Method for Manufacturing a Flame Arrestor

Abstract

A method of custom manufacturing a flame arrestor assembly configured to extinguish a flame propagating therethrough. The method includes creating a customized flame cell using an additive manufacturing technique, which generally includes forming a body and forming one or more channels in the body. The one or more channels define a flow path configured to transfer heat from a flame front propagating through the flow path to the body. The method also includes providing a housing, and securely arranging the flame cell within the housing.

1 . A flame cell, comprising:
 a body; and   one or more channels formed in the body, the one or more channels defining a non-linear flow path, wherein the body is configured to remove heat from a flame front propagating through the non-linear flow path.   
     
     
         2 . The flame cell of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the channels are curved. 
     
     
         3 . The flame cell of  claim 1 , wherein the non-linear flow path has a helical shape. 
     
     
         4 . The flame cell of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the channels comprises a component oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the flame cell. 
     
     
         5 . The flame cell of  claim 1 , wherein each of the channels has a circular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         6 . The flame cell of  claim 1 , wherein each of the channels has an irregular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         7 . A flame arrestor, comprising:
 a housing; and   a flame cell arranged in the housing, the flame cell comprising a means for inducing turbulence in a flame propagating through the flame arrestor.   
     
     
         8 . The flame arrestor of  claim 7 , wherein the means for inducing turbulence comprises a plurality of channels that define a non-linear flow path. 
     
     
         9 . The flame arrestor of  claim 8 , wherein the flame cell comprises a body made of a metallic material, the channels being formed in the body. 
     
     
         10 . The flame arrestor of  claim 7 , further comprising a second flame cell arranged in the housing, the second flame cell comprising a second means for inducing turbulence in the flame propagating through the flame arrestor. 
     
     
         11 . The flame arrestor of  claim 10 , wherein the flame cell and the second flame cell are not separated by expanded metal. 
     
     
         12 . The flame arrestor of  claim 10 , wherein the second means for inducing turbulence comprises a second plurality of channels that define a second non-linear flow path different from the non-linear flow path. 
     
     
         13 . The flame arrestor of  claim 8 , wherein each of the channels has a circular, rectangular, or irregular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         14 . The flame arrestor of  claim 7 , wherein the means for inducing turbulence is not a sheet of expanded metal disposed in the flame cell. 
     
     
         15 . A method of custom manufacturing a flame arrestor assembly configured to extinguish a flame propagating therethrough, the method comprising:
 creating a customized flame cell using an additive manufacturing technique, the creating comprising:
 forming a body; and 
 forming one or more channels in the body, the one or more channels defining a flow path configured to transfer heat from a flame front propagating through the flow path to the body; 
   providing a housing; and   securely arranging the flame cell within the housing.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein creating the customized flame cell comprises forming a void in the body, the method further comprising arranging a sensor within the void. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein providing the housing comprises creating the housing using the additive manufacturing technique. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising: creating an additional customized flame cell using the additive manufacturing technique; and securely arranging the additional flame cell within the housing. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the additive manufacturing technique comprises 3D printing. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein forming the one or more channels comprises forming one or more curved channels in the body such that the flow path is at least partially non-linear.