One-way cylinder valve suitable for hydrogen energy handheld torches

Abstract

A unidirectional cylinder valve suitable for a hydrogen energy handheld torch comprises a valve body (1), a valve core assembly (2), a spring (3), a spring chamber (4), and a sealing ring (5); the spring chamber (4) is connected to the valve body (1), the valve core assembly (2) and the spring (3) are located within the spring chamber (4), a valve body sealing lip (1-1) is installed on the valve body (1), and a non-metallic material (2-2) is compressed between the valve body sealing lip (1-1) and the valve core assembly (2), so that sealing is achieved by the principle of reaching a specific sealing pressure of the material, and a sealing force is provided to the valve core assembly (2) by the spring (3); a sealing ring (5) is installed on the outer side of the valve body (1) to secure sealing between the valve body and the gas cylinder; A through hole (4-1) is installed in the spring chamber (4) as a hydrogen inlet, and a hydrogen inlet port and a central flow channel of the valve core are installed in the valve core assembly (2). The external force required to open the cylinder valve must overcome the sealing force provided to the valve core assembly by the spring and the upward mediating force applied to the valve core assembly under pressure conditions, and hydrogen is introduced into and out of the central through hole of the valve body through the hydrogen inlet port, spring chamber, hydrogen inlet port, and central flow channel of the valve core, thereby enabling hydrogen discharge. The unidirectional cylinder valve has the characteristics of reliable sealing, miniaturization, and lightweighting, and simultaneously has a hydrogen charging function.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] This application claims priority to a Chinese patent application filed on December 6, 2021, with Chinese patent application number "202111511584.5" and title of invention "One-way cylinder valve suitable for a hydrogen energy handheld torch", and all contents of said Chinese patent application are incorporated into this application by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of valves, and specifically to a unidirectional cylinder valve suitable for a hydrogen energy handheld torch. Background Technology

[0003] The hydrogen energy handheld torch uses hydrogen stored in a gas cylinder as fuel, and the pressure of the gas cylinder can reach up to 70 MPa G, which is related to the low torque opening and closing of the gas cylinder and reliable sealing. Since hydrogen has a small molecular weight and a higher probability of leakage than other gaseous fuels, there are high demands on the sealing performance of the components controlling the opening and closing of the gas cylinder. Because the internal space of the hydrogen energy handheld torch is small and the total weight must be controlled, the cylinder valve must be lightweight and compact.

[0004] Conventional gas cylinder valves cannot be directly used in the gas cylinders of hydrogen energy handheld torches because their volume and weight are too large. CN 201059377Y discloses a removable normally closed valve, wherein the valve secures sealing through a flat compression gasket in the valve core. Under high-pressure hydrogen operating conditions, if the size of the valve sealing structure is large, on the one hand, a large median force is applied to the valve core, increasing the valve opening force; consequently, it is difficult for the torch lead to operate at the torch relay site. On the other hand, since hydrogen has a small molecular weight and is difficult to self-seal, using parts with a large sealing structure results in difficult machining and poor precision. If the size of the valve sealing structure is small, the sealing gasket is prone to deformation, causing the valve's sealing performance to be lost. Therefore, a cylinder valve applicable to high pressure and hydrogen media is required to meet the requirements of hydrogen energy handheld torches.

[0005] The technical problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a unidirectional cylinder valve suitable for a hydrogen energy handheld torch, which has the characteristics of reliable sealing, miniaturization, and lightweighting, and at the same time has a hydrogen charging function.

[0006] The solution of the present invention is a unidirectional cylinder valve suitable for a hydrogen energy handheld torch, comprising a valve body, a valve core assembly, a spring, a spring chamber, and a sealing ring;

[0007] The spring chamber is connected to the valve body, and the valve core assembly and the spring are located within the spring chamber; a valve body sealing lip is installed on the valve body, and a non-metallic material is compressed between the sealing lip and the valve core assembly, and sealing is achieved by the principle of reaching a specific sealing pressure of the material, and the spring provides a sealing force to the valve core assembly; a sealing ring is installed on the outer side of the valve body to secure a seal between the valve body and the gas cylinder; a through hole is installed as a hydrogen inlet in the spring chamber, and a hydrogen inlet hole and a valve core central flow channel are installed in the valve core assembly; the external force required to open the cylinder valve overcomes the sealing force provided to the valve core assembly by the spring and the upward mediating force applied to the valve core assembly under pressure conditions, and hydrogen is introduced into and out of the central through hole of the valve body through the hydrogen inlet, the spring chamber, the hydrogen inlet hole, and the valve core central flow channel, thereby enabling hydrogen discharge.

[0008] Preferably, the valve core assembly comprises a valve core and a non-metallic material structural member; the valve core comprises a central valve core, a lower cylinder, and a large-diameter structure used to mount a non-metallic material structural member between the two; the central valve core has a valve core central flow channel installed along the axial direction, and a hydrogen inlet port is installed in the side wall of the flow channel; the lower cylinder is used to mount one end of a spring, and the mounting position of the non-metallic material structural member corresponds to the position of the valve body sealing lip, and the angle between the direction of force applied to the non-metallic material structural member and the direction of material deformation during sealing is different, making it suitable for hydrogen operating conditions at different pressures.

[0009] Preferably, the non-metallic material structural member is in the form of an inlaid or injection-molded non-metallic material or an extruded sealing ring.

[0010] Preferably, the direction of the force applied to the valve core assembly is perpendicular to the direction of material deformation and is suitable for hydrogen operating conditions lower than 20 MPa G.

[0011] Preferably, the non-metallic material structural member is an annular member, and if the cross-sectional shape of the annular member is square, it is mounted by an inlay method and is suitable for hydrogen operating conditions of 10 MPa G or less; if the cross-sectional shape of the annular member is isosceles trapezoid, it is mounted by an injection molding method and is suitable for hydrogen operating conditions of 20 MPa G or less.

[0012] Preferably, when the cross-sectional shape of the annular member is square, the non-metallic material is selected as polytetrafluoroethylene or nylon; and when the cross-sectional shape of the annular member is isosceles trapezoid, the non-metallic material is selected as polyetheretherketone or polyimide.

[0013] Preferably, the direction of the force applied to the valve core assembly forms a wide angle with the direction of material deformation and is suitable for hydrogen operating conditions lower than 70 MPa G.

[0014] Preferably, the non-metallic material structural member is a stepped annular member, and the remaining surface excluding the stepped surface is wrapped and mounted by the large-diameter structure of the valve core assembly, and the stepped surface wraps the outer edge of the valve body sealing lip at a 90° angle of encirclement, securing sealing in two directions, radial and axial, and a metal stopper is installed on the valve body sealing lip and the valve core assembly to prevent the non-metallic material structural member from collapsing in the axial position by the valve body sealing lip under high-pressure operating conditions.

[0015] Preferably, the valve body sealing lip is a cylindrical structure installed at one end of the central through hole of the valve body, and after the central valve core is inserted into the central through hole, a gap remains between the outer wall of the central valve core and the inner wall of the cylindrical structure.

[0016] The diameter (d1) of the valve body sealing lip that matches the valve core assembly inlaid with a non-metallic material is in the range of 2 to 10 mm, with a preferred range of 2.5 to 8 mm; the diameter (d2) of the valve body sealing lip that matches the valve core assembly injection-molded with a non-metallic material is in the range of 2 to 8 mm, with a preferred range of 2.5 to 7 mm; and the diameter (d3) of the valve body sealing lip that matches the valve core assembly extruded with a sealing ring is in the range of 2 to 5 mm, with a preferred range of 2.5 to 4 mm.

[0017] Compared to existing technology, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows.

[0018] The object of the present invention is to provide a unidirectional cylinder valve suitable for a hydrogen energy handheld torch, which is equipped with the characteristics of reliable sealing, miniaturization, and lightweighting, and simultaneously has a hydrogen charging function. Specifically,

[0019] 1. The unidirectional cylinder valve of the present invention operates in conjunction with the switch component of a hydrogen energy handheld torch to perform opening and closing commands for the gas cylinder.

[0020] 2. When the unidirectional cylinder valve of the present invention receives an opening force, the valve opens so that hydrogen can flow in both directions, thereby enabling hydrogen discharge and hydrogen charging functions, and when the opening force is removed, the valve core assembly automatically returns to its original position so that the valve closes.

[0021] 3. Since the sealing size of the present invention is small, the mediating force applied to the valve core assembly is small, and the valve opening force is small, a compact and lightweight design of the valve is realized.

[0022] 4. The valve core assembly of the present invention may use various structural forms, including non-metallic materials that are inlaid or injection-molded, extruded sealing rings, etc., and specifically can be selected according to the pressure of use.

[0023] 5. The valve core assembly in the form of an extruded sealing ring according to the present invention uses a soft and rigid close-fitting sealing structure, and the sealing ring is closely attached to the outer edge of the metal sealing lip at a 90° angle of contact. A metal stopper is installed on the valve body sealing lip and the valve core assembly to prevent the sealing ring from collapsing due to the valve body sealing lip under high-pressure operating conditions. It is more suitable for high-pressure hydrogen sealing. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a unidirectional cylinder valve of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the valve core assembly sealing principle in different operating conditions. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of hydrogen flow when a unidirectional cylinder valve is opened. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0025] The present invention will be further explained below in conjunction with examples.

[0026] Hereinafter, a unidirectional cylinder valve suitable for a hydrogen energy handheld torch provided by the present invention will be described in more detail in conjunction with the attached drawings and specific embodiments.

[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the present invention is structurally composed of a valve body (1), a valve core assembly (2), a spring (3), a spring chamber (4), and a sealing ring (5). The valve core assembly (2) and the spring (3) are installed within the spring chamber (4), the spring chamber (4) and the valve body (1) are connected via internal threads, the valve body (1) and the gas cylinder are connected via external threads, and a sealing ring (5) is installed on the outside of the valve body (1) to ensure sealing between the valve and the gas cylinder. The valve core assembly (2) and the spring (3) are installed within the spring chamber (4), the spring chamber (4) and the valve body (1) are connected via internal threads, the valve body (1) and the gas cylinder can be connected via external threads, and a sealing ring (5) is installed on the outside of the valve body (1) to ensure sealing between the valve and the gas cylinder and to provide a hydrogen charging function. The unidirectional cylinder valve is configured with valve core assembly structures of different types depending on different operating pressures, and includes valve core assemblies in the form of inlaid or injection-molded non-metallic materials, extruded sealing rings, or inlaid or injection-molded non-metallic materials. The direction of the force applied to the valve core assembly is perpendicular to the direction of material deformation and is suitable for hydrogen operating conditions lower than 20 MPa G. For the valve core assembly in the form of an extruded sealing ring, the direction of the force applied to the valve core assembly forms a wide angle with the direction of material deformation and is suitable for hydrogen operating conditions lower than 70 MPa G.

[0028] The internal threads of the valve body (1) shown in FIG. 1 are used to connect the valve body (1) and the spring chamber (4), and the external threads are used to connect the unidirectional cylinder valve and the gas cylinder. A sealing ring (5) is installed on the outside to ensure sealing between the valve and the gas cylinder. An annular sealing lip (1-1) is installed on the top of the internal cavity of the valve body to form the sealing surface of the valve body (1). A spring (3) is mounted within the spring chamber (4) and provides a sealing force to the valve core assembly (2) by the elasticity of the spring. Additionally, under pressure conditions, the valve core assembly (2) receives an upward mediating force, thereby ensuring sealing of high-pressure hydrogen. The valve core assembly (2) may be provided in various forms, such as inlaid or injection-molded non-metallic materials or extruded sealing rings, and specifically, can be selected according to the operating pressure.

[0029] A unidirectional cylinder valve is configured with a valve core assembly structure of different types depending on the operating pressure, and is equipped with characteristics of reliable sealing, miniaturization, and lightweighting, while simultaneously having a hydrogen filling function, thereby satisfying the requirements of a gas cylinder for a hydrogen energy handheld torch. FIGS. 2a to 2c show different valve core assembly (2) shapes, in which an air hole (2-1) is installed. FIG. 2a is an inlaid non-metallic shape, and the non-metallic material can be selected from polytetrafluoroethylene, nylon, etc., and is suitable for an operating pressure of 10 MPa. FIG. 2b is an injection-molded non-metallic shape, and the non-metallic material can be selected from polyetheretherketone, polyimide, etc., and is suitable for an operating pressure of 20 MPa. FIG. 2c is an extruded sealing ring shape and is suitable for an operating pressure of 70 MPa. In FIG. 2a and 2b, the sealing principle of the valve core assembly type is such that the valve body sealing lip (1-1) is vertically compressed against the valve core assembly non-metallic material (2-2), and sealing is achieved after reaching a specific sealing pressure of the material. The two valve core assembly structures set a small sealing structure, the received mediating pressure is small, and a relatively small valve opening force is achieved. The diameter (d1) range of the valve body sealing lip that matches the valve core assembly inlaid with non-metallic material is 2 to 10 mm, and the preferred range is 2.5 to 8 mm; the diameter (d2) range of the valve body sealing lip that matches the valve core assembly injection-molded with non-metallic material is 2 to 8 mm, and the preferred range is 2.5 to 7 mm; and the diameter (d3) range of the valve body sealing lip that matches the valve core assembly in which the sealing ring is extruded is 2 to 5 mm, and the preferred range is 2.5 to 4 mm.

[0030] FIG. 2c is a valve core assembly in the form of an extruded sealing ring, which is a sealing structure with a soft yet tight seal. The sealing principle of the valve core assembly of FIG. 2c is that the sealing ring (2-3) surrounds the outer edge of the valve body sealing lip (1-1) at a 90° angle of encirclement, thereby securing sealing in two directions: radial and axial. A metal stopper (2-4) is installed on the valve body sealing lip and the valve core assembly to prevent the axial position of the sealing ring (2-3) from collapsing due to the valve body sealing lip (1-1) under high-pressure operating conditions. The valve core assembly structure can still use a small sealing structure size (d3), with a d3 range of 2 to 5 mm, and a preferred range of 2.5 to 4 mm. Since the mediating pressure is high but the mediating force received by the valve core assembly is small, the opening and closing force of the cylinder valve is small, making it suitable for high pressure and low opening force usage requirements.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, when the unidirectional cylinder valve receives a downward opening force, the valve core assembly (2) overcomes the mediating force and the elasticity of the spring to generate a downward displacement, and hydrogen passes through the spring chamber (4) and the valve core assembly flow channel in turn, thereby implementing a hydrogen discharge function. When the valve is in an open state, hydrogen flows in the opposite direction, thereby implementing a hydrogen charging function. As shown in FIG. 1, when the opening force is removed, the valve core assembly (2) receives an upward mediating force and the elasticity of the spring, automatically returns to its original position, and the valve closes.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the spring (3) is mounted within the spring chamber (4) and provides sealing force for the inlaid or injection-molded non-metallic material valve core assembly. As shown in FIG. 1, the spring chamber (4) is threaded to the valve body (1) so that the valve core assembly (2) and the spring (3) are installed within the spring chamber (4), and a through hole (4-1) is installed at the bottom of the spring chamber (4) as a cylinder valve inlet.

[0033] The basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention are set forth and described above. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the embodiments described above and the descriptions in the specification are merely principles of the present invention. Under the premise that they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the present invention may also have various modifications and improvements, and such modifications and improvements fall within the scope of the present invention for which protection is claimed. The claims of the present invention are defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Explanation of the symbols

[0034] 1 - Valve body; 2 - Valve core assembly; 3 - Spring; 4 - Spring chamber; 5 - Sealing ring.

Claims

Claim 1 A unidirectional cylinder valve suitable for a hydrogen energy handheld torch comprises a valve body, a valve core assembly, a spring, a spring chamber, and a sealing ring; the spring chamber is connected to the valve body, the valve core assembly and the spring are located within the spring chamber, a valve body sealing lip is installed on the valve body, and a non-metallic material is compressed between the sealing lip and the valve core assembly to achieve sealing by the principle of reaching a specific sealing pressure of the material, and the spring provides a sealing force to the valve core assembly; the sealing ring is installed on the outer side of the valve body to secure sealing between the valve body and a gas cylinder; a through hole is installed in the spring chamber as a hydrogen inlet, and a hydrogen inlet hole and a valve core central flow channel are installed in the valve core assembly; The external force required to open the cylinder valve must overcome the sealing force provided to the valve core assembly by a spring and the upward mediating force applied to the valve core assembly under pressure conditions, and hydrogen discharge is realized by hydrogen flowing into and out of the central through hole of the valve body through the hydrogen inlet, the spring chamber, the hydrogen inlet hole, and the valve core central flow channel, and the valve core assembly comprises a valve core and a non-metallic material structural member; the valve core comprises a central valve core, a lower cylinder, and a large-diameter structure used to mount a non-metallic material structural member between the two; the central valve core has a valve core central flow channel installed along the axial direction, and a hydrogen inlet hole is installed on the side wall of the flow channel;A unidirectional cylinder valve suitable for a hydrogen energy handheld torch, characterized in that the lower cylinder is used to mount one end of a spring, the mounting position of a non-metallic material structural member corresponds to the position of a valve body sealing lip, and the angle between the direction of force applied to the non-metallic material structural member and the direction of material deformation during sealing is different, thereby being suitable for hydrogen operating conditions at different pressures. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 A unidirectional cylinder valve suitable for a hydrogen energy handheld torch, characterized in that, in claim 1, the non-metallic material structural member is in the form of an inlaid or injection-molded non-metallic material or an extruded sealing ring. Claim 4 A unidirectional cylinder valve suitable for a hydrogen energy handheld torch, characterized in that, in claim 1, the direction of the force applied to the valve core assembly is perpendicular to the direction of material deformation and is suitable for hydrogen operating conditions lower than 20 MPa G. Claim 5 A unidirectional cylinder valve suitable for a hydrogen energy handheld torch, characterized in that, in paragraph 3, the non-metallic material structural member is an annular member, and if the cross-sectional shape of the annular member is square, it is mounted by an inlay method and is suitable for a hydrogen operating condition of 10 MPa G or less; and if the cross-sectional shape of the annular member is isosceles trapezoid, it is mounted by an injection molding method and is suitable for a hydrogen operating condition of 20 MPa G or less. Claim 6 A unidirectional cylinder valve suitable for a hydrogen energy handheld torch, characterized in that, in claim 5, when the cross-sectional shape of the annular member is square, the non-metallic material is selected as polytetrafluoroethylene or nylon; and when the cross-sectional shape of the annular member is isosceles trapezoid, the non-metallic material is selected as polyetheretherketone or polyimide. Claim 7 A unidirectional cylinder valve suitable for a hydrogen energy handheld torch, characterized in that, in claim 1, the direction of the force applied to the valve core assembly forms a wide angle with the direction of material deformation and is suitable for hydrogen operating conditions lower than 70 MPa G. Claim 8 A unidirectional cylinder valve suitable for a hydrogen energy handheld torch, characterized in that, in claim 7, the non-metallic material structural member is a stepped annular member, and the remaining surface excluding the stepped surface is wrapped and mounted by the large-diameter structure of the valve core assembly, the stepped surface wraps the outer edge of the valve body sealing lip at a 90° angle of encirclement to secure sealing in two directions, radial and axial, and a metal stopper is installed on the valve body sealing lip and the valve core assembly to prevent the non-metallic material structural member from collapsing in the axial position by the valve body sealing lip under high-pressure operating conditions. Claim 9 A unidirectional cylinder valve suitable for a hydrogen energy handheld torch, characterized in that, in claim 1, the valve body sealing lip is a cylindrical structure installed at one end of the central through hole of the valve body, and after the central valve core is inserted into the central through hole, a gap remains between the outer wall of the central valve core and the inner wall of the cylindrical structure. Claim 10 A unidirectional cylinder valve suitable for a hydrogen energy handheld torch, characterized in that, in claim 5, the diameter (d1) of the valve body sealing lip matched with the valve core assembly inlaid with a non-metallic material is 2 to 10 mm, the diameter (d2) of the valve body sealing lip matched with the injection-molded valve core assembly made of a non-metallic material is 2 to 8 mm, and the diameter (d3) of the valve body sealing lip matched with the valve core assembly in which the sealing ring is extruded is 2 to 5 mm. Claim 11 A unidirectional cylinder valve suitable for a hydrogen energy handheld torch, characterized in that, in claim 10, the diameter (d1) of the valve body sealing lip matched with the valve core assembly inlaid with a non-metallic material is 2.5 to 8 mm, the diameter (d2) of the valve body sealing lip matched with the injection-molded valve core assembly made of a non-metallic material is 2.5 to 7 mm, and the diameter (d3) of the valve body sealing lip matched with the valve core assembly in which the sealing ring is extruded is 2.5 to 4 mm.

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