VALVE AND FEEDING DEVICE FOR PRESSURIZED FLUIDS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a tap and a device for supplying fluid under pressure.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a tap for pressurized fluid, with or without an integrated pressure regulator, comprising a body housing an internal fluid circuit having an upstream end intended to be connected to a reserve of pressurized fluid and a downstream end intended to be connected to a user device via an outlet connection, the circuit comprising a valve for controlling the flow rate in the circuit, the valve being controlled by a movable actuating member to control the opening or closing of the latter.

[0003] Pressure gas valves are typically made from a cast and machined metal body that must integrate various functions. This complicates production and increases costs.

[0004] EP0834037B1 discloses an example of a gas supply system comprising a pressure regulator.

[0005] In addition, newer faucets increasingly incorporate electrical and communications functions whose operation can be affected by the faucet's structure.

[0006] An aim of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art noted above.

[0007] To this end, the tap according to the invention, moreover in accordance with the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that the tap comprises a draw-off pipe comprising a first end rigidly connected to the body at the downstream end of the internal fluid circuit and a second end spaced from the body and provided with the outlet connection.

[0008] Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: the draw-off pipe is rigid and made of a metal such as copper, the draw-off pipe is flexible, the tap comprising pipe holding elements such as ribs or clips, the draw-off pipe comprises at least one elbow or bend defining a change of direction between its two ends, the tap comprises a front face, a rear face and two side faces, the downstream end of the internal fluid circuit being located on a side face of the body, the second end of the draw-off pipe being oriented towards the front face, the tap comprises a protective shell mounted around at least a portion of the tap body and in that at least a portion of the draw-off pipe is housed in the shell, the outlet connector opens via an opening in the shell, the shell comprises a tubular portion defining a handling handle, at least a portion of the draw-off pipe is housed in said handle,the tap comprises a lower mounting end provided with movable hooking member(s) intended to cooperate with one or more complementary hooking members to form a system for rapid connection of the tap to a gas source or a circuit, the hooking member(s) comprise balls or claws, the tap circuit comprises a pressure relief member to a determined value which is fixed or adjustable via a selector.

[0009] The invention also relates to a device for supplying pressurized fluid, in particular pressurized gas, comprising a first functional assembly comprising at least one pressurized fluid bottle connected to a first tap, the first tap comprising an internal fluid circuit comprising an isolation valve, the device comprising a second tap forming a physical entity distinct from the first tap, the second tap being provided with an internal fluid circuit, the first tap and the second tap comprising respective attachment members forming a removable male / female quick connection system of the second tap on the first tap, the second tap being a tap conforming to any one of the characteristics above or below.

[0010] The invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the above or below characteristics within the scope of the claims. Other features and advantages will appear on reading the description below, made with reference to the figures in which: [ Fig. 1 ] represents a side view, in section, schematic and partial, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a tap according to the invention, [ Fig. 2 ] represents a schematic and partial sectional and side view illustrating another example of embodiment of the tap according to the invention and of a source of pressurized fluid, the tap being separated from said source of fluid, [ Fig. 3 ] represents a schematic and partial side view, illustrating a detail of another example of embodiment of a tap draw-off pipe according to the invention, [ Fig. 4 ] represents a schematic and partial side view, illustrating a detail of yet another example of embodiment of a draw-off pipe in the shell of a tap according to the invention, [ Fig. 5 ] represents a schematic and partial side view, illustrating an example of a device for supplying fluid under pressure comprising a tap according to the invention.

[0011] The tap 1 for pressurized fluid shown in [ Fig. 1 ] comprises a body 2 housing an internal fluid circuit 3 having an upstream end 4 (for example lower) intended to be connected to a reserve of pressurized fluid and a downstream end 5 (for example lateral) intended to be connected to a user device via an outlet connection, for example a quick connection.

[0012] The internal circuit 3 comprises at least one valve 6 for controlling the flow in the circuit 3 (isolation and / or pressure and / or flow regulation valve) and any other suitable device.

[0013] The valve 6 is controlled by a movable actuating member 7, for example a lever articulated on the body 2, to control the latter (for opening or closing for example).

[0014] According to an advantageous feature, the withdrawal outlet is offset outside the body 2. For example, the tap 1 comprises a withdrawal pipe 8 comprising a first end rigidly connected to the body 2 (welding and / or screwing for example) at the downstream end 5 of the internal fluid circuit 3 and a second end spaced from the body 2 and provided with the outlet connector 15.

[0015] For example, the draw-off pipe 8 is rigid and may be made of a metal or alloy, for example copper.

[0016] As illustrated, the draw-off pipe 8 may comprise at least one elbow or bend defining a change of direction between its two ends. This makes it possible to move the end 15 provided with the outlet connection into a determined position without moving too far away from the body 2.

[0017] For example, the tap 1 comprises a front face, a rear face and two side faces. The downstream end 5 of the internal fluid circuit 3 may be located on a side face of the body 2, the second end of the withdrawal pipe 8 may be oriented towards the front face (this front face may comprise, for example, other functions or components, for example a flow regulator 16, a pressure gauge, etc.).

[0018] As illustrated, the tap 1 may comprise a protective shell 9 mounted around at least a portion of the body 2 of the tap. At least a portion of the draw-off pipe 8 may thus be housed in the shell 9. The outlet connection 15 may open via an opening in the shell 9. cf. [ Fig. 2 ], [ Fig. 4 ] Or [ Fig. 5 ] For example.

[0019] This allows the outlet connection 15 to be moved and simplifies the body while giving the impression of compactness and unity to tap 1.

[0020] The tap 1 may thus comprise at least one electronic member 18 such as at least one of: a microprocessor, a wireless communication antenna, or other. The second end of the draw-off pipe 8 (for example in the lower part) may thus be spaced from said electronic member 18 (for example in the lower part), for example by a distance of between 10 and 200 mm (or any distance necessary so as not to disturb the proper functioning of the electronic member 18 or any distance sufficient to be distant from this member 18 and facilitate integration into the tap and / or the shell 9.

[0021] This allows the fluid outlet to be positioned relatively further from the body 2 than according to the prior art. This also makes it possible to simplify the structure and design of the valve 1 and also to distance metal parts from any electronics sensitive to disturbances. In addition, this structure also makes it easier to integrate and position the connector 15 relative to the valve and the shell.

[0022] As illustrated in the examples of [ Fig. 2 ], [ Fig. 4 ] Or [ Fig. 5 ], the shell 9 comprises a tubular portion defining a handling handle 19 and at least a portion of the draw-off pipe 8 is housed in said handle 19. The end of the outlet connector 15 may protrude more or less outside the shell (handle) to allow its connection to a user connection (connection 10 combined with a hose 20 of a fluid receiving device for example).

[0023] As illustrated in [ Fig. 2 ], the body 2 may comprise a lower mounting end provided with movable hooking member(s) 14 intended to cooperate with one or more complementary hooking members 15 to form a system for rapid connection of the valve 1 to a gas source or a circuit. For example, the hooking member(s) 14, 15 may comprise a ball and / or claw system cooperating with grooved housing(s) and / or a screwed connection system (thread and tapping).

[0024] This tap 1 may for example be part of the device 100 for supplying fluid under pressure illustrated in [ Fig. 2 ] and may in particular constitute the second tap mentioned below.

[0025] This device 100 comprises a first functional assembly 11, 12 comprising at least one bottle 12 of pressurized fluid connected to a first tap 11.

[0026] This first 11 tap comprises an internal fluid circuit 16 comprising an isolation valve 17.

[0027] The device 100 comprises a second tap 1 forming a physical entity distinct from the first tap 11. The second tap 1 is provided with an internal fluid circuit 3. The first 1 tap and the second 11 tap comprising respective attachment members (4, 15) forming a removable male / female quick connection system of the second tap 1 on the first tap 11. Such a device may be in accordance with that described for example in the document FR3054290A1.

Claims

1. Valve for pressurized fluid, with or without integrated pressure reducer, comprising a body (2) housing an internal fluid circuit (3) having an upstream end (4) intended to be placed in communication with a pressurized fluid reserve and a downstream end (5) intended to be placed in communication with a user apparatus via an outlet connector (15), the circuit (3) comprising a valve mechanism (6) for controlling the flow rate in the circuit (3), the valve mechanism (6) being controlled by a movable actuating member (7) to control the opening or the closing thereof, the valve (1) comprising a withdrawal pipe (8) comprising a first end rigidly connected to the body (2) at the downstream end (5) of the internal fluid circuit (3) and a second end spaced apart from the body (2) and provided with the outlet connector (15), characterized in that the withdrawal pipe (8) is rigid and made of a metal such as copper, or the withdrawal pipe (8) is flexible, the valve comprising elements for holding the pipe such as ribs or clips, such that the withdrawal pipe (8) has at least one elbow or bend defining a change in direction between its two ends, and in that the valve has a front face, a rear face and two lateral faces, the downstream end (5) of the internal fluid circuit (3) being situated on a lateral face of the body (2), the second end of the withdrawal pipe (8) being oriented towards the front face.

2. Valve according to any one of Claims 1, characterized in that it has a protective shell (9) mounted around at least a part of the body (2) of the valve and in that at least a part of the withdrawal pipe (8) is housed in the shell (9) and in that the outlet connector (15) opens via an opening in the shell (9).

3. Valve according to Claim 2, characterized in that the shell (9) has a tubular portion defining a handling grip (19) and in that at least a portion of the withdrawal pipe (8) is housed in said grip (19).

4. Valve according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a lower mounting end provided with movable coupling member(s) (14) intended to cooperate with one or more complementary coupling members (15) to form a quick connection system between the valve (1) and a gas source or a circuit.

5. Valve according to Claim 4, characterized in that the coupling member(s) (14, 15) comprise balls or claws.

6. Valve according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the circuit (3) of the valve (1) comprises a member for reducing pressure to a determined value that is fixed or adjustable via a selector (16).

7. Valve according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it has at least one electronic member (18) such as at least one of: a microprocessor, a wireless communication antenna, and in that the second end of the withdrawal pipe (8) is spaced apart from said electronic member (18) by a distance of between 10 and 200 mm.

8. Device for supplying pressurized fluid, notably pressurized gas, comprising a first functional assembly (11, 12) having at least one pressurized fluid cylinder (12) connected to a first valve (11), the first valve (11) comprising an internal fluid circuit (16) having an isolation shutter (17), the device (100) having a second valve (1) forming a physical entity distinct from the first valve (11), the second valve (1) being provided with an internal fluid circuit (3), the first valve (1) and the second valve (11) comprising respective coupling members (14, 15) forming a removable male / female quick connection system between the second valve (1) and the first valve (11), characterized in that the second valve (1) is a valve in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 7.