Tubular safety element for closing a flow line
AssigneeSulzer Brothers Limited
InventorMax Geisseler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The collapsible safety element has a polygonal end and a star-shaped end which are interconnected by flat triangular sections. The triangular sections are disposed relative to one another so that the points of the star-shaped end are in line with the corners at the polygon-shaped end. Consequently, when the safety element is closed, the triangular sections extending from the star-shaped end are disposed in parallel relation to each other. This improves and increases the sealing effect of the safety element at high pressure.
Claims9
A tubular safety element for closing a flow line, said element defining a flow path and being peripherally folded to form a star-shaped cross-section having n-points at one end with pairs of triangular sections extending from said end to form a respective point and a regular polygonal cross-section defining n-sides at an opposite end, each said side having a corner in line with a respective point, said element being collapsible under a predetermined differential pressure between the exterior of said element and the interior of said element with each pair of triangular sections defining a respective point being disposed in parallel relation.
The combination comprising
- a line defining a flow path for a pressurized medium;
- and
- a peripherally folded tubular element disposed in said line to define a flow path therethrough, said element being folded to form a star-shaped cross-section having n-points, at one end and a regular polygonal cross-section having n-sides at an opposite end, each said side having a corner in line with a respective point, said element being collapsible under a differential pressure between the exterior of said element and the interior of said element to close said line.
The combination comprising
- a pressure vessel for storing a medium in an interior thereof under pressure;
- a line connected to said pressure vessel in communication with said interior;
- and
- a tubular safety element for closing said line to said vessel interior in response to a fracture in said line to prevent an abrupt outflow of the stored medium into said line, said safety element defining a flow path therethrough and being peripherally folded to form a star-shaped cross-section at one end having pairs of flat triangular surfaces defining n-points and a regular polygonal cross-section at an opposite end having n-sides, each said side having a corner in line with a respective point, said safety element being deformable in response to a pressure drop in said line to close said line to said vessel interior with each pair of triangular surfaces defining a respective point being disposed in parallel relation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.