초록 ▼

Containers for storing fluids, especially carbon dioxide, under pressure comprise a tubular component (made of a deformable material capable of at least 7% elongation before fracture) which is preferably closed by a top plug with a filling/emptying device (and any end plug) by crimping open end(s) o

Containers for storing fluids, especially carbon dioxide, under pressure comprise a tubular component (made of a deformable material capable of at least 7% elongation before fracture) which is preferably closed by a top plug with a filling/emptying device (and any end plug) by crimping open end(s) of the component over a circumferential shoulder on the plug(s). A primary pressure relief device comprising a poppet with a piston section, a return spring and a control (exit) orifice tolerates and ejects dirt, prevents the formation of solid phase material and vents the contents in brief spurts so as to minimize loss. Desirably, a narrow helical conduit connects the primary pressure relief device to the container interior and, by being in thermal contact with the tubular component, chills the contents during venting so as to minimize loss. One or more secondary pressure relief devices, such as bursting discs, may also be incorporated to vent substantially the whole contents in the event that the primary pressure relief device fails to maintain the internal pressure below a safe predetermined level. The construction allows the fitting of alternative adaptor assemblies for various uses and lends itself to automatic assembly. The use of a heat storage substance is also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

A pressure-relief valve assembly for operating under conditions at which gaseous carbon dioxide might otherwise change to solid phase and designed to ensure that any phase change is to liquid rather than to solid phase, the valve assembly comprising a chamber with two ends, having at one end a fixed

A pressure-relief valve assembly for operating under conditions at which gaseous carbon dioxide might otherwise change to solid phase and designed to ensure that any phase change is to liquid rather than to solid phase, the valve assembly comprising a chamber with two ends, having at one end a fixed valve seat and a valve orifice which communicates with a source of carbon dioxide under a container pressure and having at the other end an outlet restrictor orifice, a valve member movable within the chamber and biased against the container pressure toward a closed position against the valve seat, at which the valve orifice is closed off and means to control pressure in said chamber, the means being responsive, upon displacement of the valve member to an open position away from the said valve seat, to the carbon dioxide when the container pressure exceeds a predetermined limit, in order to return said valve member to the closed position, thus causing the valve member to move between the open and closed positions until said container pressure falls below the predetermined limit at which said means to control pressure maintains the pressure of said carbon dioxide between the valve member and the outlet restrictor orifice above 5.3 absolute atmospheres to prevent solidification of the carbon dioxide within the assembly.