Louvers are used for overpressure safety venting in rooms or chambers where explosion hazards exist. The louvers have individually hinged closures that are held in locked position by commercially available magnets that quickly release them in an overpressure condition

Loy, J. L.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Ga
Chamber Wall 
Overpressure 
to Vent 
June 1966	 Brief 66-10279 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U. S. space 
program and to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Magnetic Latches Provide Positive Overpressure Control 
The problem: 
In rooms or chambers where explosion hazards 
exist, overpressure safety venting techniques are re-
quired. It is desirable to have the vents reseal auto-
matically when overpressurization has been relieved. 
The solution: 
Louvers with individually hinged closures that are 
held in locked position by commercially available
magnets that quickly release them in an overpressure 
condition. 
How it's done: 
Magnets are attached to the fixed sealing lips of the 
louver assembly. When room pressure exceeds the 
holding power of the magnets, the hinged louvers 
swing open until the overpressure has been dissipated. 
Gravity returns the louvers to the proximity of their 
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19660000278 2020-03-11T17:38:28+00:00Z
magnets, which then snap-lock them in the closed 
position. 
Notes 
1. In one application, 96-lb louvers were successfully 
operated to an overpressure of 3.5 of water using 
one 30-lb pull . magnet per louver. 
2. In high humidity environments, a light coating of 
petroleum jelly will prevent rust-lock between mag-
net and louver. 
3. Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di-
rected to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
AEC-NASA Space Nuclear Propulsion 
Office 
U. S. Atomic Energy Commission 
Washington, D.C
.
. 20545 
Reference: B66-10279
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: J. L. Loy 
of Westinghouse Astronuclear Laboratory 
under contract to 
Space Nuclear Propulsion Office 
(NU-0057) 
Brief 66-10279	 Category 05


Magnetic latches provide positive overpressure control

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