Fluid container equipped with an electronically controlled dispensing valve held in place by a protective cover

Abstract

Title of the Invention: Fluid Container Equipped with a Dispensing Valve and Electronic Device Retained by a Protective Cover. The invention relates to a pressurized fluid container (30), in particular a gas cylinder, comprising a container body (31) equipped with a fluid dispensing valve (10) and an electronic device (20) comprising a housing (21) with a nozzle (25) configured to fit into a nozzle recess (15) in the valve body (10). A protective cover (40) is arranged around the valve body (11). The peripheral wall (21.1) of the housing (21) is shaped to fit the peripheral edge (43) of the opening (42) in the cover (40) to retain the electronic device (20) attached to the cover (40) when its nozzle (25) is fitted into the nozzle recess (15) in the valve body (11). Use of such a container (30) for storing or supplying a gas under pressure. Figure from the abstract: Fig. 4

Description

Title of the invention: Fluid container equipped with a dispensing valve with an electronic device held in place by a protective cover

[0001] The invention relates to a pressurized fluid container, in particular a pressurized gas cylinder, equipped with a fluid distribution valve equipped with an electronic device not fixed to the fluid distribution valve.

[0002] Medical fluids or gases, such as oxygen, N0 / N2, ​​N2O / O2, He / O2 mixtures, medical air or other, are packaged in pressurized gas containers, in particular gas cylinders or bottles, which are equipped with a dispensing tap, also called a valve, with or without an integrated pressure reduction system (RDI), used to provide an adjustable gas flow.

[0003] The dispensing valve may be equipped with an electronic device with a digital display for displaying, in particular during gas withdrawal, the residual gas pressure in the container or a gas autonomy, i.e. the duration of use before the container is (quasi-)empty, as taught by EP-A-2918892, EP-A-3421866, US-A-2015 / 048955, US-A-6085598, EP-A-3067665 or DE-A-3809142.

[0004] In order to protect the dispensing valve and its fragile equipment against shocks, falls, dirt... in particular the electronic device with digital display, it is common to fit a rigid protective cover, also called a "cap", around the dispensing valve equipping the gas cylinder.

[0005] The electronic device generally comprises a housing containing one or more (micro)processors mounted on an electronic board and a display screen for calculating and / or displaying one or more parameters useful to the user, such as gas flow rate, gas pressure, autonomy, gas volume, or any other parameter. Pressure measurement means are also provided, in particular a pressure sensor or a combined pressure and temperature sensor, which are connected to the electronic board, specifically to the (micro)processor, to transmit the pressure measurements, which are then processed electronically.

[0006] In order to perform pressure measurements, the pressure sensor of the electronic device is fluidically connected to the internal gas circuit of the valve which is in fluidic communication with the internal volume of the container and which carries the gas whose pressure and temperature are to be measured, typically via an internal channel or "tap" through the connecting end used to fix the electronic device to the valve, as described by EP-A-3421866.

[0007] In other words, the electronic device is generally securely fixed to the valve body by screwing its threaded tip into a tapped recess in the valve body, or by means of a key or pin inserted into a housing provided in the valve body and in the side wall of the tip of the electronic device, or by means of any other fastening system that secures these elements together, keeping the electronic device firmly in position on the valve despite the pressure stresses to which it is subjected, given that its tip is subjected to the high pressure carried by the internal gas circuit of the valve. Examples of fixing such valves are given by EP3421866 and EP3377811.

[0008] Once the electronic device is attached to the tap body via the housing's end cap, the protective cover is fitted around the tap, and the electronic device's housing is positioned in an opening provided in the cover so that it is visible from the outside, allowing the user to read the information it displays on its screen. Examples of taps with such electronic devices housed in an opening in their cover include EP3002498, EP4027051, EP4056962, EP4071399, and EP4071400.

[0009] However, it was found in practice that fixing the electronic device to the tap body by screwing its threaded tip into a tapped recess in the tap body, or by means of a key or pin inserted into a housing made in the tap body and in the side wall of the tip of the electronic device, or similar, had disadvantages.

[0010] First of all, these types of fixings require additional machining of the tap body and the tip of the electronic device, for example tapping the housing and threading the tip, or additional drilling of the tap body and the tip to accommodate a key or pin, or the like.

[0011] Furthermore, the disassembly of the electronic device from the valve body, particularly for maintenance or replacement operations, can be made complicated.

[0012] In view of this, a problem is therefore to be able to install an electronic device and a protective cover on the body of a fluid distribution valve in a simple way, without having to make additional machining of the tip of the electronic device and / or the housing which houses it in the valve body, ensuring good positioning of the cover / electronic device assembly on the valve body, and allowing easy disassembly of these, in particular during maintenance or replacement operations, i.e. to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0013] A solution according to the invention then relates to a pressurized fluid container, in particular a pressurized gas cylinder or bottle, comprising a container body having an internal volume for retaining, i.e. storing, a fluid under pressure, typically a gas or gaseous mixture, and equipped with a fluid dispensing valve comprising: - a tap body comprising a housing with a nozzle opening to the outside, - an electronic device comprising a housing including a nozzle configured to fit into the nozzle housing of the tap body, and - a protective cover arranged around the tap body, comprising an opening, i.e. a window or similar, comprising a peripheral border surrounding the housing of the electronic device,

[0014] characterized in that at least a part of the peripheral wall of the housing of the electronic device is shaped to cooperate with at least a part of the peripheral edge of the opening of the protective cover to keep the electronic device attached to the protective cover, when the end of the housing is housed in the end housing of the tap body.

[0015] In other words, according to the invention, it is the peripheral edge of the opening of the cover, or at least a part of it, which makes it possible to keep the electronic device in position on the tap body, and not a thread / tap, a key or pin or the like.

[0016] Depending on the embodiment considered, the pressurized fluid container of the invention may comprise one or more of the following features: - the housing for the nozzle arranged in the tap body has a blind bottom. - the end of the housing is held in position in the end housing of the tap body by the protective cover when it cooperates with the housing of the electronic device. - the valve body includes an internal fluid circuit to convey pressurized fluid from the internal volume of the container body. - the peripheral wall of the electronic device housing and the peripheral edge of the protective cover opening are shaped to present complementary shapes to ensure the attachment of the electronic device to the protective cover, that is to say that the peripheral edge of the cover opening fits the peripheral wall of the electronic device housing, i.e. its peripheral contour. - the peripheral wall of the electronic device housing includes at least one peripheral groove and the peripheral edge of the protective cover opening includes at least one shoulder, or vice versa. said at least one shoulder is inserted into said peripheral groove to ensure the attachment of the electronic device to the protective casing, i.e. its retention on the casing and on the valve body. said at least one peripheral groove is arranged on at least part of the external perimeter of the peripheral wall of the electronic device housing. said at least one peripheral groove is made in the external wall of the electronic device housing, that is to say by hollowing out the external wall of the housing. said at least one peripheral groove forms a channel. Alternatively, the groove is delimited by two small parallel walls arranged opposite each other and supported by the external wall of the electronic device housing, i.e. protruding from said external wall of the housing. said at least one peripheral groove is made on only part or all of the periphery of the case. said at least one shoulder is arranged on at least a part, that is to say all or part, of the internal perimeter of the peripheral edge of the opening of the protective cover. The end of the housing has a general cylindrical shape and lacks external threads. the end of the housing for example has a length between 5 and 11 mm, preferably between 6 and 8 mm, and a diameter between 5 and 12 mm, preferably between 7 and 9 mm. The tap body's nozzle housing has a second general cylindrical shape and lacks internal threading. The first general cylindrical shape of the housing tip and the second general cylindrical shape of the tap body tip housing are complementary to each other, that is to say, the external wall of the housing tip fits the internal wall of the tap body tip housing. the peripheral wall of the electronic device housing has an external perimeter of square or rectangular shape, that is to say that the housing is rectangular or square parallelepiped. The opening of the protective cover has an internal perimeter of square or rectangular shape. The outer perimeter of the case is complementary to the inner perimeter of the opening of the cover, that is to say that the outer perimeter of the case fits together with the inner perimeter of the opening of the cover. The electronic device is held securely to the tap body, and the end of the housing is held housed in the end housing of the tap body, solely through the cooperation between at least a part of the peripheral wall of the housing of the electronic device with at least a part of the peripheral edge of the opening of the protective cover, i.e. no threading / tapping, no pin or key or similar is required. The end of the housing also forms a centering pin allowing for proper positioning of the housing on the tap body. the tip is made of polymer, for example thermoplastic polymer material (TPE). the retention of the housing on the tap body, therefore the retention of the end of the housing within the end housing of the tap body, is ensured solely by the protective cover which, via the edge of the housing housing the housing, constrains the housing to hold it securely in position. The case is rigid. The casing is made of metal or polymer. The protective cover includes a rigid cover body. The casing body defines an internal volume sized to house the gas distribution valve. the cowling body is formed (of at least) two half-shells connecting to each other, typically a right half-shell and a left half-shell. The two half-shells are roughly symmetrical to each other. The two half-shells are joined together along a junction plane separating the opening of the cowling into two substantially equal parts, that is to say a junction plane passing through the center of the opening. the casing body is made of polymer material, metal or combinations thereof. the electronic device includes means for processing data with a (microprocessor, i.e. including one or more (micro)processors. The data processing means include at least one microprocessor arranged on an electronic board. It includes pressure measurement means configured to measure (at least) the fluid pressure within the internal fluid circuit. The data processing means are configured to process the pressure measurement(s) performed by the pressure measurement means. The pressure measurement means are arranged in the valve body in a manner separate from the electronic device, being connected only electrically to the electronic device by means of electrical connection. The pressure measurement means include a pressure sensor connected to the internal gas circuit to perform the pressure measurement(s), preferably a combined pressure and temperature sensor configured to perform pressure and temperature measurements of the fluid. Electrical connection means include wired electrical connections, such as wires or cables. The electrical connection means include an electrical cable. the tablecloth includes at least 4 electrical wires, typically from 4 to 20 electrical wires arranged in parallel with each other. The pressure measurement devices are arranged in a sensor housing fitted into the tap body. The sensor housing fitted into the tap body includes a base. The sensor housing fitted into the tap body is open to the outside. The sensor housing communicates fluidly with the internal fluid circuit of the valve body, preferably via a measuring port located in the bottom of the sensor housing. Pressure measurement means include additional data processing means, such as an additional electronic card, to computerize the measurements taken by the pressure sensor and obtain processed measurements. Additional data processing means include one or more microprocessors. The electrical connection means, in particular the electrical cable, connect the additional data processing means to the data processing means of the electronic device in such a way as to provide them with the processed measurements from the additional data processing means. The data processing means are configured to determine residual gas pressure or gas autonomy by processing the pressure or pressure and temperature measurements, provided by pressure measuring means. The internal gas circuit is arranged in the valve body and extends between a fluid inlet orifice in fluidic communication with the internal volume of the container body and at least one fluid outlet orifice carried by a fluid distribution nozzle. The fluid inlet port is carried by the threaded fitting of the tap, typically conical in shape. The electrical cable is flexible, that is to say supple and deformable, to facilitate connections and its installation. The pressure and possibly temperature sensor is electrically connected to the additional data processing means to provide pressure and temperature measurements (i.e. signals) of the fluid to said additional data processing means. The pressure and temperature sensor is configured to measure temperatures between -40°C and +70°C and pressures between 0 and at least 150 bar abs, preferably at least 250 bar abs. The pressure and temperature sensor includes a sensor body through which an internal passage is passed, enabling the pressure and temperature to be measured, i.e. constituting a single pressure and temperature tap. The data processing means of the electronic device, in particular the microprocessor(s), are configured to process the pressure and temperature measurement(s). The microprocessor(s) implements one or more algorithms. The data processing capabilities of the electronic device include at least one microcontroller. More specifically, one (or more) microprocessors may be integrated into the electronic device in the form of a microcontroller. The microprocessor(s), in particular the microcontroller(s), is configured to record data, notably within dedicated software or algorithm. The unique pressure and temperature sensor is in fluidic communication with the internal gas circuit of the fluid distribution valve so as to allow the pressure and temperature measurements of the gas carried by said internal circuit to be taken, i.e. within the internal gas passage of the gas distribution valve. The data processing means, in particular the microprocessor(s), is powered by an electrical current source. The pressure and temperature sensor, in particular the additional data processing means of said sensor, is supplied with electrical current by an electrical current source. The pressure and temperature sensor includes additional data processing means or embedded electronics to determine the pressure and temperature of the gas. Additional data processing means cooperate with membrane means to determine gas pressure and temperature probe means to measure gas temperature. The membrane means and the temperature probe means are arranged so as to be in contact with the gas conveyed by the internal passage of the sensor body, i.e. a single gas conduit. The additional data processing means, i.e. the on-board electronics of the pressure and temperature sensor, are electrically connected to the data processing means of the electronic device to communicate to them signals and / or measured pressure and temperature values, in particular via the cable. The embedded electronics of the pressure and temperature sensor include one (or more) additional microprocessor(s). The electronic device is a digital manometer configured to provide the gas pressure or gas volume in the container, the gas flow rate supplied by the valve and / or the autonomy, i.e., duration of use in relation to the amount of residual fluid in the container and / or the gas supply rate by the valve. The electrical power source includes one or more batteries or electric cells, rechargeable or not. the electronic device includes a digital display, i.e. such as an information display screen, for example of the LCD type. The electronic device includes a digital display positioned in the opening of the casing so that it can be viewed by a user from the outside. The screen is essentially in continuity with the surface of the housing body. The fluid distribution valve includes a flow selection device allowing the selection of a desired fluid flow rate, preferably between 0 and 30 L / min. The fluid distribution valve includes a flow outlet fitting to deliver the fluid at the desired flow rate, typically a gas. The fluid distribution valve includes a pressure outlet fitting to deliver the fluid at a given pressure, typically a gas. The outlet fitting includes means for controlling the gas outlet. The fluid distribution valve includes a fluid inlet port. in fluidic communication with the internal gas circuit of the fluid distribution valve so as to allow the entry of pressurized fluid into the internal gas circuit of the fluid distribution valve. The fluid inlet port of the fluid distribution valve is in fluidic communication with the internal volume of the fluid container. The internal gas circuit of the fluid distribution valve fluidly connects the fluid inlet port to the outlet fitting in flow or pressure. The internal gas circuit of the fluid distribution valve is arranged, for example drilled, in the body of the fluid distribution valve. The flow or pressure outlet fitting of the fluid distribution valve is configured to be fluidly connected to a flexible gas line or other device using the fluid, such as a medical device or apparatus. The flow selection device includes a rotary handwheel configured to move between several positions angularly offset from each other, each position corresponding to a given desired gas flow value. The flow selection device allows the selection of desired gas flow rates between 0 and 30 L / min, typically between 0 and 25 L / min. The flow selection device also cooperates with a flow adjustment device arranged in the valve body in order to adjust the flow to the desired gas flow value. The flow control device includes a calibrated orifice disc arranged on the path of the gas in the valve body. The gas outlet fitting (in flow) is arranged in the center of the rotary flywheel, that is to say they are arranged coaxially with each other. The data processing means include a time counter. the container has an internal volume between 1 and 20 L, typically between 2 and 15 L (water equivalent). The electronic device's digital display is configured to display information, specifically gas autonomy, gas pressure, and a gas volume or an alert icon, for example autonomy alert or hose clamping alert, or others. The data processing means are configured to trigger an audible alert and a visual alert in the event of an alert being triggered, including a clamping alert or a battery life alert. It also includes means of storing data. Data storage means include read-only memory, preferably an EEPROM or similar. The data storage means are arranged on an electronic board, preferably on the electronic board carrying the microprocessor. The electrical power source electrically supplies the data processing means, typically the circuit board, the microprocessor(s), and all components operating with electrical current, such as the digital display, pressure and temperature sensor and / or an alert LED. The power source is arranged in a compartment within the protective casing. The hood body includes one (or more) carrying handles, preferably the carrying handle is arranged to overcome the hood, that is to say, it is located substantially above the hood. The gas distribution valve is a valve with an integrated regulator (RDI). Gas pressure reduction devices are arranged on the internal gas circuit. These gas pressure reduction devices include a pressure relief valve and a valve seat. They allow the gas pressure to be reduced from the high pressure of the gas stored in the container, typically several tens to hundreds of bar, to a lower, predetermined operating pressure, typically a few bar, for example, 2 to 5 bar absolute. The tap body is made of a copper alloy, similar to brass. The cover body further includes a hooking system designed to allow it to be hooked to a support, in particular to a hospital bed rail or a patient transport stretcher or similar. the hood body also includes a movable, preferably pivoting, fastening system. The fluid container is a pressurized gas cylinder. the fluid container contains a gas under pressure, in particular a medical gas. - the fluid container contains, when full, a gas at a pressure of at least 130 to 200 bar abs, or even at least 300 bar abs. - the fluid container has a general cylindrical shape, in particular ogive-shaped, made of metal or metal alloy (e.g. steel, aluminum...) or of composite material(s). - the fluid container contains a gas or gas mixture, such as oxygen, a NO / N2, O2 / N2O, Ar / O2 or He / O2 mixture, medical grade air, or other.

[0017] The invention also relates to the use of a container according to the invention for storing or supplying a gas under pressure, in particular a medical gas selected from oxygen or a gas mixture N2O / O2, NO / N2, Ar / O2 or He / O2, medical air or another medical gas.

[0018] The invention will now be better understood with reference to the following detailed description, given by way of illustration but not limitation, with reference to the attached figure, namely:

[0019] [Fig-1] represents an embodiment of a fluid container equipped with a fluid dispensing valve with an electronic device held by a protective cover according to the invention,

[0020] [Fig.2] represents an embodiment of the fluid distribution valve [Fig. 1], shown naked, that is to say without any equipment,

[0021] [Fig.3] is a diagram (partial cross-sectional view) of an embodiment showing the cooperation between the casing and the housing of the electronic device according to the invention, and

[0022] [Fig.4] is a diagram (side view) of the fluid distribution valve of [Fig.1] and [Fig.2], equipped with the electronic device and other equipment.

[0023] [Fig.1] represents an embodiment of a fluid container 30, namely here a pressurized gas cylinder, such as an oxygen cylinder, equipped with a fluid distribution valve 10 with an electronic device 20 held by a protective cover 40 according to the invention,

[0024] The pressurized gas cylinder (partially shown) conventionally comprises a cylindrical body 31 delimiting an internal volume receiving the pressurized fluid, typically a pressurized gas such as medical oxygen, at a pressure (i.e., filled container) greater than 100 bar abs, typically at least 150 bar abs, or even more than 200 bar abs, for example, a maximum pressure ranging from 130 to 300 bar abs. The container body 31 is generally made of metal or a metal alloy, such as steel or an aluminum alloy, or of composite materials.

[0025] The container 30 carries a fluid distribution valve 10, preferably an RDI, i.e. a valve with integrated regulator, through which passes an internal fluid circuit in fluidic communication with the internal volume of the container.

[0026] The valve body 11, more clearly visible in [Fig.2], is preferably made of brass or stainless steel. The internal fluid circuit 14, partially visible in [Fig.3], which includes one or more passages for gas arranged in the valve body 11, for example drilled or machined, connects and extends between an inlet orifice 13 in fluidic communication with the internal volume of the container body 31 and one (or more) fluid outlet orifice carried by one (or more) fluid distribution nozzle(s) 12, such as a flow outlet fitting.

[0027] The fluid inlet orifice 13 is carried by the threaded fixing end 11.1 of the valve body 11, typically a threaded end 11.1 of conical shape.

[0028] The fluid circuit 14 carries the fluid, namely gas, from the container 30 through the body of the gas distribution valve 11 to the fluid distribution nozzle 12 to which a flexible gas line (not shown) is usually fluidly connected to carry the gas to another device (not shown) using the gas, i.e. a medical device or apparatus using the gas supplied by the valve 10, for example a breathing mask distributing gas to a patient at a rate prescribed by a doctor or similar corresponding to a treatment to be followed.

[0029] The container body 31 has a generally cylindrical shape comprising a neck at its upper end, to which the valve 10 is attached; that is, it is ogive-shaped. The neck includes the fluid outlet orifice, typically threaded, communicating with the internal volume of the container 30 and allowing gas to be drawn from the internal volume or, conversely, to be filled when it is empty. The dispensing valve 10 is mounted, typically screwed, at the orifice of the neck of the container 30, via the threaded mounting end 11.1 of the valve body 11, which includes a complementary thread of a tapped hole in the orifice of the neck of the container 30.

[0030] The fluid stored in the container 30, i.e. in its internal volume, is typically a gas or gaseous mixture, for example medical grade or medical gas, such as oxygen, air, a NO / N2, Ar / O2, O2 / N2O or He / O2 mixture, or any other gas or gaseous mixture, preferably oxygen or an O2 / N2O gaseous mixture.

[0031] The gas distribution valve 10 includes pressure measuring means for measuring (at least) the gas pressure within the internal circuit 14 of the valve body 11. They typically include a pressure sensor having a pressure tap, i.e. a spigot, fluidically connected to the internal circuit of the valve body 11. Advantageously, a combined pressure and temperature sensor is used to measure both the pressure and temperature of the gas within the internal gas circuit carrying the gas from the internal volume of the container 30.

[0032] The pressure and preferably temperature measurement means are configured to provide pressure measurements (i.e., measurement signals or values) and preferably temperature to microprocessor data processing means comprising one or more microprocessors implementing one or more algorithms, for example a main electronic board carrying one (or more) microprocessor implementing one or more calculation or analog algorithms, preferably a microcontroller.

[0033] More specifically, the pressure and optionally temperature measurements or data operated by the sensor are processed by electronics embedded within the sensor, for example a secondary electronic board with microprocessor(s) or similar.

[0034] Next, these measurements (i.e., signals or values) or data are sent to the microprocessor-based data processing means for use, i.e., computer processing, in particular to determine, calculate, or deduce a pressure or gas autonomy. An internal time counter within the data processing means may also be provided.

[0035] The data processing means are arranged in the housing 21 of the electronic device 20, for example a digital pressure gauge, fixed to the body 11 of the fluid distribution valve 10, for example a rigid housing 21 made of polymer or metal. The housing 21 of the electronic device 20 here has a general rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0036] One can also provide, on the housing 21, one or more buttons 23 or selection keys that can be activated by digital pressing by the user to make choices, scroll through a menu (or menus), acknowledge an alarm or other.

[0037] The electronic device also includes display means 22, such as a digital display or screen, for example an LCD or similar screen, used to display various information, such as the volume or pressure of gas in the container 1 or the remaining gas supply (in hours and minutes, for example), which is obtained in particular by processing pressure and / or temperature measurements using data processing means, or to display an alarm message. For example, the digital display 22 includes a screen with a height of approximately 29 to 37 mm and a width, for example, of approximately 39 to 43 mm.

[0038] The housing 21 includes an end piece 24 on its lower face, that is, the face opposite the upper face bearing the screen 22. This end piece 24 fits into an end fitting recess 15 in the valve body 11, which is shaped and dimensioned to receive the end piece 24, as detailed below. Preferably, the end fitting recess 15 has a blind bottom.

[0039] The internal volume of the container 30 (in water equivalent) is a known value that can be stored by storage means, such as an EEPROM-type computer memory, of the electronic device 20. For example, gas cylinders used to distribute medical oxygen (i.e., medical grade) have volumes between 1 L and 20 L (water equivalent), typically between 2 L and 15 L, for example, depending on the bottle considered, the volume can be on the order of 2 L, 3.5 L, 4.6 L, 5 L, 7 L, 10 L, 11 L or 15 L.

[0040] The storage means can also record other data, such as the time elapsed between successive moments, pressure and / or temperature measurements... or other parameters, such as the selector position, the bottle configuration, the filling pressure, alerts...

[0041] More generally, the electronic device 20, for example a digital pressure gauge, which includes microprocessor-based data processing means, such as an electronic card, is housed in an opening 42, i.e., a window or the like, provided in the body 41 of the protective cover 40 arranged around the fluid dispensing valve 10 and serving to protect it against shocks or other possible damage, for example, a rigid cover made of polymer and / or metal, as illustrated in [Fig. 1]. The cover 40 is generally attached to the neck of the container 30 or to the body 1 of the valve 10.

[0042] The body 41 of the cover 40 defines an internal volume sized to house the gas distribution valve 10. In the proposed embodiment, it also includes a carrying handle 48 arranged to extend above the cover 40 and connected to the body 41 by two support uprights. The cover 40 may optionally include a fastening system 49 (partially visible), preferably a pivoting hook, designed to allow it to be attached to a support, in particular to a hospital bed rail or a patient transport stretcher or the like.

[0043] The electronic device 20 is electrically powered by an electrical power source 46, for example one or more batteries arranged in a battery compartment 47, as illustrated in [Fig. 3] and [Fig. 4]. The electrical power source is used to power the components that require electrical current to operate, in particular the data processing means, the display screen 22, the memory, etc. The electrical power source 46 is connected to the electronic device 20 by electrical connections, for example wires or the like.

[0044] The data processing means are also configured to control audible and / or visual alarm means, preferably both, so as to trigger at least one audible and / or visual alarm, preferably both, in the event of detection of a malfunction, in particular a clamping, or of a quantity of gas or autonomy that is too low.

[0045] As illustrated in [Fig. 4], a user-operable flow selection device 50, such as a rotary handwheel, carried by the valve body 11, is used to select a The desired gas flow rate to be delivered by the outlet nozzle 12 is determined by a rotary handwheel that can rotate between several offset angular positions, each corresponding to a specific flow rate. For example, selectable gas flow rates may range from 0 L / min to 30 L / min, typically from 0 to 25 L / min. For instance, the selectable flow rates could be: 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 22, and 25 L / min, or any other value. The desired flow rate is selected by the user by actuating the flow selection device 50.

[0046] The flow selection device 50 further cooperates with a flow adjustment device (not visible) arranged in the valve body 11 in order to adjust the flow to the desired gas flow value, for example the flow adjustment device may be a calibrated orifice disc arranged on the gas path in the valve body 11. Such an arrangement is known per se.

[0047] Once the desired gas flow rate has been selected, the position of the flow selection device 50, for example the angular position of the rotary handwheel, can be determined by means of one (or more) position sensor 51 visible in [Fig. 4], which is electrically connected to the data processing means of the electronic device 20 to provide them with position information. This then allows the data processing means to know the value of the desired gas flow rate selected by the user.

[0048] In the embodiment of [Fig. 4], the flow outlet fitting 12 is arranged centrally and coaxially with the rotary flow selector handwheel 50; however, they could also be separated from each other according to other possible embodiments (not shown). The flow outlet fitting 12 has an outlet port allowing gas distribution, i.e., it constitutes an outlet of the internal passage 14 of the valve body 11.

[0049] Preferably, means for controlling the gas outlet are also provided, typically a valve movable axially in the fitting 12 and cooperating with a valve seat, sealing means, such as one or more O-rings, and an elastic means, such as a spring or the like, normally pushing the valve against the seat to ensure a gas seal when gas is not being drawn off, i.e. distributed.

[0050] According to the invention, in order to be able to quickly and easily couple the electronic device 20 to the body 11 of the fluid distribution valve 10 without having to machine the tip 25 of the electronic device 20 or the tip housing 15 of the valve body 11 where it is housed, and then to be able to easily disassemble them, particularly during maintenance or replacement operations, i.e. to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, it is provided that at least a part of the peripheral wall 21.1 of the housing 21 of the electronic device 20 is shaped to cooperate with at least part of the peripheral edge 43 of the opening 42, i.e. a window or similar, of the protective cover 40 to maintain the electronic device 20 attached to the tap body 11 and the protective cover 40, when the nozzle 25 of the housing 21 is housed, i.e. positioned, in the nozzle housing 15 of the tap body 11, as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0051] The tip 25 of the housing 21 of the electronic device 20 thus constitutes only a kind of centering pin which is inserted into the socket 15 of the valve body 11 to ensure proper positioning of the electronic device 20 on the body 11 of the fluid distribution valve 10. In other words, according to the invention, the tip 25 no longer participates in the actual fixing of the housing 21 to the valve body 11 since it is not held by screwing, pin or other means in the socket 15 of the valve body 11. It simply inserts itself into it, i.e., is positioned there.

[0052] The retention of the housing 21 electronic device 20 is ensured solely by the cover 40 which constrains it as detailed below.

[0053] More specifically, as can be seen on [Fig.3], the peripheral wall 21.1, i.e. the external perimeter, of the housing 21 of the electronic device 20 and the peripheral border 43, i.e. the perimeter, of the opening 42 of the protective cover 40 are shaped to have complementary shapes enabling the electronic device 20 to be secured to the protective cover 40.

[0054] The opening 42 of the casing 40, i.e. a window or the like, has a perimeter of substantially rectangular or square shape.

[0055] According to the invention, it is therefore the peripheral edge or perimeter 43 of the opening 42 of the cover, or at least a part of it, which makes it possible to keep the electronic device 20 in position on the tap body 11, and not a thread / tap, a key or pin or the like as in the taps of the prior art.

[0056] The securing of the electronic device 20 is ensured by at least one peripheral groove 24 carried by the peripheral wall of the housing 21 of the electronic device 20 and by at least one shoulder 44 arranged at the level of the peripheral edge 43 of the opening 42 of the protective cover 1 coming together to cooperate.

[0057] According to another embodiment, the peripheral groove (or grooves) 24 could be arranged at the level of the peripheral edge 43 of the opening 42 of the cover, and the shoulder (or shoulders) 44 could be arranged on the periphery of the housing.

[0058] In all cases, the shoulder 44 is inserted into the peripheral groove 24 to ensure the securing, i.e. the fixing and the holding, of the electronic device 20 to the protective cover 40.

[0059] The peripheral groove 24 can be arranged continuously around the entire outer perimeter or perimeter of the housing 21 of the electronic device 20 or be discontinuous, as shown in [Fig.4], i.e. only on a part of the outer perimeter or perimeter of the housing 21 of the electronic device 20.

[0060] For example, the groove 24 can be arranged mainly (continuous walls 24.1) on two opposite faces of the housing 21 when it is of rectangular parallelepiped shape (i.e. of approximately rectangular or square section), and extend slightly, i.e. over a short distance (i.e. discontinuous wall 24.2), on the other two faces, as illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0061] More specifically, according to the invention, the groove (or grooves) 24 can be formed: - either by removing material so as to form a kind of groove, "carved" or "molded" for example, in the external wall of the housing 21, - or, as illustrated in [Fig.4], by two small walls 24.1, 24.2, continuous or discontinuous, arranged face to face, protruding from the surface of the periphery of the housing 21, being separated from each other by an intermediate spacer or channel 24.3, for example small walls molded with the rest of the housing 21 or added and fixed for example by gluing or otherwise. Here, one of the walls 24.1 is continuous around the entire perimeter of the housing 21, while the other is discontinuous since it only partially extends over two of the opposite faces of the housing 21, via small wall expansions 24.2.

[0062] It should be noted, however, that the housing 21 can have different shapes, for example, a circular or other cross-section. The same applies to the opening 42 in the cover 40, which has a shape complementary to that of the housing 21 into which it is inserted; that is to say, the external contours of the housing 21 follow the shape of the opening 42 in the cover 40.

[0063] To facilitate the installation of the assembly, in particular the insertion of the shoulder 44 located at the peripheral edge 43 of the opening 42 of the protective cover 1, within the peripheral groove 24 of the housing 21 of the electronic device 20, the protective cover 40 is preferably formed of at least two half-shells, i.e. right half-shell and left half-shell, which couple to each other according to a junction plane passing preferably through the opening 42, for example through the center of the opening 42, as illustrated in [Fig.3], where only the left half-shell is put in place so that the housing 21 is positioned in a "half" opening 42.

[0064] When the housing 21 of the electronic device 20 is secured to the protective cover 40, through the interaction between the shoulder 44 supported by the peripheral edge 43 of the opening 42 of the cover 1 and the peripheral groove 24 of the housing 21 of the electronic device 20, the end piece 25 of the housing 21 acts as a stud Centering is used to ensure proper positioning of the cover / electronic device assembly 40, 20 on the valve 10 during installation by an operator, since the end 25 of the housing 21 is positioned in the end-shaped recess 15 machined in the valve body 11, typically a recess or blind-bottomed hole. The cover 40 can then be securely fastened, for example by screwing or similar means, either to the valve body 11 or to the neck of the gas container 30.

[0065] Preferably, the nozzle 25 of the housing 21 has a generally cylindrical shape. It has a smooth peripheral wall, i.e., without external threads or other means of attachment. Similarly, the nozzle housing 15 of the valve body also has a generally cylindrical shape and a smooth internal wall, i.e., without internal tapping. Advantageously, their shapes are substantially complementary to each other, i.e., dimensioned to ensure stable, i.e., non-floating, retention of the nozzle 25 of the housing 21 in the nozzle housing 15 of the valve body 11.

[0066] For example, the housing for the tip 15 may have a height of approximately 6 to 8 mm and a diameter of approximately 7 to 9 mm, and the tip 25 of the housing 21 may have corresponding dimensions, i.e., a length of approximately 6 to 8 mm and a diameter of approximately 7 to 9 mm. Of course, other dimensions may be suitable.

[0067] In general, according to the invention, the end piece 25 of the housing 21 therefore acts as a centering pin whose function is to ensure proper positioning of the cover assembly 40 / electronic device 20 on the body 11 of the tap 10, easily and without screwing or the like, while the electronic device 20 is held together with the cover 40, and not with the tap body 11, thanks to the cooperation between shoulder(s) 44 and groove(s) 24.

[0068] The container according to the invention is particularly well suited for use in storing a medical gas selected from oxygen, a gas mixture N2O / O2, NO / N2 or He / O2, or medical air, advantageously medical grade oxygen.

Claims

Demands

1. A pressurized fluid container (30), in particular a gas cylinder, comprising a container body (31) having an internal volume for retaining a pressurized fluid and equipped with a fluid dispensing valve (10) comprising: - a valve body (11) comprising a nozzle housing (15) opening to the outside, - an electronic device (20) comprising a housing (21) comprising a nozzle (25) configured to fit into the nozzle housing (15) of the valve body (10), and - a protective cover (40) arranged around the valve body (11), comprising an opening (42) comprising a peripheral rim (43) surrounding the housing (21) of the electronic device (20), in which at least a portion of the peripheral wall (21).1) the housing (21) of the electronic device (20) is shaped to cooperate with at least a part of the peripheral edge (43) of the opening (42) of the protective cover (40) to keep the electronic device (20) attached to the protective cover (40), when the nozzle (25) of the housing (21) is housed in the nozzle housing (15) of the valve body (11), characterized in that the peripheral wall of the housing (21.1) of the electronic device (21) comprises at least one peripheral groove (24) and the peripheral edge (43) of the opening (42) of the protective cover (40) comprises at least one shoulder (44), or conversely, said shoulder (44) fitting into said peripheral groove (24) to ensure the attachment of the electronic device (20) to the protective cover (40).

2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the peripheral wall (21.1) of the housing (21) of the electronic device (20) and the peripheral edge (43) of the opening (42) of the protective cover (40) are shaped to have complementary shapes enabling the electronic device (20) to be secured to the protective cover (40).

3. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one peripheral groove (24) is arranged on at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the peripheral wall (21.1) of the housing (21) of the electronic device (20) and / or said at least one shoulder (44) is arranged on at least a portion of the inner perimeter of the peripheral edge (43) of the opening (42) of the protective cover (40).

4. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that: - the nozzle (25) of the housing (21) has a first general cylindrical shape and is devoid of external thread and / or - the nozzle housing (15) of the tap body (11) has a second general cylindrical shape and is devoid of internal tapping.

5. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the first general cylindrical shape of the nozzle (25) of the housing (21) and the second general cylindrical shape of the nozzle housing (15) of the tap body (11) are complementary to each other.

6. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the peripheral wall (21.1) of the housing (21) of the electronic device (20) has an external perimeter of square or rectangular shape, and the opening (42) of the protective cover (40) has an internal perimeter of square or rectangular shape, the external perimeter of the housing (21) being complementary to the internal perimeter of the opening (42) of the cover (40).

7. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic device (20) is held together with the tap body (11), and the nozzle (25) of the housing (20) is held housed in the nozzle housing (15) of the tap body (11), solely through the cooperation between at least a part of the peripheral wall of the housing (21) of the electronic device (20) with at least a part of the peripheral edge (43) of the opening (42) of the protective cover (40).

8. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (1) of the electronic device (20) includes data processing means for at least one microprocessor.

9. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the nozzle housing (15) of the tap body (11) has a blind bottom.

10. Use of a container (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, for storing or supplying a gas under pressure, in in particular a medical gas, chosen from oxygen, air or a gaseous mixture Ar / O2, N2O / O2, NO / N2 or He / O2.

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