Full opening and reclosable explosion vent apparatus

Explosion vent apparatus comprising:

• a vent support unit adapted to be positioned over the outlet of an area to be protected from an overpressure condition,
• said support unit defining a vent opening aligned with the outlet;
• a vent panel pivotally mounted on said unit in a closed position blocking the outlet, said panel being pivotal from said closed position to an open overpressure-relieving position;
• and
• structure on the unit connected to the vent panel maintaining the vent panel in the closed position thereof,
• said structure being operable to allow pivoting of the vent panel through a sufficient displacement away from said closed position to an open overpressure-relieving position upon application of an overpressure against the vent panel to relieve the overpressure without rupture of the vent panel, said vent panel further being operable to return to the closed position thereof blocking said outlet upon relief of said overpressure condition.

Explosion vent apparatus comprising:

• a vent support unit adapted to be positioned over the outlet of an area to be protected from an overpressure condition,
• said support unit defining a vent opening aligned with the outlet;
• a vent panel pivotally mounted on said unit in a closed position blocking the outlet, said panel being pivotal from said closed position to an open overpressure-relieving position;
• and
• rupturable tab structure connected between the vent panel and the support unit maintaining the vent panel in the closed position thereof until an overpressure of predetermined magnitude is applied to the panel through the outlet,
• said tab structure being oriented in disposition such that tension forces are exerted on the tab structure when an overpressure is applied to the vent panel through the outlet, said tab structure resisting the tension forces until an overpressure of sufficient magnitude is applied to the vent panel to effect rupture of the tab structure thereby permitting pivotal movement of the vent panel to an open overpressure-relieving position.