Patent ID: 12259051

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment is a device comprising a first and a second section of a housing connected by a connection region that uses a plurality of connection elements, an inlet is connected to the first section, an outlet is connected to the first or the second section where a gas can exit the housing, and a valve connected to the outlet, the valve capable of withstanding a first pressure in the housing.

Another embodiment is a system comprising a housing system having a first section and a second section connected by a connection region that uses a plurality of connection elements, an inlet system connected to the first or the second section, an outlet system connected to the first or the second section where a gas can exit the housing, a valve system connected to the outlet, the valve system capable of withstanding a first pressure in the housing, and a warning system, the warning system configured to generate a noise when the connection region fails, wherein the connection region is configured to withstand a second pressure, such that the connection region fails at one or more of the connection elements when the second pressure exists in the housing, the second pressure being smaller than the first pressure.

In another embodiment, a method includes providing a path through a housing for a gas to travel through, the housing having a first section and a second section, providing a connection region that uses a plurality of connection elements to connect the first and second sections, providing a valve connected to an outlet in the housing, the valve capable of withstanding a first pressure, providing a warning system, the warning system configured to generate a warning when the connection region fails, and causing the connection region to fail at one or more of the connection elements when a second pressure exists in the housing, the second pressure being smaller than the first pressure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG.1illustrates a pressure release housing100according to one embodiment. The housing100includes a first section110and a second section120. The housing and its respective sections110and120can be components of a gas meter, for example, which carries a pressurized gas180within the housing100to an outlet170where it exits the housing100. In other examples, any number of sections can be used. For simplicity, the example ofFIG.1uses only two sections110and120. A connection region150resides between the first section110and the second section120. The connection region includes at least connection elements130and140. In practice, any number of connection elements can be used. In some examples these can be screws, gaskets, or any other manner of connecting the first and second section in accordance with one or more embodiments.

In the current example, the first section110is shown as being above the second section110. Furthermore, the first section110is shown as having essentially the same dimensions as the second section120. This is for example only, as the first and second sections110and120can be arranged in a variety of ways. For example, the first section110could be in front of the second section120. Likewise, the first and second sections110and120could have differing dimensions, (the second section120being flat and having a very small height compared to the first section110, for example).

In operation, the pressurized gas180enters the housing100at an inlet160on the housing100and reaches a valve190prior to the outlet170. The pressurized gas180fills the entirety of the first section110and the second section120. If the valve190is open, the gas180can flow out of the outlet170. When the valve190is closed, the gas180remains in the housing100and the valve190is capable of withstanding a first amount of pressure.

When the actual pressure in the housing100approaches a second pressure, which is smaller than the first pressure, the connection region150is configured to fail. When the connection region150fails, at least one connection element fails such that the gas180is no longer sealed within the first and second sections110and120. In one example, the housing100is broken into its two respective components, the first section110and the second section120and the pressure is released. In other examples, the housing is only partially failing, and the first and second sections110and120remain partially connected after the pressure is released. It should be noted that the pressure never reaches the first pressure, which is the pressure at which the valve190is designed to fail.

FIG.2illustrates a pressure release housing200according to another embodiment. The housing200includes a first section110and a second section120. The housing and its respective sections110and120can be components of a gas meter, for example, which carries a pressurized gas180within the housing200. A connection region150resides between the first section110and the second section120. The connection region includes at least screws260and270. In one example, the screws260and270are configured to fail at a given pressure. This can be achieved, for example by choosing a depth for the screw260and/or the screw270. This can also be achieved by choosing a torque for the screw260and/or the screw270. It one example, the configuration of the connection region150includes a combination of both a suitable depth and torque for each of the screws260and270, such that at least one of the screws260and270are pulled out at the given pressure suitable for the housing200and the application for the housing200.

In one embodiment, a noise element210is added at the connection region150. The noise element210can be a whistle or other suitable noise element210. The noise element210is configured to generate an audible noise or warning when the connection region150fails. This could enable a human or other operator, for example, to react more rapidly to the situation and potentially mitigate any damage that is caused by the failure of the connection region150. A regulator220is included in one example prior to the inlet160. The regulator220can be configured to release pressure prior to the gas180reaching the inlet160, in scenarios where the pressure rises to the second pressure. In another example, an enclosed path250is provided. The enclosed path250can be used, for example, to route the gas180from an indoor environment to an outdoor environment. This can be useful in cases where the gas180might be released indoors in the case of failure of the housing200from increased pressure. In one example, the enclosed path250has a first inlet (not shown) associated with the outlet170, and a first outlet (not shown) at the aforementioned outdoor environment.

In operation, the gas180travels through an inlet160on the housing200and reaches a valve system230within the housing200. The valve system230could include a plurality of valves. Each of the valves in the valve system230is capable of withstanding a first pressure in normal operation. Additional valves in the valve system230can be used as a safeguard to release pressure in case the first pressure is exceeded. If the valve system230is open, the gas180can flow out of outlet170. When the valve system230is closed, the gas180remains in the housing200. When the actual pressure in the housing200approaches a second pressure, which is smaller than the first pressure, the connection region150is configured to fail.

When the connection region150fails, the first section110and the second section120are no longer sealed together, and the pressure is released.FIG.3is a diagram that illustrates the first and second sections110and120of the pressure release housing after a pressure release event.FIG.3shows a top-down view of the inside of the housing200. The first section110includes the areas where the inlet160and the outlet170connect to the housing. The second section120is also visible from a top-down view and in this example, they have been separated into two distinct components. In other examples, a hinging mechanism could be used and the first and second sections110and120could remain physically attached to each other. In other examples, a subset of the connection elements fail, in which case the first and second sections110and120remain attached to one another but the seal between the two can no longer house the pressurized gas180. In either scenario, the pressure is released in a safer manner.

Referring back toFIG.2, it should be noted that the pressure never reaches the first pressure, which is the pressure at which the valve system230is designed to fail. Instead, the pressure release event shown inFIG.3occurs. Keeping the pressure below the first pressure can include any combination of using screws260and270configured to fail at a second pressure below the first pressure. In another example, a gasket240is used in the connection region150. The gasket240can be designed such that it is weakened so that it fails at the second pressure. In another example, the housing200is weakened during a manufacturing process (including being casted or deep-drawn) such that it will fail at the second pressure. It should be noted that some or all of these configurations can be used in different embodiments.

FIG.4is a flowchart that illustrates the operation of the pressure release housing according to one embodiment. At step400, a housing is provided that has a first and second section. The housing can be configured, for example, to hold a pressurized gas therein. The first and second sections can be connected by a connection region at410, which can seal the gas in the housing and maintain a given pressure. The connection region can be configured such that it fails a specific, pre-defined pressure. In the current example, the specific, pre-defined pressure is referred to as a second pressure, although any pressure can be used. This configuration is hereinafter referred to as the pressure release housing.

At step420, a valve is provided within the housing. The valve can be, for example, before an outlet on the first section of the pressure release housing. Alternatively, the valve can be in any suitable location. At step430, it is determined whether the pressure in the housing exceeds the second pressure. If not, the system operates normally. If the second pressure is ever exceeded, the connection region fails at step440and the pressure is released. This could be, for example, as shown inFIG.3where the first and second sections fail at a connection element and no longer can house the pressurized gas180. It could also be achieved in a number of other ways, such as screws with pre-defined depth and torque properties, a gasket that has a weakened structure, imparted weaknesses into the pressure release housing itself, and any combination of these configurations.

FIG.5is a flowchart that illustrates the operation of the pressure release housing according to another embodiment. At step500, a pressure release housing is provided. The pressure release housing capable of withstanding a second pressure, which is smaller than a first pressure. At step510, a valve is provided within the pressure release housing. The valve can be, for example, before an outlet on the first section of the pressure release housing.

Alternatively, the valve can be in any suitable location. The valve is capable of withstanding the first pressure.

At step520, it is determined whether the pressure in the housing is approaching the second pressure. If not, the system operates normally. If the second pressure is approached too closely, then at step530one or more of a regulator, a warning or noise-making system, or a valve system is used to release the pressure. At step530, it is determined whether the pressure in the housing exceeds the second pressure. If not, then step520repeats and the system operates normally until such time as the second pressure is approached too closely again. If at step530, the second pressure is exceeded, then the connection region fails at step550and the pressure is released.

FIG.6is a flowchart that illustrates the operation of the pressure release housing according to another embodiment. At step600, a pressure release housing is provided. The pressure release housing capable of withstanding a second pressure, which is smaller than a first pressure. At step610, a valve is provided within the pressure release housing. The valve can be, for example, before an outlet on the first section of the pressure release housing. Alternatively, the valve can be in any suitable location. The valve is capable of withstanding the first pressure.

At step620, it is determined whether the pressure in the housing exceeds the second pressure. If not, then step620repeats and the system operates normally until such time as the second pressure is exceeded. If at step620, the second pressure is exceeded, then the gas180is re-routed via an enclosed path at step630. This could be, for example, by constructing the enclosed path from an indoor environment to an outdoor environment. The outdoor environment can be used as a location for an outlet on the enclosed path such that the gas180released there is considered less dangerous to people or property. At step640, the connection region of the pressure release housing fails. This could also be achieved in a number of ways, such as screws with pre-defined depth and torque properties, a gasket that has a weakened structure, imparted weaknesses into the pressure release housing itself, and any combination of these configurations.

FIG.7is a diagram of the pressure release housing according to one embodiment. A housing700encloses a pressurized gas. Connection regions750,760, and770are used to seal the gas within the housing700. In one example, the connection regions750and760include screws configured to fail at a given pressure. Likewise, connection region770includes a gasket740configured to fail at a similar or the same pressure as the connection regions750and760.

Noise elements710and720are added at the connection regions750and760. The noise elements710and720can be a whistle, for example. The noise elements710and720are configured to generate a warning when its associated connection region fails. The warning could be, for example, an audible warning, a visual warning, or any other warning suitable for alerting an operator of the current condition of the connection regions750and760. This could enable a human or other operator, for example, to react more rapidly to the situation and potentially mitigate any damage that is caused by the failure of either of the connection regions750and760. An enclosed path730is provided. The enclosed path730can be used, for example, to route the pressurized gas from an indoor environment to an outdoor environment. This can be useful in cases where the gas might be released indoors in the case of failure of the housing700from increased pressure. In one example, the enclosed path730has an inlet associated with an outlet of the housing700and an outlet at the outdoor environment.

In operation, the gas travels through the housing700and reaches a valve system (not shown) within the housing700. The valve system could include a plurality of valves. Each of the valves is capable of withstanding a first pressure in normal operation. Additional valves can be used as a safeguard to release pressure in case the first pressure is exceeded. If the valve system is open, the gas can flow out of the housing700in a normal manner. When the valve system is closed, the gas remains in the housing700. When the actual pressure in the housing700approaches a second pressure, which is smaller than the first pressure, at least one of the connection regions750-770will configured to fail. When one of the connection regions750-770fails, the housing700is no longer sealed and the pressure is released.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.