the low-pressure side to ensure the rupture disk bursts only when the high-pressure exceeds its nominal bursting pressure, allowing for controlled fluid release without damaging the disk.
Innovation Solution
A support element is placed on the low-pressure side of the rupture disk, allowing it to withstand pressures greater than its nominal bursting pressure, and an actuator damages the support element to open the fluid passage, ensuring the rupture disk bursts only when the high-pressure exceeds its nominal limit, eliminating the need for precise actuation and simplifying the design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an actuator is arranged on the high-pressure side to reduce the bursting pressure below the high-pressure side, then the fluid passage can be released, but the actuator must precisely control the bursting pressure reduction which is complex and prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the actuator on the high-pressure side to reduce bursting pressure, the invention inverts the approach by placing the actuator on the low-pressure side to increase bursting pressure. The actuator pushes against a support element that transfers force to the rupture disc, raising the bursting pressure above the high-pressure side threshold. This inversion simplifies the actuation mechanism while achieving the same functional result.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a support element as an intermediary between the actuator and the rupture disc. The support element receives force from the actuator on the low-pressure side and transfers it to the rupture disc, enabling indirect control of the bursting pressure. This intermediary simplifies the direct actuation requirements while providing mechanical advantage and precise force transmission.
2Ease of manufacture
If a rupture disc with low nominal bursting pressure is used, then the design is simplified, but the disc would burst spontaneously without support from the support element
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is pre-installed and pre-loaded to provide initial support to the rupture disc, raising its effective bursting pressure above the high-pressure side threshold. This preliminary action ensures that the rupture disc remains stable during normal operation and only bursts when the actuator intentionally reduces the support force, preventing spontaneous bursting while simplifying disc selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the effective bursting pressure parameter of the rupture disc by introducing mechanical support from the support element. The support element modifies the pressure balance equation, raising the bursting pressure from the disc's nominal low value to an effective high value that exceeds the high-pressure side threshold, ensuring reliable pressure containment during normal operation.
3Reliability
If the actuator damages the support element to open the fluid passage, then the rupture disc bursts reliably, but the support element must be designed to collapse at a specific point
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is segmented into a main body and a predetermined breaking point region with reduced cross-section. This segmentation allows the support element to function as a complete load-bearing structure during normal operation while providing a specific weak point that fails first during actuation, ensuring reliable fluid passage release without compromising overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The predetermined breaking point is pre-designed with reduced cross-section and lower strength properties during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the actuator applies force, the breaking point fails first in a controlled manner, reliably releasing the fluid passage while maintaining simplicity in the support element's overall design.
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
This approach simplifies the design and construction by allowing the use of rupture disks with known nominal bursting pressures, reducing the complexity of actuation and ensuring reliable fluid passage control, as the support element's destruction ensures the rupture disk bursts only when necessary, facilitating controlled fluid release.
Implementation Method 1
the support element in particular has at least indirect contact with the low-pressure side of the rupture disc in order to absorb a force acting on the rupture disc there. Furthermore, the support element advantageously has at least indirect contact with the component with the fluid passage in order to dissipate the force absorbed by the rupture disc into the component
Implementation Method 2
the actuator and the support element are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the actuator for releasing the fluid passage can destroy or damage the support element
Implementation Method 3
a pressure of the fluid on the high-pressure side of the rupture disc causes the rupture disc to burst if the pressure is higher than the nominal bursting pressure of the rupture disc
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
Arrangement (A) for shutting off or releasing a flow of fluids through a component (1) that conducts a fluid from a high-pressure side to a low-pressure side and limits a fluid passage, wherein the arrangement comprises: • the component (1) that conducts the fluid, • a rupture disc (2) as a means for closing the fluid passage through the component (1) which separates the high-pressure side and the low-pressure side, wherein the rupture disc (2) is at least indirectly attached to the component (1), and • a controllable actuator (3) that can be controlled to release the fluid passage, wherein the arrangement comprises a support element (4) which is arranged on the low-pressure side of the rupture disc and supports the rupture disc.