Fike Corporation

Guy Jakus

Tom Eijkelenberg

Guido Dom

Jef Snoeys

A rapid-closure gate valve () comprising pressurized gas reservoirs () that are integrated with the valve body (). Pressurized gas stored in the reservoirs () is utilized to shift a gate member () from a valve open position to a valve closed position upon actuation of the valve. Actuation of the valve is achieved by an actuator assembly () coupled with the valve body. The actuator assembly is configured to initiate a flow of pressurized gas from the reservoirs into a chamber () which effects shifting of the gate member.

Pneumatic gate valve with integrated pressurized gas reservoir

Improved, non-fragmenting, high efficiency vent apparatus () are provided for protecting a structure () from potentially damaging or destructive abnormal pressure conditions. The apparatus () is positioned in covering relationship to a vent opening () formed in the structure (), and generally includes a burst member () and a tab assembly () equipped with a series of tabs (); the tabs () bend or buckle to a burst member-clearing position when the vent apparatus () experiences an abnormal pressure condition, thereby permitting rapid opening of a central section of the burst member () to thus protect structure (). The burst member () may be of domed or flat construction, and can be in the form of a quadrate panel or any other desired shape.

Explosion vent including buckle tab plate

A non-metallic explosion vent is provided for protecting a confined space from a high overpressure condition. Reinforcing material having greater tensile strength than the resin, such as glass fiber roving, mesh or fabric, is embedded in the panel. An elongated, overall U-shaped groove extends inwardly from one of the surfaces of the panel through only a portion of the thickness of the panel. The groove interrupts the reinforcing material and defines a line of weakness that presents a relief area of the panel that opens under a predetermined overpressure condition. A plurality of spaced reinforcing components preferably overlie the groove, and optionally may extend across the relief area of the panel, transversely thereof and at an angle to one another. The reinforcing components contribute to control of the burst pressure of the vent and assist in preventing separation of the vent area from the body of the panel and/or fragmentation of the vent area during opening thereof.

Reinforced composite material explosion vent

A pinch-type isolation valve () is provided having an integrated, on-board reservoir () for storing a pressurized fluid capable of effecting the collapse of an internal sleeve () upon actuation of the valve. Valve () comprises an outer walland an inner wall () which define the pressurized gas reservoir (). An actuator assembly () is provided to cause and direct a flow of pressurized gas from the reservoir () into a gas-receiving chamber () defined between the inner wall () and sleeve ().

Pinch valve having integrated pressure chamber

Two-stage, sequential operation protective assemblies are provided, including a primary protective device () having an element () which shifts in response to operation thereof (preferably a rupturable burst member ()), together with a secondary protective device (). An actuating assembly () interconnects the primary and secondary protective devices () and has an actuating cable assembly () preferably including a cable () and a frangible component (). In certain embodiments, an operator () for the secondary device () may be provided which includes an actuator () carried by the cable (). Upon operation of the primary protective device (), the cable () and frangible component () are tensioned and translated in a first direction. The component () then severs, which causes operation of the secondary protective device ().

Remote actuation of safety device

Rectangular or circular vent apparatus for protecting a confined space having a vent aperture for relief of an overpressure condition is provided with each including vent structure having a vent unit adapted to be positioned over the vent aperture in normal closing relationship thereto. Each vent unit preferably includes at least one spring steel panel, or spring steel leaves positioned against a metal sheet, provided with a movable pressure relief portion having an initial position extending across the vent aperture. A backstop is provided for arresting the degree of movement of the spring steel. The spring steel panel or the spring steel leaves have a sufficient modulus of resilience and elasticity to cause the relief portion of the spring steel panel or the metal sheet to return to their respective initial positions from the open positions thereof upon relief of the overpressure condition in the confined space.

Spring steel high overpressure vent structure

Apparatus for protecting a confined space having a vent aperture for relief of an overpressure condition and provided with a vent unit having a pressure relief portion normally closing the vent aperture is provided with recloser structure for generally closing off the vent aperture in the event of opening of the pressure relief portion of the vent unit. The recloser structure includes a resilient, flexible, spring steel recloser panel that is normally held in a bent condition out of closing relationship to the vent aperture. Releasable mechanism engages the recloser panel for normally retaining the panel in its open position. An actuator is connected to the releasable mechanism for actuating the latter to release the recloser panel for movement as a function of its inherent resilience into substantially closing relationship to the vent aperture after the relief portion of the vent unit has opened. The vent apparatus including the spring steel recloser panel may be of either rectangular or circular configuration.

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Zemst, Belgium

Guy Jakus