LIQUID GAS BOTTLE ARMATURE

Abstract

The invention relates to a fitting for a liquid gas cylinder with a gas consumer connection piece (2), having a gas inlet opening (6) on the lower face (7), with a gas conductive connection (17, 18, 19) between the gas inlet opening (6) and the gas consumer. - connection piece (2), with a rotating handle (4), which can be turned into an open position and a closed position, so that in the open position gas can flow from the gas inlet opening (6) to the gas consumer connection piece (2) and in the closed position gas can flow from the gas inlet opening (6) to the gas consumer connection piece (2), with a closable opening on the top of the fitting, with a gas conductive connection (13, 14), which connects the closable opening on the top with an opening on the bottom.(7) connects so that a connected gas cylinder can be filled with gas from below (7) and through the closable opening is characterized in that the edge (11) of the closable opening is part of the rotating handle (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fitting for liquefied gas cylinders and a method for refilling with liquefied gas.

[0002] A gas cylinder is a pressure vessel, usually made of metal, typically steel, used for transporting and storing pressurized gases. Such a cylinder can have a volume of more than 100 liters. The nominal pressure can reach several hundred bar.

[0003] Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders contain gases such as LPG in liquefied form. Common gases include ethane, propane, butane, and mixtures thereof. These gases can be liquefied at room temperature under relatively low pressure. The liquefied petroleum gas content of such cylinders typically ranges from 3 to 33 kg. The height of these cylinders is usually between 420 mm and 1290 mm, and the cylinder diameter is typically between 200 mm and 318 mm.

[0004] Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders are sealed with a fitting to which a suitable hose can be screwed, usually in conjunction with a pressure regulator, for the controlled withdrawal of its contents. Furthermore, the fitting of LPG cylinders contains a safety valve that limits the permissible overpressure in the cylinder to, for example, approximately 30 bar to prevent bursting.

[0005] Typically, the fitting of such a liquid gas cylinder has a side-mounted connection that serves as a gas valve, used for both filling and dispensing. Hoses are manually screwed onto this gas valve for both dispensing and refilling. When the gas valve is open, the side-mounted connection is connected to an opening on the underside of the fitting, allowing gas to flow. This underside, with its opening, is located above the liquid level when the liquid gas cylinder is upright. Therefore, when gas is dispensed, only the gas that is in a gaseous state above the liquid level is drawn off.

[0006] Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders are used to operate gas appliances such as gas stoves, gas cookers, gas grills, gas heaters, and gas patio heaters. Once an LPG cylinder is empty, the consumer returns it to the point of sale for refilling. After being returned, the cylinder is transported from the point of sale to a central filling plant or station.

[0007] To facilitate refilling, it is known from publication DE 43 34 182 A1 to provide a central filling point in addition to a side connection nozzle or side gas valve. Filling can then be carried out from above without the need to align a laterally protruding gas valve.

[0008] From publication EP 3021034 A1, a fitting is known which has a gas tap for gas withdrawal and an opening for refilling a liquid gas cylinder. The refilling opening can be connected to a hose-like or tubular line of the fitting by opening a valve. This line should extend at least 300 mm, preferably at least 400 mm, into the liquid gas cylinder when the fitting is connected to such a cylinder. This allows the line to extend into the liquefied part of the gas, which in particular enables very rapid emptying by pumping.

[0009] The purpose of the invention is to reduce the technical effort required for refilling gas cylinders.

[0010] To solve the problem, a fitting comprises the features of the first claim. Advantageous embodiments result from the dependent claims.

[0011] The fitting according to the invention for a liquid gas cylinder comprises a gas appliance connection. A gas appliance can be connected to the gas appliance connection to supply it with gas. The gas appliance connection, in particular, has a thread through which a gas appliance can be connected using a screw connection. The gas appliance connection, in particular, projects laterally from the fitting.

[0012] There is a gas inlet opening on the underside of the fitting and a gas-conducting connection between the gas inlet opening and the gas appliance connection. Gas from a gas cylinder connected to the fitting can flow through the gas inlet opening to the gas appliance connection, thus supplying gas to the appliance.

[0013] The fitting includes a rotary handle that can be turned into an open and a closed position. In the open position, gas can flow from the gas inlet opening to the gas appliance connection. In the closed position, no gas can flow from the gas inlet opening to the gas appliance connection.

[0014] The fitting has a closable opening on its upper side for refilling. A closable opening means that an opening is present, along with a closing device that, when closed, prevents gas from flowing through this opening into a gas cylinder connected to the fitting. The closable opening is specifically closed by a valve that can be operated externally to open it. In particular, the valve can be opened by pressure.

[0015] There is a gas-conducting connection that links the closable opening to an opening on the underside of the fitting in such a way that it is possible to refill a connected gas cylinder with gas through the closable opening.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the rotary handle has a closable opening through which a gas cylinder can be refilled. The rim of the closable opening, also called the opening rim, is therefore then part of the rotary handle. This opening enables, in particular, automated refilling using a filling station, as described in publication EP 3 021 033 A1. The number of parts required is small, especially compared to the prior art known from publications DE 43 34 182 A1 and EP 3 021 034 A1, according to which a separate component is provided for the opening on the top. The installation space can be kept small.

[0017] To enable automated refilling of a gas cylinder with minimal technical effort, the designated lockable refilling opening is located on the top of the fitting. This significantly reduces the effort required to position a gas cylinder in the filling station. Furthermore, if the rotary handle is also located on the top, the filling station can not only refill a gas cylinder connected to the fitting from above with minimal centering effort, but also automatically open and close the rotary handle from above, eliminating the need for additional cylinder positioning. This design also allows for the construction of a fitting with less technical complexity compared to the fitting known from EP 3 021 034 A1.However, the rotary handle can be automatically closed in a technically simple way if necessary, for example, when a gas cylinder needs to be refilled.

[0018] The rotary handle advantageously includes an inner cylinder that forms an upper section of the gas-conducting connection, linking the closable opening at the top with the opening at the bottom. This helps to manufacture the fitting with a small number of components and in a small installation space.

[0019] The rotary handle includes, in particular, a cap that is integrally connected to the cylinder. Thus, the rotary handle can be made of metal, with the cap and cylinder being machined as a single piece from a single block of metal. The rotary handle is therefore not assembled from multiple parts that were initially manufactured separately. This also advantageously reduces the number of parts required for production.

[0020] The inner cylinder preferably contains a locking device with which the lockable opening can be closed. The locking device is formed, in particular, by a valve which can be moved from the outside by pressure against the force of a spring, thereby opening the opening. This facilitates automated refilling. The lower end of the valve is supported, in particular, against the housing of the fitting. The upper end of the valve is, for example, clamped to the locking device or the valve of the locking device. Part of the locking device extends, for example, into a spiral spring, which is held by the upper part of the spring, for example, by a positive locking and / or clamping mechanism.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the inner cylinder provides a gas-tight seal between an inner channel and an outer channel when the rotary handle is in its closed position. Gas can flow from the inner channel into the outer channel when the rotary handle is in its open position. Gas can then flow from the gas inlet opening on the underside along a gas supply channel into the inner channel. Gas can also flow from the outer channel to the gas consumer connection. This design allows the fitting to be manufactured with a small number of components and in a compact installation space.

[0022] The inner and outer channels preferably run in a ring shape around the gas-conducting connection that links the closable opening at the top with the opening at the bottom. This design makes particularly efficient use of the available installation space, enabling the delivery of gas from a connected cylinder to a consumer. The outer and inner channels are preferably located in the same plane, with the inner channel ideally situated within the outer channel. These configurations also contribute to manufacturing with a small number of components and in a compact design.

[0023] The stroke movements of the inner cylinder are preferably achieved by a rod, a bolt, or a retaining ring that extends into a recess. The recess is wider than the rod, bolt, or retaining ring so that the rod, bolt, or retaining ring can move along the recess. The rod, bolt, or retaining ring can be made of metal or plastic. The retaining ring can be a sealing ring, thereby advantageously ensuring the desired gas-tight connections that prevent unplanned gas leakage.

[0024] The gas supply channel is preferably equipped with a pressure relief valve through which gas can escape from the fitting in the event of excessively high gas pressure. This protects a connected gas cylinder from excessive pressure.

[0025] Preferably, the pressure relief valve is arranged on the side of the fitting opposite the gas consumer connection. This arrangement helps to ensure that the fitting can be manufactured compactly with minimal installation space.

[0026] A riser pipe connection protrudes advantageously from the underside. Gas can flow through the riser pipe connection to the closable opening. A riser pipe or hose can be easily attached to the riser pipe connection. This makes it possible to select a riser pipe or hose that reaches to the bottom of a connected gas cylinder. This facilitates and speeds up the emptying of a gas cylinder during automatic refilling.

[0027] Preferably, an interior space borders the underside, containing an anti-tamper valve. This anti-tamper valve preferably runs at least partially diagonally within the interior space. The anti-tamper valve prevents the gas cylinder from being filled through the gas appliance connection. It functions like a check valve. Gas can flow from the interior space to the gas appliance connection when the rotary handle is open.

[0028] Advantageously, one or more sealing rings are provided between the inner cylinder and the housing of the fitting, which adjoins the inner and / or outer surface of the inner cylinder. These sealing rings are held, for example, in recesses. The one or more sealing rings are pressed gas-tight against the inner cylinder. The sealing rings are made, in particular, of an elastomer or another flexible plastic.

[0029] The valve body is preferably made of metal. A sufficiently stable valve body can be manufactured with minimal technical effort.

[0030] The valve body is preferably a single piece. This minimizes the number of components. Manufacturing effort is also reduced, as there is no need to produce multiple parts individually and then assemble them into the valve body. Instead, the valve body can be machined from a single block, for example, by milling and / or drilling. Such a single-piece manufacturing process also avoids sealing problems.

[0031] The rotary handle is rotatably connected to the valve body, primarily via a threaded connection. A lower section of the gas-conducting connection, which links the closable opening at the top with the opening at the bottom, is formed by the valve body. This also contributes to the fact that the valve can be manufactured from only a few parts.

[0032] The valve body preferably includes the underside in order to further reduce the number of parts required.

[0033] The gas consumer connection fitting, the overpressure valve fitting and / or the riser pipe connection fitting are preferably also part of the valve housing in order to keep the number of parts low.

[0034] Preferably, the rotary handle comprises a cap with a funnel-shaped recess. The closable opening is located at the bottom of the recess. This facilitates the automatic refilling of a gas cylinder. The recess is formed, in particular, by ribs extending from an edge of the cap towards the closable opening. A gap remains between the ribs, into which a tool can reach. This facilitates automated operation of the rotary handle. Advantageously, the ribs are also integrally connected to the cap. The cap is then machined from a single piece to further reduce the number of parts.

[0035] Reducing the number of parts makes it possible to keep manufacturing costs low.

[0036] They show Figure 1: Sectional view of a fitting; Figure 2: Further sectional view of the fitting; Figure 3: Side view of the fitting.

[0037] The Figure 1Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a fitting 1 for a gas cylinder. The fitting 1 has a gas appliance connection 2 of standard design. The gas appliance connection 2 is provided with a thread 3. A gas appliance, such as a gas burner or a gas heater, can be connected to the gas appliance connection 2. Gas from a gas cylinder connected to the fitting 1 can be routed to the gas appliance via the gas appliance connection 2.

[0038] On the top of the fitting 1 is a rotary handle in the form of a rotating handwheel 4. By turning the handwheel 4 around the axis 5, the fitting 1 can be opened or closed. When the fitting 1 is open, gas from a gas cylinder connected to the fitting 1 can flow through one or more gas inlet openings 6 on the underside 7 to a gas appliance connected to the gas appliance connection 2. When the fitting 1 is closed, no gas from a gas cylinder connected to the fitting 1 can flow through the fitting 1 to a gas appliance connected to the gas appliance connection 2.

[0039] At the top of the fitting, there is a closure composed of two components 8 and 9. In the unloaded state, this closure is pressed gas-tight against an opening rim 11, i.e., the edge of an opening, on the top of the fitting 1 by the force of a pre-tensioned spring 10. Component 8 is a circumferential sealing element, preferably made of an elastomer. The circumferential sealing element 8 is positively locked in place by a pin of component 9, which is made of, for example, metal. The circumferential sealing element 8 also rests on component 9 with its underside. Component 9 also extends into the spiral spring 10 and is thus held in place by the spring 10. When the closure 8, 9 is pressed downwards against the force of the pre-tensioned spring 10, the opening is opened. This opening is connected to a riser pipe connection 12 located on the underside via a filling channel 13, 14, allowing gas to flow.The filling channel comprises an upper section 13, which is widened relative to a lower section 14. The pre-tensioned spring 10 is located in the widened section 13 of the filling channel. The lower end of the spring 10 is supported by the base of the section 13. The upper end of the spring 10 rests against a widening of the component 9.

[0040] Gas can flow through the opening rim 11 towards and out of the riser pipe connection 12 when the closure 8, 9 is pressed downwards into an open position. Conversely, gas can also be pumped out of a gas cylinder connected to the fitting 1 through the riser pipe connection 12 when the closure 8, 9 is open. Therefore, gas can be pumped out through the opening on the top of the fitting 1 when the closure 8, 9 is open, in order to empty a gas cylinder connected to the fitting 1.

[0041] The riser pipe connection fitting 12 is designed and configured to allow the connection of a riser pipe or hose that extends to the bottom of a connected gas cylinder. The riser pipe connection fitting 12 projects downwards from the gas inlet underside 7. To ensure a reliable connection of a riser pipe or hose to the riser pipe connection fitting 12, the outer circumference of the riser pipe connection fitting 12 features a ring-shaped bulge 15, which is semicircular in cross-section.

[0042] Opposite the gas consumer connection 2, there is a pressure relief valve 16. The fitting 1 has an annular inner channel 17 through which gas can flow from a gas supply channel 18 located on the right to the gas consumer connection on the left when the handwheel 4 is in an open position. However, two gas supply channels 18 may also be provided, for example. The gas supply channel 18 leads from the one or more gas inlet openings 6 to the right-hand section of the annular inner channel 17. An annular outer channel 19 runs parallel to the annular inner channel 17, specifically around its outer surface. The annular outer channel 19 is separated from the annular inner channel 17 by an annular wall 20. The annular wall 20 therefore forms the outer wall of the annular inner channel 17 and also the inner wall of the annular outer channel 19.On the left side, the annular outer channel 19 is connected to the gas consumer connection 2 via a gas conductor, so that gas from the annular outer channel 19 can flow through the gas consumer connection 2 and then on to a gas consumer connected to the gas consumer connection 2.

[0043] A sealing ring 21 with a flat underside is located in a recess on the underside of the handwheel 4. When the handwheel 4 is positioned as shown in the Figure 1 Shown in its closed position, the flat underside of the sealing ring 21 rests gas-tight against the top of the annular wall 20. The top of the annular wall 20 is rounded to ensure a reliable gas-tight connection. Because the sealing ring 21 has a flat underside and the top of the annular wall 20 is rounded, the thickness of the annular wall 20 can be advantageously small, thus saving space.

[0044] Gas cannot pass from the annular inner channel 17 into the annular outer channel 19 when the underside of the sealing ring 21 is in a gas-tight seal against the upper side of the annular wall 20. This prevents gas from flowing from a gas cylinder connected to the fitting 1 to the gas appliance connection 2 when the handwheel 4 is closed. When the handwheel 4 is opened, the sealing ring 21 is lifted from the annular wall 20, i.e., moved upwards. Gas can then flow from the annular inner channel 17 into the annular outer channel 19 and from there into the gas appliance connection 2.

[0045] The handwheel 4 is sealed gas-tight by one or preferably several external sealing rings 22, preferably with a round cross-section, so that gas cannot escape upwards from the annular outer channel 19 of the fitting. Several sealing rings 22 are preferred because unplanned gas leakage should be prevented, thus avoiding the unplanned emptying of a gas cylinder. The handwheel 4 is also sealed gas-tight by an internal sealing ring 23, preferably with a round cross-section, so that gas cannot flow upwards from the annular inner channel 17 into the upper section 13 of the filling channel. In principle, one sealing ring 23 is sufficient, since although it is undesirable for gas to flow into the filling channel due to a leaking sealing ring 23, this does not prevent the unplanned emptying of a gas cylinder.

[0046] The handwheel 4 comprises an inner cylinder 24, which has an external thread 25 in its upper region. The aforementioned sealing rings 22 and 23 abut this inner cylinder 24 in a gas-tight manner, both internally and externally. The inner cylinder 24 has, for example, one or more circumferential recesses on its outer surface, in which one or more sealing rings 22 are held. The external thread 25 of the inner cylinder 24 is screwed into an internal thread 26 of a valve housing 27. A retaining ring 28 is held by an internal circumferential recess in the valve housing 27, and extends inwards into a recess 29. The recess 29 is provided circumferentially around the outer circumference of the inner cylinder 24. The recess 29 is wider than the width of the retaining ring 28, so that the retaining ring 28 can move along the width of the recess 29 in a relative movement.This limits the movement of the handwheel 4 in both the closing and opening positions. The locking ring thus prevents the valve 1 from being unscrewed. The path for opening the valve is limited.

[0047] The valve body 27 is manufactured from a single piece of metal, machined from a single block of metal, for example by drilling and milling. The valve body therefore consists of one piece. Thus, several parts were not first manufactured and then joined together to form the valve body 27.

[0048] The lower section 14 of the gas-conducting connection 13, 14, which connects the closable opening at the top with the opening at the bottom 7, is formed by the valve housing 27. The valve housing 27 thus comprises a tube that forms the lower section 14. The valve housing 27 includes the bottom 7 of the valve. The gas consumer connection 2, the overpressure valve connection 16, and the riser pipe connection 12 are also components of the valve housing 27.

[0049] The overpressure relief valve 16 contains a valve that opens in the event of excessively high overpressure. The valve comprises a circular valve seal 30, which is held by a valve cover 31. The circular valve seal 30 can be made of an elastomer to ensure a good seal. The valve cover 31 is pressed towards an annular opening rim 33 by a pre-tensioned valve spring 32. The opening with the annular opening rim 33 is thus sealed gas-tight by the valve seal 30 when the overpressure is not too high. In the event of excessively high overpressure, the valve cover 31, together with the valve seal 30, is lifted from the opening rim 32, allowing gas to escape to the outside. The outer end of the valve spring 32 is held by a cover 35 with recesses 34. The cover 35 is attached to the overpressure relief valve 16, for example, by a screw connection.The lid 35 has recesses 34 so that gas can escape through the lid 35 in the event of excessively high overpressure.

[0050] The inner cylinder 24 of the handwheel 4 opens into a cap 36 at its upper end. The cap 36 has a recess on its upper surface formed by ribs 37 to facilitate the automated opening or closing of the handwheel 4 by a tool. This also simplifies automated refilling, as a filling head of a filling station can be more easily connected to the valve.

[0051] Adjoining the underside 7 is an interior space 38, which surrounds the lower section 18 of the filling channel. This interior space contains an anti-tamper device. The anti-tamper device 39 prevents the gas cylinder from being filled by the gas consumer – connection fitting 2. The anti-tamper device 39 functions like a check valve.

[0052] The Figure 2 shows a cross-section through fitting 1, which, in comparison to the Figure 1 rotated 90° around axis 5. Figure 3 Figure 1 shows a side view of the fitting 1. It has two lateral, box-shaped extensions 40. These make it easier to attach the fitting 1 to a gas cylinder using tools.

Claims

1.

1. Valve for a liquid gas bottle with a gas consumer connection piece (2), with a gas inlet opening (6) on the underside (7), with a gas conducting connection (17, 18, 19) between the gas inlet opening (6) and the gas consumer connection piece (2), with a rotary handle (4), which can be turned into an open position and into a closed position, wherein in the open position gas can flow from the gas inlet opening (6) to the gas consumer connection piece (2) and in the closed position no gas can flow from the gas inlet opening (6) to the gas consumer connection piece (2), with a closable opening on the upper side of the valve, with a gas conducting connection (13, 14) which connects the closable opening on the upper side with an opening at the underside (7) in such a way that refilling a connected gas bottle with gas through the underside (7) and through the closable opening is possible, characterized in that the edge (11) of the closable opening is part of the rotary handle (4).

2. Valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotary handle (4) comprises an inner cylinder (24) forming a portion (13) of the gas conducting connection (13, 14) which connects the closable opening on the upper side with the opening at the underside (7), wherein a closing device (8, 9, 10) is provided in the inner cylinder (24) with which the closable opening can be closed.

3. Valve according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the inner cylinder (24) separates an inner channel (17) from an outer channel (19) in a gas-tight manner when the rotary handle (4) is in its closed position, wherein gas can flow from the inner channel (17) into the outer channel (19), when the rotary handle (4) is in its open position, wherein gas can flow from the gas inlet opening (6) along a gas supply channel (18) into the inner channel (17) and wherein gas can flow from the outer channel (19) to the gas consumer connection piece (2).

4. Valve according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the inner channel (17) and outer channel (19) extend annularly around the gas conducting connection (13, 14) which connects the closable opening on the upper side with the opening at the underside (7).

5. Valve according to one of the three preceding claims, characterized in that a stroke movement of the inner cylinder (25) is limited by a sealing ring (28) which extends into a recess (29) which is wider than the sealing ring (28) so that the sealing ring (28) can be moved along the recess (28).

6. Valve according to one of the three preceding claims, characterized in that the gas supply channel (18) is provided with a pressure relief valve (30, 31, 32) through which gas can escape from the valve (1) in the event of excessively high gas pressure.

7. Valve according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the pressure relief valve (30, 31, 32) is arranged on a side of the valve (1) which is opposite the gas consumer connection piece (2).

8. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a riser connection piece (12) protrudes from the underside (7) and gas can flow through the riser connection piece (12) to the closable opening.

9. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the underside (7) is bordered by an interior space (38) in which there is gas deflection plate (39).

10. Valve according to one of the nine preceding claims, characterized in that one or more sealing rings (22, 23) are provided between the inner cylinder (24) the valve housing (27) which inwardly and / or outwardly borders the inner cylinder (24), which sealing rings (22, 23) are held in recesses, wherein the sealing rings (22, 23) are pressed against the inner cylinder (24) in a gas-tight manner.

11. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve housing (27) is made of metal in one piece.

12. Valve according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rotary handle (4) is rotatably connected to the valve housing (27) by a threaded connection (25, 26) and a lower portion (14) of the gas conducting connection (13, 14) which connects the closable opening on the upper side with the opening at the underside (7) is formed by the valve housing (27).

13. Valve according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the valve housing (27) comprises the underside (7).

14. Valve according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the gas consumer connection piece (2), the pressure relief valve piece (16) and / or the riser connection piece (12) are part of the valve housing (27).

15. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary handle (4) is a cap with a funnel-like hollow (37) and the closable opening is provided in the base of the hollow (37).