Patent ID: 10203043

Abstract:
Safety valves accurately control closure and opening of fluid passage through the valve. Valves include a barrier that blocks the fluid until removal only by a high-energy projectile. Following removal and opening, the barrier or the projectile can flow through the valve, which remains open. Bullets, pneumatic pistons, shot, coilgun pellets and any other forceful projectile may impact and remove the barrier. The projectile is actuated with any type of chemical reaction, firing pin, spring release, accelerating circuit, ignition circuit. Catchers in the valve envelop or otherwise retain the projectile or barrier pieces and enter the fluid flow of the opened valve without blocking it. Disruptable barriers include strong but breakable glass plates, thin steel sheets, a rotatable door and other barriers that can withstand potentially over 10,000 psi of fluid pressure while closing the valve. Valves can use circuits to both monitor valve open/closed status and initiate firing the projectile.