Thermal pressure relief device with expansion activation

摘要

A thermal pressure relief device (TPRD) is shown and includes a housing having a first end with a first aperture and a second end having a second aperture. The first and second apertures are configured to allow a fluid to flow through the housing. The TPRD includes a trigger member, such as a ball, disposed within the housing. The ball is seated laterally within a retainer. The retainer includes a rim forming a seat for supporting the ball within the housing. The movement of the ball from the first closed position laterally seated within the retainer to the second open position descended within the retainer is caused by an expansion of the rim of the retainer. The rim of the retainer is formed substantially of a temperature sensitive material adapted to expand volumetrically with an increase in temperature. The temperature sensitive material can expand linearly or non-linearly.

主权项

1. A thermal pressure relief device (TPRD) comprising:
a housing defining a fluid flow passage having a first end and a second end configured to allow a fluid to flow therethrough; a retainer disposed in the housing, the retainer having at least a portion formed of a temperature sensitive material configured to expand volumetrically with an increase in temperature, the retainer including a rim having a diameter less than a diameter of the fluid flow passage, the retainer having a void formed therein; and a movable trigger member movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position the movable trigger member is centrally aligned with a central axis of the fluid flow passage having at least a portion of the movable trigger member configured to contact the rim and to seal an end of the first fluid flow passage, and wherein in the open position the movable trigger member moves to a position substantially inside the void of the retainer and laterally offset from the central axis of the fluid flow passage, and wherein the retainer permits movement of the movable trigger member from the closed position to the open position when a predetermined temperature of the temperature sensitive material is attained.