Thermal pressure relief devices and related systems and methods
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorAxel Heise
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus, methods and systems for inspecting and/or sensing defects in a thermal pressure relief device. The thermal pressure relief apparatus may comprise a bulb having a fluid therein. In some implementations, a sensor may be used to determine whether the fluid within the bulb exceeds a fill level threshold. Upon determining that the fluid is below the fill level threshold, an action may be taken. In some implementations, the action may comprise providing a notification.
Claims19
A thermal pressure relief apparatus, comprising:
- a housing;
- a gas inlet port configured to be fluidly coupled with a vessel comprising a gas;
- a gas outlet port fluidly coupled with the gas inlet port;
- a piston configured to be moved between a closed position in which the piston blocks fluid communication between the gas inlet port and the gas outlet port and an open position in which the gas outlet port is in fluid communication with the gas inlet port;
- a bulb positioned so as to keep the piston in the closed position, wherein the bulb is configured such that, once the bulb breaks, the piston is allowed to move to the open position;
- and
- a sensor configured to detect a condition of the bulb, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the condition prior to the bulb breaking to allow the piston to move to the open position.
A vehicle, comprising:
- a gas vessel comprising a gas, wherein the gas vessel comprises a vessel outlet port;
- and
- a thermal pressure relief apparatus coupled with the gas vessel, wherein the thermal pressure relief apparatus comprises:
- a gas inlet port fluidly coupled with the vessel outlet port;
- a gas outlet port fluidly coupled with the gas inlet port;
- a piston configured to be moved between a closed position in which the piston blocks fluid communication between the gas inlet port and the gas outlet port and an open position in which the gas outlet port is in fluid communication with the gas inlet port;
- a bulb positioned so as to keep the piston in the closed position, wherein the bulb is configured such that, once the bulb breaks, the piston is allowed to move to the open position;
- and
- a sensor configured to detect a non-zero volume of a fluid within the bulb.
A method for inhibiting malfunction of a thermal pressure relief apparatus in a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- inspecting a thermal pressure relief apparatus in a vehicle, wherein the thermal pressure relief apparatus comprises a bulb;
- determining whether a fluid within the bulb exceeds a fill level threshold;
- and
- upon determining that the fluid is below the fill level threshold, taking an action comprising at least one of providing a notification, deactivating a system associated with the thermal pressure relief apparatus, replacing the thermal pressure relief apparatus, and repairing the thermal pressure relief apparatus, wherein the step of inspecting the thermal pressure relief apparatus comprises sensing a volume of the fluid within the bulb using a sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.