Pressure relief apparatus for sealed containers such as galvanic cells
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorWilliam C. Thibault
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved pressure relief apparatus is disclosed for use with sealed containers such as those found in many galvanic cells. A specially shaped diaphragm (32, 34, 36, 38, 40) is situated across an opening (14) to the interior of the container (10), beneath a piercing point (48). When the pressure within the container reaches a preselected level, the diaphragm snaps rapidly outwardly into contact with the piercing point, thus causing itself to be pierced and relieving the accumulated pressure.
Claims10
An improved pressure relief apparatus for use in combination with a normally sealed galvanic cell of the type having a container subject to internal gas pressure, said apparatus comprising:
- a flexible diaphragm adapted to be disposed across an opening in said container, said diaphragm comprising means for causing itself to snap outward toward its exterior side in response to internal gas pressure in said container acting on its interior side, said means for causing said diaphragm to snap comprising a circular central area having a diameter, an annular flange surrounding said central area and having an inner diameter larger than said diameter of said central area, said central area being depressed below the plane of said flange toward the interior of said container, and a conical portion in said diaphragm extending between said central area and said annular flange, the axial height of said conical portion being less than said diameter of said central area and greater than the thickness of said diaphragm;
- and
- means adapted to be positioned at the opening for piercing said diaphragm as it snaps outward, thereby relieving the internal gas pressure.
An improved pressure relief apparatus for use in combination with a normally sealed container which is subject to internal gas pressure, said apparatus comprising:
- a flexible diaphragm adapted to be disposed across an opening in said container, said diaphragm comprising means for causing itself to snap outward toward its exterior side in response to internal gas pressure in said container acting on its interior side, said means for causing said diaphragm to snap comprising a circular central area having a diameter, an annular flange surrounding said central area and having an inner diameter larger than said diameter of said central area, said central area being depressed below the plane of said flange toward the interior of said container, and a conical portion in said diaphragm extending between said central area and said annular flange, the axial height of said central area and said annular flange, the axial height of said conical portion being less than said diameter of said central area and greater than the thickness of said diaphragm;
- and
- means adapted to be positioned at the opening for piercing said diaphragm as it snaps outward, thereby relieving the internal gas pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.