US2741318A - Closure for fluid container - Google Patents

Description

A ril 10, 1956 S. E. ALLEN CLOSURE FOR FLUID CONTAINER Filed Sept. 16, 1952 w 34 22 40 i .36 33 f 2 9 .97

INVENTOR. .ScorriALLnv MEM ATTORNEY United States Patent W CLGSURE FOR FLUID CONTAINER Scott E. Allen, Verona, N. 3., assignor to Pyrene-C-O-Two Corporation, a corporation of Deiaware Application September 16, 1952, Serial No. 309,381

6 Claims. (Cl. 169-31) The present invention relates to stored pressure fluid medium containers with discharge control such as are .used principally for pressurizing fire extinguishers or The container'utilizing a closure in accordance with the invention is particularly suitable for use as a pressurizing vessel for a dry powder fire extinguisher. It is important that the pressurizing vessel have a leak-proof seal as the extinguisher may not be used for sometime but must be available for instant use in the event of a fire.

While seat valve closures have been provided for some containers, it generally has been found desirable in the smaller units to provide a disc seal. Among the advantages of the disc seal is that when properly made it almost always remains leak-proof. Another advantage is that the disc provides a safety outlet for the release of the fluid in the event the pressure in the container builds up to an unsafe amount as when the temperature of the container is raised excessively. Still another advantage is that the stored fluid may be released instantly upon the rupturing of the disc by a puncturing member.

While the disc acts as a safety valve to relieve the excessive pressure, such as may occur in the container under high temperature conditions, so as to prevent the bursting of the wall of the container, there may be a hazard in that in an unsecured container, the recoil of the escaping fluid may cause the container to rocket about and possibly cause injury or damage.

Heretofore, in some cases, attempts have been made to overcome this difficulty by restricting the outlet passage of the closure for the container by making it of small diameter or by placing an orifice member therein so as to limit the rate of discharge of the fluid and thus limit the recoil. With such constructions difiiculty has been found in some cases in that the charging rate is very slow, thus, considerably adding to the charging and recharging costs. Also, with the prior constructions, it is difficult to drain out any water or other material which may have entered the container either before its original charge, or in the case of a recharged extinguisher, during the period while its disc was ruptured. Of course, the water or foreign material may be removed by devalving the container, however, this entails additional work and each such devalving' operation weakens the engagement of the threads of. the closure with the threaded outlet of the container.

In the case wherein the container is used for the expulsion of a dry powder fire extinguishing agent, it is desirable that the pressurizing agent be discharged as rapidly as possible soas to flufi up, and agitate the powder. In addition it is desirable that the expulsion agent 2,741,3i8 Patented Apr. 10, 1956 January 10, 1950, now Patent No. 2,684,180 issued July 20, 1954, there is shown a stored pressure medium container with a closure including a sealing disc and an apertured disc interposed between the sealing disc and the interior of the container. In this device upon rupture of the sealing disc under excessive temperature conditions the apertured disc restricts the outward flow of the stored medium to a safe a'm'ount, thus preventing an appreciable amount of recoil. Under conditions of normal operation as for expelling dry powder from a tire extinguisher, the puncturing member is adapted to rupture the sealing disc and extend through the apertured disc making an opening of a size such as will permit the rapid discharge of the pressurizing medium. While this device has been found generally satisfactory, some difliculty has been had in incorporating the device in fire extinguishers having a puncturing member of 'a short stroke so that the penetration of the orifice disc is insufiicient to enlarge the opening thereof sufficiently to provide the desired high discharge rate.

Another device which has been provided to store the pressurizing medium for a dry powder fire extinguisher is disclosed in Scott E. Allen application Serial No. 141,539, filed January 31, 1950, now U. S. Patent 2,634,814 issued April 14, 1953. In this device an apertured valve member is positioned between the sealing disc and the interior of the container. This device provides for the rapid recharging of the pressun'zing fluid container, and produces a restricted discharge upon the rupture of the sealing disc as under a condition of excessive temperature. In order to utilize this device for pressurizing a dry powder fire extinguisher, it is necessary that the puncturing member have a length sufficient to extend into the passage of the closure member" a sufiicient distance tounseat the aperturedvalve member and remain in that position during the discharge.

The present invention aims to overcome the difliculties and disadvantages of prior devices by providing a closure for a pressurizing fluid container in which the closure provides for the rapid charging and recharging of the container, provides a limited discharge rate under conditions of excessive temperature rise, and, when opened by a puncturing member, produces a high rate of discharge.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stored pressure medium container closure which is simple and economical in manufacture, efficient in operation, and durable in use.

These objects are accomplished by providing a stored pressure medium container having a-closure member incorporating-a sealing disc with a fluid fiow limiting member in proximity thereto and removable therewith for ease and replacement. The fluid flow limiting member is normally in positionto limit the outward flow yet may be readily moved out of flow blocking position so as to remain in a position to permit unrestricted flow through the outlet' passage.

The invention is advantageous in that a disposable unit is provided at low cost, thus, rendering it feasible to provide a new closure including a new fluid fiow limiting means with each recharge overcoming any possible dilficulty which might arise as from damage to the orifice because of corrosion, dirt, or mishandling.

Gther objects and advantages ofthe invention will be apparent from the following descriptionand from the accompanying drawing which shows, by way of example, anembodiment of the invention.

' fluid medium under high pressure.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 illustrates a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a powder fire extinguisher incorporating a stored fiuid pressure medium container closurein accordance with the invention. 2

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a unitary assembly of asealing disc and a fluid flow limiting member in accordance with the invention.

Figure 3 is a plan view at enlarged scale illustrating the flap fluid flow limiting member in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown in Figure 1 a powder fire extinguisher 19 pressurized by a stored fluid pressure medium container 11 in which the contents thereof are retained by a closure 12 in accordance with the invention.

The powder fire extinguisher is illustrated to show a use for the stored fluid pressure medium container 11 and its closure 12. The extinguisher includes a standard shell 14 adapted to contain a fire extinguisher powder which is charged through a filling opening at the top of the container which is then closed by a conventional cap 15. Upon the discharge .of the extinguisher, the powder is pressurized by the fluid from the container 11 and expelled through an outlet elbow 16 and a discharge hose 1! through a suitable nozzle (not shown). Within the filling opening is a shoulder 19 to support an apertured casing 26 adapted to provide a space within the powder'charge for the container 11. Depending from the under surface of the cap is a tubular portion 21 having a threaded interior surface to receive an apertured insert 22 with a flanged end 24. A puncturing member 25 is adapted to slide within the apertured insert 22 upon pressure being applied to an actuating cap 26 to facilitate the rupturing of the closure member of the container as will later appear. The cap 15 is made with a conventional handle ring-30 for the easy transportation of the extinguisher and for use as a handle for engaging'the cap 15 after the filling operation.

The stored fluid pressure medium container or pres sure vessel 11 comprises a body or container portion 31 made of any suitable material such as steel to store the The upper end of the container body is made with a threaded discharge opening 32 in which is secured lower end 34 of the closure fitting 12, a fluid passage 35 extending therethrough.

The outer end of the fluid passage 35 is enlarged as indicated at 36 and formed with an outwardly directed main sealing seat 37. The outer surface of the upper end of the closure fitting 34 is threaded as indicated at 39 so that the closure may be received in a cartridge cap 40 apertured as indicated at 33 for the discharge of gas therefrom. The cap member 40 has its upper end turned inwardly to engage over the flange 24 of the apertured insert 22 to swivelly hold the cartridge in position with its outlet adjacent the puncturing member 35.

The enlarged outer portion 36 at the passage of the closure member 12 is threaded to receive a conventional to provide a leak-proof seal with the surface of the sealing disc 47. The size of the aperture 51 is predetermined to permit-a desired high rate of flow from the container 11 after the sealing disc 47 has been ruptured.

On the inner side of the seat disc 50 is a recoil limit- .ing orifice plate or disc 54 which is preferably made of cold rolled annealed copper or equivalent material. An aperture or flow limiting orifice is preferably placed in the center of the recoil preventing disc 54, the size of the opening 55 depending upon the desired rate of flow of the fluid from the container 11 in the event the disc 47 is ruptured under a condition of excessive pressure rise in the container 11 as might occur upon the exposure of the container to an excessively high temperature. A flap 56 is formed in the recoil preventing disc 54 preferably 'by cutting away a generally horseshoeshaped portion 57. The diameter of the flap 56 is made greater than the diameter of the aperture 51 in the seat disc 50 so that normally the flap member overlies the wall of the aperture 51 which acts as a seat for the flap memin order to provide a unitary assembly with the sealing disc 47, the lower end of the sealing disc nut 41 is turned inwardly to hold the various discs against each other. However, the turned-in end has a greater diamber.

eter than the diameter of the main seat 37 so as to pro- 7 vidc space for the contact of the under side of the recoil preventing disc 54 with the seat 37.

In operating the extinguisher 10 fitted with a'stored fluid pressure medium container 11 having a closure member 12, the extinguisher is inverted and its cap 26 struck against a surface to move the puncturing member 25 in- Wardly to rupture the sealing disc 47 releasing the stored fluid pressure medium to expel the fire extinguisher powder through the hose 17. It will be seen that after the puncturing member ruptures the disc 47, its point 29 passes through the aperture 51 and strikes the flap 56 of the recoil preventing disc 54. The flap 56 is pushed away from contact with its seat disc 59 and by reason of its fabrication of soft material remains in the inwardly turned position after the puncturing member tip 29 has been withdrawn under the action of the spring 27. 'Thus, it will be seen that an unrestricted passage is provided limited only by the size of the aperture 51 of the disc 50. The fluid discharge medium is thus discharged at a rapid rate to fill the voids in the powder for the pressurization thereof and also to cause an initial agitation of the powder so that it may be readily expelled in an even flow.

It is customary in providing refill containers 11 for the recharging of the extinguishers 1G to store the cartridges prior to their use. Under such conditions of storage, or during the transportation thereof, in the event of an excessive temperature rise resulting in a pressure build up within the'container 11 to a dangerous amount, the sealing disc 47 is adapted to rupture to release the stored fluid medium. Upon the rupture of the sealing disc 47,

the fluid medium is released at a rate limited by the size of the orifice 55 in the recoil preventing disc 54. By reason of the small size of the orifice 55, the recoil of the container 11 is held to a safe limit so that there is practically no movement thereof during the discharge. It will be seen that the pressure of the discharging fluid against the under side of the recoil preventing disc 54 firmly holds the flap portion 56 against the seat disc so that the entire flow is through the aperture 55. A like slow rate of discharge will occur in the event the container 11 is installed in the extinguisher 10 and the extinguisher subjected to an excessive temperature rise.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to a specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that other embodiments may be resorted to without departing from the. invention. For example, while the flap portion 56 has been illustrated as made by cutting away a portion of the disc 54, it is obvious that an equivalent construction would be obained in the event no material were removed and a weakened portion formedby scoring the surface of the disc 54 or by utilizing other conventional means so that a weakened portion is formed outlining the flap portion 56 which then may be broken away under action of the puncturing member as above described. Furthermore, an equivalent construction would result in the event the flap portion 56 were made as a separate member to be attached at its outer end to the underside of the seat disc 50 by riveting, welding, or the like. Furthermore, while aperture 55 is described and illustrated as being in the center of the flap portion 56, in an equivalent construction it might be positioned at any location on the flap within the area exposed to the opening 51 of the seat disc 50. Still another equivalent construction would result in the event the aperture 55 were to be made in the seat disc 50 at any suitable location, for instance, opposite the space provided by the cut away portion 57. Therefore, the form of the invention set out above should be considered as illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A closure for the outlet of a stored pressure fluid container adapted to be opened by a puncturing member, the closure having a passage therethrough, means to hold the closure in the outlet of the container, safety; means closing the passage in the closure and adapted to be opened by a perdetermined container pressure below the bursting pressure of the container, flap seat means positioned about the passage, an apertured member, and a flap for the apertured member normally in contact with the seat means, so that outward flow resulting from the opening of the safety means by a pressure above the predetermined amount is limited by the size of the opening in the apertured member, the fiap adapted to be swung away from the seat means by the puncturing member after the safety means has been opened, so that outward flow is limited only by the size of the passage in the closure.

2. A closure for the outlet of a stored pressure fluid container adapted to be opened by a puncturing member, the closure having a passage therethrough, means to hold the closure in the outlet of the container, a safety disc closing the passage in the closure and adapted to be ruptured by a predetermined container pressure below the bursting pressure of the container, flap seat means positioned about the passage and facing towards the interior of the container, an apertured disc, and a flap portion cut from the apertured disc normally in contact with the flap seat means, the aperture positioned in the flap portion, so that outward flow resulting from the rupturing of the safety disc by a pressure above the predetermined amount is limited by the size of the opening in the apertured disc, the flap adapted to be swung away from the flap seat means by the puncturing member after the safety disc has been ruptured, so that outward fiow is limited only by the size of the passage in the closure.

3. A closure for the outlet of a stored pressure fluid container adapted to be opened by a puncturing member,

the closure having a passage therethrough with a threaded portion, main seat means about the passage facing outwardly from the container, an apertured disc in the passage outwardly of the main seat, a safety disc in the passage outwardly of the apertured disc, a sealing disc nut adapted to engage the threaded portion of the outlet to urge the apertured and sealing discs towards the main seat, apertured disc seat means interposed between the apertured and sealing discs, and a flap portion for the apertured disc normally in engagement with the apertured disc seat means so that outward flow resulting from the rupturing of the safety disc by a pressure above the predetermined amount is limited by the size of the opening in the apertured disc, the flap adapted to be swung away from its apertured disc seat by the puncturing member after the safety disc has been ruptured so that outward flow is limited only by the size of the passage in the closure.

4. A closure for the outlet of a stored pressure fluid container adapted to be opened by a puncturing member, the closure having a passage therethrough with a threaded portion at its outer end, a main seat about the passage facing outwardly from the container, a sealing disc nut assembly adapted to engage the main seat, the sealing disc nut having a recess therein, a sealing disc in the recess, an apertured disc seat in contact with the sealing disc, an apertured disc in contact with the disc seat, the end of the nut turned in to form a unitary assembly, and a flap portion cut from the apertured disc, the aperture positioned in the flap portion, the flap portion normally in engagement with the apertured disc seat so that outward flow resulting from the rupturing of the safety disc by a pressure above the predetermined amount is limited by the size of the opening in the apertured disc, the flap adapted to be swung away from its apertured disc seat by the puncturing member after the safety disc has been ruptured so that outward flow is limited only by the size of the passage in the closure.

5 A sealing disc nut assembly for a container adapted to be opened by a puncturing member comprising a sealing disc nut having passage therethrough and a recess at one end thereof, a sealing disc in the recess, a seat member in the recess, and a flap apertured disc in the recess, the end of the nut turned inwardly to hold the parts in a unitary assembly.

6. A sealing disc nut assembly for a container adapted to be opened by a puncturing member comprising a sealing disc nut having a passage therethrough and a recess at one end thereof, a sealing disc in the recess, a seat member in the recess, and an apertured disc in the recess, the apertured disc having a flap cut therein, the aperture positioned in the flap portion, the end of the nut turned inwardly to hold the parts in a unitary assembly, the flap member normally engaging the seat member to limit outward flow depending upon the size of the aperture in the apertured disc, the flap adapted to be swung away from its seat by the puncturing member so that outward flow is limited only by the size of the passage in the sealing disc nut.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,610,693 Allen Sept. 16, 1952 2,634,814 Allen Apr. 14, 1953 2,684,180 Allen July 20, 1954

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