Device for gas cylinder with gas refill port connected between shut-off valve and regulator

Abstract

The invention is directed to a device (2) for controlling a flow of gas on a gas cylinder, comprising a body (4) with a gas inlet (6), a gas outlet (8) and a gas passage (9) fluidly interconnecting said gas inlet (6) and said gas outlet (8); a shut-off valve (12); a pressure regulator (18) downstream of the shut-off valve (12); a gas refill port (14) on the body (4) fluidly connected to the gas passage (9) between the shut-off valve (12) and the pressure regulator (18); wherein the shut-off shutter (12.3) of the shut-off valve (12) and the mobile element (18.3) of the pressure regulator (18) are aligned with a longitudinal axis of the device (2), and the shut-off seat (12.1) of the shut-off valve (12) and the regulator seat (18.1) of the pressure regulator (18) are formed by distinct elements distant from each other along said longitudinal axis.

Description

DEVICE FOR GAS CYLINDER WITH GAS REFILL PORT CONNECTED BETWEEN SHUT-OFF VALVE AND REGULATOR

[0001] The invention is directed to the field of devices for compressed gas cylinders, comprising a regulator and a shut-off valve upstream of said regulator.

[0002] Prior art patent document published US 2003 / 0150496 A1 discloses a device for mounting on gas cylinders, comprising a body forming a gas passage, and the following functions, from upstream to downstream: a pressure gauge, a shut-off valve, a residual pressure device, a refill port, a pressure regulator, an auxiliary outlet, a flow selector and an outlet. The regulator operates however radially relative to the longitudinal axis, rendering the device bulky and more expensive to manufacture, notably due to the additional material quantity required for housing the regulator and to the necessity of machining radial bores. In addition, the shut-off valve is sophisticated in that the shutter is located on a downstream side of the seat and thereby requires a robust mechanism for pressing said shutter against said seat.

[0003] Prior art patent document published US 6,047,727 discloses also a device for mounting on gas cylinders, comprising several functions, including a shut-off valve and pressure regulators. The latter are also radially mounted on the body, leading to a bulky device and high manufacturing costs.

[0004] Prior art patent document published US 5,566,713 discloses also a device for mounting on gas cylinders, comprising several functions, including a refill port, a pressure gauge, a shut-off valve, a pressure regulator and a flow selector. The shut-off valve and the pressure regulator are aligned with the longitudinal axis of the device. However, the refill port is fluidly connected upstream of the shut-off valve. This configuration can however be cumbersome with certain refill stations provided with a refill-pin for force opening the check-valve. With such refill stations, the refill connector comprises an opening pin which, upon engagement with the refill port of the device on the gas cylinder, opens the check-valve. That opening occurs when the engagement of the connector with the gas refill port is not yet completed, meaning that in the absence of a shut-off valve upstream of the gas refill port, the check valve located therein cannot be mechanically forced open. The presence of the opening pin in the connector is however advantageous in that it opens wide the check-valve during refilling, thereby increasing the refill flow rate and avoiding vibrations of the shutter of the check valve otherwise caused by the gas refill flow.

[0005] The invention has for technical problem to overcome at least one drawback of the above cited prior art. More specifically, the invention has for technical problem to provide a pressure regulating device for gas cylinders, enabling a refilling in a more versatile manner.Technical solution

[0006] The invention is directed to a device for controlling a flow of gas on a gas cylinder, comprising: a body with a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a gas passage fluidly interconnecting said gas inlet and said gas outlet; a shut-off valve housed the body and comprising a shut-off seat and a shut-off shutter for cooperating with said seat for selectively shutting-off the gas passage; a pressure regulator housed in the body downstream of the shut-off valve and comprising a mobile element carrying a regulator shutter for cooperating with a regulator seat, and delimiting a regulating chamber downstream of said regulator seat, so as to regulate the gas pressure; a gas refill port on the body fluidly connected to the gas passage between the shut-off valve and the pressure regulator; wherein the shut-off shutter and the mobile element are aligned with a longitudinal axis of the device, and the shut-off seat and the regulator seat are formed by distinct elements distant from each other along said longitudinal axis.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment, the shut-off shutter comprises a poppet located on an upstream side of the shut-off seat and a stem extending from the poppet through the shut-off seat and the regulator seat.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the mobile element comprises a longitudinally extending hole through which an actuation pin extends for operating the shut-off valve by moving the shutter.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the stem of the shut-off shutter extends into the longitudinally extending hole.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the actuating pin contacts the stem in the longitudinally extending hole.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a spacer extending longitudinally between the shut-off seat and the regulator seat.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the body forms around the spacer an intermediate chamber into which the gas can flow radially outwardly from the shut-off valve and from which said gas can flow radially inwardly to the regulator seat and regulator shutter.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises an outer filter being sleeve-shaped around the spacer in the intermediate chamber.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the gas refill port fluidly connects to the intermediate chamber.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the spacer comprises a longitudinal through-hole, at least one upstream radial hole connecting an upstream portion of the longitudinal through-hole to an exterior of said spacer, and at least one downstream radial hole connecting a downstream portion of the longitudinal through-hole to said exterior.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the stem of the shut-off shutter extends through the longitudinal through-hole with a radial play in the upstream portion of said longitudinal through-hole so as to form the gas passage and in a guided manner in a central portion of said longitudinal through-hole.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the shut-off seat comprises a cap-shaped part with a central hole, an annular gasket housed in the cap-shaped part, said cap-shaped part being fitted on an upstream end of the spacer.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the regulator seat comprises an annular gasket housed in a circular cavity formed on a downstream side of the spacer.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the body comprises an upstream bore receiving the spacer, and a downstream bore wider than and downstream of said upstream bore, the device further comprising a disk-shaped part fixed at a bottom of the downstream bore and retaining the spacer in the upstream bore.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the disk-shaped part comprises a central hole, a radially inner portion of said disk-shaped part contacting and holding the annular gasket of the regulator seat in the circular cavity on the downstream side of the spacer.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the gas refill port extends radially and comprises a check-valve.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the check-valve is configured so as to be forced in an open position by insertion of a refill-pin through the gas refill port.Advantages of the invention

[0023] The invention is particularly interesting in that it provides a compact and economic construction of a device for controlling a flow of gas on a gas cylinder, that device providing a series of functions, including a shut-off valve, a pressure regulator and a gas refill port. The alignment of the shut-off valve and of the pressure regulator along the longitudinal axis provides a compact construction. It allows also all parts of the shut-off valve and the pressure regulator to be located in staggered concentric bores which allows them to be machined along a same axis with a same fixation of the blank. Also, the fact that the shut-off seat and the regulator seat are formed by distinct elements distant from each other along the longitudinal axis allows a connection of the gas passage between the shut-off valve and the pressure regulator, to the gas refill port, and also placement of one or several filters in the gas passage.Brief description of the drawings

[0024] is a perspective view of a device for controlling a flow of gas on a gas cylinder, according to the invention, and a schematic representation of its architecture.

[0025] is a sectional longitudinal view of the device of.

[0026] shows two sectional longitudinal views of the refill port of the valve of figures 1 and 2, in a closed position and in an open position.Description of an embodiment

[0027] shows in perspective a device 2 for controlling a flow of gas on a gas cylinder.

[0028] The device 2 comprises a body 4 with a gas inlet 6, a gas outlet 8 and a gas passage 9 (not visible) controlling a flow of gas on a gas cylinder fluidly interconnecting said gas inlet and gas outlet. The body 4 comprises a main body part 4.1 with a male threaded portion 4.1.1 at the gas inlet 6, for engaging with the female thread of a neck of a gas cylinder, as this is customary. That male threaded portion 4.1.1 is for instance integrally formed with the main body part 4.1, being however understood that this is not mandatory. The body 4 further comprises a nut 4.2 and a cover part 4.3 that is secured to the main body part 4.1 by said nut 4.2. This construction of the body 4 is a preferred embodiment, being understood that variations in the construction of body 4 can be considered. For example, the nut 4.2 can be replaced by a flange with holes receiving fastening screws engaging with the main body part 4.1.

[0029] The device 2 further comprises a pressure gauge 10 mounted on the body 4, for instance on the main body part 4.1 and directly fluidly connected with the inlet 6.

[0030] The device 2 further comprises a shut-off valve 12 that is visible only in the architecture layout representation of the device. The shut-off valve 12 is operable by the hand-wheel at the top of the device 2.

[0031] The device 2 further comprises a gas refill port 14, followed in the normal flow direction, by a filter 16 and a pressure regulator 18.

[0032] The device 2 can further comprise a safety release device 20 downstream of the pressure regulator 18, and a residual pressure device 22 also downstream of the pressure regulator 18.

[0033] The device 2 can further comprise an auxiliary gas outlet 24, as well as a flow selector 26 upstream of the gas outlet 8. The auxiliary gas outlet 24 is fluidly upstream of the flow selector 26, meaning that its gas flow cannot be adjusted contrary to the gas flow of the gas outlet 8. The flow selector is operated by the hand-wheel at the top of the device 2.

[0034] In the above device 2, the shut-off valve 12 and the pressure regulator 18 are aligned with a longitudinal axis of said device 2, this axis being vertical when the device is in a normal operating position as illustrated in. Further, the shut-off valve 12 is operable from a top portion of the device 2, for instance by the hand-wheel. To that end, a push rod assembly (not visible in) extends longitudinally through the pressure regulator between the shut-off valve and the hand-wheel. Also, the gas refill port 14 is fluidly connected to the gas passage 9 between the shut-off valve 12 and the pressure regulator 18. The gas refill port 14 can then be arranged along the longitudinal axis between the shut-off valve 12 and the pressure regulator 18 and be fluidly connected to the gas passage by a mainly horizonal channel.

[0035] The above construction is particularly interesting in that it is highly compact while providing many functions, including a shut-off valve, a pressure regulator downstream of the shut-off valve and a gas refill port fluidly connected to the gas passage directly between the shut-off valve and the pressure regulator.

[0036] is a longitudinal sectional view of the device of.

[0037] The gas passage 9 fluidly interconnecting the gas inlet 6 with the gas outlet 8 is formed by in the main body part 4.1 by a central and longitudinal drill bore showing different portions with different diameters. The upper portion of the main body part 4.1 comprises a main bore opening out upwardly and closed by the cover part 4.3 of the body 4. The cover part 4.3 is for instance comprised essentially of a main wall 4.3.1 pressed by the ring 4.2 against the main body part 4.1 in a gas tight fashion, and an inner wall 4.3.2 delimiting the gas passage. The main wall 4.3.1 supports the hand-wheel and forms an inner cavity housing the flow selector 26 and closed by the inner wall 4.3.2. The main bore of the main body part 4.1 houses the pressure regulator 18. The latter comprises essentially a regulator seat 18.1, a regulator shutter 18.2 cooperating with the regulator seat 18.1, a mobile element 18.3 received in the main bore and carrying the regulator shutter 18.2, and a regulator spring 18.4 resting on the body and acting on the mobile element 18.3. The mobile element 18.3 delimits in the main bore a regulating chamber 18.5 into which the pressure-reduced gas flows and exerts against the mobile element 18.3 a regulating force opposite the resilient force of the regulator spring 18.4. The functioning principle of the pressure regulator is a such well-known from the skilled person and therefore does not need to be further detailed.

[0038] The residual pressure device 22 mentioned above in connection withis for instance formed by a sealing annular surface on the mobile element 18.3 of the pressure regulator 18, in the regulating chamber 18.5 and configured for cooperating with a corresponding seating surface on the body 4, for instance on the inner wall 4.3.2 of cover part 4.3 of the body 4. In the absence of pressure in the device 2, the regulator spring 18.4 urges the mobile element 18.3 towards the inner wall 4.3.2 of the cover part 4.3 of the body 4 so that the sealing surface on said mobile element 18.3 contacts the corresponding sealing surface of the inner wall 4.3.2 of the cover part 4.3 of the body 4, and incidentally the regulator shutter 18.2 away from the regulator seat 18.1. This position of the mobile element 18.3 opens the gas passage through the regulator seat 18.1 but closes the gas passage out of the regulating chamber 18.5 towards the flow selector 26. When gas pressure is present inside the device 2, that pressure in the regulating chamber 18.5 exerts a force on the mobile element 18.3 that counteracts the resilient force of the regulator spring 18.4 and moves said mobile element 18.3 away from the inner wall 4.3.2 of the cover part 4.3 of the body 4 and opens the gas passage from the regulating chamber 18.5 to the flow selector 26 and gas outlet 8. The mobile element 18.3 basically regulates the gas pressure in the regulating chamber 18.5 to an essentially constant value, while gas consumption occurs through at least one of the gas outlet 8 and the auxiliary gas outlet 24 (not visible in) and while the gas pressure at the gas inlet 6 progressively decreases as the gas cylinder is emptied. Once the gas pressure at the gas inlet, corresponding to the pressure in the gas cylinder, while progressively decreases, reaches a residual pressure threshold which is lower than the regulating pressure of the pressure regulator, e.g. a few bar, like between 1 and 4 bar, the regulator spring 18.4 urges the mobile element 18.3 towards the cover part 4.3 of the body 4 so as to close the gas passage from the regulating chamber 18.5 to the gas outlet 8 and, if provided, the auxiliary gas outlet 24 (not visible in), and thereby prevents the gas cylinder to be in fluidic contact with the ambient thereof in the absence of flow of gas from said gas cylinder. This prevents contamination of the gas cylinder, when emptied, by the ambient. The functioning principle of a residual pressure device is as such well known from the skilled person and does not need to be further detailed here.

[0039] The regulator seat 18.1 is for instance formed by an annular gasket housed in a circular cavity formed on a downstream side of a spacer 28 that will be further described below. A disk-shaped part 18.6 of the pressure regulator 18 is fixed at a bottom of the main bore and holds the annular gasket in the cavity of the spacer 28. For instance, that disk-shaped part 18.6 is fixed to the main body part 4.1 by an outer thread thereof engaging with an inner thread formed in the main bore. As this apparent, an annular plate extends radially between the regulator spring 18.4 and the disk-shaped part 18.6 and contacts said disk-shaped part 18.6 by means of a gasket. That gasket is held in gas-tight contact with the disk-shaped part 18.6 by the regulator spring 18.4. This forms the safety pressure device 20 briefly described above in connection with. When the reduced pressure of the gas exiting the regulator seat 18.1 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the annular plate moves slightly longitudinally away from the disk-shaped part 18.6 and opens a leak gas passage towards the main bore that is in fluid connection with the ambient (via for example a radial hole at the bottom of the main bore).

[0040] The shut-off valve 12 comprises a shut-off seat 12.1, a shut-off shutter 12.3 and a shut-off spring 12.4 urging the shut-off shutter 12.3 against the shut-off seat 12.1. The shut-off shutter 12.3 comprises a poppet 12.3.1 located on an upstream side of the shut-off seat 12.1 and urged by the shut-off spring 12.4 towards said shut-off seat 12.1, and a stem 12.3.2 extending from said poppet 12.3.1 through the shut-off seat 12.1 towards and through the pressure regulator 18. The latter comprises indeed a longitudinally extending hole receiving the end of the stem 12.3.2 and through which an actuation pin 30 extends for operating the shut-off valve 12 by moving the shut-off shutter 12.3. The actuation pin 30 is configured to move in translation along the longitudinal axis of device 2 and of said actuation pin when the hand-wheel is actuated in rotation by virtue of a cam mechanism 32. The latter comprises two sloped contact surfaces on the upper cover part 4.3 and the actuation pin 30, respectively, configured such that upon relative rotation around the longitudinal axis, the actuation pin 30 moves in translation. The actuation pin 30 comprises a distal end portion extending through the inner wall 4.3.2 of the cover part 4.3 of the body 4, and engaging, in rotation but not in translation, with a spindle 34 rotatably supported by the main wall 4.3.1 of the cover part 4.3 of the body 4 and carrying the hand-wheel. This means that rotation of the hand-wheel will be transmitted to the spindle 34 and the actuation pin 30, whereas the latter will move in translation by virtue of the cam mechanism 32 detailed here above.

[0041] The mobile element 18.3 of the pressure regulator 18 comprises a piston 18.3.1 in gas-tight contact with the main bore of the main body part 4.1, a sleeve 18.3.2 extending longitudinally from the piston 18.3.1, towards the regulator seat 18.1, and a shaft 18.3.3 mounted into the sleeve 18.3.2 and forming at this distal end the regulator shutter 18.2 that is for instance a conical surface. The distal end of the stem 12.3.2 of the shut-off shutter 12.3 extends partially through the central longitudinally extending hole formed in the shaft 18.3.3 of the mobile element 18.3. As this is visible in the enlarged view in, the shaft 18.3.3 comprises lateral longitudinally extending holes forming the gas passage towards the regulating chamber 18.5.

[0042] The above detailed construction and functioning principle of the device is detailed in the patent application published WO 2020 / 074325 A1 and the corresponding patent application published US 2021382506 A1 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0043] The enlarged view ofwill be here be further described. As this apparent, the shut-off seat 12.1 and the regulator seat 18.1 are aligned along the longitudinal axis of the device and distant from each other by the spacer 28. The latter is inserted into a secondary bore aligned with and of a smaller diameter than the main bore housing the mobile element 18.3 of the pressure regulator 18. The secondary bore is upstream of the main bore, so that the secondary bore is an upstream bore and the main bore is a downstream bore. The secondary bore comprises a first portion and a second portion directly downstream of the first portion. The first portion shows a nominal diameter that is less than the nominal diameter of the second portion, with a shoulder between said first and second portion, so that an upstream end of the spacer 28 abuts against the shoulder. For instance, the shut-off valve comprises a cap-shaped part 12.2, with a central hole, and housing the shut-off seat 12.1 being for instance an annular gasket. The cap-shaped part 12.2 is fitted on the upstream end of the spacer 28 and abuts directly the shoulder. In the present embodiment, the shoulder is conical and the outer surface of the cap-shaped part 12.2 shows a corresponding conical shape which is, along the longitudinal axis, at the level of the engagement with the upstream end of the spacer 28, so that the resulting compressive radial force are properly supported.

[0044] The spacer 28 forms, at a downstream end thereof, a cavity housing the regulator seat 18.1 being for instance an annular gasket. The above detailed disk-shaped part 18.6 of the pressure regulator 18 contacts the downstream end of the spacer 28 so as to hold the regulator seat 18.1 in its cavity and hold the spacer 28 in its position in the secondary bore in the main body part 4.1. It is to be noted that there is a clearance between the disk-shaped part 18.6 and the bottom surface of the main bore in the main body part 4.1 so that the disk-shaped part 18.6 can be tightened by applying a controlled torque, resulting in an appropriate contact pressure between the cap-shaped part 12.2 and the shoulder in the secondary bore, in order to provide a perfectly gas-tight barrier to the high pressure at the gas inlet.

[0045] The spacer 28 comprises a longitudinal through-hole 28.1, at least one upstream radial hole 28.2 connecting an upstream portion of the longitudinal through-hole 28.1 to an exterior of said spacer, and at least one downstream radial hole 28.3 connecting a downstream portion of the longitudinal through-hole 28.1 to said exterior. An intermediate chamber 36 surrounding the spacer 28 is formed by the second portion of the secondary bore.

[0046] A first and outer filter 16.1, for instance formed of sintered metallic particles, is located around the spacer between, along the longitudinal axis, the upstream and downstream radial holes 28.2 and 28.3, respectively. That first filter 28.1 is sleeve-shaped and fitted in the annular space between the spacer 28 and the secondary bore.

[0047] As this is apparent, the stem 12.3.2 of the shut-off shutter 12.3 shows a reduced diameter, relative to the diameter of the longitudinal through-hole 28.1, between the poppet 12.3.1 and an intermediate portion of said stem 12.3.2 between the upstream and downstream radial holes 28.2 and 28.3, respectively, in order to form the gas passage from the shut-off seat 12.1 to the at least one upstream radial hole 28.2 and, successively, to the intermediate chamber 36, to the outer filter 16.1, and to the at least one downstream hole 28.3.

[0048] An optional second and inner filter 16.2 can be housed in an extension of the cavity formed on the downstream end of the spacer 28 and housing the regulator seat 18.1. That inner filter 16.2 is also preferably formed of sintered metallic particles and sleeve-shaped so that the stem 12.3.2 can extend therethrough. That extension of the cavity, housing the inner filter 16.2 extends along the longitudinal axis up to the at least one downstream radial hole 28.3, so that the gas flow through said downstream hole(s) 28.3 can flow through the inner filter 16.2 to the regulator seat 18.1.

[0049] The intermediate portion of the stem 12.3.2 extending between the upstream and downstream radial holes 28.2 and 28.3, respectively, and at least partially through the inner filter 16.2 shows a limited clearance fit with the corresponding portion of the longitudinal through-hole 28.1 of the spacer and the corresponding portion of the hole in the inner filter 16.2, that clearance fit being preferably of the close running or sliding type, e.g. H8 / f7 or F8 / h7; or H7 / g6 or G7 / h6. This is advantageous in that this provides a stable guiding of the stem while forcing the gas to flow through the outer and inner filters 16.1 and 16.2. Also, the tight clearance fit between the intermediate portion of the stem 12.3.2 and the inner filter 16.2 is advantageous in that the gas flowing from the at least one downstream radial hole 28.3 flow entirely through said inner filter 16.2 in diffuse manner to the regulator seat 18.1.

[0050] Although not visible inbut well in, the gas refill port 14 () fluidly connects directly with the intermediate chamber 36.

[0051] shows two longitudinal sectional views of device of, the sections passing by the gas refill port. The upper view shows a refill reconnector without opening pin whereas the lower view shows a refill connector with an opening pin.

[0052] The gas refill port 14 is for instance integrally formed in the main body part 4.1. It forms a cavity shaped as a two-stage bore housing a check-valve 38. The latter comprises a check-valve seat 38.1, a check-valve shutter 38.2 and a check-valve spring 38.3 urging said check-valve shutter 38.2 towards said check-valve seat 38.1. The check-valve shutter 38.2 is located on an inner side of the check-valve seat 38.1 so that in normal operation, i.e. not when refilling the gas cylinder on which the device is mounted, the high pressure at the gas inlet and passing through the shut-valve 12 in an open position, the potentially high pressure of the gas urges the check-valve shutter 38.2 against the check-valve seat 38.1, thereby preventing any unwanted opening of the check-valve 38.

[0053] The check-valve 38 can comprise a cap-shaped support 38.4 for the check-valve spring 38.3, i.e. serving a resting surface at the bottom of the two-stage bore housing the check-valve 38.

[0054] During refilling, as illustrated in both upper and lower views, a refill connector is 40 or 40’ is securely engaged in the gas refill port 14. To this end, the refill connector 40 or 40’ comprises a central part with a distal end equipped with sealing means configured for engaging in a gas tight manner inside the gas refill port 14, and a locking nut freely rotatable around the central part and provided with an inner thread configured for engaging with an outer thread on the gas refill port 14. The tightening of the locking nut urges the central part axially towards the gas refill port 14, ensuring a gas tight connection.

[0055] In the upper view, the refill connector 40 comprises no opening pin so that after engagement of said refill connector 40 with the gas refill port 14, the check-valve 38 remains closed and opens only when a sufficient pressure difference is applied to the check-valve shutter 38.2, i.e a refill pressure greater than the pressure inside the device, i.e. on the part of the check-valve shutter 38.2 located on the inner side of the check-valve seat 38.1.

[0056] In the lower view, the refill connector 40’ comprises an opening pin that, upon engagement of said refill connector 40 with the gas refill port 14, pushes the check-valve shutter 38.2 away from the check-valve seat 38.1 so as to open said check-valve 38. This configuration is advantageous in that it prevents the check-valve shutter 38.2 from oscillating and vibrating by virtue of the refill gas flow as in the configuration in the upper view. However, for using the refill connector 40’, the gas refill port 14 needs to be fluidly connected to the gas passage downstream of the shut-valve 12. If the gas refill port 14 is fluidly connected to the gas passage upstream of the shut-valve 12, opening of the check-valve 38 when engaging the refill connector 40’ to the gas refill port 14 would be cumbersome, for it will require a high mechanical effort and also would allow the gas remaining in the gas cylinder, potentially at as still high pressure, to escape through the gas refill port 14 while the refill connector 40’ is not yet fully engaged with the gas refill port 14.

[0057] The above construction is particularly advantageous with regard to its compacity and simplification of manufacturing, while being versatile for different refill connectors, as detailed here above in connection with.

Claims

A device (2) for controlling a flow of gas on a gas cylinder, comprising:a body (4) with a gas inlet (6), a gas outlet (8) and a gas passage (9) fluidly interconnecting said gas inlet (6) and said gas outlet (8);a shut-off valve (12) housed the body (4) and comprising a shut-off seat (12.1) and a shut-off shutter (12.3) for cooperating with said shut-off seat (12.1) for selectively shutting-off the gas passage (9);a pressure regulator (18) housed in the body (4) downstream of the shut-off valve (12) and comprising a mobile element (18.3) carrying a regulator shutter (18.2) for cooperating with a regulator seat (18.1), and delimiting a regulating chamber (18.5) downstream of said regulator seat (18.1), so as to regulate the gas pressure;whereinthe shut-off shutter (12.3) and the mobile element (18.3) are aligned with a longitudinal axis of the device (2), and the shut-off seat (12.1) and the regulator seat (18.1) are formed by distinct elements distant from each other along said longitudinal axis;characterized in that the device (2) further comprises:a gas refill port (14) on the body (4) fluidly connected to the gas passage (9) between the shut-off valve (12) and the pressure regulator (18); anda spacer (28) extending longitudinally between the shut-off seat (12.1) and the regulator seat (18.1).The device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the shut-off shutter (12.3) comprises a poppet (12.3.1) located on an upstream side of the shut-off seat (12.1) and a stem (12.3.2) extending from the poppet (12.3.1) through the shut-off seat (12.1) and the regulator seat (18.1).The device (2) according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the mobile element (18.3) comprises a longitudinally extending hole through which an actuation pin (30) extends for operating the shut-off valve (12) by moving the shut-off shutter (12.3).The device (2) according to claims 2 and 3, wherein the stem (12.3.2) of the shut-off shutter (12.3) extends into the longitudinally extending hole of the mobile element (18.3).The device (2) according to claim 4, wherein the actuating pin (30) contacts the stem (12.3.2) of the shut-off shutter (12.3) in the longitudinally extending hole of the mobile element (18.3).The device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the body (4) forms around the spacer (28) an intermediate chamber (36) into which the gas can flow radially outwardly from the shut-off valve (12) and from which said gas can flow radially inwardly to the regulator seat (18.1) and regulator shutter (18.2).The device (2) according to claim 6, further comprising an outer filter (16.1) being sleeve-shaped around the spacer (28) in the intermediate chamber (36).The device (2) according to one of claims 6 and 7, wherein the gas refill port (14) fluidly connects to the intermediate chamber (36).The device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the spacer (28) comprises a longitudinal through-hole (28.1), at least one upstream radial hole (28.2) connecting an upstream portion of the longitudinal through-hole (28.1) to an exterior of said spacer (28), and at least one downstream radial hole (28.3) connecting a downstream portion of the longitudinal through-hole (28.1) to said exterior.The device (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, and according to claim 9, wherein the stem (12.3.2) of the shut-off shutter (12.3) extends through the longitudinal through-hole (28.1) with a radial play in the upstream portion of said longitudinal through-hole (28.1) so as to form the gas passage (9) and in a guided manner in a central portion of said longitudinal through-hole (28.1).The device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the shut-off valve (12) comprises a cap-shaped part (12.2) with a central hole, housing the shutoff seat (12.1), said cap-shaped part (12.2) being fitted on an upstream end of the spacer (28).The device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the regulator seat (18.1) comprises an annular gasket housed in a circular cavity formed on a downstream end of the spacer (28).The device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the body (4) comprises an upstream bore receiving the spacer (28), and a downstream bore wider than and downstream of said upstream bore, the device (2) further comprising a disk-shaped part (18.6) fixed at a bottom of the downstream bore and retaining the spacer (28) in the upstream bore.The device (2) according to claim 12 and according to claim 13, wherein the disk-shaped part (18.6) comprises a central hole, a radially inner portion of said disk-shaped part contacting and holding the annular gasket of the regulator seat (18.1) in the circular cavity on the downstream end of the spacer (28).The device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the gas refill port (14) extends radially and comprises a check-valve (38).The device (2) according to claim 15, wherein the check-valve (38) is configured so as to be forced in an open position by insertion of a refill pin through the gas refill port (14).

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