Pressure relief assemblies and methods

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to a venting system including a lid or base comprising a center wall that defines a central longitudinal axis, and a total radius measured from the longitudinal axis to an outermost surface of the lid or base. The venting system includes a pressure relief feature disposed along the lid or base. The pressure relief feature includes at least a first venting feature defining a thinned region of the lid or base.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A venting system, comprising:
 a lid or base comprising a center wall that defines a central longitudinal axis, and a total radius that is measured from the longitudinal axis to an outermost surface of the lid or base; and   a pressure relief feature that is disposed along the lid or base,   wherein the pressure relief feature includes at least a first venting feature defining a thinned region of the lid or base, and   wherein the first venting feature defines a curvilinear shape having an inflection point, the shape being uninterrupted between a first end of the shape and a second end of the shape.   
     
     
         2 . The venting system of  claim 1 , wherein the first venting feature includes a first curved portion and a second curved portion that are joined at the inflection point to form a continuous curve. 
     
     
         3 . The venting system of  claim 2 , wherein the first venting feature defines a smooth curve shape. 
     
     
         4 . The venting system of  claim 3 , wherein the first curved portion and the second define a spline shape. 
     
     
         5 . The venting system of  claim 1 , wherein the inflection point of the first venting feature is the only inflection point of the first venting feature. 
     
     
         6 . The venting system of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the thinned region defined by the first venting feature varies. 
     
     
         7 . The venting system of  claim 6 , wherein a cross-sectional profile of the thinned region defined by the first venting feature is one of a rectangular profile, a trapezoidal profile, a triangular profile, and a rounded profile. 
     
     
         8 . The venting system of  claim 6 , wherein the thickness of the thinned region varies along the first venting feature. 
     
     
         9 . The venting system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure relief feature further includes a second venting feature that also defines a thinned region of the lid or base, and
 wherein the first venting feature and the second venting feature are disconnected.   
     
     
         10 . The venting system of  claim 1 , wherein a venting radius is measured from the longitudinal axis to an outermost extent of the first venting feature, and wherein the venting radius is less than about 40% of a total radius of the lid or base. 
     
     
         11 . A venting system, comprising:
 a lid or base comprising a center wall that defines a central longitudinal axis, and a total radius that is measured from the longitudinal axis to an outermost periphery of the lid or base; and   a pressure relief feature that is disposed along the lid or base, the pressure relief feature including at least a first venting feature defining a thinned region of the lid or base,   wherein the first venting feature includes a first portion defining a first centerline and a second portion defining a second centerline,   wherein an angle measured between the first centerline and the second centerline is between about 20 degrees and about 160 degrees,   wherein a venting radius is measured from the longitudinal axis to an outermost extent of the first portion of the first venting feature, and   wherein the venting radius is less than about 40% of the total radius of the lid or base, expressed as a percentage.   
     
     
         12 . The venting system of  claim 11 , wherein the first venting feature defines a v-shape. 
     
     
         13 . The venting system of  claim 11 , wherein the first venting feature is offset from the central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         14 . The venting system of  claim 11 , wherein an intersection between the first centerline and the second centerline is offset from the central longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         15 . The venting system of  claim 11 , wherein the pressure relief feature further includes a second venting feature that is disconnected from the first venting feature. 
     
     
         16 . The venting system of  claim 15 , wherein the pressure relief feature further includes a third venting feature. 
     
     
         17 . The venting system of  claim 11 , wherein a cross-sectional profile of the thinned region defined by the first venting feature is one of a rectangular profile, a trapezoidal profile, a triangular profile, and a rounded profile. 
     
     
         18 . The venting system of  claim 11 , wherein a thickness of the thinned region defined by the first venting feature varies. 
     
     
         19 . The venting system of  claim 18 , wherein the thickness of the thinned region varies along the first venting feature. 
     
     
         20 . The venting system of  claim 11 , wherein the thinned region defines a region thickness that is less than about 40% of a maximum thickness of the central wall, expressed as a percentage.