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

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

[0002] It is well known in the prior art that industrial and medical fluids are packaged at high pressure in containers, typically in the range of 50 to 300 bar. These containers are equipped with valves that allow for filling or releasing pressurized gas, and also for controlling, for example, the gas flow rate. For ergonomic reasons, manufacturers of these valves strive to minimize their size and incorporate multiple functions into an increasingly compact volume. To be certified, these valves must withstand stress tests and aging tests. One of the challenges in designing these increasingly complex valves is maintaining the valve's seal under the operating conditions defined by the manufacturer for all of the valve's functions.

[0003] One prior art solution is to use an O-ring, for example, to prevent gas from escaping from the valve body. In complex valve designs, this O-ring can weaken and come out of its housing, thus failing to provide a proper seal.

[0004] Document FR3039619A1 discloses a valve architecture including a body defining a fluid circuit extending between two ends, one of the ends opening at a filling and possibly a draining connection.

[0005] Document WO13076263A1 describes an alternative valve architecture for removable pressurized fluids comprising a valve. This valve is a double valve consisting of an internal valve and an external filling valve arranged concentrically around the internal valve.

[0006] EP3495713A1 also discloses a fluid device.

[0007] These inventions do not, or only imperfectly, address the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0008] One aim of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art noted above.

[0009] One solution of the invention is 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 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 movable shut-off valve 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 shut-off valve comprising a second internal fluid circuit extending between the first end and the second end, the first shut-off 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 distribution device comprising a set of seals for the sealing of said first internal fluid circuit and said second internal fluid circuit by the first valve and closure and the second closing valve, said set of seals comprising a first seal ensuring the sealing between said body of the fluid distribution device and said first closing valve in said first position and, characterized in that said set of seals comprises a second seal ensuring the sealing between said body of said first closing valve and said first casing.

[0010] Depending on the case, the invention may include one or more of the features listed below.

[0011] The first seal is mounted on the body of the fluid distribution device or on the body of the first shut-off valve.

[0012] The second seal is mounted on the body of the first shut-off valve or on the first casing.

[0013] The first seal is an "o-ring" annular seal positioned in a groove on the body of the fluid distribution device or in a groove on the body of the first shut-off valve.

[0014] The first seal is mounted on a shoulder of said body of said first shut-off 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 shut-off valve in said first position.

[0015] The second seal is an "o-ring" annular seal positioned in a groove on said first envelope or in a groove on the body of the first shut-off valve.

[0016] 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 shut-off valve between said first position and said second position.

[0017] Said seal assembly includes at least one draw-off seal positioned between said body of said first shut-off valve and the body of said second shut-off valve.

[0018] Said seal assembly includes at least one protective seal positioned between said control valve and said body of said first shut-off valve.

[0019] Said seal assembly includes at least one protective seal positioned between said control valve and said first casing.

[0020] The invention will now be better understood through the following description, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example and with reference to the attached figures, among which: [ Fig.1 ] is a partial schematic representation, in vertical section, of a first embodiment of the pressurized fluid distribution device of the invention, [ Fig.2 ] is a partial schematic representation, in vertical section, of a pressurized fluid distribution device of the invention mounted on a pressurized fluid container, [ Fig.3 ] is a partial schematic representation and vertical cross-section of another embodiment of the pressurized fluid distribution device of the invention, [ Fig.4 ] is a schematic and partial representation, in vertical section, of another embodiment of the pressurized fluid distribution device of the invention.

[0021] With reference in particular to [ Fig.1 The pressurized fluid distribution device 1 comprises a body 2, for example, generally cylindrical in shape, having a first longitudinal end 3 configured to be connected to a fluid storage container, for example, a pressurized gas cylinder. The body of the fluid distribution device 2 has a second end 4 positioned, for example, longitudinally opposite the first end and configured to be connected to a user interface and / or to fluid filling equipment, for example, to fill the storage container connected to the first end 3. The second end 4 can also be positioned laterally relative to the first end 3.

[0022] The body of the fluid distribution device 2 houses a first internal fluid circuit extending (for example, vertically in the operating configuration) between the first end and the second end. This first internal fluid circuit 21 allows, for example, filling a pressurized gas cylinder connected at the first end 3 and / or withdrawing gas from this cylinder.

[0023] This first internal fluid circuit 21 includes a first movable shut-off valve 5, for example, with a sliding motion, between two positions: a first position for closing the first internal fluid circuit 21 and a second position for opening it. The body of the first shut-off valve 5 includes a second internal fluid circuit 22 extending between the first end 3 and the second end 4. This second internal fluid circuit 22 includes a second movable shut-off valve 8 and a regulating valve 9, arranged, for example, in series. This second internal fluid circuit 22 allows the release of fluid from the first end 3 to a user interface, for example, connected at the second end 4.

[0024] The control valve 9 is positioned across a chamber 6 delimited by the first shut-off valve 5 and a first sleeve 7 mounted on the body of the first valve 5. The chamber 6 is at a stable pressure and allows for balancing of the control valve 9, for example, at atmospheric pressure. The first sleeve 7 is formed, for example, by a sleeve mounted on the body of the first shut-off valve 5 to create the chamber 6.

[0025] The fluid distribution device includes a seal assembly for sealing the first internal fluid circuit 21 and the second internal fluid circuit 22, closure being achieved by the corresponding valves. The first internal fluid circuit 21 can be closed by the first shut-off valve 5, and the second internal fluid circuit can be closed by the second shut-off valve 8. The seal assembly includes a first seal 10 that provides a seal between the body of the fluid distribution device 2 and the first shut-off valve 5 when the latter is in its first position.

[0026] In particular, a second seal 11 is provided to provide a seal 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 an external seal, while the second seal 11 provides an internal seal.

[0027] In one embodiment of the invention, the first and second internal fluid circuits 21, 22, can be used for the same function of drawing fluid from the first end 3 to the second end 4. The second internal fluid circuit 22 allows, for example, drawing fluid at a reduced pressure, for example, below 10 bar; this reduced pressure is regulated by the control valve 9. The first internal fluid circuit 21 allows, for example, drawing fluid at the cylinder pressure, for example, 300 bar. Thus, the user can choose to use either the first internal fluid circuit 21 or the second internal fluid circuit 22.

[0028] In one embodiment, when the user draws fluid, the first shut-off valve 5 is moved, for example, towards the pressurized fluid container 30. The first sleeve 7 mounted on the first shut-off valve 5 moves in the same way. In another embodiment, when the user draws fluid, it is the second shut-off valve 8 that is moved towards the pressurized fluid container 30. In yet another embodiment, both the first shut-off valve 5 and the first sleeve 7 are moved together, and the second shut-off valve 8 is also moved.In this last embodiment, the displacement 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 displacement 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.

[0029] 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 means of displacement known to a person skilled in the art.

[0030] The schematic representation [ Fig.4 This 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 perform a double expansion of the gas flowing from the first end to the second end in the second circuit 22, before the user draws it off at the second end 4.

[0031] With reference in particular to [ Fig.2 ], 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 shut-off valve 5.

[0032] In another embodiment, the first seal 10 can be mounted on the body of the first shut-off valve 5. In another embodiment, the second seal 11 can be mounted on the first casing 7. Thus, in some 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 limited, the first and second seals 10 and 11 are mounted on the body of the first shut-off valve 5. The first seal 10 can therefore be mounted on the body of the fluid distribution device 2 or on the body of the first shut-off valve 5, and the second seal 11 can be mounted on the body of the first shut-off valve 5 or on the first casing 7.

[0033] 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 for a 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.

[0034] Advantageously, the second seal 11 is an annular seal, for example of the "o-ring" type, mounted in a groove formed on the first envelope 7 or in a groove formed on the body of the first valve 5. Thus, this choice allows for a versatile implementation of the solution and allows the seal to be positioned, for example, on the part, i.e. on the first envelope 7 or the body of the first valve 5, which will be the least expensive.

[0035] With reference in particular to [ Fig.3 The body of the first shut-off valve 5 may have a shoulder extending transversely to the longitudinal direction. The first seal 10 may be mounted on this shoulder. The contact between this first seal 10 and the surface of the body of the fluid distribution device 2 ensures a seal. In one 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.

[0036] 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 the movement of the first closing valve 5 between the first position and the second position.

[0037] Advantageously the seal assembly also includes a drain seal (not shown) positioned between the body of the first shut-off valve 5 and the body of the second shut-off valve 8.

[0038] Advantageously said seal assembly includes a protective seal (not shown) positioned between the regulating valve 9 and the body of the first closing valve 5.

[0039] Advantageously the sealing assembly includes a protective seal (not shown) positioned between the control valve 9 and said first envelope 7, and for example carried by the first envelope 7.

[0040] Device 1 may constitute or be part of a pressurized gas cylinder valve(s), the second end 3 being connected to the cylinder or a set of cylinders.

Claims

1. A fluid distribution 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 a 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 shut-off valve (5) movable between two positions, a first position for closing the first internal fluid circuit (21) and a second position for opening the first internal fluid circuit (21), • the body of said first shut-off valve (5) comprising a second internal fluid circuit (22) extending between the first end (3) and the second end (4), the first shut-off valve (5) comprising, in the second internal fluid circuit (22), a second shut-off valve (8) movable and a regulating valve (9), the regulating valve (9) being positioned in a chamber (6) defined by the first shut-off valve (5) and a first casing (7) mounted on the body of the first shut-off valve (5), said fluid distribution device (1) comprising a seal assembly for the sealing closure of said second internal fluid circuit (22) characterized in that said fluid distribution device comprises an assembly of seals for the sealing closure of said first internal fluid circuit, said seal assembly comprising a first seal ensuring the seal between said body and said first shut-off valve in said first position and in that said seal assembly comprises a second seal ensuring the seal between said body of said first shut-off valve (5) and said first casing (7).

2. The 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 shut-off valve (5).

3. The 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 shut-off valve (5) or on the first casing (7).

4. The fluid distribution device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first seal (10) is an "o-ring" annular seal positioned in a groove on the body of the fluid distribution device (2) or in a groove on the body of the first shut-off valve (5).

5. The 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 shut-off 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 the seal between the body of the fluid distribution device (2) and the first shut-off valve (5) in said first position.

6. The fluid distribution device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second seal (11) is an "o-ring" annular seal positioned in a groove on said first casing (7) or in a groove on the body of the first shut-off valve (5).

7. The 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 shut-off valve (5) between said first position and said second position.

8. The fluid distribution device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal assembly comprises at least one withdrawal seal positioned between the body of the first shut-off valve (5) and the body of said second shut-off valve (8).

9. The fluid distribution device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal assembly comprises at least one protection seal positioned between the regulating valve (9) and the body of the first shut-off valve (5).

10. The fluid distribution device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal assembly comprises at least one protection seal positioned between the regulating valve (9) and the first casing (7).

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