Pressure relief assembly

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a pressure relief assembly that may include an inner shell having at least one air passage, and at least one membrane flap sealingly covering the air passage. The membrane flap is configured to move to open the air passage based on an air pressure level. The assembly may also include an outer shell secured to the inner shell, wherein an air channel is defined between the inner shell and the outer shell. The outer shell is configured to protect said inner shell from moisture. The assembly may also include at least one moisture catching ledge surrounding the air passage. The moisture catching ledge is configured to trap moisture that passes by the membrane flap.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a conventional pressure relief device.

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of a pressure relief assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of a pressure relief assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pressure relief assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top plan view of a pressure relief assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pressure relief assembly through line 6-6 of FIG. 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional close up view of a pressure relief assembly secured to a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flexible sheet secured to an inner shell of a pressure relief assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a simplified view of a flexible sheet being secured to an inner shell of a pressure relief assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates an isometric cross-sectional view of an inner shell of a pressure relief assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a partial isometric view of a push button positioned on an inner shell of a pressure relief assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inner shell along line 12-12 of FIG. 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pressure relief assembly comprising: an inner shell having at least one air passage;at least one membrane flap sealingly covering said at least one air passage, said at least one membrane flap configured to move to open said at least one air passage based on an air pressure level; andan outer shell secured to said inner shell, wherein an air channel is defined between said inner shell and said outer shell, said outer shell configured to protect said inner shell from moisture.

2. The pressure relief assembly of claim 1, wherein said outer shell comprises at least one push button configured to be engaged to secure said outer shell to said inner shell.

3. The pressure relief assembly of claim 1, wherein said outer shell comprises at least one air outlet.

4. The pressure relief assembly of claim 1, wherein said inner shell comprises a ridge and a sealing lip, wherein said ridge and said sealing lip cooperate to snapably and sealingly secure said inner shell within an aperture of a metal panel.

5. The pressure relief assembly of claim 1, wherein said inner shell comprises an angled base, said at least one membrane flap conforming to at least a portion of said angled base.

6. The pressure relief assembly of claim 5, wherein said at least one membrane flap comprises two membrane flaps integrally connected to one another, said angled base bending said two membrane flaps toward one another, and said two membrane flaps exerting a resistive force into said angled base.

7. The pressure relief assembly of claim 1, wherein said inner shell is formed of acrylic, and said at least one membrane flap is formed of one of Lexan and Mylar.

8. The pressure relief assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one moisture catching ledge surround said at least one air passage.

9. The pressure relief assembly of claim 1, wherein said inner shell comprises at least one push button operatively connected to a latch member configured to secure said inner shell to a structure.

10. A pressure relief assembly comprising: an inner shell having at least one air passage;at least one membrane flap sealingly covering said at least one air passage, said at least one membrane flap configured to move to open said at least one air passage based on an air pressure level; andat least one moisture catching ledge surrounding said at least one air passage, said at least one moisture catching ledge configured to trap moisture that passes by said at least one membrane flap.

11. The pressure relief assembly of claim 10, wherein said inner shell comprises an outwardly extending ridge and a sealing lip, wherein said ridge and said sealing lip cooperate to snapably and sealingly secure said inner shell within an aperture of a metal panel.

12. The pressure relief assembly of claim 10, wherein said inner shell comprises an angled base, said at least one membrane flap conforming to at least a portion of said angled base.

13. The pressure relief assembly of claim 12, wherein said at least one membrane flap comprises two membrane flaps integrally connected to one another, said angled base bending said two membrane flaps toward one another, and said two membrane flaps exerting a resistive force into said angled base.

14. The pressure relief assembly of claim 10, wherein said inner shell comprises at least one push button operatively connected to a latch member configured to secure said inner shell to a structure.

15. A pressure relief assembly configured to be secured to a panel within an automobile, the pressure relief assembly comprising: an inner shell having air passages;membrane flaps sealingly covering said air passages, said membrane flaps configured to move to open said air passages based on an air pressure level;moisture catching ledges surrounding each of said air passages, said moisture catching ledges configured to trap moisture that passes by said membrane flaps; andan outer shell secured to said inner shell, wherein an air channel is defined between said inner shell and said outer shell, said outer shell configured to protect said inner shell from foreign materials, said outer shell comprising (i) at least one push button configured to be engaged to secure said outer shell to said inner shell, and (ii) at least one air outlet configured to allow air within said air channel to pass out of the pressure relief assembly.

16. The pressure relief assembly of claim 15, wherein said inner shell comprises a ridge and a sealing lip, wherein said ridge and said sealing lip cooperate to snapably and sealingly secure said inner shell within an aperture of a metal panel.

17. The pressure relief assembly of claim 15, wherein said inner shell comprises an angled base, said membrane flaps conforming to at least a portion of said angled base.

18. The pressure relief assembly of claim 17, wherein said membrane flaps comprise two membrane flaps integrally connected to one another, said angled base bending said two membrane flaps toward one another, and said two membrane flaps exerting a resistive force into said angled base.

19. The pressure relief assembly of claim 15, wherein said inner shell is formed of acrylic, and said at least one membrane flap is formed of one of Lexan and Mylar.

20. The pressure relief assembly of claim 15, wherein said inner shell comprises at least one push button operatively connected to a latch member configured to secure said inner shell to a structure.