Device for controlling flow or pressure of gas in a cylinder with optimised refill port and pressure indicator

Abstract

The invention is directed to a device (2) for controlling a gas flow or pressure of compressed gas in a gas cylinder, the device comprising a body (4) extending along a longitudinal axis and with a gas inlet (6), a gas outlet (8) and a gas passage (10) fluidly interconnecting the gas inlet (6) and the gas outlet (8); a valve device (12) arranged in the gas passage (10); a pressure indicator (18) fluidly connected to the gas passage (10) upstream of the valve device (12); and a refill port (16) fluidly connected to the gas passage (10) upstream of the valve device (12); wherein the refill port (16) and the pressure indicator (18) are opposed and aligned along an axis transversal to the longitudinal axis.

Description

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING FLOW OR PRESSURE OF GAS IN A CYLINDER WITH OPTIMISED REFILL PORT AND PRESSURE INDICATOR

[0001] The invention is directed to the field of devices for controlling the flow and / or the pressure of compressed gas in a gas cylinder.Background

[0002] The patent application published WO 2013 / 127895 A1 discloses a device for controlling a gas flow or pressure of compressed gas in a gas cylinder, the device comprising a body extending along a longitudinal axis and with a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a gas passage fluidly interconnecting the gas inlet and the gas outlet; a shut-off valve device arranged in the gas passage; a pressure indicator fluidly connected to the gas passage; and a refill port fluidly connected to the gas passage upstream of the valve device. The pressure indicator is fluidly connected to the gas passage downstream of the shut-off valve. Consequently, the device is relatively bulky taking into consideration that the valve device is a shut-off valve. There is also a need for reducing the production costs, bound inter alia with the amount of material of the body and the machining time and complexity.

[0003] The invention has for technical problem to overcome at least one drawback of the above-mentioned prior art. More specifically, the invention has for technical problem to provide a device for controlling flow and / or pressure of compressed gas, for instance in a gas cylinder, that comprises a valve device, a pressure indicator and a refill port, this is more compact and cheaper to manufacture.

[0004] The invention is directed to a device for controlling a gas flow or pressure of compressed gas in a gas cylinder, the device comprising: a body extending along a longitudinal axis and with a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a gas passage fluidly interconnecting the gas inlet and the gas outlet; a valve device arranged in the gas passage; a pressure indicator fluidly connected to the gas passage upstream of the valve device; and a refill port fluidly connected to the gas passage upstream of the valve device; wherein the refill port and the pressure indicator are opposed and aligned along an axis transversal to the longitudinal axis.

[0005] The pressure indicator is preferably of the type with a visual indicator movable only between two positions depending on the pressure at the gas inlet, but it can also be a gauge with an indicator, like a needle, moving progressively along surfaces with indicia, like a dial, depending on the pressure at the gas inlet.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the refill port houses a check-valve, and the pressure indicator comprises a pressure indicator body engaged in a transversal bore of the body and holding the check-valve in the refill port.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the refill port is integrally formed with the body and the check-valve is inserted through the transversal bore.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a filter fluidly located between the check-valve and the gas passage, the filter being sandwiched between the check-valve and the pressure indicator body.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the pressure indicator body comprises a rear face in vis-à-vis of the check-valve and receiving an annular rest surface of the filter, and a central gas channel fluidly connected to the gas passage.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the rear face of the pressure indicator body comprises a deepening receiving the annular rest surface of the filter.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, a rear end of the pressure indicator body, comprising the rear face, crosses a portion of the gas passage extending longitudinally in the body, and comprises at least one radial passage fluidly connecting the central channel to the gas passage.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the check-valve comprises a spring pressing the annular rest surface against the rear face.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the filter is cup-shaped with a free circular edge forming a radial flange.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the annular rest surface of the filter is formed on one side of the radial flange, the spring surrounding the cup-shaped filter and resting on an opposed side of the radial flange.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the check-valve comprises a seat housed or formed in the body, and a closure element urged on the seat by the spring.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the pressure indicator body comprises a rear portion intersecting the gas passage and a front portion directly adjacent the rear portion along the transversal bore and engaged with the body.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the pressure indicator comprises an element that is movable from a first position to a second position when the gas pressure in the gas passage reaches a predetermined threshold and vice versa.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the movable element is a piston urged towards the first position by an elastic member.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the piston is slidably housed in the pressure indicator body and comprises a front end extending out of the pressure indicator body and to which a visual indicator is attached.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the rear portion and the front portion of the pressure indicator body, adjacent to each other, form a cavity housing the piston.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the valve device is a shut-off valve or a pressure reducer.

[0022] The measures of the invention are advantageous in that they simplify the manufacturing of the device. The check-valve of the refill port and the visual indicator share indeed a common transversal bore formed in the body. Also, the location of the check-valve in that transversal bore allows a more compact refill port and thereby reduces the sizes of the device and reduces also the material cost for its body, that material being usually brass or stainless steel.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] is a longitudinal section view of a device for controlling the pressure of compressed gas, according to the invention.Detailed Description

[0024] shows a device for controlling the pressure of compressed gas, which is for instance in a gas cylinder, according to the invention.

[0025] The device 2 comprises a body 4 with a gas inlet 6, a gas outlet 8 and a gas passage 10 fluidly interconnecting the gas inlet 6 and the gas outlet 8. The gas inlet 6 is for instance formed in a corresponding inlet portion of the body 4, provided with a tapered outer thread designed for engaging with a corresponding inner thread in a neck of a gas cylinder. It is however understood that other configurations of the inlet portion of the body can be considered.

[0026] The device 2 further comprises a valve device being for instance a pressure reducer 12, located in the gas passage 10. The pressure reducer 12 comprises a seat 12.1 in the gas passage 10, an obturator 12.2 cooperating with the seat 12.1, a piston-like pressure sensor 12.3 carrying the obturator 12.2 and delimiting a regulating chamber 12.4 downstream the seat 12.1 and obturator 12.2. A spring 12.5 urges the piston-like pressure sensor 12.3 and the carried obturator 12.2 away from the seat 12.1, so that the valve device is normally opened. During operation when gas is flowing through the device 2 to the gas outlet 8, when the gas pressure in the regulating chamber 12.4 increases, it moves the piston-like pressure sensor 12.3 against the elastic force of the spring 12.5, towards the seat 12.1, resulting in the obturator 12.2 reducing the cross-section of the gas passage and regulating the pressure. The pressure reducer 12 can further comprise a flanged sleeve 12.6 into which a shaft of the piston-like pressure sensor 12.3, carrying the obturator 12.2, is slidably received in a gas tight fashion. The flanged sleeve 12.6 is urged towards a bottom surface in a corresponding cavity of the body 4, to form with a gasket contacting said bottom surface, a gas tight barrier for the regulating chamber 12.4. That gas tight barrier opens against the elastic force of the spring 12.5 when the pressure in the regulating chamber 12.4 reaches a predetermined level, thereby forming a pressure relief device.

[0027] The above-described pressure reducer 12 is as such well known to the skilled person and does not need to be further detailed.

[0028] The device 2 further comprises a flow selector 14 located directly downstream of the pressure reducer 12 and comprising a rotatable disk 14.1 carrying a ring of calibrated holes which can be selectively located in front of a sealed interface 14.2 directly connecting to the gas passage 10 towards the outlet 8. The flow selector 14 comprises also a hand-wheel 14.3 that is mechanically coupled to the rotatable disk 14.1 for rotating said rotatable disk 14.1 so as to selectively move one of the calibrated holes in front of the sealed interface 14.2 and gas passage 10.

[0029] The above-described flow selector 14 is as such well known to the skilled person and does not need to be further detailed.

[0030] The device 2 further comprises a refill port 16 and a pressure indicator 18, both being fluidly connected to the gas passage 10 upstream of the valve device 12 and arranged so as to be opposed and aligned along an axis transversal, preferably perpendicular, to the longitudinal axis.

[0031] The refill port 16 is preferably integrally formed with the body 4. It houses a check-valve 20 that blocks a flow of gas from the gas inlet 6 to the refill port 16 while it allows a refill flow of gas from the refill port 16 to the gas inlet 6. The check valve 20 comprises a seat 20.1, a closure element 20.2 and a spring 20.2 urging the closure element 20.2 against the seat 20.1. As this is apparent, the closure element 20.2 and the spring 20.3 are fluidly located on a side of the seat 20.1 that is towards the gas inlet 6.

[0032] The pressure indicator 18 comprises a pressure indicator body 18.1 that is inserted and housed in a transversal bore of the body 4, that is for instance perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body 2. The pressure indicator 18 further comprises a movable part that is movably housed in the pressure indicator 18.1 and that extends out of said pressure indicator 18.1 so as to provide an external movable portion visible by a user or any observer located next to the device 2. The movable part is movable from a first position to a second position when the pressure at the gas inlet reaches a predetermined threshold, being for instance comprised between 3 and 35 bar, being however understood that other threshold values can be considered. The movable part is for instance a piston 18.2 urged towards a retracted position by a spring 18.3. The piston 18.2 also comprises a front end extending out of the pressure indicator body 18.1 and to which a visual indicator 18.4 can be attached for increasing the visibility of the pressure indication. The visual indicator 18.4 can comprise a cylindrical wall with an outer surface that slides along a transparent window formed in a cap 18.5 of the pressure indicator 18, attached to the pressure indicator body 18.1. That outer surface can comprise two areas with different colours, patterns and / or indicia which are selectively positioned in front of the transparent window depending on the position of the piston 18.2 in the first or second positions. In the present case, the first position is a retracted position, corresponding to a pressure at the gas inlet 6 that is less than the predetermined threshold, as in, and the second position is an extended position in the presence of a pressure at the gas inlet 6 that is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold.

[0033] The pressure indicator body 18.1 can be formed of several portions assembled to each other, for instance a rear portion 18.1.1 and a front portion 18.1.2 directly adjacent each other. The front portion 18.1.2 comprises means for engaging with the body 4, these means being for instance an outer thread engaging with a corresponding inner thread of the body 4, being however understood that other engaging means can be considered. The rear portion 18.1.1 abuts against at least one shoulder formed in the transversal bore and is held in that position by the front portion 18.1.2 secured to the body 4.

[0034] The pressure indicator body 18.1 forms a cavity housing the movable part being for instance the piston 18.2. That cavity is formed, in the present configuration, in both the rear portion 18.1.1 and the front portion 18.1.2.

[0035] As this is apparent, the pressure indicator body 18.1 holds the check-valve 20 in position in the refill portion 16, at the corresponding end of the transversal bore. For instance, the spring 20.3 of the check-valve 20, that urges the closure element 20.2 against the seat 20.1, rests on a rear face 18.1.1.1 of the pressure indicator body 18.1. This means that when assembling the device 2, the check-valve 20 is first inserted into the transversal bore from a side opposed to the refill port 16, and the pressure indicator body 18.1 is inserted thereafter. More specifically, the closure element 20.2 and the spring 20.3 are inserted through the transversal bore until the closure element 20.2 contact the seat 20.1 that is for instance directly formed in the body 4. It is to be understood that the seat 20.1 could be formed by a separate part assembled to the body 4. The pressure indicator body 18.1 is then inserted, whereby the rear face 18.1.1.1 contacts and serves as resting surface for the spring 20.3. The rear face 18.1.1.1 can show a deepening for more securely receiving the spring 20.3.

[0036] A filter 22 can be provided between the check-valve 20 and the pressure indicator 18. The filter 22 can be cup-shaped with a free circular edge forming a radial flange with an axial face that rests on the pressure indicator body 18.1. The spring 20.3 surrounds then the cup-shaped filter and rests on an opposed axial face of the radial flange. The filter can be sintered, and press moulded.

[0037] The rear end of the pressure indicator body 18.1 comprises central axial channel 18.1.1.2 and at least one radial bore 18.1.1.3 for forming a fluid connection between the refill port 16 and the gas passage 10. The pressure indicator body 18.1 comprises a central passage fluidly interconnecting the cavity housing the piston 18.2 with the gas passage 10 via the at least one radial bore 18.1.1.3.

[0038] The piston 18.2 comprises a gasket that delimits in the cavity an actuating chamber fluidly directly connected to the gas passage 10 via the central passage and the at least one radial bore 18.1.1.3.

[0039] The device 2 can further comprise a pressure relief device 24 fluidly connected to the gas passage 10, also upstream of the valve device 12 and preferably upstream of the refill port 16 and the pressure indicator 18.

[0040] In operation, the device 2 functions as follows:When the pressure at the gas inlet 6 is of at least the predetermined threshold, the gas pressure counteracts the resilient force of the spring 18.3 of the pressure indicator 18 and moves the piston 18.2 from the retracted position to the extended position and thereby moves the visual indicator 18.4 so that the latter shows another area of its outer surface to the window formed in the cap 18.5. Any user or person located next to the device 2 can identify that coloured, patterned and / or indicia bearing area of the outer surface that is in vis-à-vis of the window and thereby determine that gas pressure is present.When the pressure at the gas inlet reaches and becomes less than the predetermined threshold, the force exerted by the gas pressure on piston 18.2 becomes less than the elastic force of the spring 18.3, so that the piston 18.2 is moved back to its retracted position where the initial area of the outer surface of the visual indicator 18.4 comes in vis-à-vis of the window. Any user or person located next to the device 2 can identify that coloured, patterned and / or indicia bearing initial area and determine that there is no or not enough gas pressure.

[0041] The construction and manufacturing of the device of the invention are optimized in that the amount of material forming the body 4 is limited and in that single transversal bore formed in the body 4 suffices for assembling the check-valve 20 and the visual indicator 18.

Claims

A device (2) for controlling a gas flow or pressure of compressed gas in a gas cylinder, the device comprising:a body (4) extending along a longitudinal axis and with a gas inlet (6), a gas outlet (8) and a gas passage (10) fluidly interconnecting the gas inlet (6) and the gas outlet (8);a valve device (12) arranged in the gas passage (10);a pressure indicator (18) fluidly connected to the gas passage (10) upstream of the valve device (12); anda refill port (16) fluidly connected to the gas passage (10) upstream of the valve device (12);wherein the refill port (16) and the pressure indicator (18) are opposed and aligned along an axis transversal to the longitudinal axis; andwherein the refill port (16) houses a check-valve (20);characterized in thatthe pressure indicator (18) comprises a pressure indicator body (18.1) engaged in a transversal bore of the body (4) and holding the check-valve (20) in the refill port (16).The device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the refill port (16) is integrally formed with the body (4) and the check-valve (20) is inserted through the transversal bore.The device (2) according to one of claims 1 and 2, further comprising a filter (22) fluidly located between the check-valve (20) and the gas passage (10), the filter (22) being sandwiched between the check-valve (20) and the pressure indicator body (18.1).The device (2) according to claim 3, wherein the pressure indicator body (18.1) comprises a rear face (18.1.1.1) in vis-à-vis of the check-valve (20) and receiving an annular rest surface of the filter (22), and a central gas channel (18.1.1.2) fluidly connected to the gas passage (10).The device (2) according to claim 4, wherein the rear face (18.1.1.1) of the pressure indicator body (18.1) comprises a deepening receiving the annular rest surface of the filter (22).The device (2) according to one of claims 4 and 5, wherein a rear end of the pressure indicator body (18.1), comprising the rear face (18.1.1.1), crosses a portion of the gas passage (10) extending longitudinally in the body (4), and comprises at least one radial passage (18.1.1.3) fluidly connecting the central channel (18.1.1.2) to the gas passage (10).The device (2) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the check-valve (20) comprises a spring (20.3) pressing the annular rest surface of the filter (22) against the rear face (18.1.1.1).The device (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the filter (22) is cup-shaped with a free circular edge forming a radial flange.The device (2) according to claims 7 and 8, wherein the annular rest surface is formed on one side of the radial flange, the spring (20.3) surrounding the cup-shaped filter and resting on an opposed side of the radial flange.The device (2) according to one of claims 7 and 9, wherein the check-valve (20) comprises a seat (20.1) housed or formed in the body (4), and a closure element (20.2) urged on the seat (20.1) by the spring (20.3).The device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the pressure indicator body (18.1) comprises a rear portion (18.1.1) intersecting the gas passage (10) and a front portion (18.1.2) directly adjacent the rear portion (18.1.1) along the transversal bore and engaged with the body (4).The device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the pressure indicator (18) comprises an element (18.2) that is movable from a first position to a second position when the gas pressure in the gas passage (10) reaches a predetermined threshold and vice versa.The device (2) according to claim 12, wherein the movable element is a piston (18.2) urged towards the first position by an elastic member (18.3).The device (2) according to claim 13, wherein the piston (18.2) is slidably housed in the pressure indicator body (18.1) and comprises a front end extending out of the pressure indicator body (18.1) and to which a visual indicator (18.4) is attached.The device (2) according to claim 11 and according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the rear portion (18.1.1) and the front portion (18.1.2) of the pressure indicator body (18.1), adjacent to each other, form a cavity housing the movable element (18.2).The device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the valve device (12) is a shut-off valve or a pressure reducer.

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