Apparatus and method for preventing fragmentation of a rupture disk

Apparatus for preventing fragmentation of a rupture disk during pressure relieving rupture and fluid flow through the ruptured disk, comprising:

• rupture control means for rupturing the disk into a petal having a body, at least two generally opposed edges extending across the rupture disk, and a base for retaining the petal to the rupture disk;
• bending means for retarding motion of the generally opposed edges as the body of the petal is forced away from the ruptured disk by pressure relieving rupture, thereby bending the body of the petal into a channel shape;
• and
• protuberance means for impacting the channel-shaped body of the petal as the petal is forced away from the rupture disk by pressure relieving rupture.

Method for preventing fragmentation of a rupture disk during pressure relieving rupture and fluid flow through the ruptured disk, comprising:

• rupturing the disk into a petal having a body, at least two generally opposed edges extending across the rupture disk, and a base for retaining the petal to the rupture disk;
• retarding motion of the generally opposed edges as the body of the petal is forced away from the rupture disk by the pressure relieving rupture, thereby bending the body of the petal into a channel shape;
• and
• deforming the channel-shaped body of the petal as the petal is forced away from the rupture disk by the pressure relieving rupture.