Valve for pressurised fluid and a container or a set of containers for pressurised fluid

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve (1) for pressurised fluid, the valve comprising a body (2) incorporating a fluid circuit (3) having an upstream end (4) and a downstream end (5), the circuit (3) comprising a seal valve (6), the seal valve (6) enabling the circuit (3) to be opened or closed, the valve (1) comprising a member (8) for controlling the seal valve (6), the seal valve (6) being slidably mounted in the body (2) so as to slide between a position in which the circuit (3) is closed when the control member (8) is in a rest position and a position in which the circuit (3) is open when the control member (8) is in an active position, the valve (1) comprising a deformable member (9) positioned between the seal valve (6) and the control member (8). The invention also relates to a container or a set of containers for pressurised fluid comprising such a valve (1).

Description

Valve for pressurized fluid, and tank or set of tanks for pressurized fluid

[0001] The invention relates to a valve for pressurized fluid, as well as a tank or set of tanks for pressurized fluid.

[0002] Already known in the prior art, for example from patent EP 3 692 285 B1, is a valve for pressurized fluid comprising a body integrating a fluid circuit having an upstream end configured to be connected to at least one pressurized fluid reservoir and a downstream end configured to be connected to a fluid user, the circuit comprising a shut-off valve slidably mounted in the body, the shut-off valve making it possible to close or open the circuit, the valve comprising a control member for the shut-off valve, the shut-off valve being slidably mounted in the body between a position for closing the circuit when the control member is in a rest position, and a position for opening the circuit when the control member is in an active position.

[0003] A problem with valves of this type is the risk of deformation of the shut-off valve when it is in the circuit open position and an undesirable event due to the pressurized fluid occurs upstream. Indeed, for example, when an explosive and exothermic decomposition occurs in the circuit upstream of the shut-off valve when the shut-off valve is in the circuit open position, the shut-off valve may undergo deformation, in particular buckling, which prevents the valve from being closed, for example by a user, because the shut-off valve can no longer slide into the circuit closed position. Such a closure failure can then generate a risk of fire or explosion, for example when the pressurized fluid is acetylene.

[0004] US 3,930,517 A describes a pressure fluid valve with a mechanism for closing the valve in the event of valve rupture. In the event of rupture, the valve body may be damaged.

[0005] The invention aims to overcome all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art noted above. Thus, the invention aims in particular to enable the circuit to be automatically closed when an undesirable event due to the pressurized fluid occurs in the part of the circuit upstream of the shut-off valve.

[0006] To this end, the subject of the invention is a valve for pressurized fluid comprising a body integrating a fluid circuit having an upstream end configured to be connected to at least one pressurized fluid reservoir and a downstream end configured to be connected to a fluid user, the circuit comprising a shut-off valve mounted to slide in the body, the shut-off valve making it possible to close or open the circuit,

[0007] the valve comprising a control member for the shut-off valve, the shut-off valve being slidably mounted in the body between a position for closing the circuit when the control member is in a rest position, and a position for opening the circuit when the control member is in an active position,

[0008] the valve comprising a deformable member, interposed between the shut-off valve and the control member, the deformable member being configured, when the control member is in the active position,

[0009] - to press the shut-off valve and slide it into the circuit open position, and

[0010] - to deform irreversibly under the action of the shut-off valve, when a force applied by the pressurized fluid to the shut-off valve exceeds a predetermined threshold, and thus allow the shut-off valve to slide into the circuit closing position.

[0011] Depending on other optional valve features, taken alone or in combination:

[0012] - The control unit is a manual or automatic control unit.

[0013] - The rest position of the control member is stable and the active position of the control member is stable.

[0014] - The control member comprises a pusher sliding in the body, the deformable member being interposed between the pusher and the shut-off valve.

[0015] - The pusher is formed from metal.

[0016] - When the control member is in the active position, the push button rests on the body.

[0017] - The deformable organ is formed from plastic material.

[0018] - The deformable member is a hollow insert, placed in a housing of the pusher.

[0019] - The hollow insert is pot-shaped, the opening of which is oriented towards the bottom of the pusher housing and the bottom end of which opposite the opening is configured to press on the shut-off valve and slide it into the circuit opening position when the control member is in the active position.

[0020] - The thickness of the bottom end of the hollow insert is between 1 mm and 4 mm, preferably between 1.8 mm and 2.2 mm, more preferably equal to 2 mm. Thus, with such a dimensioning, even with several thousand cycles of opening and closing of the valve, there is no risk of the bottom end wearing out by friction against the shut-off valve.

[0021] - The valve is self-sealing.

[0022] - The shut-off valve is at least partially positioned upstream of a valve seat of the body, such that fluid pressure in the upstream end helps to maintain the shut-off valve in its closed position, in contact with the valve seat via a seal.

[0023] - The shut-off valve comprises a rod slidably mounted in the body and a head of complementary shape to the valve seat of the body, the head being positioned upstream of the valve seat, the rod being mounted downstream of the head.

[0024] - The predetermined threshold is less than the minimum buckling force – also known as the “Euler critical load” – of the rod.

[0025] - The hollow formed in the hollow insert is cylindrical in shape and has a diameter greater than that of the stem of the shut-off valve.

[0026] - The depth of the hollow is greater than the travel of the rod between the circuit open position and the circuit closed position.

[0027] - The seal is carried by the valve or by the valve seat.

[0028] - The seal is made of an elastomeric and / or thermoplastic material.

[0029] - The seal is formed from thermoplastic elastomer polyester, preferably Hytrel (registered trademark).

[0030] - The rod is metallic, preferably stainless steel or brass.

[0031] - The valve comprises a first member for returning the shut-off valve to the closed position.

[0032] - The first return member is a first spring, arranged between the body and the shut-off valve. Thus, when the valve is in the closed position, the first spring applies an additional force to that of the fluid which holds the shut-off valve against the valve seat.

[0033] - The sum of the predetermined threshold and the force exerted by the first spring on the shut-off valve when the shut-off valve is in the circuit open position is less than the minimum rod buckling force.

[0034] - The valve has a second member for returning the pusher to the rest position of the control member.

[0035] - The second return member is a second spring, arranged between the body and the pusher. Thus, when the valve moves from the open position to the closed position, the second spring applies a force which tends to return the pusher and thus the control member to a rest position.

[0036] - The second spring is guided in the pusher housing.

[0037] - The valve has a radial seal, which is arranged between the stem and the body.

[0038] - The pressurized fluid is gaseous, and preferably contains mainly a combustible or oxidizing gas, more preferably contains mainly acetylene – or C2H2–, even more preferably contains at least 99% acetylene.

[0039] The invention also relates to a reservoir or set of reservoirs for pressurized fluid, comprising a valve as previously described.

[0040] Depending on other optional characteristics of the tank or set of tanks, taken alone or in combination:

[0041] - The or each tank is a pressurized gas cylinder.

[0042] - The pressurized gas contains mainly a combustible or oxidizing gas, preferably contains mainly acetylene, more preferably contains at least 99% acetylene.

[0043] - The filling pressure of the or each tank is at least 0.5 MPa, preferably at least 1.5 MPa. Brief description of the figures

[0044] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0045] is a schematic sectional view of a valve according to one embodiment of the invention, in which the control member is in the rest position, the circuit being closed;

[0046] is a schematic sectional view of the valve shown in, in which the control member is in the active position, the circuit being open;

[0047] is a schematic sectional view of the valve shown in Figures 1 and 2, in which the control member is in the active position, the circuit being closed;

[0048] is a schematic sectional view of a tank equipped with a valve according to one embodiment of the invention, in which the control member is in the active position. Detailed description

[0049] In all figures, the same references refer to the same elements.

[0050] In this detailed description, the following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not mean that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined and / or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

[0051] Figures 1 to 3 schematically represent a valve 1 for pressurized fluid according to one embodiment, at different stages of operation. The valve 1 comprises a body 2 integrating a fluid circuit 3. The body 2 is formed from metal, preferably made of stainless steel and / or brass. For assembly and mounting reasons, the body 2 may be made of several elements fixed relative to each other, for example fixed by screwing, clamping or fitting. In the circuit 3, the pressurized fluid is gaseous, and preferably contains mainly a combustible gas, more preferably contains mainly acetylene – or C2H2–, even more preferably contains at least 99% acetylene.

[0052] The circuit 3 has an upstream end 4 configured to be connected to at least one pressurized fluid reservoir and a downstream end 5 configured to be connected to a fluid user. The circuit 3 also comprises a shut-off valve 6 slidably mounted in the body 2.

[0053] The valve 1 also comprises a control member 8 for the shut-off valve 6. The shut-off valve 6 makes it possible to close or open the circuit 3. More precisely, the shut-off valve 6 is slidably mounted in the body 2 between a position for closing the circuit 3 when the control member 8 is in a rest position, as shown in the, and a position for opening the circuit 3 when the control member 8 is in an active position, as shown in the. The rest position of the control member 8 is stable and the active position of the control member 8 is stable. In other words, the valve 1 can neither open nor close spontaneously, an action on the control member 8 is necessary to switch from the rest position to the active position, and vice versa.

[0054] The valve 1 further comprises a deformable member 9, interposed between the shut-off valve 6 and the control member 8. The deformable member 9 is configured, when the control member 8 is in the active position, to press on the shut-off valve 6 and slide it into the open position of the circuit 3, as shown in the, and to deform irreversibly under the action of the shut-off valve 6, when a force applied by the pressurized fluid to the shut-off valve 6 exceeds a predetermined threshold. Thus, such irreversible deformation of the deformable member 9 allows the shut-off valve 6 to slide into the closed position of the circuit 3, as shown in the.

[0055] The control member 8 is a manual or automatic control member. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the control member 8 is a manual control member. The control member 8 comprises a pusher 10 sliding in the body 2, the deformable member 9 being interposed between the pusher 10 and the shut-off valve 6. More precisely, when the control member 8 is in the active position, the pusher 10 bears on the body 2, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The pusher 10 is formed of metal, preferably stainless steel or brass.

[0056] As shown in the, the control member 8 comprises in this embodiment a lever 11, mounted movably on the valve 1. Thus, when the control member 8 is in the rest position, the lever 11 is also in a rest position, and the pusher 10 is not bearing on the body 2, as shown in the. When the lever 11 is moved into an active position, the control member 8 is then in the active position, and the pusher 10 slides in the body 2 and bears on the body 2, as shown in the. For example, in its active position, the free end of the lever 11 is raised, namely moved away from the body 2 of the valve 1, as shown in the.

[0057] According to a variant not shown, the control member 8 is an automatic control member, preferably pneumatically controlled.

[0058] In this embodiment, the deformable member 9 is formed from a plastic material. The deformable member 9 is a hollow insert, arranged in a housing 12 of the pusher 10. The hollow insert is pot-shaped, the opening 14 of which is oriented towards the bottom of the housing 12 of the pusher 10 and the bottom end 15 of which opposite the opening 14 is configured to press on the closure valve 6 and slide it into the open position of the circuit 3 when the control member 8 is in the active position, as shown in the. The thickness of the bottom end 15 of the hollow insert is between 1 mm and 4 mm, preferably between 1.8 mm and 2.2 mm, more preferably equal to 2 mm.

[0059] The valve 1 is of the self-sealing type. Thus, the shut-off valve 6 is at least partially positioned upstream of a valve seat 16 of the body 2, such that the pressure of the fluid in the upstream end 4 contributes to maintaining the shut-off valve 6 in its closed position, in contact with the valve seat 16 by means of a sealing gasket 17.

[0060] The sealing gasket 17 is carried by the shut-off valve 6 or by the valve seat 16 of the body 2. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the sealing gasket 17 is carried by the shut-off valve 6. The sealing gasket 17 is formed of an elastomeric and / or thermoplastic material, preferably is formed of thermoplastic elastomeric polyester, more preferably is formed of Hytrel (registered trademark).

[0061] The shut-off valve 6 comprises a rod 18 slidably mounted in the body 2 and a head 19 of a shape complementary to the valve seat 16 of the body 2. The rod 18 is metallic, preferably made of stainless steel or brass. The head 19 is positioned upstream of the valve seat 16, the rod 18 being mounted downstream of the head 19. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the sealing gasket 17 is carried by the head 19, and the rod 18 is cylindrical. The hollow 20 formed in the hollow insert is cylindrical in shape and has a diameter greater than that of the rod 18 of the shut-off valve 6. The depth of the hollow 20 is greater than the travel of the rod 18 between the open position of the circuit 3 and the closed position of the valve of the circuit 3. Thus, it is guaranteed that during the irreversible deformation of the deformable member 9, the rod 18 and therefore the shut-off valve 6 slides into the closed position of the circuit 3.

[0062] In this embodiment, the predetermined threshold, at which the force applied by the shut-off valve 6 to the deformable member 9 causes the irreversible deformation of the deformable member 9, is less than the minimum buckling force of the rod 18. More precisely, the minimum buckling force of the rod 18 is that of the rod 18 in the state mounted in the valve 1, when the shut-off valve 6 is in the open position of the circuit 3. Thus, the irreversible deformation of the deformable member 9 necessarily takes place before the rod 18 undergoes buckling.

[0063] The valve 1 comprises a first return member 21 for returning the shut-off valve 6 to the closed position. More precisely, in this embodiment, the first return member 21 is a first spring, arranged between the body 2 and the shut-off valve 6. The first spring is, for example, made of stainless steel. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first spring is arranged between the body 2 and the head 19 of the shut-off valve 6. Thus, when the valve 1 is in the closed position, the first spring applies an additional force to that of the fluid which holds the shut-off valve 6 against the valve seat 16. As a result, the sum of the predetermined threshold and the force exerted by the first spring on the shut-off valve 6 when the shut-off valve 6 is in the open position of the circuit 3 is less than the minimum buckling force of the rod 18.Thus, the irreversible deformation of the deformable member 9 necessarily takes place before the rod 18 undergoes buckling.

[0064] Furthermore, since the force applied by the first spring to the shut-off valve 6 is added to that exerted by the pressurized fluid on the shut-off valve 6, the predetermined threshold can be adjusted simply by adjusting the stiffness of the first spring. Thus, if it is desired to lower the predetermined threshold leading to the irreversible deformation of the deformable member 9, the stiffness of the first spring is increased. Conversely, if it is desired to increase the predetermined threshold leading to the irreversible deformation of the deformable member 9, the stiffness of the first spring is decreased.

[0065] The valve 1 also comprises a second return member 22 for returning the pusher 10 to the rest position of the control member 8. The second return member 22 is, for example, a second spring, arranged between the body 2 and the pusher 10. The second spring is, for example, made of stainless steel. The second spring is guided in the housing 12 of the pusher 10. Thus, when the valve 1 moves from the open position – shown in the – to the closed position – shown in the –, the second spring applies a force which tends to return the pusher 10 and thus the control member 8 to a rest position.

[0066] The valve 1 also includes a radial seal 23, which is arranged between the rod 18 and the body 2. The seal 23 is for example formed from an elastomer material, and makes it possible to maintain the seal against the pressurized fluid present in the circuit 3, even when the rod 18 slides in the body 2.

[0067] The diagram shows a tank 24 comprising a valve 1 as previously described. For example, the filling pressure of the tank 24 is at least 0.5 MPa, preferably at least 1.5 MPa. In this embodiment, the tank 24 is a pressurized gas cylinder. Thus, the pressurized fluid is gaseous, and preferably contains mainly a combustible gas, more preferably contains mainly acetylene – or C2H2–, even more preferably contains at least 99% acetylene. The upstream end 4 of the valve 1 is connected to the pressurized gas cylinder. For this purpose, the corresponding end of the body 2 of the valve 1 may be threaded.

[0068] According to variants not shown, the upstream end of the valve 4 can be connected to a circuit connected to a tank such as a pressurized gas cylinder or to several tanks such as pressurized gas cylinders, such as for example a frame of pressurized gas cylinders.

[0069] The operation of valve 1 is described below.

[0070] When the control member 8 is in a rest position, the shut-off valve 6 is also in a position for closing the circuit 3 and the circuit 3 is closed, as shown in the.

[0071] When pressurized fluid is to be distributed from the upstream end 4 to the downstream end 5, the control member 8 is tilted from the rest position to an active position. The pusher 10 then presses on the shut-off valve 6, more precisely on the rod 18, via the deformable member 9. The shut-off valve 6 then slides in the body 2. More precisely, the rod 18 slides in the body 2 until the pusher 10 is in abutment against the body 2. The head 19 is driven upstream and thus releases the passage of the pressurized fluid into the circuit 3. The shut-off valve 6 is thus in the open position of the circuit 3, as shown in the figure.

[0072] In normal operation, when the passage of the pressurized fluid in the circuit 3 must be cut off, the control member 8 is switched from the active position to the rest position. The second return member 22 then returns the pusher 10 and the deformable member 9 to the rest position. Because the pusher 10 no longer presses on the shut-off valve 6, more precisely on the rod 18, via the deformable member 9, the pressurized fluid and the first return member 21 then act on the shut-off valve 6 which slides into the closed position of the circuit 3, as shown in the.

[0073] When the valve 1 is open, as shown in the, a force applied by the pressurized fluid to the shut-off valve 6 may exceed a predetermined threshold, when an undesirable event affecting the pressurized fluid occurs in the part of the circuit 3 upstream of the shut-off valve 6, such as for example a spontaneous decomposition of acetylene or a violent combustion of oxygen or nitrous oxide. The deformable member 9 deforms irreversibly under the action of the shut-off valve 6, and thus allows the shut-off valve 6 to slide into the closed position of the circuit 3, as shown in the. More precisely, in this embodiment, the rod 18 deforms and perforates the bottom end 15 of the deformable member 9.Because the pusher 10 no longer presses on the shut-off valve 6, more precisely on the rod 18, via the deformable member 9, the pressurized fluid and the first return member 21 then act on the shut-off valve 6 which slides into the closed position of the circuit 3, as shown in the. The control member 8 being still in the active position, the circuit 3 is thus automatically closed. Then, even if the control member 8 is tilted into the rest position, the shut-off valve 6 remains in the closed position of the circuit 3. Finally, because of the irreversible deformation of the deformable member 9, the reuse of the valve 1 to open the circuit 3 is avoided.Indeed, even if the control member 8 is again tilted into the active position, the pusher 10 is then no longer able to press on the shut-off valve 6 via the deformable member 9, and to slide it into the open position of the circuit 3. Indeed, the irreversible deformation of the deformable member 9 removes a mechanical link in the transfer of force between the control member 8 and the shut-off valve 6. Thus, the shut-off valve 6 can then no longer be urged towards its open position of the circuit 3. For example, this irreversible deformation prevents functional contact, for example a push by pressing, between the control member 8 and the shut-off valve 6, more precisely between the pusher 10 of the control member 8 and the rod 18 of the shut-off valve 6, via of the deformable organ 9.

[0074] The invention is not limited to the embodiments explained above, other possible combinations are defined by the claims.

[0075] Other embodiments will be clear to those skilled in the art. It is in particular possible for the deformable member 9 to be composed of one or more other materials and / or to be of a different shape, as long as the deformable member 9 has sufficient mechanical characteristics to allow it to bear on the shut-off valve 6, in particular in terms of mechanical strength, resistance to abrasion and wear, throughout the lifetime of the valve 1, while being configured to deform to thus allow the shut-off valve 6 to slide into the closed position of the circuit 3 when it is subjected to a determined force. List of references

[0076] 1: valve2: body3: circuit4: upstream end5: downstream end6: shut-off valve8: control member9: deformable member10: pusher11: lever12: housing14: opening15: bottom end16: valve seat17: seal18: stem19: head20: hollow21: first return member22: second return member23: seal24: tank

Claims

A valve (1) for pressurized fluid comprising a body (2) incorporating a fluid circuit (3) having an upstream end (4) configured to be connected to at least one pressurized fluid reservoir (24) and a downstream end (5) configured to be connected to a fluid user, the circuit (3) comprising a shut-off valve (6) slidably mounted in the body (2), the shut-off valve (6) allowing the circuit (3) to be closed or opened, the valve (1) comprising a control element (8) for the shut-off valve (6), the shut-off valve (6) being slidably mounted in the body (2) between a closed position of the circuit (3) when the control element (8) is in a rest position, and an open position of the circuit (3) when the control element (8) is in an active position, characterized in that the valve (1) comprises a deformable element (9) interposed between the the shut-off valve (6) and the control member (8),the deformable member (9) being configured, when the control member (8) is moved from the rest position to the active position, - to press on the shut-off valve (6) and slide it into the opening position of the circuit (3), and - to deform irreversibly under the action of the shut-off valve (6), when a force applied by the pressurized fluid on the shut-off valve (6) exceeds a predetermined threshold, and thus allow the shut-off valve (6) to slide into the closing position of the circuit (3). Valve (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the control member (8) comprises a pusher (10) sliding in the body (2), the deformable member (9) being interposed between the pusher (10) and the shut-off valve (6). Valve (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the deformable member (9) is a hollow insert, disposed in a housing (12) of the pusher (10). Valve (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the hollow insert is pot-shaped, the opening (14) of which is oriented towards the bottom of the housing (12) of the pusher (10) and the bottom end (15) opposite the opening (14) is configured to press on the shutter flap (6) and slide it into the opening position of the circuit (3) when the control member (8) is moved from the rest position to the active position. Valve (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the thickness of the bottom end (15) of the hollow insert is between 1 mm and 4 mm, preferably between 1.8 mm and 2.2 mm, more preferably equal to 2 mm. Valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which is of the self-sealing type, the shut-off valve (6) being at least partially positioned upstream of a valve seat (16) of the body (2), such that the fluid pressure in the upstream end (4) helps to keep the shut-off valve (6) in its closed position, in contact with the valve seat (16) via a sealing gasket (17). Valve (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the shut-off valve (6) comprises a stem (18) mounted to slide in the body (2) and a head (19) of complementary shape to the valve seat (16) of the body (2), the head (19) being positioned upstream of the valve seat (16), the stem (18) being mounted downstream of the head (19). Valve (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the predetermined threshold is less than the minimum buckling force of the stem (18). Valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which includes a first return element (21) for the shut-off valve (6) in the closed position. Valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, which includes a second return member (22) of the pusher (10) in the rest position of the control member (8). Tank (24) or set of tanks for pressurized fluid, including a valve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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