Glass bulb thermally-activated pressure relief device, safety inspection method, and equipment
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorAxel Heise
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus to periodically inspect and control piston movability are provided that can include using a contactless sensor system through a gas outlet port of a pressure relief device. By moving a stop, relative movement of the piston can be compared to the fixed body reflecting a movability or a blocking of the release piston. Inductive/magnetic or optical borescope sensors can detect piston movement through the gas outlet, for example. The activation function where the piston must move when activated can therefore be tested and maintained.
Claims20
A pressure relief device comprising:
- a body comprising a channel and an outlet;
- a member slidably disposed within the channel;
- and
- a reactive component disposed between an end of the member and a stop, wherein:
- the reactive component is sensitive to an environmental threshold that causes a conformation change in the reactive component thereby permitting the member to slide within the channel toward the stop and fluidly couple the channel and the outlet;
- and
- the stop is configured to be moved between a first position and a second position thereby permitting the member to move relative to the body without fluidly coupling the channel and the outlet.
A thermally-activated pressure relief device comprising:
- a body comprising a channel and an outlet;
- a member slidably disposed within the channel;
- and
- a frangible component comprising a fluid disposed between an end of the member and a stop, wherein:
- the frangible component is sensitive to a threshold temperature that causes the frangible component to break thereby permitting the member to slide within the channel toward the stop and fluidly couple the channel and the outlet;
- and
- the stop is configured to be moved between a first position and a second position thereby permitting the member to move relative to the body without fluidly coupling the channel and the outlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.