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The present invention relates in general to a pressure discharge mechanism for closed vessels having an internal chamber designed to hold volatile and/or explosive substances in a sealed manner comprised of an at least one eutectic composition and a threaded joint designed to open or vent the closed

The present invention relates in general to a pressure discharge mechanism for closed vessels having an internal chamber designed to hold volatile and/or explosive substances in a sealed manner comprised of an at least one eutectic composition and a threaded joint designed to open or vent the closed vessel when the contents of the closed vessel reaches a predetermined temperature while maintaining full structural integrity during normal operation. In one aspect, the closed vessel is a munitions casing which functions as intended under normal operating environments, but then when exposed to extreme temperatures, reduces the munition's high order explosion capability, and is transformed into a safe, low order reaction with significantly less reactive potential. In one aspect, the closed vessel is a transport tanker which should not release substances contained therein. However, if the tanker catches fire, the pressure relief mechanism of the present invention reduces risk of explosion.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A pressure discharge mechanism comprising: a. a valve body having an outer or discharge end and a lower or entry end which is in contact with a closed vessel, the valve body having at least one through hole therein adapted to mate and communicate with a corresponding through hole in a wall of the

1. A pressure discharge mechanism comprising: a. a valve body having an outer or discharge end and a lower or entry end which is in contact with a closed vessel, the valve body having at least one through hole therein adapted to mate and communicate with a corresponding through hole in a wall of the closed vessel;b. an at least one first vent which automatically provides a partial release of contents within said closed vessel at a first predetermined temperature lower than critical combustion and/or explosive temperatures of said closed vessel contents;c. an at least one second vent which automatically provides a second and greater release of said closed vessel contents through the at least one through hole in the valve body when the contents in the closed vessel reaches a second predetermined temperature higher than the first predetermined temperature but still lower than critical combustion and/or explosive temperatures of the contents of the closed vessel; andd. a solid plug adapted to be connected in threaded engagement with said valve body, whereby to close the at least one through hole therein until the temperature of contents of the closed vessel reaches a critical temperature, said at least one first vent further comprising a vent hole extending through said plug to facilitate a partial release of contents from the closed vessel to the atmosphere, the vent hole in the first vent being provided with a plug formed of a first eutectic composition which seals the vent hole until a first predetermined temperature is reached, said first eutectic composition changing from a solid to a liquid over a predetermined narrow temperature range, thereby melting the solid plug from the vent hole which results in a partial release of liquids from said first vent, said valve body having a through hole which has a smaller diameter in contact with the closed vessel than at the discharge end of the pressure valve, with a shoulder being formed where the diameter of the through hole becomes larger, the smaller discharge hole in the valve body being threaded, said plug conforming in size and shape to the round through hole in the valve body, and fitting in sealing engagement therewith when in threaded engagement with the valve body when a shoulder on the through hole of the valve body is in sealing engagement with a corresponding shoulder formed on the plug, said at least one second vent further comprising a hole extending through the valve body and into said plug, said second vent further comprising an anti-rotational solid plug formed of a second eutectic composition in the hole extending through the valve body and into the plug, said anti-rotational solid plug changing phase from solid to liquid when the contents in the closed vessel reaches a predetermined critical temperature, at which time internal pressure in the closed vessel causes the plug to rotate until no longer in threaded engagement with the valve body and is forced out of the valve body, thus fully opening the valve and relieving excess pressure in the closed vessel. 2. The pressure discharge mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first eutectic composition is selected from the group consisting of Bi58Pb42, In52Sn48, In74Cd26, and In50Sn50. 3. The pressure discharge mechanism of claim 1, wherein the second eutectic composition selected from the group consisting of Bi58SN42, Bi57Sn42Ag1, and Sn51.2PB30.6Cd18.2. 4. The pressure discharge mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a eutectic solder material disposed between the plug and the valve body at the threaded engagement, said eutectic solder material having a eutectic point between the first and second eutectic compositions. 5. The pressure discharge mechanism of claim 1, wherein a flange is provided on the valve body to aid in affixing the valve body to the closed vessel. 6. The pressure discharge mechanism of claim 1, wherein the partial release of contents within said closed vessel through the at least one first vent provides a perceptible signal. 7. A pressure discharge mechanism for closed vessels comprising: a. a valve body having an outwardly extending flange at a base of the body, said flange adapted to mount the valve on to a surface of a closed vessel, said valve body having a bore hole therein concentric with a longitudinal axis of the valve body, said bore hole having a larger diameter in an upper portion of the valve body than in a lower portion of the valve body, with a shoulder being formed in the bore hole where the diameter of the bore hole changes, an inside surface of the lower bore hole having threads formed therein, and one or more bore holes being formed in the upper portion of the valve body perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the valve body;b. a solid plug having a larger diameter at a top portion than at a lower portion and being adapted to fit in sealing engagement with surfaces of the bore hole formed in the valve body, said plug having threads formed on a lower portion thereof which are adapted to operate in threaded engagement with threads on a lower portion of the bore hole in the valve body, and an at least one second bore hole formed in the solid plug which is in coincidence and alignment with said one or more bore holes formed in an upper portion of the valve body; andc. an at least one solid anti-rotation pin inserted in the at least one second bore hole and extending into the one or more bore holes formed in the upper portion of the valve body so as to prevent rotation of the plug at safe temperatures, said anti-rotation pin automatically changing phase to a liquid at critical temperature to release the plug and permit the plug to rotate upwardly and out of threaded engagement with the valve body whereby to open the valve; said plug having an at least one small through hole extending from the tank wall with an at least one first plug or pin in sealing engagement therein, said plug or pin being solid at safe temperature conditions but changing phase to a liquid at a predetermined temperature lower than critical combustion and/or explosive temperatures of said contents in the closed vessel. 8. A temperature safe closed vessel comprising two members, which are secured together by means of a threaded joint to form one pressure tight closed vessel, wherein the threaded joint consists of metallic threads on each of the two members, wherein the metallic threads are coated with a eutectic composition and the metallic threads are in close engagement with each other, forming a seal with no gaps or channels between the two members; energetics or hazardous material within said pressure tight closed vessel; wherein said energetics or hazardous material reaches a critical stage at a predetermined temperature above normal operating temperature; wherein the eutectic composition coating said threaded joint and said eutectic composition remains in a solid state when the pressure tight closed vessel is below a temperature that is equal to a predetermined eutectic melting temperature of the eutectic composition, but liquid when the pressure tight closed vessel is above a temperature greater than the predetermined eutectic melting temperature of the eutectic composition, wherein the solid eutectic composition prevents the two members from separating; the energetics or hazardous material causing pressure build up within the pressure tight closed vessel when the temperature of the pressure tight closed vessel is increased above normal operating temperature, resulting in an internal pressure that causes the threaded joint to become unthreaded and the at least two members to separate. 9. The temperature safe closed vessel according to claim 8, wherein the critical stage temperature for the energetics or hazardous material or other closed vessels is below a temperature at which the energetics or hazardous material self-detonates or combusts. 10. The temperature safe closed vessel according to claim 8, wherein the eutectic composition phase changes at a temperature below a temperature at which the energetics or hazardous material self-detonates or combusts. 11. The temperature safe closed vessel according to claim 8, wherein the temperature at which the energetics or hazardous material self-detonates or combusts is approximately 280° F. 12. The temperature safe closed vessel according to claim 10, wherein the temperature at which the energetics or hazardous material self-detonates or combusts exceeds approximately 300° F. 13. The temperature safe closed vessel according to claim 8 wherein the vessel is a grenade body. 14. The temperature safe closed vessel according to claim 8 wherein the threaded joint includes multiple thread leads that aid the threaded joint to unscrew. 15. The temperature safe closed vessel according to claim 14, wherein the threaded joint includes at least three thread leads that create points of contact for a plane, and thus minimize canting of the two members as they unscrew. 16. A temperature safe grenade comprising at least two members that are secured together by means of a threaded joint, wherein the threaded joint consists of metallic threads on each of the two members, wherein the metallic threads are coated with a eutectic composition and the metallic threads are in close engagement with each other, forming a seal with no gaps or channels between the two members; a phase changeable energetic material contained within the two members; wherein the energetic material reaches a critical stage at a predetermined temperature; wherein the eutectic composition coats the threaded joint so that the eutectic composition remains in a solid state when the grenade is in a normal operating environment; wherein upon exposure to an elevated temperature that is at least equal to a predetermined eutectic melting temperature of the eutectic composition, the energetic material causes pressure build up within the grenade via a phase change from solid to liquid and to result in an internal pressure that causes the threaded joint to become unscrew and the at least two members to separate. 17. The temperature safe grenade according to claim 16, wherein the elevated temperature for the energetic material is below the temperature at which the energetics or hazardous material self-detonates or combusts. 18. The temperature safe grenade according to claim 16, wherein the at least two members are held together by the threaded joint and a bond resulting from the eutectic composition, wherein the bond pressure seals the threaded joint and has mechanical strength properties that prevents the threaded joint from unscrewing under normal operating conditions. 19. The temperature safe grenade according to claim 16, wherein the at least two members are held together by the threaded joint and a bond resulting from the eutectic composition, wherein the bond seals the threaded joint and has mechanical strength properties that prevents the threaded joint from unscrewing during detonation. 20. The temperature safe grenade according to claim 16, wherein the eutectic composition phase changes at a temperature below a temperature at which the energetic material self-detonates. 21. The temperature safe grenade according to claim 20, wherein the temperature at which the energetic material self-detonates is approximately 280° F. 22. The temperature safe grenade according to claim 20, wherein the temperature at which the energetic material self-detonates exceeds approximately 300° F. 23. The temperature safe grenade according to claim 16, wherein the two members are generally cup-shaped. 24. The temperature safe grenade according to claim 16, wherein the threaded joint includes multiple thread leads that aid the threaded joint to unscrew. 25. The temperature safe grenade according to claim 24, wherein the threaded joint includes at least three thread leads that create points of contact for a plane, and thus minimizes any canting of the two members as they unscrew. 26. A temperature safe munition comprising: a. a shell casing having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the bottom end of the shell casing has a cavity that tightly receives a primer adapter having exterior and interior surfaces, wherein the exterior surface of the primer adapter lacks external threads or external annular grooves;b. a projectile tightly inserted into and extending from the top end of the shell casing;c. propellant located inside the shell casing;d. a primer adapter, wherein the primer adapter is adapted to receive a primer and wherein the primer adapter has a channel that allows the primer to ignite the propellant under normal conditions;e. at least one eutectic composition that seals the primer adapter to the cavity of the shell casing, wherein the eutectic composition consists of a thin coating between the outer surface of the primer adapter and the cavity in the bottom end of the shell casing; andf. a primer.