Quick-Connect Gas Valve Purging for Safe Bottle Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for supplying pressurized fluid, such as gas, face challenges in safely disconnecting equipment from a pressurized gas cylinder due to high pressure, leading to inefficient purging processes that risk completely emptying the bottle.
Innovation Solution
A device with a purge member biased into a closed position, actuated automatically during the closing or unlocking of valves and quick connection system, ensuring safe and complete purging without emptying the bottle by integrating a valve that opens to atmosphere during these movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the equipment is disconnected from the pressurized gas cylinder while under pressure, then the disconnection process is simplified, but high-pressure fluid leaks and safety hazards occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic preliminary purging action by integrating a purging valve that automatically opens during the disconnection sequence. The purging valve is mechanically linked to the quick-connect/disconnect mechanism, so that when the user initiates disconnection, the purging valve opens first to depressurize the internal circuits before the male and female connectors separate. This preliminary depressurization action eliminates high-pressure fluid leaks while maintaining simple user operation.
2Reliability
If the downstream outlet is used to evacuate trapped pressurized gas, then the purging function is achieved, but the user must make multiple trips and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the disconnection operation with the purging operation by integrating the purging valve into the quick-connect/disconnect mechanism. The purging valve is positioned and linked such that a single user action to disconnect the equipment simultaneously performs both the disconnection and the purging functions. The male connector withdrawal triggers the purging valve to open, allowing trapped pressurized gas to evacuate through the purging outlet, thereby combining multiple steps into one action and eliminating the need for multiple trips.
3Reliability
If a purge valve independent of the packaging closure means is provided, then purging can be performed, but the risk of forgetting to close the bottle and completely emptying it increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by mechanically linking the purging valve to the valve closure mechanism. The purging valve is positioned such that it can only remain open if the main valve is also open. When the user closes the main valve to retain pressurized gas in the bottle, the mechanical linkage automatically closes the purging valve as well. This feedback mechanism ensures that the purging function is available when needed but automatically prevents the harmful outcome of completely emptying the bottle by forgetting to close it.
4Productivity
If the quick connector is subjected to high pressure during operation, then the system maintains pressurized flow, but safe disconnection becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the disconnection process into two distinct phases: depressurization phase and separation phase. The quick-connect mechanism is designed with an integrated purging valve that must be activated first to depressurize the internal circuits. Only after the pressure is reduced does the male and female connector separation become safe and possible. This segmentation of the disconnection process into sequential steps (purge first, then separate) allows the system to maintain pressurized flow during operation while enabling safe disconnection when needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables effective purging of pressurized systems without completely emptying the bottle, ensuring safe disconnection and reducing user effort by integrating automatic purging with valve control and quick connection system operations.
Implementation Method 1
a valve urged into a closed position against a seat by a return member
Implementation Method 2
an open state allowing the purging of the internal circuit(s) to the discharge zone
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A device for supplying pressurized fluid, in particular pressurized gas, comprising a first valve (3) housing an internal fluid circuit (13), the device (1) comprising a second valve (5) comprising an internal circuit (15) and forming a physical entity distinct from the first valve (3), the first (3) valve and the second (5) valve comprising respective attachment elements (6, 7) forming a removable male/female quick-connect system of the second valve (5) to the first (3) valve, the two valves (3, 5) being configured to communicate their internal circuits (13, 15) when the second valve (5) is attached to the first valve (3) via the quick-connect system, the internal circuits (13, 15) comprising a set of valve(s) (4, 9) for controlling the flow of fluid to an outlet (25), the device (1) comprising at least one element (11,14) a manually actuated mobile control for controlling the valve assembly(ies) and/or the quick-connect system, the device comprising a purge element (8) for at least one of the internal circuits (13, 15), the purge element (8) being in communication on the one hand with the internal circuit(s) (13, 15) and, on the other hand, with an external discharge zone such as the atmosphere, the purge element (8) being movable between a closed state preventing the purging of the internal circuit(s) (13, 15) to the discharge zone and an open state allowing the purging of the internal circuit(s) (13) to the discharge zone, characterized in that the purge element (8) is actuable in its open state by at least one control element (11, 14).