Industrial cylinder high-pressure filling multi-stage anti-inversion device

Abstract

This invention relates to a multi-stage anti-tipping device for high-pressure filling of industrial gas cylinders, comprising a frame, at least three anti-tipping mechanisms, a power assembly, a passive cylinder stabilizing assembly, and sensors and control units in the same number as the anti-tipping mechanisms. Compared to existing technologies, this invention simultaneously provides functions such as cylinder stabilization under small external forces (e.g., pressure fluctuations during filling), cylinder anti-tipping under large impacts (e.g., screw thread dislodgement during high-pressure filling), and active protection against cylinder overheating.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of gas cylinder filling protection equipment, and more particularly to a multi-stage anti-tipping device for high-pressure filling of industrial gas cylinders. Background Technology

[0002] For a long time, industrial gas cylinders, due to their small bottom area and high center of gravity, have been prone to tipping over due to human error, collisions, or aging and loosening of the nozzles during filling. This can lead to gas leaks or even explosions, causing irreparable damage. To address this, anti-tipping measures such as those described in patent 201921952538.7, which use anti-tipping chains to secure the cylinders to walls, have been widely adopted. However, these methods are cumbersome and cannot completely prevent cylinder swaying caused by pressure fluctuations during filling, thus still posing certain risks. Ensuring effective tipping prevention during gas cylinder filling has become a key challenge for filling companies.

[0003] Patent 201920021806.7 discloses a gas cylinder anti-tipping device. Its key technical feature is a fixing seat with an electromagnet on a crossbeam, using the electromagnet to attract and fix the gas cylinder, achieving a stable anti-tipping effect. However, in the process of realizing this invention, the inventors discovered the following problems in the prior art: The battery that provides additional energy to the electromagnet needs to be replaced periodically to ensure its operation, and there may be unnoticed magnetic attenuation, posing a risk; furthermore, during the filling of high-pressure gas cylinders, the sudden thread breakage due to wear and tear from long-term use means this solution cannot provide effective protection against abnormal dangerous situations other than the attraction of the electromagnet.

[0004] It is evident that current technological approaches either rely on a relatively simple method of using magnetism to provide some external force to stabilize the gas cylinder, but cannot cope with explosive gas cylinder tipping due to screw fatigue damage; or they provide passive protection by using chains or other means to provide restraint when the gas cylinder is unstable and tipping over, but cannot effectively detect automatic protection in high-risk situations such as overheating, and still pose certain operational risks to frontline personnel. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to provide an anti-tipping device for industrial gas cylinder filling, which can solve various gas cylinder tipping problems that may occur at the filling site.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the inventors have provided a multi-stage anti-tipping device for high-pressure filling of industrial gas cylinders.

[0007] As one embodiment of the present invention, it is characterized by including

[0008] The frame serves as the mounting base for other components;

[0009] At least three anti-tipping mechanisms are required for active, rapid-action anti-tipping measures for three or more gas cylinders.

[0010] A power component is used to drive the state switching of the anti-tipping mechanism;

[0011] Passive cylinder stabilizing assembly is used to prevent cylinders from tipping over due to unstable inflation pressure or uneven ground.

[0012] The same number of sensors as the anti-tipping mechanism are used to collect judgment signals for overheating hazards during the gas cylinder filling operation.

[0013] The control unit is used for switching the working state of the anti-tipping mechanism.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power component controls all the anti-tipping mechanisms to switch working states simultaneously.

[0015] The power assembly includes a solenoid valve, a cylinder, a pipe connector, a fisheye connector, and a linkage rack. The fisheye connector is connected to the piston rod of the cylinder and the linkage rack respectively. The extension and retraction movement of the piston rod of the cylinder drives the linkage rack to reciprocate along the rotation axis of the extension rod.

[0016] Each set of the anti-tipping mechanism includes a sector-shaped gear ring, a bearing seat, an intermediate gear and a U-shaped stop. The intermediate gear meshes with both the sector-shaped gear ring and the linkage rack. The intermediate gear is supported on the bearing seat. The sector-shaped gear ring is provided with a protrusion that exceeds the height of the U-shaped stop.

[0017] When the linkage rack in the power component reciprocates, the intermediate gear in each set of the anti-tipping mechanism rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, thereby enabling the sector gear ring to rotate counterclockwise to retract to the "disarmed" working state or rotate clockwise to extend to the "protected" working state.

[0018] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the solenoid valve is a two-position five-way single-electric control solenoid valve. When the solenoid valve is energized, the piston rod of the cylinder is in a retracted state, and the corresponding sector-shaped gear ring is in a "disarmed" working state. When the solenoid valve is de-energized, the piston rod of the cylinder is in an extended state, and the corresponding sector-shaped gear ring is in a "protected" working state.

[0019] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the passive bottle stabilizing assembly consists of four strong magnets arranged in an arc shape and their fasteners. The radius of the arc is the outer radius of the industrial gas cylinder, and the fasteners fix the strong magnets on the frame.

[0020] When the industrial gas cylinder is being filled, the passive cylinder stabilizing component uses magnetic force to hold the cylinder in place, preventing it from tipping over due to unstable filling pressure or uneven ground.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor feeds back the temperature signal of the gas cylinder and the filling position signal to the control unit, and the control unit uses the sensor as a reference.

[0022] The above description of the invention is merely an overview of the technical solution of this application. In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of this application and to implement it based on the description and drawings, and to make the above-mentioned objectives and other objectives, features and advantages of this application easier to understand, the following description is provided in conjunction with the specific embodiments and drawings of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The accompanying drawings are only used to illustrate the principles, implementation methods, applications, features, and effects of specific embodiments of this application and other related content, and should not be considered as limitations on this application.

[0024] In the accompanying drawings of the instruction manual:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a first-view schematic diagram of the multi-stage anti-tipping device for high-pressure filling of industrial gas cylinders according to an embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a second-view schematic diagram of the multi-stage anti-tipping device for high-pressure filling of industrial gas cylinders according to an embodiment of this application.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the first working state of the anti-tipping mechanism according to an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the second working state of the anti-tipping mechanism according to an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the operation of a power component according to an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the control flow of one embodiment of this application.

[0031] The reference numerals used in the above figures are explained as follows:

[0032] 1. Frame; 2. Rack and pinion guide; 3. Air pipe connector; 4. Solenoid valve; 5A. First sensor bracket; 5B. Second sensor bracket; 5C. Third sensor bracket; 6A. First sensor; 6B. Second sensor; 6C. Third sensor; 7A. First intermediate gear; 7B. Second intermediate gear; 7C. Third intermediate gear; 8A. First bearing housing; 8B. Second bearing housing; 8C. Third bearing housing; 9A. First U-shaped stop; 9B. Second U-shaped stop; 9C. Third U-shaped stop; 10A. First sector gear ring; 10B. Second sector gear ring; 10C. Third sector gear ring; 11A. First passive bottle stabilizer assembly; 11B. Second passive bottle stabilizer assembly; 11C. Third passive bottle stabilizer assembly; 12. Cylinder bracket; 13. Cylinder; 14. Linkage rack; 15. Fisheye connector; 16. Control unit; 17. Sector gear ring guide block; 18. Button assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To illustrate the possible application scenarios, technical principles, implementable specific solutions, and achievable objectives and effects of this application in detail, the following description, in conjunction with the listed specific embodiments and accompanying drawings, provides a detailed explanation. The embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the technical solutions of this application and are therefore intended to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0034] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The term "embodiment" appearing in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it specifically limit its independence or connection with other embodiments. In principle, in this application, as long as there are no technical contradictions or conflicts, the technical features mentioned in each embodiment can be combined in any way to form corresponding implementable technical solutions.

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains; the use of related terms herein is merely for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to limit this application.

[0036] In the description of this application, the term "and / or" is used to describe the logical relationship between objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B means: A exists, B exists, and A and B exist simultaneously. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following objects have an "or" logical relationship.

[0037] In this application, terms such as “first” and “second” are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual quantity, hierarchy or order relationship between these entities or operations.

[0038] Unless otherwise specified, the use of terms such as “comprising,” “including,” “having,” or other similar expressions in this application is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, which does not exclude the presence of additional elements in a process, method, or product that includes the stated elements, such that a process, method, or product that includes a list of elements may include not only those defined elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, or product.

[0039] Similar to the understanding in the Examination Guidelines, in this application, expressions such as "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number; expressions such as "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments in this application, "multiple" means two or more (including two), and similar expressions related to "multiple" are also understood in this way, such as "multiple groups" and "multiple times," unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0040] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the space-related expressions used, such as "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "vertical," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the specific embodiments or drawings. They are only for the purpose of describing the specific embodiments of this application or for the reader's understanding, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific position, a specific orientation, or be constructed or operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this application.

[0041] Unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," "fixing," and "setting," as used in the description of the embodiments of this application, should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral setting; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a communication connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be the internal connection of two components or the interaction between two components. For those skilled in the art to which this application pertains, the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0042] This invention provides a multi-stage anti-tipping device for high-pressure filling of industrial gas cylinders, based on existing technical solutions for preventing tipping during industrial gas cylinder filling. This device aims to further improve the cylinder's stability under small external forces such as pressure fluctuations during filling, its anti-tipping capability under large impacts such as thread breakage during high-pressure filling, and its active protection capability under overheating conditions. It effectively solves the problems existing in the prior art.

[0043] To achieve the above objectives, the inventors have provided a multi-stage anti-tipping device for high-pressure filling of industrial gas cylinders. (See also...) Figures 1 to 6 As one embodiment of the present invention, the multi-stage anti-tipping device for high-pressure filling of industrial gas cylinders includes a frame 1, serving as the mounting base for other components; at least three anti-tipping mechanisms for active, rapid-linkage anti-tipping implementation of three or more gas cylinders; a power component for driving the state switching of the anti-tipping mechanisms; a passive cylinder stabilizing component for preventing cylinder shaking and tipping caused by unstable filling pressure and uneven ground; sensors of the same number as the anti-tipping mechanisms for collecting judgment signals for overheating protection during gas cylinder filling operations; and a control unit 16 for switching control of the working state of the anti-tipping mechanisms.

[0044] This invention addresses the need for cylinder tipping protection under various conditions during industrial gas cylinder filling operations. Its main functions are as follows:

[0045] (1) Improve the stability of gas cylinders under small external forces such as pressure fluctuations during filling.

[0046] In terms of structural design, such as Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, a semi-circular outer shell similar in shape to the gas cylinder 20 is provided on the frame 1, and a corresponding set of passive cylinder stabilizing components is arranged at each gas cylinder filling position. Each set of passive cylinder stabilizing components consists of four strong magnets arranged in an arc shape and their fasteners. (See reference...) Figure 1 In this embodiment, a first passive cylinder stabilizing assembly 11A, a second passive cylinder stabilizing assembly 11B, and a third passive cylinder stabilizing assembly 11C are arranged. Furthermore, the strong magnets can be fixedly mounted on the semi-circular outer shell of the frame using fasteners, and the radius of the arc-shaped distribution of these four strong magnets is exactly the outer radius of the industrial gas cylinder 20. Thus, when the industrial gas cylinder 20 is being filled, the magnetic force of the passive cylinder stabilizing assemblies holds the cylinder 20 in place, preventing it from tipping over due to unstable filling pressure or uneven ground.

[0047] (2) Improve the anti-tipping capability of Cylinder 20 under large impact forces, such as the potential for chipping of Cylinder 20 screws during high-pressure filling.

[0048] When the industrial gas cylinder 20 is filled to the high-pressure stage, its threaded connection component is subjected to considerable tensile force. If the threads of the connection component wear due to long-term use, the filling tube may detach from the gas cylinder 20. Furthermore, if the gas cylinder 20 is subjected to a sudden impact force without any anti-tipping measures, the cylinder 20, upon tipping over, could travel in a missile-like trajectory, potentially causing even more severe subsequent damage. Therefore, to provide protection against such high impact forces, this invention incorporates a power assembly and multiple anti-tipping mechanisms in its structural design. The power assembly also controls all anti-tipping mechanisms to simultaneously switch their operating states.

[0049] like Figures 1 to 2 As shown, the force assembly includes a solenoid valve 4, a cylinder 13, an air pipe connector 3, a fisheye connector 15, and a linkage rack 14. The fisheye connector 15 is connected to the piston rod of the cylinder 13 and the linkage rack 14, respectively. Since the cylinder 13 is fixedly mounted on the cylinder bracket 12, the extension and retraction movement of its piston rod drives the linkage rack 14 to reciprocate along the rotation axis of the extension rod. The linkage rack 14 is set on the rack guide rail 2 to improve its service life. Each set of the anti-tipping mechanism includes a sector gear ring, a bearing seat, an intermediate gear, and a U-shaped stop. Taking the first set of the anti-tipping mechanism as an example, its first intermediate gear 7A meshes with both the first sector gear ring 10A and the linkage rack 14. The first intermediate gear 7A is supported on the first bearing seat 8A, and the first sector gear ring 10A is provided with a protrusion exceeding the height 9A of the first U-shaped stop. Sector gear ring guide blocks 17 are evenly arranged below each sector gear ring to reduce friction and improve service life.

[0050] Thus, when the linkage rack 14 in the power assembly reciprocates, the first intermediate gear 7A in the first anti-tipping mechanism rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, thereby causing the first sector gear ring 10A to rotate counterclockwise and retract to the "disarmed" working state (e.g., Figure 3 (As shown) or rotate clockwise to extend to the "enter protection" working state (e.g.) Figure 4 (As shown). Since the linkage rack 14 can simultaneously drive the first intermediate gear 7A, the second intermediate gear 7B, and the third intermediate gear 7C, the first sector gear ring 10A, the second sector gear ring 10A, and the third sector gear ring 10A will simultaneously be in the "disarmed" working state or the "protected" working state.

[0051] When in the "entering protection" working state, if the gas cylinder 20 suddenly detaches from the filling cylinder during the filling process, even if the magnetic force of the first passive cylinder stabilizing assembly 11A, the second passive cylinder stabilizing assembly 11B, and the third passive cylinder stabilizing assembly 11C is insufficient, the gas cylinder 20 will further collide with the fan-shaped toothed ring. As the fan-shaped toothed ring is subjected to the impact load, the protrusions provided on the three fan-shaped toothed rings will further collide with the corresponding first U-shaped stop 9A, second U-shaped stop 9B, and third U-shaped stop 9C, ultimately transferring the impact load to the frame 1 to bear, thus preventing the gas cylinder 20 from tipping over.

[0052] In this way, during the filling operation, front-line personnel can input the command of "entering protection" or "deactivating protection" to the control unit 16 through the button assembly 18. The control unit 16 further achieves the protection purpose by switching the working position of the solenoid valve 14.

[0053] (3) Active protection capability of gas cylinder under overheating

[0054] The working principle of this functional module is as follows: Figure 6 As shown, by receiving sensor signals from the temperature sensor of gas cylinder 20, the control unit 16 can put the gear ring into the "entry protection" working state (corresponding to) in case of abnormal conditions such as overheating. Figure 6 In the middle, the solenoid valve 4 is in the first position, achieving an active protection effect.

[0055] As an embodiment of the present invention, each gas cylinder is provided with a sensor (a first sensor 6A, a second sensor 6B, and a third sensor 6C in sequence). The sensor can feed back the temperature signal of the gas cylinder 20 and the filling position signal to the control unit 16. The control unit 16 controls the working position of the solenoid valve 4 according to the feedback signal. Figure 1 As shown, in order to better receive relevant signals from the gas cylinder 20, each sensor can adjust its final distance from the gas cylinder 20 via the first sensor bracket 5A, the second sensor bracket 5B, and the third sensor bracket 5C.

[0056] In one embodiment of the present invention, the solenoid valve 4 is a two-position five-way single-electric control solenoid valve. Figure 5 As shown, when the solenoid valve 4 is energized, the piston rod of the cylinder 13 is in the retracted state, and at this time, each of the corresponding sector-shaped gear rings is in the "disarmed" working state (corresponding to...). Figure 6 (Solenoid valve in second position), when the solenoid valve is de-energized, the piston rod of the cylinder 13 is in the extended state, at which time each of the corresponding sector-shaped gear rings is in the "entry protection" working state (corresponding to...). Figure 6 (Solenoid valve first position).

[0057] In this embodiment, the power mechanism or power unit includes, but is not limited to, engines, motors, pneumatic tools, hydraulic pumps, etc. The power unit also includes direct power sources and indirect power sources. Direct power sources are those that can provide their own power, such as engines and motors, while indirect power sources include cylinders and hydraulic cylinders. The power mechanism or power unit can drive the linear reciprocating motion of the actuator through gear and rack engagement, slider and groove engagement, lead screw and nut engagement, etc.

[0058] Transmission mechanisms or transmission units include speed reducers, gearboxes, worm gear mechanisms, linkage mechanisms, compound mechanisms, etc. Actuating mechanisms or actuating units include, but are not limited to, compression mechanisms, rotation mechanisms, oscillating mechanisms, vibration mechanisms, lifting mechanisms, cutting mechanisms, etc.

[0059] It should be noted that although the above embodiments have been described herein, this does not limit the scope of patent protection of the present invention. Therefore, any changes and modifications made to the embodiments described herein based on the innovative concept of the present invention, or equivalent structural or procedural transformations made using the content of the present invention's specification and drawings, directly or indirectly applying the above technical solutions to other related technical fields, are all included within the scope of patent protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An industrial cylinder high pressure filling multi-stage anti-inversion device, characterized in that, include: The frame serves as the mounting base for other components; At least three anti-tipping mechanisms are required for active, rapid-action anti-tipping measures for three or more gas cylinders. A power component is used to drive the state switching of the anti-tipping mechanism, and the power component controls all the anti-tipping mechanisms to switch their working states simultaneously. The power assembly includes a solenoid valve, a cylinder, an air pipe connector, a fisheye connector, and a linkage rack. The fisheye connector is connected to the piston rod of the cylinder and the linkage rack respectively. The cylinder is fixedly mounted on a cylinder bracket. The extension and retraction movement of its piston rod drives the linkage rack to reciprocate and translate. The linkage rack is set on the rack guide rail. Each anti-tipping mechanism includes a sector gear ring, a bearing seat, an intermediate gear and a U-shaped stop. The intermediate gear meshes with both the sector gear ring and the linkage rack. The intermediate gear is supported on the bearing seat. The sector gear ring has a protrusion that exceeds the height of the U-shaped stop. Each sector gear ring has a sector gear ring guide block below it. When the linkage rack in the power assembly reciprocates, the intermediate gear in each set of the anti-tipping mechanism rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, thereby realizing that the fan-shaped gear ring rotates counterclockwise to retract to the deprotection working state or rotates clockwise to extend to the protection working state. Since the linkage rack can drive the intermediate gear of each set of the anti-tipping mechanism at the same time, the fan-shaped gear ring of each set of the anti-tipping mechanism will be in the deprotection working state or the protection working state at the same time. When in protective working state, if the gas cylinder suddenly detaches from the filling cylinder during the filling process, the magnetic force of the passive cylinder stabilizing component is insufficient, and the gas cylinder will collide with the fan-shaped toothed ring. As the fan-shaped toothed ring is subjected to impact load, the protrusions set on the fan-shaped toothed ring will collide with the corresponding U-shaped stop, and the impact load will be ultimately transferred to the frame to bear, thus playing the role of preventing the gas cylinder from tipping over. Passive cylinder stabilizing assembly is used to prevent cylinders from tipping over due to unstable inflation pressure or uneven ground. The same number of sensors as the anti-tipping mechanism are used to collect judgment signals for overheating hazards during the gas cylinder filling operation. as well as A control unit is used for switching the working state of the anti-tipping mechanism; By collecting sensor signals from the gas cylinder temperature, the control unit can put the gear ring into a protective working state in case of over-temperature abnormality, achieving an active protection effect. Each gas cylinder is equipped with a corresponding sensor, which can feed back the gas cylinder temperature signal and the filling position signal to the control unit. The control unit controls the working position of the solenoid valve according to the feedback signal. The final distance between each sensor and the gas cylinder can be adjusted by the sensor bracket.

2. The multi-stage anti-inversion device for high-pressure filling of industrial gas cylinders according to claim 1, characterized in that, The solenoid valve is a two-position five-way single-electric control solenoid valve. When the solenoid valve is energized, the piston rod of the cylinder is in the retracted state, and the corresponding sector-shaped gear ring is in the deprotection working state. When the solenoid valve is de-energized, the piston rod of the cylinder is in the extended state, and the corresponding sector-shaped gear ring is in the protection working state.

3. The multi-stage anti-tipping device for high-pressure filling of industrial gas cylinders according to claim 1, characterized in that, The passive cylinder stabilizing assembly consists of four strong magnets arranged in an arc shape and their fasteners. The radius of the arc is the outer radius of the industrial gas cylinder. The fasteners fix the strong magnets on the frame. When the industrial gas cylinder is being filled, the passive cylinder stabilizing component uses magnetic force to hold the cylinder in place, preventing it from tipping over due to unstable filling pressure or uneven ground.

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