Fluid dispensing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid dispensing device (1) comprising a body (2) accommodating a first end (3) and a second end (4), the body (2) comprising a first internal fluid circuit (21) that extends between the two ends (3) (4), the first internal fluid circuit (21) comprising a first movable valve (5), the body of the first valve (5) comprising a second fluid circuit (22) that extends between the two ends (3) and (4), and comprises a movable shut-off valve (8) and a control valve (9) which is positioned extending through a chamber (6) defined by the first valve (5) and a first casing (7), the fluid dispensing device (1) comprising a seal assembly comprising a first seal (10) between the body (2) and the first valve (5), and a second seal (11) between the first valve (5) and the first casing (7).

Description

Fluid dispensing device

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid dispensing device, for example a tap for pressurized fluid, in particular a tap comprising sealing means.

[0002] It is known in the prior art that industrial and medical fluids are packaged at high pressure in containers, typically the pressures of these containers are in the order of 50 to 300 bar. These containers are equipped with valves allowing the container to be filled or the gas to be released under pressure and also to control, for example, the output flow rate of a gas. For ergonomic reasons, the manufacturers of these valves seek to minimize their size and introduce several functions into an ever-smaller volume. These valves must, in order to be approved, withstand stress tests and aging tests. One of the challenges in the design of these increasingly complex valves is to maintain the valve's tightness under the conditions of use defined by the manufacturer for all the valve's functions.

[0003] One prior art solution is to use an O-ring, for example, to prevent gas in the faucet body from escaping from the faucet. In faucets with complex designs, this seal can become fragile and come out of its housing. It then no longer ensures a seal.

[0004] Document FR3039619A1 discloses a tap architecture comprising in particular a body defining a fluid circuit extending between two ends, one of the ends opening at a filling and possibly withdrawal connection.

[0005] Document WO13076263A1 describes another removable pressure fluid valve architecture comprising a valve. This valve is a double valve comprising an internal valve and an external filling valve arranged concentrically around the internal valve.

[0006] These inventions do not overcome, or only imperfectly overcome, the disadvantages mentioned.

[0007] An aim of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art noted above.

[0008] A solution of the invention is then a fluid distribution device comprising a body housing:a first end configured to be connected to the outlet of a fluid source,a second end configured to be connected to a user interface and / or to fluid filling equipment,a first internal fluid circuit extending between said first end and said second end, said first internal fluid circuit comprising a first closing valve movable between two positions, a first closing position of the first internal fluid circuit and a second opening position of the first internal fluid circuit,the body of said first closing valve comprising a second internal fluid circuit extending between the first end and the second end, the first closing valve comprising, in the second internal fluid circuit,a second movable shut-off valve and a regulating valve, the regulating valve being positioned in a chamber defined by the first shut-off valve and a first casing mounted on the body of the first shut-off valve,said fluid dispensing device comprising a seal assembly for sealing the closure of said first internal fluid circuit and said second internal fluid circuit by the first shut-off valve and the second shut-off valve, said seal assembly comprising a first seal sealing between said body of the fluid dispensing device and said first shut-off valve in said first position and, characterized in that said seal assembly comprises a second seal sealing between said body of said first shut-off valve and said first casing.,

[0009] Depending on the case, the invention may comprise one or more of the characteristics set out below.

[0010] The first seal is mounted on the body of the fluid distribution device or on the body of the first shut-off valve.

[0011] The second seal is mounted on the body of the first closing valve or on the first casing.

[0012] The first seal is an “o-ring” seal positioned in a groove on the body of the fluid distribution device or in a groove on the body of the first shutoff valve.

[0013] The first seal is mounted on a shoulder of said body of said first closure valve and cooperates in contact with the surface of the body of the fluid distribution device to ensure sealing between the body of the fluid distribution device and the first closure valve in said first position.

[0014] The second seal is an “o-ring” annular seal positioned in a groove on said first casing or in a groove on the body of the first closing valve.

[0015] Said first seal and said second seal are positioned in the first half of the total distance of said first internal fluid circuit, said total distance being defined by the distance between said two ends measured in the direction of movement of the first closing valve between said first position and said second position.

[0016] Said seal assembly comprises at least one draw-off seal positioned between said body of said first closure valve and the body of said second closure valve.

[0017] Said seal assembly comprises at least one protective seal positioned between said control valve and said body of said first closing valve.

[0018] Said seal assembly comprises at least one protective seal positioned between said control valve and said first casing.

[0019] The invention will now be better understood thanks to the description which follows, given as an illustrative and non-limiting example and made with reference to the figures annexed hereto, among which:

[0020] is a partial schematic representation, in vertical section, of a first embodiment of the pressurized fluid distribution device of the invention,

[0021] is a partial schematic representation, in vertical section, of a pressurized fluid distribution device of the invention mounted on a pressurized fluid container,

[0022] is a partial schematic representation in vertical section of another embodiment of the pressurized fluid distribution device of the invention,

[0023] is a schematic and partial representation, in vertical section, of another embodiment of the pressurized fluid distribution device of the invention.

[0024] With particular reference to, the pressurized fluid distribution device 1 comprises a body 2, for example of generally cylindrical shape, having a first longitudinal end 3 configured to be connected to a fluid storage, for example a pressurized gas cylinder. The body of the fluid distribution device 2 has a second end 4 positioned for example longitudinally opposite said first end and configured to be connected to a user interface and / or to fluid filling equipment for example to fill the storage connected to the first end 3. The second end 4 can also be positioned laterally relative to the first end 3.

[0025] The body of the fluid distribution device 2 houses a first internal fluid circuit extending (for example vertically in the use configuration) between the first end and the second end. This first internal fluid circuit 21 makes it possible, for example, to fill a pressurized gas cylinder connected at the first end 3 and / or to withdraw gas from this cylinder.

[0026] This first internal fluid circuit 21 comprises a first closing valve 5 movable, for example in translation, between two positions, a first position allowing the first internal fluid circuit 21 to be closed and a second position allowing the first internal fluid circuit 21 to be opened. The body of the first closing valve 5 comprises a second internal fluid circuit 22 extending between the first end 3 and the second end 4. This second internal fluid circuit 22 comprises a second movable closing valve 8 and a regulating valve 9, arranged for example in series. This second internal fluid circuit 22 allows the release of the fluid coming from the first end 3 towards a user interface for example connected at the second end 4.

[0027] The regulating valve 9 is positioned through a chamber 6 delimited by the first closing valve 5 and a first casing 7 mounted on the body of the first valve 5. The chamber 6 is at a stable pressure and makes it possible to balance the regulating valve 9, for example at atmospheric pressure. The first casing 7 consists for example of a sleeve mounted on the body of the first closing valve 5 in order to create the chamber 6.

[0028] The fluid distribution device comprises a seal assembly for sealing the closure of the first internal fluid circuit 21 and said second internal fluid circuit 22, closure carried out by the corresponding valves. The first internal fluid circuit 21 can be closed by the first closure valve 5 and the second internal fluid circuit can be closed by the second closure valve 8. The seal assembly comprises a first seal 10 which ensures sealing between the body of the fluid distribution device 2 and the first closure valve 5 when the latter is in the first position.

[0029] More particularly, a second seal 11 is provided to provide sealing between the body of the first closing valve 5 and the first casing 7. Thus the function of the first seal 10 is distinct from the function of the second seal 11. The first seal 10 provides external sealing, while the second seal 11 provides internal sealing.

[0030] In one embodiment of the invention, the first and second internal fluid circuits 21, 22 can be used for the same function of withdrawing fluid by the user, from the first end 3 to the second end 4. The second internal fluid circuit 22 makes it possible, for example, to withdraw the fluid at a reduced pressure, for example at a pressure lower than 10 bar, this reduced pressure is regulated by the regulating valve 9. The first internal fluid circuit 21 makes it possible, for example, to withdraw the fluid at the pressure of the bottle, for example at 300 bar. Thus, the user can choose to use either the first internal fluid circuit 21 or the second internal fluid circuit 22.

[0031] According to one embodiment, when the user draws fluid, the first closing valve 5 is for example moved towards the pressurized fluid container 30. The first casing 7 mounted on the first closing valve 5 moves in the same way. In another embodiment, when the user draws fluid, it is the second closing valve 8 which is moved towards the pressurized fluid container 30. In another embodiment, it is both the first closing valve 5 and the first casing 7 which are moved together and the second closing valve 8 which is also moved.In this latter embodiment, the movement of the second closing valve 8 towards the pressurized fluid container 30 relative to the body of the fluid distribution device 2 is greater than the movement of the first closing valve 5 and the first casing 7 towards the pressurized fluid container 30 relative to the body of the fluid distribution device 2.

[0032] According to one possibility, when the user no longer draws fluid from the container, the displaced elements return to their initial position by the action of a spring (not shown) or other displacement means known to those skilled in the art.

[0033] The schematic representation is another embodiment of the fluid distribution device 1. A second casing 70 is mounted on the first casing 7. A second control valve 9 is positioned in the second circuit 22 through the second casing 70. A second chamber 6 is then delimited by the second control valve 9 and the second casing 70. This configuration allows the two control valves 9 in series to carry out a double expansion of the gas passing from the first end to the second end in the second circuit 22, before withdrawal by the user at the second end 4.

[0034] With particular reference to, the pressurized fluid distribution device 1 is mounted on a pressurized fluid container 30. The first seal 10 is mounted on the body of the fluid distribution device 2. The second seal 11 is mounted on the body of the first closing valve 5.

[0035] In another embodiment, the first seal 10 may be mounted on the body of the first closing valve 5. In another embodiment, the second seal 11 may be mounted on the first casing 7. Thus, in certain embodiments, the first seal 10 will, for example, be positioned on the body of the fluid distribution device 2 and the second seal 11 on the first casing 7. In other embodiments where the accessibility of the body of the fluid distribution device 2 and the first casing 7 is less, the first and second seals 10, 11 are mounted on the body of the first closing valve 5. The first seal 10 may therefore be mounted on the body of the fluid distribution device 2 or on the body of the first closing valve 5 and the second seal 11 may be mounted on the body of the first closing valve 5 or on the first casing 7.

[0036] Advantageously, the first seal 10 is an annular seal, for example of the “o-ring” type, mounted in a groove formed on the body of the fluid distribution device 2 or in a groove formed on the body of the first valve 5. Thus, this choice allows versatile implementation of the solution and allows the seal to be positioned, for example, on the part, namely on the body of the fluid distribution device 2 or on the body of the first closing valve 5, which will be the least expensive.

[0037] Advantageously, the second seal 11 is an annular seal, for example of the “o-ring” type, mounted in a groove formed on the first casing 7 or in a groove formed on the body of the first valve 5. Thus, this choice allows versatile implementation of the solution and allows the seal to be positioned, for example, on the part, i.e. on the first casing 7 or the body of the first valve 5, which will be the least expensive.

[0038] With particular reference to, the body of the first closing valve 5 may have a shoulder extending transversely to the longitudinal direction. The first seal 10 may be mounted on this shoulder. The cooperation in contact of this first seal 10 with the surface of the body of the fluid distribution device 2 allows sealing. In a particular embodiment, the first seal 10 is a metal part, for example a machined part. In another embodiment, the first seal 10 is an annular seal of the “o-ring” type.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the first seal 10 and the second seal 11 are positioned in the first half of the total distance of the first circuit 21, the total distance of the first internal fluid circuit 21 being defined by the distance between the two ends 3 and 4 measured in the direction of movement of the first closing valve 5 between the first position and the second position.

[0040] Advantageously, the seal assembly also comprises a draw-off seal (not shown) positioned between the body of the first closing valve 5 and the body of the second closing valve 8.

[0041] Advantageously, said seal assembly comprises a protective seal (not shown) positioned between the regulating valve 9 and the body of the first closing valve 5.

[0042] Advantageously, the seal assembly comprises a protective seal (not shown) positioned between the regulating valve 9 and said first casing 7, and for example carried by the first casing 7.

[0043] The device 1 may constitute or be part of a valve for a pressurized gas cylinder(s), the second end 3 being connected to the cylinder or to a set of cylinders.

Claims

Fluid dispensing device (1) comprising a body (2) housing:a first end (3) configured to be connected to the outlet of a fluid source,a second end (4) configured to be connected to a user interface and / or to fluid filling equipment,a first internal fluid circuit (21) extending between said first end (3) and said second end (4), said first internal fluid circuit (21) comprising a first closing valve (5) movable between two positions, a first closing position of the first internal fluid circuit (21) and a second opening position of the first internal fluid circuit (21), the body of said first closing valve (5) comprising a second internal fluid circuit (22) extending between the first end (3) and the second end (4), the first closing valve (5) comprising, in the second internal fluid circuit (22),a second movable closing valve (8) and a regulating valve (9), the regulating valve (9) being positioned in a chamber (6) defined by the first closing valve (5) and a first casing (7) mounted on the body of the first closing valve (5),said fluid distribution device (1) comprising a seal assembly for sealing the closing of said first internal fluid circuit (21) and said second internal fluid circuit (22) by l, said seal assembly comprising a first seal (10) ensuring sealing between said body of the fluid distribution device (2) and said first closing valve (5) in said first position and, characterized in that said seal assembly comprises a second seal (11) ensuring sealing between said body of said first closing valve (5) and said first casing (7)., Fluid distribution device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first seal (10) is mounted on the body of the fluid distribution device (2) or on the body of the first closing valve (5). Fluid distribution device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second seal (11) is mounted on the body of the first closing valve (5) or on the first casing (7). Fluid distribution device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first seal (10) is an annular “o-ring” seal positioned in a groove on the body of the fluid distribution device (2) or in a groove on the body of the first closing valve (5). Fluid distribution device (1) according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the first seal (10) is mounted on a shoulder of said body of said first closing valve (5) and cooperates in contact with the surface of the body of the fluid distribution device (2) of the fluid distribution device (1) to ensure sealing between the body of the fluid distribution device (2) and the first closing valve (5) in said first position. Fluid distribution device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second seal (11) is an annular “o-ring” seal positioned in a groove on said first casing (7) or in a groove on the body of the first closing valve (5). Fluid distribution device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first seal (10) and the second seal (11) are positioned in the first half of the total distance of said first internal fluid circuit (21), said total distance being defined by the distance between said two ends (3, 4) measured in the direction of movement of the first closing valve (5) between said first position and said second position. Fluid dispensing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal assembly comprises at least one draw-off seal positioned between the body of the first closing valve (5) and the body of said second closing valve (8). Fluid distribution device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal assembly comprises at least one protective seal positioned between the control valve (9) and the body of the first closing valve (5). Fluid distribution device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal assembly comprises at least one protective seal positioned between the control valve (9) and the first casing (7).

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