Lightweight oxygen bottle suitable for aerial or land transport

Abstract

The invention relates to a lightweight oxygen cylinder (1) suitable for air or land transport comprising a cylinder body (2) comprising a neck (7) carrying an orifice (4) in fluid communication with an internal volume (3) intended to receive gas, the cylinder body (2) comprising an internal liner (11) made of metal surrounded by a winding of fibers (10) comprising carbon fibers and glass fibers. The neck (7) comprises a cylindrical part (5) traversed by an internal passage (6) fluidly connecting the orifice (4) to the internal volume (3). The winding of fibers (10) covers at least a portion of the cylindrical part (5). Use of such a gas cylinder (1) for storing, transporting or dispensing oxygen

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lightweight oxygen cylinder containing pressurized oxygen suitable for transport, particularly by helicopter or emergency vehicle such as an ambulance, SAMU, etc.

[0002] Oxygen (O2) is a medical gas widely used to treat various respiratory conditions. It can be packaged in a pressurized gas packaging container, typically in a gas cylinder as described by EP2918893 or EP2586481.

[0003] Gas cylinders can be made entirely of metal, such as steel or an aluminum alloy, or of a composite material. Composite cylinders generally comprise a body formed by a cylindrical liner, typically made of metal, around which reinforcing fibers are wound. WO2012 / 129701 may be cited in this regard.

[0004] In order to distribute the pressurized gas contained in the gas cylinder, the latter is typically equipped with a gas distribution tap, also called a valve or the like, which may include integrated pressure reducing means. This is called an integrated pressure reducing valve or IVR, as described in EP4257868 or EP1512895.

[0005] The gas distribution valve is generally protected against impacts by a protective cover, as taught by EP629812.

[0006] However, oxygen cylinders are often heavy, particularly when they are equipped with a gas distribution tap and a protective cover, which hinders their use in land or air transport which has constraints in terms of on-board weight.

[0007] Thus, while the carrying capacity of helicopters dedicated to air medical transport is approximately 1 to 2 tonnes depending on the model, that dedicated to medical equipment is often reduced and rarely exceeds approximately 150 kg. These weight constraints often require the number of people on board, i.e. pilots, medical staff and patients, to be restricted. Due to excessive on-board weight, some patients are sometimes unable to benefit from air transport, particularly by helicopter.

[0008] The problem is therefore to propose an improved gas cylinder capable of conditioning oxygen under pressure which is lightweight and therefore better suited to the transport of patients on oxygen, not only in land vehicles, such as an ambulance or similar, but also in helicopters or airplanes, where the weight of medical equipment is an even greater constraint.

[0009] One solution of the invention relates to a gas bottle, typically oxygen, comprising a bottle body comprising a neck carrying an orifice in fluid communication with an internal volume intended to receive gas, i.e. store, preferably oxygen, the bottle body comprising an internal liner surrounded by a winding of fibers.

[0010] Furthermore, in said gas cylinder, the internal liner is made of metal, the fiber winding comprises carbon fibers and glass fibers, the neck comprises a cylindrical part crossed by an internal passage fluidly connecting the orifice to the internal volume, and the fiber winding covers at least part of the cylindrical part.

[0011] In addition, the bottle includes a domed bottom and has a height H between 30 and 40 cm, a diameter D between 8 and 15 cm and an internal volume between 1 and 3 L.

[0012] Additionally, at least a portion of the fiber winding comprises layers of glass fibers and layers of carbon fibers superimposed.

[0013] Depending on the embodiment considered, the gas bottle, e.g. oxygen, of the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics: The fiber winding comprises at least one resin and at least one hardener. The fibers are deposited around the liner in layers superimposed on each other. At least a portion of the fiber winding comprises alternating layers of glass fibers and carbon fibers. At least a portion of the fiber winding comprises several layers of carbon fibers superimposed on each other. At least a portion of the fiber winding comprises several layers of carbon fibers superimposed on each other and sandwiched between layers of glass fibers. The inner liner is made of steel, preferably stainless steel. The fiber winding forms a peripheral coating deposited around the inner liner, i.e. covering the liner. The liner constitutes a rigid body element. The liner is generally cylindrical in shape. The cylindrical part can be fixed to the liner, for example welded. The bottle body has a generally cylindrical shape.the cylindrical part comprises an external peripheral surface covered by the fiber winding. the cylindrical part is preferably a part of revolution. the cylindrical part is made of metal, for example steel or aluminum. at least part of the internal passage of the cylindrical part is threaded, i.e. a threaded internal passage. the threaded internal passage is conical in shape, typically it has a conical thread of type 17 E, i.e. approximately 17.4 mm in nominal diameter. the resin is of the epoxy type, for example an LG 150 epoxy resin. the hardener is for example of the VE112-2 type. the fibers are held together by resin and / or the hardener. the resin comprises a thickening agent, in particular a hydrophilic fumed silica. a gas distribution tap is fixed to the neck. the gas distribution tap is screwed into the thread of the cylindrical part, preferably via a threaded end of the tap.The gas distribution valve comprises pressure relief means integrated into the valve body (RDI). The gas distribution valve is protected by a protective cover. The protective cover is attached to the valve or, alternatively, to the neck of the cylinder. The cylindrical part has a tubular shape. The cylindrical part comprises at least one radial shoulder projecting outwards, preferably two radial shoulders. The shoulders are located in the end regions of the tubular cylindrical part. The shoulders project beyond the master couple of the cylindrical part, i.e. away from its external peripheral surface. The shoulders have a generally annular shape. The domed bottom may comprise a bottom part, for example a cap-shaped part (i.e. a portion of a sphere) or other. The bottom part is made of stainless steel or another suitable metal. The bottom part is covered by the fiber winding.the bottom piece can be fixed to the liner, for example welded. the bottle has a height H of between 33 and 38 cm, for example of the order of 35 to 35.5 cm. the body of the bottle has a diameter D of between 9 and 12 cm, typically between 10 and 11 cm. the internal volume is between 1.2 and 2.8 L, preferably between 1.5 and 2.5 L (in water equivalent), preferably at least 1.8 L. the internal volume is of the order of 2 to 2.2 L (in water equivalent). the body is shaped or designed to contain gas, preferably oxygen, at a maximum pressure of up to at least approximately 300 bar, preferably approximately 450 bar. the internal volume of the bottle, i.e. of the body of the bottle, is configured to store at least 400 L of oxygen under pressure. the internal volume is configured or shaped to store at least 400 L of pressurized oxygen, preferably between 500 and 700 L, typically of the order of 600 L.

[0014] The invention also relates to a use of a gas cylinder according to the invention for storing, transporting or distributing oxygen.

[0015] The invention will now be better understood thanks to the following detailed description, given for illustrative but non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended figures among which: Fig. 1 schematizes an embodiment of an oxygen cylinder according to the invention. Fig. 2 schematizes (partial view) an embodiment of the cylindrical part arranged in the neck of the oxygen bottle of Fig. 1 . Fig. 3 schematizes an embodiment of support equipment for an oxygen bottle according to the invention. Fig. 4 schematizes another view of the oxygen bottle according to the invention. Fig. 5 schematizes an embodiment of the winding of fibers deposited on the liner of an oxygen cylinder according to the invention.

[0016] Fig. 1 schematizes a partial sectional view of an embodiment of an oxygen cylinder 1 according to the invention. It comprises a cylinder body 2, of generally cylindrical shape, comprising a neck 7 at its upper end 2a and a domed bottom 8 at its lower end 2b.

[0017] The neck 7 comprises an orifice 4 in fluid communication with an internal volume 3 intended to receive pressurized gas, such as oxygen.

[0018] More precisely, the neck 7 comprises a cylindrical part 5 crossed by an internal passage 6 opening at the level of the orifice 4. The internal passage 6 of the cylindrical part 5 arranged at the level of the neck 7 makes it possible to fluidly connect the orifice 4 to the internal volume 3.

[0019] The cylindrical part 5 is preferably a part of revolution. It can be made of metal, for example steel, stainless steel or aluminum alloy.

[0020] Part 5 can be fixed, for example welded to the internal liner 11.

[0021] As illustrated in Fig. 2 , which schematizes a longitudinal sectional view of a half cylindrical part 5, the cylindrical part 5 has a generally tubular shape. It comprises two radial shoulders 5.2, 5.3 projecting outwards. The two radial shoulders 5.2, 5.3 have an annular shape. They form rings arranged around the external peripheral surface 5.1 of the cylindrical part 5, in the upper and lower end regions of said cylindrical part 5.

[0022] The internal passage 6 of the cylindrical part 5 is preferably of conical shape and comprises a tapping 9, i.e. thread, on its internal peripheral wall 5.4. For example, the internal passage 6 forms or comprises a conical thread of type 17 E, i.e. of approximately 17.4 mm nominal diameter.

[0023] Furthermore, the bottle body 2, which is here cylindrical in shape, comprises a fiber winding 10 comprising several layers of carbon fibers and glass fibers, and furthermore an internal liner 11, that is to say a body part of generally cylindrical shape, around which the layers of fibers are wound, as visible in Fig. 5 .

[0024] The liner 11 is preferably made of stainless steel or another suitable metal.

[0025] The fiber winding 10 also covers the cylindrical part 5 so as to secure it to the rest of the bottle body 2. In particular, the fiber winding 10 is deposited around the external peripheral surface 5.1 of the cylindrical part 5, as seen in Fig.1 et Fig. 2 , and around the outer peripheral wall of the liner 11 as visible in Fig.4 .

[0026] For example, carbon fibers can be those referenced Toray T700SC-24K-50C 1600 Tex and glass fibers can be those referenced Roving T30 SE 1500 300 Tex.

[0027] The fibers are preferably deposited in several layers superimposed on each other, that is to say at least part of the fiber winding 10 comprises an alternation of layers of glass fibers 12 and carbon fibers 13.

[0028] For example, in Fig.5 An embodiment of the winding 10 deposited around the liner 11 is shown diagrammatically. It comprises successively (from bottom to top) a layer of glass fibers 12 deposited on the liner 11, then a layer of carbon fibers 13, then again a layer of glass fibers 12, which is covered with several layers of carbon fibers 13, namely here 3 layers of carbon fibers 13, and finally a last layer of glass fibers 12. In other words, in this embodiment, several layers of carbon fibers 13 are superimposed on each other and sandwiched between two layers of glass fibers 12.

[0029] Of course, other superpositions or alternations of layers of fibers 12, 13 are possible.

[0030] Preferably, the fiber winding 10 also comprises at least one resin for transferring mechanical stresses to the fibers and also protecting them from attacks, in particular from the external environment. In other words, a resin encapsulates all or part of the fibers. Preferably, the resin is of the epoxy type, for example that of the commercial reference LG 150 available from GMR Systems ®< , which is well suited to wire windings.

[0031] In addition, the resin advantageously includes a thickening agent, in particular a hydrophilic pyrogenic silica, such as that referenced Aerosil ®< 200. Such an agent makes it possible in particular to avoid traces of resin drips.

[0032] Furthermore, the fiber winding 10 also comprises at least one hardener for reinforcing the fibers, for example the commercial reference anhydride hardener VE 112-2 available from GMR Systems ®<, which is well suited to epoxy resins, in particular the aforementioned LG 150 resin.

[0033] Optionally, an external UV-protective coating may be deposited as the outermost layer around the coil 10, for example a UV-protective coating comprising dedicated glass fibers.

[0034] In the embodiment of the Fig. 1 And Fig. 4 , the bottle has a height H of around 35 cm to 35.5 cm and a diameter D of between 8 and 15 cm, preferably between 10 and 11 cm.

[0035] Preferably, its internal volume 3 is between 1 and 3 L, preferably of the order of 2 to 2.2 L (in water equivalent). In addition, the bottle body 2 is shaped, that is to say designed, to be able to contain / store oxygen at a maximum pressure of at least approximately 300 bar, preferably approximately 450 bar, that is to say when the bottle 1 is full, i.e. with oxygen not yet withdrawn. This makes it possible to store at least 400 L of oxygen under pressure, typically of the order of 600 L of oxygen under pressure.

[0036] The wall thickness of the bottle body 2 varies depending on the areas. Preferably, the thickness is greater at the neck 7 and the domed bottom 8 than on the cylindrical part of the body 2. Typically, the wall thickness is a few millimeters or tens of millimeters.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the domed bottom 8 may comprise a bottom piece 14, for example in the shape of a cap or the like. The bottom piece 14 is preferably also made of stainless steel or another suitable metal. It is covered by the fiber winding as illustrated in Fig. 1 It can also be fixed to the liner, for example welded.

[0038] According to the invention, the weight of the bottle 1 is reduced, which leads to obtaining a light oxygen bottle having a weight (i.e. mass) of less than 1.5 kg and an internal volume of 2 L (water equiv.), preferably between 1.1 kg and 1.4 kg, typically of the order of 1.20 to 1.35 kg, when it is empty and unequipped, i.e. when it appears as illustrated in Fig. 1 .

[0039] Once equipped with an RDI 20 and filled with oxygen to a pressure of 300 bar, the oxygen cylinder remains light, very handy and easy to transport, since its weight is then less than 4 kg, typically between 3.5 and 3.7 kg. This represents a weight reduction of at least approximately 30% compared to a similar cylinder made entirely of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0040] Of course, bottle 1 of Fig. 1 may also have one or more layers of paint, varnish or the like, in particular of several colors, and / or bear labels or the like stuck or the like on its outer peripheral surface.

[0041] As illustrated in Fig. 3 , bottle 1 of Fig. 1 is intended to be equipped, for its use, with a gas distribution tap 20 which is fixed by screwing to the neck 7. More precisely the gas distribution tap 20 is screwed into the thread 9 of the cylindrical part 5, via a threaded end of the tap 20.

[0042] Preferably, the gas distribution tap 20 comprises pressure relief means integrated into the body of the tap, i.e. it is of the RDI type.

[0043] Generally, the gas distribution tap 20 is protected by a rigid protective cover 21, which can be fixed, depending on the embodiment chosen, either to the tap 20 or to the neck 7 of the bottle 1.

[0044] Such a lightweight oxygen cylinder 1 can be easily transported in land and air transport vehicles, such as ambulances, emergency vehicles, helicopters or others.

[0045] It is advantageously arranged in support equipment arranged on an internal wall of the vehicle, such as in an ambulance, comprising a base 30 shaped to receive the bottle 1 in an upright position with its bottom 8 arranged in said base 30, and a strap device 31 serving to hold the bottle 1 in an upright position in the base 30, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 3 .

[0046] For transport by helicopter, the oxygen bottle 1 according to the invention can be stored in a lying position, for example, it can be slid under a bed or stretcher, for example, on which the person receiving medical assistance is lying down.

[0047] For example, an oxygen bottle 1 according to the invention with a domed bottom 8 and a diameter D of 10.4 cm, as illustrated in Fig. 1 And Fig. 4 , with 17E thread, with an internal volume of approximately 2 L (water equiv.), containing oxygen compressed to 300 bar, can contain up to 600 L of gaseous oxygen. This quantity of oxygen can provide ventilation to a person (i.e. a patient) for a period (autonomy) which depends on the ventilation flow rate adopted as illustrated in the Table below.

[0048] This oxygen bottle 1 according to the invention comprises a winding 10 as illustrated in Fig. 5 arranged around a cylindrical liner 11. Tableau Débit de ventilation (L / min) Autonomie 0,5 20 h 1 10 h 2 5 h 5 2 h 9 1 h 06 12 48 min 15 40 min

[0049] For comparison, these autonomies are equivalent to those that can be obtained with a 3L aluminum cylinder weighing 5.1 kg.

[0050] An oxygen cylinder 1 according to the invention therefore allows a weight reduction of around 31% and of the overall size. It is therefore particularly well suited to use in transport units with reduced and / or limited capacities in terms of space and / or on-board weight, such as in ambulances and rescue helicopters.

Claims

1. Gas bottle (1) comprising a bottle body (2) comprising a neck (7) carrying an orifice (4) in fluid communication with an internal volume (3) intended to receive gas, the bottle body (2) comprising an internal liner (11) surrounded by a fiber winding (10), in which the internal liner (11) is made of metal, the fiber winding (10) comprises carbon fibers and glass fibers, the neck (7) comprises a cylindrical part (5) crossed by an internal passage (6) fluidly connecting the orifice (4) to the internal volume (3), and the fiber winding (10) covers at least a portion of the cylindrical part (5), characterized in that : - the bottle comprises a domed bottom (8) and has a height H of between 30 and 40 cm, a diameter D of between 8 and 15 cm and an internal volume of between 1 and 3 L, and - at least part of the fiber winding (10) comprises layers of glass fibers (12) and layers of carbon fibers (13) superimposed.

2. Gas bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the fiber winding (10) comprises at least one resin and at least one hardener, and preferably a thickening agent.

3. Gas bottle according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least a portion of the fiber winding comprises several layers of carbon fibers superimposed on each other and sandwiched between layers of glass fibers.

4. Gas bottle according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cylindrical part (5) comprises an external peripheral surface (5.1) covered by the fiber winding (10).

5. Gas bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that at least part of the internal passage (6) of the cylindrical part (5) is threaded (9), preferably of conical shape.

6. Gas bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal liner (11) is made of stainless steel.

7. Gas bottle according to claim 5, characterized in that a gas distribution tap is fixed to the neck (7), preferably screwed into the thread (9) of the cylindrical part (5).

8. Gas bottle according to one of claims 1 or 4, characterized in that the cylindrical part (5) has a tubular shape and comprises at least one radial shoulder (5.2, 5.3) projecting outwards, preferably two radial shoulders (5.2, 5.3).

9. Gas bottle according to one of claims 1 or 3, characterized in that at least a portion of the fiber winding (10) comprises alternating layers of glass fibers (12) and carbon fibers (13).

10. Gas bottle according to one of claims 1, 3 and 9, characterized in that at least part of the fiber winding comprises at least 2 layers of carbon fibers and at least 2 layers of glass fibers.

11. Gas bottle according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe internal volume is configured to store at least 400 L of pressurized oxygen.

12. Gas bottle according to claim 10, characterized in that the internal volume is configured to contain oxygen at a maximum pressure of at least approximately 300 bar.

13. Gas bottle according to claim 2, characterized in that said at least one resin is of epoxy type and / or said at least one hardener is an anhydride hardener 14. Gas bottle according to claim 2, characterized in that the fiber winding (10) comprises a hydrophilic fumed silica type thickening agent.

15. Use of a gas cylinder (1) according to one of the claims for storing, transporting or distributing oxygen.

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