Rupture disk

Abstract

A rupture disk is provided for relieving pressure between the interior of a battery box and the exterior of the battery box, the box having an outlet opening. The apparatus includes a first layer that provides a gasket which abuts the battery box, the gasket having a central opening which aligns with the battery box opening. A second layer is in the form of a reverse buckling disk having a disk flange, a domed portion and a weakened portion on the dome that defines a disk burst pressure, the second layer having concave and convex sides. A third layer that is an outlet ring that sandwiches the second layer in between the first and the third layer layers, the outlet ring having a central opening surrounded by an edge. A plurality of teeth on the third layer extend from said edge inwardly a distance. A plurality of tabs are provided on the first and third layers, said tabs including circumferentially spaced apart tabs on each of said first and third layers, each tab having a tab opening, said tabs generally aligning so that a fastener can be passed through the tab openings of the first layer and the third layer. The third layer is attached to the second layer which is a metal disk by means of spot weld around the disk flange and the first layer attached to the metal disk by means of an adhesive thus forming a rupture disk assembly. The fasteners affix this rupture disk assembly to the box. The second layer is generally circular and surrounded by the fasteners. The teeth are positioned on the concave side of the second layer. In a preferred embodiment, the teeth do not extend so far inwardly that they extend inwardly beyond the weakened portion or score. From any radial line extending from the center of the layers, the weakened portion is reached before any tooth, the teeth thus being spaced radially a distance equal to or greater than the weakened portion or score.

1 . A rupture disk for relieving pressure between the interior of a container and the exterior of the container, the container having an outlet opening, comprising:
 a) a first layer that provides a gasket which abuts the container, the gasket having a central opening which aligns with the container opening;   b) a second layer in the form of a reverse buckling disk having a disk flange, a domed portion and a weakened score on the dome that defines a disk burst pressure, the second layer having concave and convex sides;   c) a third layer that is an outlet ring that sandwiches the second layer in between the first and the third layer layers, the outlet ring having a central opening surrounded by an edge;   d) a plurality of teeth on the third layer extending from said edge inwardly a distance, each tooth having a circumferentially extending edge; and   e) a plurality of tabs on the first and third layers, said tabs including circumferentially spaced apart tabs on each of said first and third layers, each tab having a tab opening, said tabs generally aligning so that a fastener can be passed through the tab openings of the first layer and the second layer;   f) fasteners that affix the first and third layers to the container;   g) wherein the second layer is generally circular and surrounded by the fasteners; and   h) wherein circumferentially extending edge of each tooth is positioned on the concave side of the second layer and next to the score.   
     
     
         2 . The rupture disk of  claim 1  wherein the first layer is a foam layer. 
     
     
         3 . The rupture disk of  claim 1  wherein the first layer is a neoprene layer. 
     
     
         4 . The rupture disk of  claim 1  wherein the second layer is of a metallic material. 
     
     
         5 . The rupture disk of  claim 1  wherein the score tracks a generally circular path. 
     
     
         6 . The rupture disk of  claim 1  wherein the second layer has a circular periphery. 
     
     
         7 . The rupture disk of  claim 1  wherein the fasteners do not pass through the second layer. 
     
     
         8 . The rupture disk of  claim 1  wherein the domed portion has a thickness of between about 0.3 and 0.4 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The rupture disk of  claim 1  wherein the second layer has a diameter of between about 2 and 6 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The rupture disk of  claim 1  wherein the first and third layers each have the same number of tab openings. 
     
     
         11 . The rupture disk of  claim 1  wherein the second layer is metallic. 
     
     
         12 . The rupture disk of  claim 11  wherein the second layer is stainless steel. 
     
     
         13 . The rupture disk of  claim 1  wherein the third layer is metallic. 
     
     
         14 . The rupture disk of  claim 13  wherein the third layer is stainless steel. 
     
     
         15 . The rupture disk of  claim 1  further comprising a container and the first, second and third layers are mounted to said container. 
     
     
         16 . A rupture disk for relieving pressure between the interior of a container and the exterior of the container, the container having an outlet opening, comprising:
 a) a first layer that provides a gasket which abuts the container, the gasket having a central opening which aligns with the container opening;   b) a second layer in the form of a reverse buckling disk having a disk flange, a domed portion and one or more scores on the domed portion that define a disk burst pressure, the second layer having concave and convex sides;   c) a third layer that is an outlet ring that sandwiches the second layer in between the first and the third layer layers, the outlet ring having a central opening surrounded by an edge;   d) a plurality of teeth on the third layer extending from said edge inwardly a distance, each tooth having an innermost tooth edge that is positioned adjacent said score and that extends circumferentially along a part of the score;   e) a plurality of tabs on the first layer, said tabs including circumferentially spaced apart tabs, each tab having a tab opening;   f) a plurality of tabs on the third layer, said tabs including circumferentially spaced apart tabs, each tab having a tab opening;   g) fasteners that affix the first and third layers to the container, the fasteners being arranged generally in a circle to provide a fastener circle;   h) wherein the second layer domed portion is positioned inside of the fastener circle, surrounded by the fasteners; and   i) wherein the teeth are positioned on the concave side of the second layer.   
     
     
         17 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The rupture disk of  claim 16  wherein the second layer is metallic. 
     
     
         20 . The rupture disk of  claim 16  wherein the second layer has one or more scores that define at least in part the weakened portions. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The rupture disk of  claim 16  wherein the fasteners do not pass through the second layer. 
     
     
         23 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The rupture disk of  claim 16  wherein the first and third layer each have the same number of tab openings. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled)