Patent Grant
8678024
Not applicable.
The application relates generally to a cap for venting a container under pressure.
Fusible venting caps are used for pressure relief venting of tank containers such as trailer tanks, bulk tanks, and storage tanks storing fluids therein. Generally, venting caps are designed to vent containers to the atmosphere and prevent tank explosions that may otherwise be caused by fluid expanding within the sealed tank when the tank reaches a particular temperature or is exposed to heat.
Known fusible caps typically include an outer annular nut for connecting to a tank, an inner circular central disc piece, and an intermediate annular ring of a fusible low melt alloy intermediate or a polymer-based material which softens in response to externally applied heat. During venting, the inner circular central disc piece is blown out from the outer nut once the annular ring material softens or melts. Due to the design of known caps, once the inner circular central disc piece is blown out the entire cap must be replaced.
A need exists for a reusable fusible venting cap.
The present application is directed to an assembly for sealing an opening of a container, comprising (1) a first member operationally configured to connect to the container at the opening; (2) a second member operationally configured to abut the first member in a manner effective to cover the opening of the container; and (3) a temperature-sensitive fastening means operationally configured to releasably secure the second member to the first member in a manner effective to form a seal there between; wherein at least part of the fastening means is positioned apart from the second member.
The present application is also directed to an assembly for venting a fluid container, comprising (1) a first member operationally configured to connect to a vent nipple of the container; (2) a second member operationally configured to cover the vent nipple; and (3) one or more temperature-sensitive fasteners including yieldable members, the fasteners being operationally configured to releasably secure the second member to the first member in a manner effective to form a seal at the vent nipple, the yieldable members being positioned apart from the second member.
The present application is also directed to a method of venting a fluid container, comprising the following steps: (1) providing an assembly including (a) a first member operationally configured to connect to a vent nipple of the container, (b) a second member operationally configured to abut the first member and cover the vent nipple, and (c) a first set of one or more temperature-sensitive fastening assemblies operationally configured to secure the second member to the first member in a manner effective to form a seal there between thereby sealing the vent nipple; each of the one or more temperature-sensitive fastening assemblies having a fusible member constructed from a polymeric material effective to maintain its original shape up to a maximum predetermined temperature, each fusible member being positioned apart from the second member; (2) connecting the assembly to a vent nipple of a fluid container to seal the vent nipple, wherein once the temperature of the assembly goes above the maximum predetermined temperature, the pressure of the fluid container is effective to remove the second member from the first member, the first member maintaining its connected orientation with the vent nipple; and (3) placing the second member in abutment with the first member and sealing the vent nipple via a second set of one or more temperature-sensitive fastening assemblies.
It has been discovered that a fusible venting cap may be configured in a manner effective for on location reassembly of the cap after venting of a tank container, thereby, eliminating the necessity of having to replace the cap for further venting purposes. Heretofore, such a desirable achievement has not been considered possible, and accordingly, the assembly and methods of this application measure up to the dignity of patentability and therefore represent a patentable concept.
Before describing the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the present assembly and method are not limited to particular embodiments. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the terms “container,” “tank container” and like terms refer to any vessel for storing fluid under pressure and/or at ambient pressure. As used herein, the term “temperature-sensitive” refers to a tendency of a material to melt, liquefy or deform at temperatures greater than about 121° C. (about 250° F.). As used herein, the verb “vent” and like terms refer to the discharge of fluid out from a pressurized fluid container through an opening of a fluid container.
In one aspect, the application provides a fusible venting cap assembly that may be repaired at the point of tank ventilation without necessarily removing the nut portion of the cap from the tank during repair.
In another aspect, the application provides a square seal lug sized to accept a standard ½ inch drive socket to allow for close quarters tightening or loosening of the fusible venting cap assembly.
In another aspect, the application provides a fusible venting cap assembly for sealing a tank vent, the assembly having (1) a threaded member for connecting to the tank vent at the tank out nipple, and (2) a substantially planar member for covering the vent, the planar member being releasably securable to the threaded member at one or more points clear of or outside of the periphery of the tank vent.
In another aspect, the application provides a fusible venting cap assembly operationally configured to seal a container housing volatile liquid up to a temperature of about 121° C. (about 250° F.).
In another aspect, the application provides a fusible venting cap assembly including one or more fusible fastening assemblies operationally configured to maintain a seal about a tank container vent up to a predetermined temperature.
In another aspect, the application provides a fusible venting cap assembly including one or more fastening assemblies having fusible elements constructed from one or more polymeric materials.
In another aspect, the application provides a fusible venting cap assembly including one or more yieldable members constructed from one or more polymeric materials, the cap assembly being effective for venting a tank container and the one or more yieldable members being located clear of or outside of the periphery of the tank container vent.
In another aspect, the application provides a fusible venting cap assembly operationally configured to seal a tank vent for an indefinite period of time up to temperatures of about 100° C. (about 212° F.).
In another aspect, the application provides a fusible venting cap assembly effective to withstand brief exposure to an internal pressure up to about 2068427 Pascal (about 300 PSI) without being damaged or failing.
In another aspect, the application provides a fusible venting cap assembly including one or more fastening assemblies having fusible elements constructed from one or more polymeric materials, the fusible venting cap assembly being operationally configured to seal a container under pressure up to a desired ambient temperature of the cap assembly as determined by the configuration and materials of construction of the fusible elements.
In another aspect, the application provides a fusible venting cap assembly including one or more yieldable members constructed from one or more polymeric materials, the fusible venting cap assembly being operationally configured to seal a container under pressure up to a desired ambient temperature of the cap assembly as determined by the configuration and materials of construction of the yieldable member(s).
In another aspect, the application provides a fusible venting cap assembly that may be left attached to a tank container during tank cleaning, including cleaning using high temperature cleaning fluid such as steam cleaning.
In another aspect, the application provides a fusible venting cap assembly operationally configured to withstand exposure to one or more external chemicals without failing.
In another aspect, the application provides a fusible venting cap assembly including mating members having substantially planar surfaces effective to form a seal there between. In another embodiment, the mating surfaces of the assembly may include non-planar surfaces effective to form a seal there between.
In another aspect, the application provides a fusible venting cap assembly including one or more yielding members constructed from one or more polymeric materials effective for maintaining a seal of a tank container vent up to a temperature of about 121° C. (about 250° F.).
In another aspect, the application provides a fusible venting cap assembly that may be tightened using a hammer without failing prematurely due to damage caused by exterior hammer impacts in like manner as other venting caps that have an intermediate annular ring of a fusible low melt alloy intermediate or a polymer-based material.
In another aspect, the application provides a venting cap tested and marked in accordance with DOT MC306 and MC307 requirements as of the date of this application.
In another aspect, the application provides a venting cap manufactured in accordance with C.F.R.178.342-4 for use on MC307 tank trailers as of the date of this application.
To better understand the novelty of the invention and methods of use thereof, reference is hereafter made to the accompanying drawings. With reference to
The various components of the assembly 10 are depicted in
With particular reference to
Turning to
As
In other embodiments, it is also contemplated that the inner mating surface 18 may include a different surface configuration for securing to a non-threaded nipple 101 surface such as, but not necessarily limited to slotted connections, and snap on twist off tamper proof connections. Regardless of the type of attachment—the mating surfaces of the nut 12 and corresponding vent are suitably effective to form a seal there between.
Still referring to
As discussed further below, each fusible element 16C suitably includes a width greater than the inner width of the corresponding aperture 20, and each block 16B suitably includes a width less than the width of the corresponding aperture 20.
Referring now to
In transportation tank container applications, there is often times insufficient room to swing a hammer or like object. In addition, it may not always be desirable to strike at the assembly 10 and subject the assembly 10 to possible damage. Thus, an advantage of the present assembly 10 includes the one or more open lugs 24 that may be employed to turn a nut 12 under these conditions. Although the assembly 10 may be built to scale, a suitable nut 12 for tank container 100 applications includes one or more open lugs 24 with apertures there through effective to receive a standard drive socket, allowing for close quarters tightening and loosening of the nut 12 about a vent nipple 101 as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art of tank containers. In one exemplary embodiment, the one or more open lugs 24 are operationally configured to receive a standard 12 mm or half-inch socket drive.
As further depicted in
Suitably, the planar member 14 includes a length and width substantially similar to the planar surface 22 of the nut 12. The planar member 14 also includes one or more apertures 29 operationally configured to align with corresponding apertures 20 of the nut 12. As discussed further below, each aperture 29 is suitably sized to receive part of a fastening assembly 16 there through.
The planar member 14 may comprise a substantially rectangular configuration. As shown in
As
Turning now to the fastening assembly 16, one exemplary embodiment is depicted in
Suitably, the bolt 16A is operationally configured to securely mate with the block 16B. In one embodiment, the bolt 16A and block 16B may be permanently secured once mated. In another embodiment, the bolt 16A may be releasably secured to the block 16B in a manner effective to disassemble the fastening assembly 16 as desired. For example, in an embodiment including a threaded bolt 16A the corresponding block 16B suitably includes a mating hole 37 having a threaded inner surface allowing the bolt 16A to be both threaded to and unthreaded from the block 16B.
Although not necessarily limited to a particular configuration, the outer surface of the block 16B is effective to receive and maintain a fusible element 16C thereto. In one embodiment, the block 16B may comprise a cylindrical type outer surface configuration. In another embodiment, the block 16B may comprise a multi-sided outer surface configuration. As depicted in
A suitable fusible element 16C may be constructed from a polymer material effective to maintain its original shape up to temperatures of about 121° C. (about 250° F.). In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the fusible element 16C may be constructed from polymeric materials including, but not necessarily limited to chemically inert thermoplastic polymers, high density polyethylenes, and combinations thereof. Although not necessarily limited to a particular mode of operation, a suitable fusible element 16C is formed via injection molding surrounding the block 16B whereby the block 16B and fusible element 16C may be provided as a one piece “pre-formed member.”
With reference again to
As stated previously, each fusible element 16C suitably includes a width greater than the width of the corresponding apertures 20 of the nut 12, and each block 16B suitably includes a width less than the width of the corresponding apertures 20. As shown in
Turning to
In one embodiment, the surface configuration of the blocks 16B may correspond to the shape of the apertures 20. For example, in the embodiment of
The assembly 10 described herein may be constructed from one or more materials durable enough to seal fluids at a vent nipple 101. In particular, the assembly 10 may be constructed from materials, including but not necessarily limited to, materials resistant to chipping, cracking, and breaking as a result of ozone, weathering, heat, moisture, other outside mechanical and chemical influences, as well as violent physical impacts. Suitable nut 12 and planar member 14 materials include, but are not necessarily limited to relatively high thermal conductive materials including composite materials, ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, and combinations thereof. Suitable metals include steel, aluminum, malleable iron, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the nut 12 and planar member 14 may be constructed from stainless steel. In one particularly advantageous embodiment, the nut 12 and planar member 14 may be constructed from 316 stainless steel. In another particularly advantageous embodiment, the nut 12 and planar member 14 may be constructed from 304 stainless steel. In still another embodiment, the nut 12 may be constructed from 316 stainless steel and the planar member 14 may be constructed from 304 stainless steel—or vice versa. In yet another embodiment, the nut 12 and planar member 14 may be constructed from one or more materials effective for use with a tank container storing fluids reaching temperatures up to about 210° C. (about 410° F.).
The nut 12 and planar member 14 may be produced by various processes including, for example, die casting, welding, and investment casting via the lost wax process. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the nut 12 and planar member 14 are investment casted via the lost wax process, which is suitable for eliminating the problems associated with welding including, for example, rust, corrosion, and material deformation.
Suitably, the assembly 10 includes a design and materials of construction effective to withstand brief exposure to high pressures up to about 21.1 Kg/cm2 (about 300 PSI) during assembly 10 operation. Although not necessarily limited to any particular safety features, a maximum service pressure of the assembly 10 in connection with tank containers 100 may be up to about 5.3 Kg/cm2 (about 75 PSI).
As stated previously, the assembly 10 may be built to scale and is not necessarily limited to a particular size or weight. With reference to
The invention will be better understood with reference to the following non-limiting example, which is illustrative only and not intended to limit the present invention to a particular embodiment.
In a first non-limiting example, a stainless steel assembly 10 as provided in
Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many modifications may be made to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. The embodiment(s) described herein are meant to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the invention, which is defined in the claims.
The application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date of the prior-filed provisional application No. 61/325,572, filed on Apr 19, 2010.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5791367 | Hackman et al. | Aug 1998 | A |
| 6145530 | Fernandez | Nov 2000 | A |
| 6619497 | Freiler | Sep 2003 | B2 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20110253221 A1 | Oct 2011 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61325572 | Apr 2010 | US |
