pressure regulator

Abstract

To provide a pressure regulator that can simplify the piping related to the supply of liquefied petroleum gas and suppress the adverse effects of drainage. [Solution] The pressure regulator 1 comprises a high-pressure chamber 10, a decompression chamber 20, a valve element 30, a diaphragm 40, a lever 50, and a drain accumulation section 60. The high-pressure chamber 10 has an inlet connection section 11 that opens downward on the pressure regulator 1 and is connectable to one end of an upstream pipe. The decompression chamber 20 is connected in communication with the upper part of the high-pressure chamber 10 and has an outlet connection section 21 that opens upward on the pressure regulator 1 and is connectable to one end of a downstream pipe. The valve element 30 is provided between the high-pressure chamber 10 and the decompression chamber 20 and is capable of reciprocating in the up and down directions of the pressure regulator 1. The diaphragm 40 is provided between the decompression chamber 20 and atmospheric pressure A and is capable of adjusting the pressure of the gas inside the decompression chamber 20. The lever 50 is pivotally supported at a predetermined position 22 inside the decompression chamber 20 so as to be able to swing, with one end 50a connected to the valve body 30 and the other end 50b connected to the diaphragm 40, and is capable of adjusting the flow rate of gas from the high-pressure chamber 10 to the decompression chamber 20. The drain accumulation section 60 is connected in communication with the lower part of the decompression chamber 20, and is capable of discharging drain D generated inside the decompression chamber 20 to the outside.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pressure regulator. [Background technology]

[0002] There have been many technologies related to pressure regulators attached to liquefied petroleum gas containers. For example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 57-20010 (Patent Document 1) discloses a gas pressure regulator comprising a gas chamber, a pressure reduction chamber, a diaphragm, a piston valve, a high-pressure nozzle, a medium-pressure nozzle, and a medium-pressure valve. Here, the diaphragm is disposed between atmospheric pressure and the pressure reduction chamber. The piston valve reciprocates due to the operation of the diaphragm, opening and closing the high-pressure nozzle. The medium-pressure nozzle is disposed near the outlet of the high-pressure nozzle. The medium-pressure valve faces the medium-pressure nozzle and is fitted to the piston valve so as to be able to swing freely. Gas supplied from the medium-pressure nozzle is introduced from the gas chamber into the pressure reduction chamber. This reduces the temperature drop near the nozzle, effectively preventing re-liquefaction of the gas.

[0003] Furthermore, Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 6-12900 (Patent Document 2) discloses an automatic switching regulator that automatically switches to start replenishment from a backup gas container when the gas pressure in the liquefied petroleum gas container drops. In this case, when the automatic switching regulator is properly installed, the gas inlet connection from the liquefied petroleum gas container faces downward. This shortens the length of the high-pressure hose and gas supply pipe connected to the liquefied petroleum gas automatic switching regulator, extending their lifespan, simplifying piping work, and reducing costs.

[0004] Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2005-227859 (Patent Document 3) discloses a gas regulator equipped with a body, an electromagnetic cutoff valve, a pressure reducing valve, and an oil filter. Here, the body has an inlet passage and an outlet passage, and the electromagnetic cutoff valve and the pressure reducing valve are installed between the inlet passage and the outlet passage. The oil filter is installed between the pressure reducing valve and the outlet passage and is attached to the body. This is said to simplify the gas pressure reducing system and reduce costs.

[0005] Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2012-216157 (Patent Document 4) discloses a pressure regulator with vibration prevention function that includes a gas pressure adjustment diaphragm, a main valve body back spring, and an auxiliary back spring. Here, the main valve body back spring opens and closes a nozzle provided in the gas passage in conjunction with the gas pressure adjustment diaphragm. The auxiliary back spring is an elastic member separate from the main valve body back spring. This is said to be able to prevent abnormal vibration of the valve portion of the pressure regulator due to re-liquefaction of liquefied petroleum gas.

[0006] Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2025-008129 (Patent Document 5) discloses a pressure regulator including a gas inlet, a gas outlet, a first gas flow path, a second gas flow path, a third gas flow path, and a pocket portion. Here, the second gas flow path and the third gas flow path are parallel to the vertical direction, the first gas flow path intersects with the second gas flow path, and the pocket portion is located on an extension of the second gas flow path facing the third gas flow path. Furthermore, the third gas flow path is connected to either the gas inlet or the gas outlet, whichever is located vertically above, and one end of the second gas flow path is connected to the first gas flow path and the other end is connected to the third gas flow path. This is said to reduce the risk of foreign matter entering the regulator. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 57-20010 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 6-12900 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-227859 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-216157 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2025-008129 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Currently, there are two types of single-stage pressure regulators for liquefied petroleum gas: one that is used horizontally relative to the ground, and one that is used vertically relative to the ground. The pressure regulators used in the vertical position have an inlet at the top through which the liquefied petroleum gas flows and an outlet at the bottom through which the liquefied petroleum gas flows out after being decompressed, and this structure is the most commonly used.

[0009] However, this structure requires long high-pressure hoses and gas pipes, which makes the piping arrangement complicated. Another problem with this structure is that drainage generated from the liquefied petroleum gas due to pressure differences flows downstream of the pressure regulator, which can adversely affect the gas meter connected downstream. Furthermore, this structure also has the problem that drainage generated at the inlet can easily enter the pressure regulator, deteriorating the internal valve rubber and causing abnormalities in the pressure regulator's supply pressure.

[0010] The invention described in Patent Document 1 is a pressure regulator used in a horizontal position relative to the ground, which differs from vertically positioned pressure regulators. The invention described in Patent Document 2 is an automatic switching regulator with the inlet facing downward and the outlet facing upward, which differs from the vertically positioned pressure regulator described above. The invention described in Patent Document 3 has an oil filter installed between the pressure reducing valve and the outlet passage, and is essentially a vertically positioned pressure regulator, but its internal structure is complex and differs from the vertically positioned pressure regulator described above. The invention described in Patent Document 4 uses an auxiliary back spring to prevent abnormal vibration of the valve portion of the pressure regulator due to reliquefaction of liquefied petroleum gas, but is essentially a horizontally positioned pressure regulator and differs from vertically positioned pressure regulators. The invention described in Patent Document 5 is essentially a vertically positioned pressure regulator, but its internal structure is complex and differs from the vertically positioned pressure regulator described above. Therefore, the inventions described in Patent Documents 1-5 cannot solve the above problems.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a pressure regulator that can simplify the related piping for supplying liquefied petroleum gas and suppress the adverse effects of drainage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The pressure regulator according to the present invention comprises a high-pressure chamber, a pressure-reducing chamber, a valve body, a diaphragm, a lever, and a drain accumulation portion. The high-pressure chamber has a downward-opening inlet connection portion connectable to one end of an upstream pipe. The pressure-reducing chamber is connected to and communicates with the upper part of the high-pressure chamber and has an upward-opening outlet connection portion connectable to one end of a downstream pipe. The valve body is located between the high-pressure chamber and the pressure-reducing chamber and is capable of reciprocating up and down in the pressure regulator. The diaphragm is located between the pressure-reducing chamber and atmospheric pressure and is capable of adjusting the pressure of gas inside the pressure-reducing chamber. The lever is pivotally supported at a predetermined position inside the pressure-reducing chamber and has one end connected to the valve body and the other end connected to the diaphragm, and is capable of adjusting the flow rate of gas from the high-pressure chamber to the pressure-reducing chamber. The drain accumulation portion is connected to and communicates with the lower part of the pressure-reducing chamber and is capable of discharging drain generated inside the pressure-reducing chamber to the outside. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to this invention, it is possible to simplify the piping related to the supply of liquefied petroleum gas and suppress the adverse effects of drainage. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1A is a front view showing an example of the appearance of a pressure regulator according to the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a front view showing an example of the interior of the pressure regulator according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is a diagram showing an example of drainage retention in the pressure regulator of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 3] 3A is a diagram showing an example of the installation of a conventional pressure regulator, and FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an example of the installation of a pressure regulator according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The following describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings to help understand the present invention. Note that the following embodiments are examples of the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the pressure regulator 1 according to the present invention includes a high-pressure chamber 10, a decompression chamber 20, a valve body 30, a diaphragm 40, a lever 50, and a drain retention portion 60.

[0017] Here, the high-pressure chamber 10 has an inlet connection 11 of the pressure regulator 1 that opens downward and can be connected to one end of the upstream piping. Here, because the inlet connection 11 opens downward, drainage (liquefaction of the liquefied petroleum gas) generated by the pressure difference of the liquefied petroleum gas when the liquefied petroleum gas passes between one end of the upstream piping and the inlet connection 11 of the high-pressure chamber 10 drips downward, making it difficult for the drainage to enter the pressure regulator 1 located above, and the adverse effects of the drainage can be suppressed.

[0018] Here, the upstream piping refers to the piping of the supply source that supplies the liquefied petroleum gas to be supplied, and there is no particular limitation on the upstream piping, but an example of such a piping is a high-pressure hose connected to a liquefied petroleum gas container. This allows the liquefied petroleum gas stored in the liquefied petroleum gas container to flow from the inlet connection part 11 into the high-pressure chamber 10 via the high-pressure hose.

[0019] The decompression chamber 20 is connected to the upper part of the high pressure chamber 10 and has an outlet connection part 21 of the pressure regulator 1 that opens upward and can be connected to one end of the downstream piping. Since the outlet connection part 21 opens upward, even if drainage occurs inside the high pressure chamber 10, it is possible to prevent the drainage from reaching the downstream piping located above.

[0020] The downstream piping here refers to the piping to which the liquefied petroleum gas to be supplied is supplied, and there is no particular limitation on the downstream piping, but examples include gas piping connected to a gas meter. This allows the liquefied petroleum gas whose pressure has been adjusted by the pressure regulator 1 of the present invention to be supplied to the gas meter via the gas piping.

[0021] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the configuration for connecting the high-pressure chamber 10 and the decompression chamber 20, but for example, the nozzle 12 of the high-pressure chamber 10 can be connected to the lower part of the decompression chamber 20. This allows the flow rate of the liquefied petroleum gas in the high-pressure chamber 20 to be controlled by the nozzle 12 and flow into the decompression chamber 20.

[0022] Furthermore, the valve element 30 is provided between the high pressure chamber 10 and the decompression chamber 20 so as to be able to move back and forth in the vertical direction of the pressure regulator 1. This makes it possible to change the flow rate of liquefied petroleum gas flowing from the high pressure chamber 10 into the decompression chamber 20, thereby adjusting the pressure of the liquefied petroleum gas inside the decompression chamber 20. Furthermore, the presence of the valve element 30 makes it possible to prevent drain generated in the decompression chamber 20 from flowing back into the high pressure chamber 10.

[0023] Here, there is no particular limitation on the configuration of the valve element 30, but for example, a valve rubber 31 can be provided at the tip of the nozzle 12 of the high-pressure chamber 10 at a position on the high-pressure chamber 10 side of the valve element 30. This allows the valve rubber 31 to be in close contact with the nozzle 21 of the high-pressure chamber 10, improving airtightness.

[0024] Furthermore, the diaphragm 40 is provided between the decompression chamber 20 and atmospheric pressure A, and is capable of adjusting the pressure of the gas inside the decompression chamber 20. Here, as shown in Fig. 1B, atmospheric pressure A designates the space adjacent to the decompression chamber 20, but since this space is in communication with the outside, it is expressed as atmospheric pressure A.

[0025] 1B, the diaphragm 40 can be attached so as to open one side of the decompression chamber 20 and cover the opening. Also, one end of a pressure adjustment spring 70 can be attached to the atmospheric pressure A side of the diaphragm 40 so as to urge the diaphragm 40 toward the decompression chamber 20. Also, the other end of the pressure adjustment spring 70 can be fixed by a cap 80 attached to the pressure regulator 1.

[0026] In addition, the lever 50 is pivotally supported at a predetermined position 22 inside the pressure reduction chamber 20, with one end 50a connected to the valve body 30 and the other end 50b connected to the diaphragm 40, and is capable of adjusting the flow rate of liquefied petroleum gas from the high-pressure chamber 10 to the pressure reduction chamber 20.

[0027] 1B, one end 50a of the lever 50 can be provided with a circular (spherical) shape, and an opening corresponding to the circular shape of the one end 50a of the lever 50 can be provided at the tip of the valve body 30, and the circular shape of the one end 50a of the lever 50 can be fitted into the opening at the tip of the valve body 30. As a result, when the lever 50 is swung, the circular shape of the one end 50a of the lever 50 slides into the opening at the tip of the valve body 30, causing the valve body 30 to reciprocate.

[0028] 1B, a link element 90 can be provided between the other end 50b of the lever 50 and the diaphragm 40, one end of the link element is fixed to the center of the diaphragm 40, a through-hole can be provided in the other end of the link element, and the other end 50b of the lever 50 can be inserted into the through-hole. As a result, when the diaphragm 40 moves left and right due to the pressure difference between the decompression chamber 20 and atmospheric pressure A, the movement of the diaphragm 40 displaces the link element 90, and the displacement of the link element 90 moves the other end 50b of the lever 50, causing the lever 50 to swing.

[0029] The drain accumulation section 60 is connected in communication with the lower part of the decompression chamber 20, and is capable of discharging the drain D generated inside the decompression chamber 20 to the outside. The configuration of the drain accumulation section 60 is not particularly limited. For example, a side portion of the decompression chamber 20 near the upper part of the valve body 30 (a side portion near the pivot position 22 of the lever 50) can be opened, and an L-shaped pipe can be connected to the opening in communication with the drain accumulation section 60. One end of the drain accumulation section 60 is connected to the decompression chamber 20, and the other end of the drain accumulation section 60 is open to the outside. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2 , the drain D generated in the decompression chamber 20 drips downward via the side portion near the upper part of the valve body 30 and accumulates in the drain accumulation section 60. This makes it difficult for the drain D to flow into downstream pipes, thereby suppressing the adverse effects of the drain D on the gas meter.

[0030] Here, the configuration of the other end of the drain accumulation section 60 is not particularly limited, but for example, as shown in Fig. 1B, a plug 61 (stopper) can be detachably attached to the other end of the drain accumulation section 60. As a result, by attaching the plug 61, it is possible to accumulate a certain amount of drain D inside the drain accumulation section 60, and by removing the plug 61, it is possible to discharge the drain D accumulated in the drain accumulation section 60 to the outside.

[0031] The effects of the pressure regulator 1 according to the present invention will now be described in detail in comparison with a conventional pressure regulator 1'. As shown in FIG. 3A, in the conventional pressure regulator 1', the inlet connection 11' is located at the top of the pressure regulator 1' and faces upward, while the outlet connection 21' is located at the bottom of the pressure regulator 1' and faces downward. Therefore, to connect the liquefied petroleum gas container 2 placed on the ground to the inlet connection 11', the high-pressure hose 3 must be long. Similarly, to connect the gas meter 5 installed at a high position to the outlet connection 21', the gas piping 4 must be long or routed. Thus, when using the conventional pressure regulator 1', the piping becomes long, which increases the installation time and costs. Furthermore, since the conventional pressure regulator 1' does not have a drain retention section 60, a drain retention section 60' must be provided in the gas piping 4 separately from the pressure regulator 1'.

[0032] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3B, in the pressure regulator 1 according to the present invention, the inlet connection 11 is provided at the bottom of the pressure regulator 1 facing downward, and the outlet connection 21 is provided at the top of the pressure regulator 1 facing upward. Therefore, a short high-pressure hose 3 is sufficient to connect the liquefied petroleum gas container 2 placed on the ground to the inlet connection 11. Similarly, the gas piping 4 is shortened to connect the gas meter 5 installed at a high position to the outlet connection 21, simplifying the gas piping 4. Furthermore, since the pressure regulator 1 according to the present invention is equipped with a drain retention section 60, there is no need to provide a separate drain retention section 60'. In this way, the use of the pressure regulator 1 according to the present invention can simplify the associated piping.

[0033] Next, we will explain the operation of the pressure regulator 1 according to the present invention. If gas consumption increases, the gas pressure at the outlet connection 21 decreases. This, in turn, decreases the pressure inside the pressure reduction chamber 20, causing the diaphragm 40 to translate toward the pressure reduction chamber 20. As the diaphragm 40 translates toward the pressure reduction chamber 20, the valve element 30 moves in the opening direction due to the displacement of the interlock 90 and the swing of the lever 50. This increases the flow rate of gas flowing from the high-pressure chamber 10 into the pressure reduction chamber 20, raising the pressure inside the pressure reduction chamber 20. This balances the force of the pressure adjustment spring 70 pushing the diaphragm 40 toward the pressure reduction chamber 20 with the force of the liquefied petroleum gas inside the pressure reduction chamber 20 pushing the diaphragm 40 back toward the atmospheric pressure side A, returning the gas pressure at the outlet connection 21 to the set pressure. Furthermore, if gas consumption decreases, the reverse operation occurs. This operation allows the gas pressure at the outlet connection 21 to be maintained within a predetermined fluctuation range from the set pressure.

[0034] In this way, the pressure regulator 1 according to the present invention can simplify the piping related to the supply of liquefied petroleum gas and suppress the adverse effects of drainage. There are no particular limitations on the materials or shapes of the components of the pressure regulator 1 according to the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0035] As described above, the pressure regulator of the present invention is useful for piping not only liquefied petroleum gas but also other fluids and gases, and is effective as a pressure regulator that can simplify piping and suppress the adverse effects of drainage. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 pressure regulator 10 Hyperbaric Chamber 11 Inlet connection 20 Decompression Chamber 21 Outlet Connection 30 Valve body 40 diaphragm 50 Lever 60 Drain accumulation section 70 Pressure adjusting spring 80 Cap 90 Interlocking

Claims

[Claim 1] a high-pressure chamber having an inlet connection portion of the pressure regulator that opens downward and is connectable to one end of an upstream pipe; a decompression chamber connected in communication with an upper portion of the high-pressure chamber and having an outlet connection portion of the pressure regulator that opens upward and is connectable to one end of a downstream pipe; a valve body provided between the high-pressure chamber and the decompression chamber so as to be capable of reciprocating in the up-and-down direction of the pressure regulator; a diaphragm provided between the decompression chamber and atmospheric pressure, capable of adjusting the pressure of the gas inside the decompression chamber; a lever that is pivotally supported at a predetermined position inside the decompression chamber, has one end connected to the valve body and the other end connected to the diaphragm, and is capable of adjusting the flow rate of gas from the high-pressure chamber to the decompression chamber; a drain retention section connected to a lower portion of the decompression chamber and capable of discharging drain generated inside the decompression chamber to the outside; A pressure regulator comprising:

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