GB2169659A

GB2169659A - Burst panel assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2169659A
Application number: GB08528591A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George William Brodie
Original assignee: Marston Palmer Ltd
Current assignee: Marston Palmer Ltd
Priority date: 1985-01-04
Filing date: 1985-11-20
Publication date: 1986-07-16
Also published as: DE3545995A1; GB8500216D0; GB2169659B; GB8528591D0

Abstract

A burst panel assembly in which a panel (5) is domed and used as a reverse buckling panel, the panel having an integral rectangular flange, one edge of the flange being wider than along the remaining three edges. In use the panel is clamped between a pair of rectangular frames (1,4) with one edge permanently secured between the frames and the other three edges being releasable from the frames on inversion of the panel after a given pressure has been exceeded. There may be provided vacuum supports in the form of straps on the pressure side of the panel. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Burst panel assemblies This invention relates to safety devices and has particular reference to bursting panels.

Bursting panels conventionally comprise a rectangular framework across which is spread a diaphragm of some sort. The diaphragm may be of metal or of plastics and is normally retained around the edges by the framework.

Bursting panels are particularly used in low oressure applications or any applications where there are no operating pressures, such as silos.

By the present invention there is provided a rectangular burst panel assembly adapted to relieve at a given pressure including a rectangular panel having a substantially central domed region and an integral peripheral flange surrounding the domed region, the flange being located between a pair of rectangular frame members, three edges of the panel being located between the frame members in a releasable manner, and the remaining edge being positively retained by the frame members, one at least of the three edges not including the positively retained edge abutting a peripheral edge stop, the arrangement being such that on the application of pressure below the given pressure to the convex side of the panel the one at least of the three edges is forced into the peripheral edge stop, and on the application of the given pressure or pressures above the given pressure the panel reverses and the three edges are pulled out of the frame members and the panel folds open along the remaining positively retained edge.

Preferably there are provided sealing gaskets between one at least of the frame members and the flange of the panel. The peripheral edge stop may comprise at least one bolt, screw or rivet securing the two frame members together. Alternatively, or in addition, the peripheral edge stop may be provided by one or both of the frame members or by a spacer member located in or attached to one or both of the frame members.

There may be provided a vacuum support on the convex side of the panel. The vacuum support may comprise one or more straps secured to the frame and extending over the convex side of the panel.

By way of example embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is an exploded cross-sectional view of a panel prior to assembly; Figures 2A and 2B are right and left side views of the panel of Figure 1, with Figure 2B illustrating the use of a vacuum support; and Figures 3A and 3B are sectional views of Figures 2A and 2B along the line Ill-Ill.

Referring to Figure 1 the assembly essentially comprises a lower frame member 1 which has a flat base 2 and an upstanding wall 3. An upper frame member 4 locates onto the lower frame member 1. A domed burst panel 5 is secured between the frame members 1 and 4. The domed panel 5 has an integral flange extending around the central domed region. One side 6 of the flange is of greater width than the three remaining sides, one of which is shown at 7. A flexible gasket 8 is located over the top of the domed panel 5 and locates on the innermost portion of the flange 6, 7. A spacer member 9 extends around three sides of the panel and a spacer member 10 is used to locate the portions of the assembly together. The spacer member 10 may be in the form of four separate strips.

Rivets 12, 13 are used to hold the assembly in position.

Referring to Figures 2A, 2B these show the components of Figure 1 assembled together and additionally show the use of a strap member which acts as a vacuum support. The flange 6 of the burst panel 5 is positioned on the upper surface of the frame member 2.

The spacer 9, having the same thickness as or slightly greater thickness than the material of the panel 5, also sits on the surface 2. It will be appreciated that the member 9 extends around three sides of the panel, which sides do not have the enlarged width flange 6. A rectangular spacer member 10 is located over the flange 6 and the member 9 so that when the upper frame member 4 is secured in position there is defined a gap of given width in which tne gasket 8 is located. The rivets 12, 13 are located through apertures 14, 15. The upper frame member 4 is prefabricated with rivet holes in position. After the panel is assembled as illustrated in Figures 2A, 2B the holes are drilled through so that the rivets 12, 13 may be located in position. It will be seen that the rivet 12 which passes through hole 14 traps the flange 6 permanently in position.

As is most clearly seen in Figure 3B the hole 15, through which rivet 13 is located, only cuts slightly into the edge of the flange 7. As a result the flange 7 is not trapped between the frame members 1 and 4 and may pull out in the correct circumstances. The rivet 13 passing through hole 15 acts as an abutment so that the edge of the flange 7 is firmly located against the rivet.

The operation of the panel is as follows.

When pressure is applied to the convex side of the panel, ie in the direction of arrow 16, the pressure tends to spread the panel radially upwardly so that the edge of the panel contacts either the rivets, such as rivet 13, or the spacer member, such as member 9. Clearly both members may be contacted by the edge of the panel. Thus the panel is able to withstand a certain amount of pressure dependent on the thickness of the panel and the extent of the doming.

However, once the panel is pressurised at a pressure above a given pressure, where the given pressure is the relief pressure of the panel, the dome will reverse and the flange 7 will pull out from the frame members 1, 4.

The panel will then simply float downwardly as shown in the drawings along the edge of the flange 6.

To enable the panel to withstand reverse pressures, ie a vacuum, there may easily be provided supports in the form of straps, such as strap 17, which is secured by rivets, such as rivet 13. The strap would clearly extend from one side of the panel to the other and in the drawings it would therefore extend from Figure 2B over into Figure 2A and be secured by rivet 12. Either one or a plurality of straps 17 may be provided as required. The straps, therefore, form a vacuum support. The straps may be located parallel to the minor axis of the rectangle or may additionally be located parallel to the major axis of the rectangle.

It will be appreciated that the frame members may be formed of any suitable material such as steel, plastics material, aluminium or even wood. Any suitable gasket material may be used for the gasket 8, such as a rubber or plastics material or a foam material. The rivets 12, 13 may be replaced by nuts and bolts or screws or any other suitable attachment means, such as staples or nails.

Claims

1. Rectangular burst panel assembly adapted to relieve at a given pressure including a rectangular panel having a substantially central domed region and an integral peripheral flange surrounding the domed region, the flange being located between a pair of rectangular frame members, three edges of the panel being located between the frame members in a releasable manner, and the remaining edge being positively retained by the frame members, one at least of the three edges not including the positively retained edge abutting a peripheral edge stop, the arrangement being such that on the application of pressure below the given pressure to the convex side of the panel the one at least of the three edges is forced into the peripheral edge stop, and on the application of the given pressure or pressures above the given pressure the panel reverses and the three edges are pulled out of the frame members and the panel folds open along the remaining positively retained edge.

2. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1 in which there is provided sealing gaskets between one at least of the frame members and the flange of the panel.

3. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the peripheral edge stop comprises at least one bolt, screw or rivet securing the two frame members together.

4. An assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the peripheral edge stop is provided by one or both of the frame members or by a spacer member located in or attached to one or both of the frame members.

5. An assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 in which there is provided a vacuum support on the convex side of the panel.

6. An assembly as claimed in Claim 5 in which the vacuum support comprises one or more straps secured to the frame and extending over the convex side of the panel.

7. A rectangular burst panel assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by Figures 1, 2A, 2B, 3A or 3B of the accompanying drawings.