Welded Pressure Relief Body Flameproof Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in ensuring reliable flameproof fastening of pressure relief bodies in explosion-proof housings, particularly in maintaining protection against flame spread and preventing malfunctions over prolonged use.

Innovation Solution

A pressure relief body is welded to a housing part using a fusion layer created by locally applying heat, such as with a laser beam, to close pores and securely attach wire mesh layers, ensuring a rigid and corrosion-resistant connection, which can be applied to various materials like stainless steel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a pressure relief body is clamped between flanges or sealed with plastic material, then the assembly is simple and suitable for series production, but flameproof integrity may be compromised over prolonged use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidflameproof integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical fastening systems (clamps, flanges) and chemical sealing (plastic material) with a welding process that creates a metallurgical bond. The weld seam fuses the pressure relief body directly to the housing, eliminating the need for separate fastening components and providing inherent flameproof integrity through the continuous metal bond.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the fastening function and the flameproof sealing function into a single welding operation. The weld seam simultaneously attaches the pressure relief body to the housing and creates a flame-tight barrier, merging two separate functions that were previously achieved by separate components (fasteners and seals).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a pressure relief body is welded to the housing, then flameproof integrity is ensured, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflameproof integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the flameproof sealing function from separate sealing components and integrates it directly into the welding process itself. The weld seam becomes both the mechanical attachment and the flameproof barrier, eliminating the need for separate sealing elements and reducing overall device complexity despite the advanced manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Strength

If the porous body is sintered to a solid extension piece, then a rigid connection is achieved, but the connection may not provide adequate flameproof sealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection rigidityVSAvoidflameproof sealing
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the connection method from sintering (which creates a rigid but potentially porous bond) to welding (which creates a rigid and completely fused bond). The welding process melts and fuses the materials together, eliminating the pore structure that remains in sintered connections and providing both rigidity and flameproof sealing.

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

This method provides a robust and reliable attachment that maintains flameproof integrity, effectively preventing flame spread and ensuring reliable operation even after extended use, while allowing for efficient gas pressure equalization and cooling.

Implementation Method 1

A pressure relief body is welded to a housing part using a fusion layer created by locally applying heat, such as with a laser beam, to close pores and securely attach wire mesh layers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 2

A pressure relief body is welded to a housing part using a fusion layer created by locally applying heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP3631923B1Welded pressure release device
Publication Date: 2023.01.18 R STAHL SCHALTGERATE GMBH
  • EP3631923B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3631923B1 patent drawingFigure 3~7
  • EP3631923B1 patent drawingFigure 8~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a pressure relief body sintered from a wire mesh and retained on an explosion-proof housing by welding. The corresponding welded seam (19) and/or (21) has a fusion zone both on the pressure relief body (13) and on the housing part (18) and makes a mechanically robust and gas-tight joint between the two.