Device for gas cylinder filled with gas and fire extinguishing medium

Abstract

The invention is directed to a valve device (14) for a gas cylinder, comprising: a body (24) with a longitudinal axis and comprising: an engaging portion (24.1) configured for sealingly engaging with the gas cylinder; an outer portion (24.2) configured for being outside of the gas cylinder; a gas inlet (26) on the engaging portion (24.1); a gas outlet (28); and a gas passage (30) fluidly interconnecting the gas inlet (26) with the gas outlet (28); a shut-off valve (32) of the gas passage (30), housed in the body (24); and a pressure reducer (34) of the gas in the gas passage (30), housed in the body (24); wherein the shut-off valve (32) extends transversally in the body (24); and the pressure reducer (34) is arranged downstream of the shut-off valve (32) and extends longitudinally lateral to the shut-off valve (32) in the body (24).

Description

DEVICE FOR GAS CYLINDER FILLED WITH GAS AND FIRE EXTINGUISHING MEDIUM

[0001] The invention is directed to the field of valve device for gas cylinders, more particularly, for gas cylinders filled with compressed gas and with fire extinguishing medium.Background

[0002] The patent document published WO 2007 / 077195 A discloses a fire suppression system comprising a gas cylinder with a central chamber filled with compressed gas and an outer chamber filled with a fire extinguishing medium. The fire suppression system is also provided with a valve device coupled to both central and outer chambers and designed for releasing the compressed gas at a reduced pressure into the outer chamber, against an annular piston in the outer chamber separating the gas release therein and the fire extinguishing medium. The valve device comprises a body that is either sealingly engaged with the central chamber, for instance with the neck of an inner gas cylinder forming the inner chamber, or integrally formed with the bottom of the inner gas cylinder. The valve device further comprises a shut-valve in the body and a pressure reducer in the body downstream of the shut-off valve. The arrangement of the shut-off valve and of the pressure reducer requires spaces and results in a massive and bulky body. The fire suppression system shows therefore a length that is determined essentially by the sum of the length of the inner and outer chambers and of the length of the valve device, whereas such suppression systems are commonly installed in the engine room of vehicles where the place available is substantially reduced. There is therefore a need to provide a more compact fire suppression system while keeping the same functionally or even increasing said functionality.

[0003] The invention has for objective to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the above-mentioned prior art. More specifically, the has for objective to provide an improved valve device for gas cylinders, for instance for a double chambre fire suppression system, with regard to compacity and functionality.

[0004] The invention is directed to a valve device for a gas cylinder, comprising: a body with a longitudinal axis and comprising: an engaging portion configured for sealingly engaging with the gas cylinder; an outer portion configured for being outside of the gas cylinder; a gas inlet on the engaging portion; a gas outlet; and a gas passage fluidly interconnecting the gas inlet with the gas outlet; a shut-off valve of the gas passage, housed in the body; and a pressure reducer of the gas in the gas passage, housed in the body; wherein the shut-off valve extends transversally in the body; and the pressure reducer is arranged downstream of the shut-off valve and extends longitudinally lateral to the shut-off valve in the body.

[0005] According to a preferred embodiment, the pressure reducer is off-set to the longitudinal axis.

[0006] According to a preferred embodiment, the gas outlet is formed on a peripheral surface of the body and located directly below the pressure reducer.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment, the gas outlet is formed on the engaging portion of the body, between a first seal configured for engaging an inner gas cylinder and a second seal, of a larger diameter than the first seal, configured for engaging an outer gas cylinder.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the engaging portion of the body comprises a shoulder between the first seal and the second seal, configured for receiving an end surface of a neck of the inner cylinder.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the pressure reducer is formed by a pressure reducer cartridge engaged in a longitudinal bore formed in an end surface of the outer portion of the body.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the pressure reducer cartridge comprises: a fixed part engaged with the longitudinal bore and forming a seat; a piston slidingly and gas tightly received in the fixed part and in the longitudinal bore and comprising a seal cooperating with the seat for reducing the gas pressure; and a spring resiliently urging the piston and the seal off the seat.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the shut-off valve is formed by a shut-off cartridge engaged in a transversal bore formed in a peripheral surface of the outer portion of the body.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the shut-off cartridge comprises: a main part engaged in the transversal bore and comprising a pilot seat, a pilot shutter and an electro-magnet configured for moving the pilot shutter off the pilot seat; a main shutter slidingly and gas tightly received in the transversal bore, cooperating with a shut-off seat formed in a bottom of the transversal bore and comprising a reduced flow passage for the gas towards the main part; and a spring resiliently urging the main shutter towards the shut-off seat.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the main part comprises a seal that is contacted by the main shutter when said main shutter is in a fully open position, such as to close the reduced flow passage.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the body comprises an escape passage fluidly interconnecting the transversal bore with an escape port on the outer portion of the body, preferably with a cap on said escape port, said cap being configured for opening by virtue of a gas flow through the pilot seat when the pilot shutter is moved off the pilot seat.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the shut-off cartridge comprises a wire connection that extends transversally to the transversal bore to an auxiliary bore transversal to said transversal bore and receiving an electric connector connected to said wire connection.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the gas passage comprises a longitudinal portion extending from the gas inlet towards the outer portion of the body, and a transversal portion fluidly interconnecting the transversal bore with the longitudinal portion.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the gas passage comprises an off-set transversal portion fluidly interconnecting the transversal bore with the longitudinal bore.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the body comprises an auxiliary transversal passage fluidly interconnecting the longitudinal portion of the gas passage with at least one monitoring port formed on a peripheral surface of the outer portion of the body, the at least one monitoring port preferably comprising an integrated check-valve.

[0019] The invention is also directed to a fire suppression system comprising: a first chamber configured for containing compressed gas; a second chamber configured for containing a fire extinguishing medium and housing a piston; and a valve device fluidly interconnected between the first chamber and the second chamber; characterized in that the valve device is according to the invention.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the first chamber is formed by an inner cylinder; the second chamber is formed by an outer cylinder surrounding the inner cylinder; and the valve device has the engaging portion engaged directly with an end of the inner cylinder and with a corresponding end of the outer cylinder via a ring-shaped end part comprising a connection gas passage interconnecting the gas outlet with the second chamber.

[0021] The above measures of the invention are advantageous in that they provide a substantially more compact valve device and thereby system comprising such a valve device, such as a fire suppression system, with a reduced dimension. Also, the drillings to be made for the gas passage, escape passage and connection passage are reduced in number and complexity.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] depicts a perspective view of a fire suppression system according to the invention;

[0023] is a longitudinal sectional view of the fire suppression system of;

[0024] is a detailed longitudinal sectional view of the valve device of the fire suppression system of Figs 1 and 2;

[0025] is a sectional view IV-IV of.

[0026] is a sectional view V-V of.

[0027] is a sectional view VI-VI of.

[0028] is a sectional view VII-VII of.Detailed Description

[0029] shows in perspective a fire suppression system 2 according to the invention, equipped with a valve device also according to the invention.

[0030] The fire suppression system 2 comprises essentially two distinct chambers, one comprising a compressed gas and the other one comprising a fire extinguishing medium, and a valve device fluidly connected these two chambers. The two distinct chambers comprise a first chamber formed by an inner cylinder and a second chamber formed by an outer cylinder surrounding the inner cylinder. The first chamber comprises the compressed gas which can be released via the valve device into the second chamber comprising the fire extinguishing medium. An annular piston is located in the second chamber so as to separate the fire extinguishing medium from the gas released thereinto. The gas released into the second chamber against the piston exerts a longitudinal force onto said piston which moves longitudinal said piston and urges then the fire extinguishing medium out of the second chamber to a piping fluidly connected thereto. Such a fire suppression system 2 can be provided in various installations, including in engine rooms of vehicles, for suppressing accidental fires.

[0031] is a longitudinal sectional view of the fire suppression system of.

[0032] As this will be detailed hereafter in connexion with, the fire suppression system 2 comprises an inner cylinder 4 delimiting inside thereof the inner chamber 6, and outer cylinder 8 delimiting inside thereof and with the inner cylinder 4 the second chamber 10. The inner cylinder 4 and the outer cylinder 8 are advantageously concentric, whereas this must not necessarily be the case. The first chamber 6 is therefore for instance generally cylindrical whereas the second chamber 10 is for instance generally annular. This arrangement of the first and second chambers 6 and 10 is a preferred one being however understood that other configurations can be considered. As a matter of example, the first and second chambers could indeed be both cylindrical and arranged side by side along a longitudinal axis, resulting in a longer but thinner fire suppression system.

[0033] The fire suppression system 2 further comprises a plug 12 at one end of the inner cylinder 4, for closing the first chamber 6 at that end. The plug 12 is for instance attached to the wall of the inner cylinder 4 by a threaded engagement, being however understood that other configurations can be considered, like by welding or clamping. As illustrated, the plug 12 can comprise a pressure relief device and a fill or refill port.

[0034] The fire suppression system 2 further comprises a valve device 14 at the other end of the inner cylinder 4 i.e., the end of said inner cylinder 4 that is opposed to the end comprising the plug 12. The valved device 14 is attached to the wall of the inner cylinder 4 by a threaded engagement, being however understood that other configurations are possible, like by welding or clamping. The wall of the outer cylinder 8 is for instance attached and sealed to the inner cylinder 4 via the ring-shaped end parts 16 and 18. Each of these ring-shaped end parts 16 and 18 engages in gas tight fashion via a gasket with an inner surface of the outer cylinder 8 and also in gas tight fashion via a gasket with an outer surface of the inner cylinder 4. Both ring-shaped end parts 16 and 18 are longitudinally engaged with the inner cylinder 4 and the outer cylinder 8 via a shoulder portion and are maintained in that engagement by the plug 12 and the valve device 14 are in abutment against said ring-shaped end parts 18 and 16, respectively. The ring-shaped end parts 16 and 18 thereby close and seal the longitudinal ends of the second chamber 10. Again, it is to be understood that other configurations for mounting the outer cylinder 10 around the inner cylinder 4 and for sealing the second chamber 10 can be considered.

[0035] As this will be detailed hereafter in connection with the next Figs, the valve device 14 comprises a shut-off valve and a pressure reduced arranged in series in a gas passage formed in the body of the valve device, fluidly interconnecting a gas inlet in the first chamber 6 to a gas outlet in the second chamber 10.

[0036] The fire suppression system 2 further comprises a piston 20 housed in the second chamber 10. This piston 20 is annular shaped because of the annular shape of the second chamber 10. The piston 20 is initially positioned at one longitudinal end of the second chamber 10 that is provided with the gas outlet of the valve device, in order to leave a large majority of the second chamber capacity for being filled with the fire extinguishing medium.

[0037] The ring-shaped end part 18 that is opposed to the ring-shaped end part 16 adjacent to the position 20 is provided with a fire extinguishing outlet 22, intended to be coupled to a piping distributing the fire extinguishing medium to dedicated place(s) in the equipment to be fire protected with the fire suppression system 2.

[0038] is a detailed longitudinal sectional view of the valve device 14 of the fire suppression system of.

[0039] The valve device 14 comprises a body 24 with an engaging portion 24.1 configured for sealingly engaging with the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, and an outer portion 24.2 configured for being outside of the inner and outer cylinders. The valve device 14 further comprises a gas inlet 26 on the engaging portion 24.1 of the body 24 and a gas outlet 28 also on the engaging portion 24.1 of the body 24. The gas inlet 26 is for instance located on an area of the engaging portion 24.1 of the body 24 that delimits the first chamber 6, whereas the gas outlet 28 is located on another area of the engaging portion 24 that is outside of the first chamber 6 and in connection with the second chamber, for instance via a connection gas passage 29 formed in the ring-shaped end part 16 (). The valve device 14 further comprises a gas passage 30 fluidly interconnecting the gas inlet 26 with the gas outlet 28, a shut-off valve 32 of that gas passage 30 and, downstream thereof, a pressure reducer 34.

[0040] The area of the engaging portion comprising the gas outlet 28 is advantageously between a first seal configured for engaging the inner cylinder and a second seal, of a larger diameter than the first seal, configured for engaging the outer cylinder. The engaging portion 24.2 of the body 24 advantageously comprises a shoulder between the first seal and the second seal, configured for receiving an end surface of a neck of the inner cylinder.

[0041] The shut-off valve 32 is normally closed; upon actuation thereof, the compressed gas located in the first chamber 6 will flow to the pressure reducer 34 and have its pressure reduced (e.g. to a value comprised between 2 and 10 bar) and flow to the gas outlet 28 and to the second chamber 10 for moving the piston 20 and progressively urge the fire extinguishing medium to the fire suppression system outlet 22 ().

[0042] As this is apparent in Figs 3 (as well as in), the shut-off valve 32 extends transversally in the body and the pressure reducer 34 extends longitudinally lateral to the shut-off valve 32 in the body, so as to optimize the place needed and thereby providing a more compact valve device 14. The wider portion of the shut-off valve 32 being the electromagnet that will be described more in detail in connection with the next Figs, occupies in the longitudinal direction a major part of the outer portion 24.2 of the body. Also the total length of the shut-off valve 32 occupies about 2 / 3 of the transversal dimension of said outer portion 24.2, the remaining 1 / 3 being occupied by the longitudinal portion of the gas passage 30 and by the pressure reducer 34. Also, the length of the pressure reducer 34 occupies the whole longitudinal dimension of the outer portion 24.2 of the body 24 and even extends in the engaging portion 24.1 of the body 24. The pressure reducer is substantially off-set to the longitudinal axis similarly to the gas outlet 28, so as to reduce to a minimum the length of the gas passage portion 30.2 between the pressure reducer 34 and the gas outlet 28.

[0043] The shut-off valve 32 is formed by a shut-off cartridge engaged in a transversal bore 38 formed in a peripheral surface of the outer portion 24.2 of the body 24. The shut-off cartridge comprises a main part 32.1 engaged in the transversal bore 38 and comprising a pilot seat 32.2, a pilot shutter 32.3 and an electro-magnet 32.4 configured for moving the pilot shutter 32.3 off the pilot seat 32.2; a main shutter 32.5 slidingly and gas tightly received in the transversal bore 36, cooperating with a shut-off seat 32.6 formed in a bottom of the transversal bore 36 and comprising a reduced flow passage for the gas towards the main part 32.1; and a spring 32.7 resiliently urging the main shutter 32.5 towards the shut-off seat 32.6.

[0044] In operation, in the absence of electrical energy supplied to the electromagnet, the main shutter 32.5 is resiliently urged against the shut-off seat 32.6 and, similarly, the pilot shutter 32.3 is resiliently urged against the pilot seat 32.2. The reduced flow passage of the main shutter 32.5 allow the gas pressure at the inlet 26 to build up in an intermediate chamber between the main shutter 32.5 and the main part 32.1, resulting in a force urging the main shutter 32.5 against the shut-off seat 32.6. This is due to the fact that the effective section of the intermediate chamber is larger than the effective section of the shut-off seat 32.6. When the electromagnet 32.4 is energized, the magnetic core housing the pilot shutter 32.3 is moved towards the fixed core separated therefrom by an air gap, and thereby moves the pilot shutter 32.3 off the pilot seat 32.2 and thereby allows the gas under pressure in the intermediate chamber to flow out of said chamber via a radial escape gas passage formed in the main part 32.1. This gas flow has for effect that the pressure in the intermediate chamber drops down, causing a movement of the main shutter 32.5 off the shut-off seat 32.6 by virtue of the pressure at the inlet exerted on the upstream side of the main shutter 32.5, thereby opening the gas passage. When the main shutter 32.5 reaches a fully opened position, the reduced flow passage contacts a seal on the main part 32.1 so as to close said reduced flow passage. The construction and functionality of the above described shut-off valve is as such known from the skilled person.

[0045] The pressure reducer 34 is formed by a pressure reducer cartridge engaged in a longitudinal bore 38 formed in an end surface of the outer portion 24.2 of the body 24. The pressure reducer cartridge comprises a fixed part 34.1 engaged with the longitudinal bore 36 and forming a seat 34.2; a piston 34.3 slidingly and gas tightly received in the fixed part 34.1 and in the longitudinal bore 38 and comprising a seal 34.4 cooperating with the seat 34.2 for reducing the gas pressure; and a spring 34.5 resiliently urging the piston 34.3 and the seal 34.4 off the seat 34.2.

[0046] is a sectional view IV-IV of.

[0047] We can see a transversal portion 30.3 of the gas passage directed connected to the longitudinal portion 30.1 and to the shut-off vale 32.

[0048] In, we also see that an electrical connector 40 is housed in an auxiliary bore 42 of the outer portion 24.2 of the body, extending transversally to the transversal bore 36 receiving the shut-off valve cartridge. The auxiliary bore 42 communicates with the transversal bore 36, so as to allow the passage of an electrical connection between the electromagnet 32.4 of shut-off valve 32 and the electrical connector 40. This electrical connection is for instance formed by rigid terminals 40.1 extending from a distal end of the electric connector 40, which are then inserted into the electromagnet 32.4 during insertion of the electrical connector 40 into the auxiliary bore 42. It is however understood that soft terminal like wires can be used instead of rigid terminals.

[0049] is a sectional view V-V of. We can see a further transversal portion 30.4 of the gas passage, interconnecting the shut-off valve 32 with the longitudinal bore 38 housing the pressure reducer 34, passing by the longitudinal portion 30.1 of the gas passage.

[0050] is a sectional view VI-VI of. We can see an escape passage 44 fluidly interconnecting the shut-off valve 32 with an escape port 46 on the outer portion 24.2 of the body 24, provided with a cap configured for release and opening the port by virtue of a gas flow through the pilot seat when the pilot shutter is moved off the pilot seat, occurring when the shut-off valve 32 is opened.

[0051] is a sectional view VII-VII of. We can see an auxiliary transversal passage 48 fluidly interconnecting the longitudinal portion 30.1 of the gas passage 30 with at least one monitoring port 50 formed on a peripheral surface of the outer portion 24.2 of the body 24, the at least one monitoring port 50 preferably comprising an integrated check-valve 52 which normally closes the port 50 and opens said port when a connector is engaged therein and actuates the shutter of the of the check-valve 52.

Claims

A valve device (14) for a gas cylinder (4, 8), comprising:a body (24) with a longitudinal axis and comprising:an engaging portion (24.1) configured for sealingly engaging with the gas cylinder (4, 8);an outer portion (24.2) configured for being outside of the gas cylinder (4, 8);a gas inlet (26) on the engaging portion (24.1);a gas outlet (28); anda gas passage (30) fluidly interconnecting the gas inlet (26) with the gas outlet (28);a shut-off valve (32) of the gas passage (30), housed in the body (24); anda pressure reducer (34) of the gas in the gas passage (30), housed in the body (24);characterized in thatthe shut-off valve (32) extends transversally in the body (24); andthe pressure reducer (34) is arranged downstream of the shut-off valve (32) and extends longitudinally lateral to the shut-off valve (32) in the body (24).The valve device (14) of claim 1, wherein the pressure reducer (34) is off-set to the longitudinal axis.The valve device (14) of claim 2, wherein the gas outlet (28) is formed on a peripheral surface of the body (24) and located directly below the pressure reducer (34).The valve device (14) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gas outlet (28) is formed on the engaging portion (24.1) of the body (24), between a first seal configured for engaging an inner cylinder (4) and a second seal, of a larger diameter than the first seal, configured for engaging an outer cylinder (8).The valve device (14) of claim 4, wherein the engaging portion (24.1) of the body (24) comprises a shoulder between the first seal and the second seal, configured for receiving an end surface of a neck of the inner cylinder (4).The valve device (14) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pressure reducer (34) is formed by a pressure reducer cartridge engaged in a longitudinal bore (38) formed in an end surface of the outer portion (24.2) of the body (24).The valve device (14) of claim 6, wherein the pressure reducer cartridge comprises:a fixed part (34.1) engaged with the longitudinal bore (38) and forming a seat (34.2);a piston (34.3) slidingly and gas tightly received in the fixed part (34.1) and in the longitudinal bore (38) and comprising a seal (34.4) cooperating with the seat (34.2) for reducing the gas pressure; anda spring (34.5) resiliently urging the piston (34.3) and the seal (34.4) off the seat (34.2).The valve device (14) of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the shut-off valve (32) is formed by a shut-off cartridge engaged in a transversal bore (36) formed in a peripheral surface of the outer portion (24.2) of the body (24).The valve device (14) of claim 8, wherein the shut-off cartridge comprises:a main part (32.1) engaged in the transversal bore (36) and comprising a pilot seat (32.2), a pilot shutter (32.3) and an electro-magnet (32.4) configured for moving the pilot shutter (32.3) off the pilot seat (32.2);a main shutter (32.5) slidingly and gas tightly received in the transversal bore (36), cooperating with a shut-off seat (32.6) formed in a bottom of the transversal bore (36) and comprising a reduced flow passage for the gas towards the main part (32.1); anda spring (32.7) resiliently urging the main shutter (32.5) towards the shut-off seat (32.6).The valve device (14) of claim 9, wherein the main part (32.1) comprises a seal that is contacted by the main shutter (32.5) when said main shutter is in a fully open position, such as to close the reduced flow passage.The valve device (14) of one of claims 9 and 10, wherein the body (24) comprises an escape passage (44) fluidly interconnecting the transversal bore (36) with an escape port (46) on the outer portion (24.2) of the body (24), preferably with a cap on said escape port (46), said cap being configured for opening by virtue of a gas flow through the pilot seat (32.2) when the pilot shutter (32.3) is moved off the pilot seat (32.2).The valve device (14) of one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the shut-off cartridge comprises a wire connection (40.1) that extends transversally to the transversal bore (36) to an auxiliary bore (42) transversal to said transversal bore (36) and receiving a connector (40) connected to said wire connection (40.1).The valve device (14) of one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the gas passage (30) comprises a longitudinal portion (30.1) extending from the gas inlet (26) towards the outer portion (24.2) of the body (24), and a transversal portion (30.3) fluidly interconnecting the transversal bore (36) with the longitudinal portion (30.1).The valve device (14) of one of claims 6 and 7, and of claim 13, wherein the gas passage (30) comprises an off-set transversal portion (30.4) fluidly interconnecting the transversal bore (36) with the longitudinal bore (38).The valve device (14) of one of claims 13 to 14, wherein the body (24) comprises an auxiliary transversal passage (48) fluidly interconnecting the longitudinal portion (30.1) of the gas passage (30) with at least one monitoring port (50) formed on a peripheral surface of the outer portion (24.2) of the body (24), the at least one monitoring port (50) preferably comprising an integrated check-valve (52).A fire suppression system (2) comprising:a first chamber (6) configured for containing compressed gas;a second chamber (10) configured for containing a fire extinguishing medium and housing a piston (20); anda valve device (14) fluidly interconnected between the first chamber (6) and the second chamber (10);characterized in that the valve device (14) is according to any one of claims 1 to 15.The fire suppression system (2) according to claim 16, whereinthe first chamber (6) is formed by an inner cylinder (4);the second chamber (10) is formed by an outer cylinder (8) surrounding the inner cylinder (4); andthe valve device (14) has the engaging portion (24.2) engaged directly with an end of the inner cylinder (4) and with a corresponding end of the outer cylinder (8) via a ring-shaped end part (16) comprising a connection gas passage (29) interconnecting the gas outlet (28) with the second chamber (10).

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