LPG quick coupling with check valve, locking element and safety seal for refueling line
The quick-release coupling with a check valve and locking mechanism addresses the classification issue and safety concerns by enabling manual detachment and preventing gas leakage, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-12
AI Technical Summary
The classification of LPG gas cylinders as either gas cylinders or gas tanks, leading to legal disputes due to differing approval standards, and the inability to detach the filling hose from the cylinder without tools, necessitating a solution that allows manual detachment while ensuring safety and preventing gas leakage.
A quick-release coupling with a check valve, locking element, and tamper-evident seal is developed to enable manual detachment of the gas cylinder, incorporating a non-return valve to trap residual gas and a locking mechanism to prevent unauthorized disconnection.
Enables manual detachment of the gas cylinder, prevents gas leakage, and ensures compliance with regulatory standards by allowing classification as a portable gas cylinder, while preventing unauthorized use and refueling.
Abstract
Description
[0001] The LPG quick coupling is installed in the refueling line between the LPG refueling valve and the refillable gas cylinder in the motorhome, camper van or caravan.
[0002] Refueling was previously done via an external refueling valve connected to the gas cylinder by a filling line. Alternatively, a special adapter could be screwed directly onto the cylinder for refueling. Since the gas cylinder was refueled at LPG filling stations, it was traditionally permanently installed using a cylinder holder. This led technical inspection associations to classify it not as a portable gas cylinder, but as a gas tank, due to its connection to the vehicle. Based on this, legal disputes arose for many years regarding the classification as a gas cylinder or gas tank, as different approval standards exist for each. In the last 18 months, standards committees, industry representatives, and inspection associations have been working towards a compromise solution.The rule states: "If the gas cylinder can be removed from the motorhome without tools, it remains a gas cylinder." However, since the filling hose was tightened to the cylinder with tools, it was not possible to detach the hose by hand.
[0003] The quick-release coupling with a check valve was developed to address this problem. It ensures that the gas cylinder can be disconnected manually. At the same time, it is sealed to prevent misuse (e.g., for recreational purposes such as a gas grill). The check valve in the coupling traps any residual gas in the line between the filler valve and the coupling when disconnecting, preventing it from escaping.
[0004] This quick-release coupling with check valve, locking element, and tamper-evident seal is specifically designed for high-pressure gas (LPG) applications. It withstands a working pressure of 30 bar and has a burst pressure of 230 bar. The locking element with tamper-evident seal prevents unauthorized disconnection of the gas cylinder.
[0005] This device ensures quick and easy removal of the gas cylinder in an emergency. It also prevents gas from escaping the line when disconnecting. The non-return valve prevents refueling of the gas cylinder compartment when the cylinder is removed. Unauthorized disconnection of the cylinder is further prevented by the locking mechanism and tamper-evident seal.
Claims
[1] LPG quick coupling with check valve, locking element and safety seal for installation between external refueling valve and refillable gas cylinder in the filling line of a gas supply system, characterized by that the quick coupling has a check valve, a locking element and a safety seal. [2] LPG quick-release coupling according to claim 1 characterized by that it can withstand 30 bar working pressure and has a burst pressure of 230 bar.