CH713539A1 - Automatic gas mixer. - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic gas mixer (10) having a conduit system (71-81) connecting a plurality of pressurized gas sources (3-7) to the outlet of a gas mixture, said automatic mixer (10) ) having a data processing unit (9), and, for each gas mixture, dedicated ducts (71-81) provided with flowmeters (22-31) and regulated valves (32-37), the flowmeters (22). -31) and the valves being arranged to allow the processing unit (9) to provide a predefined gas mixture by measuring the flow rates and adjusting the opening of the regulated valve (s) (32-37).

Description

Description

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to an automatic gas mixer, a data processing unit configured to operate the mixer and a computer system configured to make available the information and data collected and generated by the data processing unit. . The invention also relates to a method for producing a gas mixture.

State of the art and problems at the origin of the invention [0002] In several fields of application, a predefined gas mixture is needed. Such a mixture comprises at least two different constituent gases present in particular quantities and proportions. For example, in the field of welding, gas mixtures are used to provide a protected environment to improve the thermal balance of arcing and to promote the welding speed and penetration. There are, for example, the welds of the MIG type (Metal Inert Gas) and the welds of the MAG type (Metal Active Gas). More generally, the gas mixture used as a shielding gas influences the quality and / or properties of a weld.

[0003] Commercially available gas mixtures are packaged under pressure inside cylinders. To the knowledge of the depositor, these bottles are generally filled by a manual process, in which an operator manually actuates valves connected to the sources of the various constituent gases in order to determine the contents of the cylinder.

[0004] Apart from the field of welding, gas mixtures are used in many other fields, for example in the medical field, in research laboratories, and in manufacturing premises. The present invention is not limited to a particular field of use.

The current state of the art has many disadvantages. A first object of the invention is the provision of an automatic gas mixer, for producing a gas mixture by an automatic process, in order to avoid the disadvantages of a manual or semi-manual mixing process.

Another object of the invention is the provision of precise gas mixtures, that is to say mixtures whose variability in terms of amount (or percentages) of the constituent gases is reduced.

The invention also aims at providing a mixing system allowing a user to adjust and / or vary the composition of a gas mixture. For example, it would be advantageous for a user to be able to quickly modify the recipe of a gas mixture, in order to be able to test the properties or effects of mixtures having slightly different compositions.

Other objects of the invention are in the field of control, management, monitoring, security and statistics. For example, it would be desirable to know, at a given moment, the residual content of a cylinder of a constituent gas, to know the average consumption of a particular gas or a mixture of gases.

The present invention achieves the above objectives, as well as others, as those skilled in the art will understand the reading of the following description. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] In one aspect, the present invention provides an automatic gas mixer having a conduit system arranged to connect a plurality of pressurized gas sources to an outlet for a gas mixture, the output providing a mixture of at least a first gas and a second gas.

According to one aspect, the present invention relates to an automatic gas mixer comprising a data processing unit and an interface to allow an operator to operate and / or configure the automatic gas mixer, the mixer of gas comprising a plurality of flow meters and one or more controlled valves for respectively measuring the flow of gas in a conduit and controlling the flow of gas through a conduit equipped with said regulated valve, said flowmeters and / or controlled valves being connected to said data processing unit so as to enable said data processing unit to produce a gas mixture according to predefined proportions of the constituent gases of the mixture.

According to one aspect, the present invention relates to an automatic gas mixer, comprising: a data processing unit and an interface, one or more adjustment devices, each arranged to be connected, upstream, to a plurality of sources pressurized gas, each of said one or more regulators comprising: a plurality of dedicated conduits, each of said dedicated conduits being arranged to be connected to one of said gas sources, and, a plurality of flow meters connected to said data processing unit so as to enabling said data processing unit to determine and / or control the flow of gas flowing in the dedicated ducts of an adjusting device; each of said one or more adjusting devices further comprising: at least one controlled valve arranged on one or more of said dedicated conduits and connected to said data processing unit so as to enable said unit to control the flow of gas through the corresponding dedicated conduit, said automatic mixer further comprising, for each of said adjustment device: a junction between said dedicated ducts arranged downstream of said at least one regulated valve so that the gases flowing in the dedicated ducts of a single control device confluent and form a gas mixture.

In one embodiment, said data processing unit is configured to allow a user to set the automatic mixer.

In one embodiment, the mixer further comprises a reservoir arranged to receive said gas mixture; a pressure sensor arranged to measure the pressure in said reservoir and connected to said data processing unit; said data processing unit being configured, as part of a filling protocol, to automatically stop filling when the pressure in said tank reaches a preset high limit / threshold value.

According to one aspect, the present invention relates to an automatic gas mixer, comprising: an adjusting device comprising a plurality of dedicated ducts, and an outlet for supplying a mixture of at least a first gas and a second gas gas, and said plurality of dedicated ducts comprising a first dedicated duct and at least a second dedicated duct, the first dedicated duct being arranged to be connected, upstream, to a first source of a first pressurized gas and said second duct dedicated being arranged to be connected, upstream, to a second source of a second pressurized gas, said first and second conduits being connected, downstream, to said outlet; the gas mixer comprising: a data processing unit and an interface connected to said unit to enable an operator to operate said automatic gas mixer, said adjustment device comprising: a first flow meter arranged to measure the flow of the first gas in said first dedicated conduit, and, at least one second flow meter arranged to measure the flow rate of the second gas in said second dedicated conduit, said first and second flow meters being connected to said data processing unit for transmitting flow rate information. gas in said first and second dedicated ducts, said mixer comprising at least one controlled valve arranged on said first and / or said second dedicated duct and connected to said data processing unit so as to allow said unit to control the flow of gas through said first and / or second conduit said mixer, comprising, downstream of said first and second flowmeters and said at least one controlled valve, a junction between said first and second dedicated ducts so as to mix the gases flowing in said first and second dedicated ducts, said junction being connected to said outlet providing said mixture of at least a first gas and a second gas.

According to one aspect, the present invention relates to an automatic gas mixer comprising a processing unit configured to allow a user to perform one or more operations selected from: (i) selecting and controlling the production of a predefined gas mixture; (ii) modify the recipe and / or composition of a gas mixture; (iii) save and / or activate a recipe of a gas mixture; (iv) configure an automatic and autonomous production of a gas mixture and preferably determine the conditions for automatic production; (v) set the operating hours of the automatic mixer; (vi) adjusting the values of pressure / gas flow limits / thresholds triggering one or more actions selected from: a filling protocol, alarms, messages and / or safety measures, and (vii) determining access rights of different levels to allow users with different access rights to perform predefined and / or different operations.

The invention also relates to a computer system configured to provide, preferably in real time, the data and information collected by the data processing unit of the mixer of the invention. The invention also relates to a method for providing a gas mixture.

Other aspects of the invention and preferred embodiments are defined in the claims and in the description hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading a description of two preferred embodiments, given solely by way of example, in no way limiting with reference to the schematic figures. in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagram of an automatic gas mixer according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagram of an automatic gas mixer according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a logic diagram of a software for controlling the automatic gas mixer shown in FIG.

Description of Embodiments [0021] The present invention relates to an automatic gas mixer. The mixer is configured to produce one or more mixtures of several gases, for example a mixture comprising from 2 to 10 different gases, from a corresponding number of pressurized gas sources. Each constituent gas of a mixture produced by the mixer of the invention comes from a suitable gas source, for example a gas cylinder, in which the gas is pressurized.

The gas source may contain a purified or pure gas. On the other hand, the gas source may contain a gas which is a mixture of gases, for example a particular pure gas mixed with additives present in the form of gas. For example, carbon dioxide (CO2) is often provided as a mixture further containing nitrogen and / or other accompanying gas. Finally, most of the commercially available gases contain impurities, which may be present for example at <2 vol% in the gas source, even if it is a pure gas.

The invention does not exclude the possibility that a constituent gas from a gas source is generated in situ, for example by synthesis. In this case, the source of the gas may be a reaction vessel or an outlet thereof. In general, however, a gas source may contain a maximum amount of gas, defined for example by the volume of a cylinder. The invention also conceives that the gas source is a distribution network, for example a distribution network of a plant. In another example, the gas source is not limited to a network within a building, but may also be a distribution network covering a locality or region. For example, the gas source can be (connected to) an international or regional gas pipeline.

Examples of gas from a gas source are argon, nitrogen, CO2, helium, hydrogen. Examples of gas mixtures are (1) "cronigon", composed of argon, CO2 and helium, (2) "hydrargon", composed of argon and hydrogen, (3) gas of forming ("Formiergas"), composed of nitrogen and hydrogen, and (4) "varigon", composed of argon and helium. In these mixtures, the constituent gases may be present in various percentages, depending on the composition (the "recipe") of the mixture. An advantage of the invention is that it produces a precise mixture, defined by the percentage (vol / vol) of the constituent gases.

Gas sources, for example, carboys, are commercially available. According to a first embodiment, the gas source itself does not form part of the invention. In another embodiment, the gas source is part of the mixer of the invention.

As an introduction to this description, some remarks and definitions may be useful for understanding the invention.

The expression "gas mixture" involves two pieces of information: The "gas combination" constituents and the percentage of constituent gases in the mixture. An example of a combination of gases is "hydrargon", composed of hydrogen and argon. The percentage, the proportions of the constituent gases in a mixture, is also called the "recipe" or "composition" in this specification. It becomes clear that the indication of a combination of constituent gases defines a specific mixture only if it is accompanied by the recipe. As mentioned above, a source gas can also be a gas mixture. In this case, the mixer of the invention can be used to mix this mixture with another gas, see with a second gas mixture.

As those skilled in the art will understand the study of the present description, the mixer of the invention is preferably arranged to produce predefined or preconceived combinations. Then, the mixer allows a user to vary the recipe, the proportions of the constituent gases of a predefined mixture. Although the mixer could in principle be used to produce any combination of gases, it would have to be adapted and / or reconfigured if a user wanted to produce a new mixture, for example a mixture comprising another gas which did not not included in the first configuration of the mixer. This is an advantageous measure of security and control, because it prevents a user from generating, without further, a new combination of potentially dangerous gases.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, two gas sources 3 and 4, for example two gas cylinders, are shown. Each source contains a different pressurized gas.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 1 comprises a gas conduit system 2, arranged to connect the sources of pressurized gas to an outlet 16 supplying a mixture composed of the two gases present in the sources 3 and 4. The duct system 2 comprises supply ducts 11, 12, by which the first and second gases 3, 4 are each led from their respective source to an adjusting device 61.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the supply duct 11 connected to the first gas source 3 is directly connected to the dedicated duct 71 of the control device 61, while the duct 12, connected to the second gas source 4, is connected to the dedicated duct 72 of the device 61.

The expression "dedicated conduit" in the context of this description, indicates that the conduit in question and dedicated to a single gas of a particular combination of gas, for example a preconceived gas combination during initial configuration or assembly of the mixer. The adjustment device 61 is dedicated to the combination of the gases 3 and 4, and to produce this particular combination, the gas 3 is arranged to pass through the dedicated duct 71, and the gas 4 to pass through the dedicated duct 72. Thus, even though the duct system may be more complex than shown in fig. 1, the presence of dedicated conduits as defined above is an advantageous security measure.

The adjustment device 61 comprises a first flowmeter 21, arranged on the dedicated duct 71 in order to be able to measure the gas flow 3. Similarly, a second flowmeter 22 is arranged on the dedicated duct 72, in which s' The flowmeters 21 and 22 are connected electronically (by cable or wirelessly) to the data processing unit 9, the latter being preferably arranged to receive the measurements produced by the flow meters 21 and 22. the present invention does not exclude the presence of a microcontroller, software or other device or suitable means arranged, for example, to process the signals produced by the flow meters.

The data processing unit 9 is preferably an automatic machine for processing information, obeying programs formed by arithmetic and logical operations sequences. Preferably, the unit 9 is a programmable electronic machine capable of executing software. Hereinafter, the term "data processing unit" is often abbreviated to "unit" 9. Unit 9 may be a computer and / or may be configured to communicate with a computer.

The adjusting device 61 further comprises a controlled valve 32, for example a motorized valve and / or a servo valve 32, also connected to the unit 9. The unit 9 contains software that can control the opening of the valve 32, in order to adjust the flow rate of the second gas 4 through the second dedicated duct 72.

Downstream of the flow meters 21, 22 and the regulated valve 32, the dedicated ducts 71 and 72 meet, forming the junction 91 between these ducts, where the gas 3 and 4 confluent to form a mixture. Downstream, an intermediate duct 41 connects the junction 91 to a buffer tank 42, in which the gas mixture 3, 4 is stored. The buffer tank also serves to improve the homogeneity of the mixture, that is to say the constancy of the proportions of the gases 3, 4 in the mixture produced at the junction 91. The homogenization in the reservoir 42 can take place natural diffusion and / or convection and does not require the presence of a tool or dedicated device such as an agitator or a fan. The reservoir 42 is connected to the outlet 16, the latter providing the homogeneous mixture of the gases 3 and 4. A valve, not shown in the drawings, is preferably arranged at the outlet 16, in order to allow a consumer of the gas mixture. close and / or open output 16, as needed.

At the intermediate duct 41 are also a valve 101 and a pressure measuring probe 51, for example a manometer 51. The valve 101 is preferably a solenoid valve, controlled and activated by the unit 9, with which it is preferably connected by cable or wirelessly. The valve 101 is preferably used as a shut-off valve and automatic filling shutoff, as will be described in more detail later below. On the other hand, the valve 101 also functions as a safety valve, which can be closed in the case of an undesirable situation, for example when the pressure measured by the manometer 51 exceeds or falls below a limit value. If necessary, the valves 32, 38 and 101 can all be completely closed thereby stopping or preventing the flow of gases towards the outlet 16. The manometer 51 is preferably also connected to the unit 9 to allow the latter to know the pressure in the reservoir 42 and use the measured values as variables and / or parameters for the operation of the mixer.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a safety valve 38 is located on the duct 12, therefore between the gas source 4 and the control device 61, in particular before the (upstream of) the second flowmeter 22 and / or the regulated valve 32. such a safety valve 38, for example a solenoid valve, upstream of the mixer of the invention is preferably provided in the case of reactive or dangerous gas, such as in the case of hydrogen. The valve 38, under control of the unit 9, should not be confused with the manual closing valve of the gas source, the latter being not shown in FIG. 1.

According to one embodiment, the mixer of the invention comprises a valve 38, arranged to be placed separately, preferably upstream, of the adjustment device 61, on a conduit supplying a gas, for example a reactive gas, said valve 38 being under the control of the data processing unit 9.

In order to operate and / or parameterize the gas mixer, a user uses the unit 9, more precisely the interface 8. This interface is preferably of the type HMI "human machine interface" and can for example, in the form of a touch screen, a screen and a keyboard, a screen and a mouse, etc. The interface 8 allows a user to activate the mixer 1 so that the latter produces a gas mixture according to a predefined recipe, stored in the unit 9, for example. In another embodiment, the mixer is in an automatic fill mode, described in more detail below, in which the express activation of the mixer by an operator is not required for the mixture to be produced. On the other hand, a user can set the automatic mixer, for example define a new recipe, ie new proportions of the gases 3, 4 of the mixture supplied at the outlet 16. The operation of the mixer 1, as well as the options and advantages that it offers, will be described in more detail below, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

In one embodiment, the gas mixer of the invention comprises a buffer tank 42 and preferably a pressure sensor 31 arranged to measure the pressure in said tank.

In another embodiment (not shown in the drawings), the buffer tank 42 is absent and / or does not form part of the invention. The pressure sensor 31 may also be absent. In this case, the output 16 can be directly connected to the junction 91 and / or to the intermediate conduit 41 coming from the junction. As described further below, such a gas mixer may be useful when a user wishes to be able to change the gas recipes and be able to quickly evaluate the properties and / or effects of a new recipe, without having to wait for the exhaustion of a buffer tank containing a mixture according to an earlier recipe.

The mixer shown in FIG. 1 is arranged to produce a single gas mixture at a given time, although it is possible to change the proportions of gases in the mixture as described elsewhere in this specification. The dedicated ducts 71, 72, the adjustment device 61, the junction 91, and, where appropriate, the buffer tank 42 and the sensor 51 thus form a mixing unit. As described above, in one embodiment, the mixer may be configured to simultaneously provide multiple gas mixtures.

FIG. 2 shows an automatic gas mixer 10 for producing a plurality of gas mixtures, ie a plurality of different gas combinations. The mixer 10 has five (5) outputs 16-20 and five (5) different gas sources 3-7.

The fact that in the device of FIG. 2, five gas sources are used to produce the same number of mixtures is a coincidence. Of course, it is theoretically possible to produce more combinations on the basis of the five sources, but the installation shown in FIG. 2 represents an exemplary situation that could typically be used in a welding shop. The invention is not limited to the exemplary configuration shown in FIG. 2. The invention contemplates the production of a mixing number ranging from 1 (one) to the maximum number of possible gas mixtures from a given number of gas sources. For example, on the basis of three different gas sources (a, b, c), it is possible to obtain four different mixtures (ab, ac, bc and abc).

The characteristics of the mixer 1 are also present in the mixer 10 and will not be described again. Compared to FIG. 1, the outlet 16 of the mixer 10 provides a mixture of the three gases from the sources 3, 4 and 5 and not only gases 3 and 4. Thus, the mixer comprises a gas source 5, including a supply duct 13 leads from the third gas source 5 to a third dedicated duct 73, the latter being part of the first control device 61. The first control device 61 comprises a third flowmeter 23, arranged to measure the flow rate of the third gas 5 through the third dedicated conduit 73. On the other hand, a controlled valve 33 is arranged on the third dedicated duct so as to adjust the flow of the third gas 5 through the third dedicated duct 73. Downstream of the flowmeter 23 and the valve 33 the third conduit 73 even at the junction 91, where the gases 3, 4 and 5 confluence, to then be guided through the first intermediate conduit 41 to the buffer tank 42 and then to the first outlet 1 6, providing the mixture of the first three gases 3, 4 and 5.

In one embodiment, a flowmeter is arranged on each of said dedicated ducts, said flowmeter being connected to said data processing unit so as to enable said unit to determine the flow of gas flowing in the dedicated duct. corresponding. In one embodiment, a junction is arranged downstream of said flowmeters and a regulating valve (s) of an adjusting device so that the gases flowing in the dedicated ducts of a single control device are confluent and form a mixture of gases.

It should be noted that the third flowmeter 23 and the second regulated valve 33 are also connected to the unit 9, so that the latter can adjust the flow of the third gas 5 in the third dedicated conduit by opening or closing the valve 33 for this purpose.

In one embodiment, said data processing unit 9 is configured to determine and to adjust, on the basis of the flow rates measured by said flowmeters 21-31, the opening of said at least one motorized valve 32-37, so as to obtain a gas mixture having a desired gas composition.

Those skilled in the art will understand that, to obtain a gas mixture according to predefined proportions ("a recipe"), it is generally sufficient to be able to adjust the flow rate through the second and third dedicated ducts 72, 73. through the first dedicated conduit 71 may serve as a reference and is not regulated in this embodiment. This works as long as the proportion of the first gas 3 is greater than the proportions of the second and third gases and / or provided that the gas pressures are sufficiently high that a specific adjustment can be made on the basis of the flow rate adjustment. adjusting the opening of the first and second adjustable valves 32 and 33. The first flowmeter 21 can thus function as a "master" or reference, in the sense that the flow is adjusted in the conduits 72 and 73 by the valves adjustable 32 and 33 depending on the flow rate measured by the flow meter 21.

In one embodiment, the first gas 3 is argon, the second gas 4 is CO2, the third gas 5 is helium, and the mixture produced is "Cronigon". In this particular mixture, argon is generally present in a proportion much greater than the proportion of the other two gases, which makes it possible to use the flow rate in the first dedicated conduit 71 bringing the argon towards the junction 91 as a reference and / or the first flow meter 21 as "master". The high proportion of argon in the "Cronigon" gas makes it possible, in this case, to use the flowmeter 21 (conduit 71) as a reference and to regulate the flow rates through the ducts 72 and 73 in order to obtain a recipe " Cronigon "particular.

In one embodiment, the gas mixer comprises, for each gas mixture and / or for each adjustment device 61-65 at least n-1 regulated valves 32-37, where the letter 'n' represents a integer> 2 corresponding to the number of different gases in a gas mixture.

In one embodiment, the gas mixer comprises, for each different gas mixture, a number of regulated and / or motorized valves 32-37 sufficient to determine the relative flow between the different gases of a single mixed.

The second outlet 17 provides a mixture of the gases 3 and 6, it is therefore a mixture of different gases compared to the first mixture of the outlet 16. In the particular case shown, the outlet 17 produces a mixture of hydrargon, composed of argon (first gas 3) and hydrogen (fourth gas 6). The first gas 3 comes from the source 3, as in the case of mixing the outlet 16. To do this, the supply duct 11 from the first source 3 leads to a first junction 83, where the first dedicated duct 71 , leading to the first adjusting device 61, branches off the conduit 11. The latter is extended to supply other adjusting devices 62, 63, 65 having the first gas 3 as a component. A second junction 84 of the supply duct 11 is downstream of the first junction 83. The dedicated duct 74 branches to said second junction 84, in order to supply the second regulating device 62 with the first gas 3. On the other hand, the supply duct 14, connected to the fourth gas source 6 to supply the fourth gas 6, leads to a first junction 86, where the fifth dedicated duct 75 branches to supply the second control device 62.

The second adjustment device 62 contains a fourth flowmeter 24, arranged to measure the flow rate of the gas 3 through the fourth dedicated duct 74, and a fifth flowmeter 25, arranged to measure the flow of gas 6 through the fifth duct. Dedicated 75. On the other hand, a third regulated valve 34 is arranged on the fifth dedicated conduit 75, so as to allow the unit 9 to adjust the flow through the fifth dedicated conduit 75. Downstream of the flowmeters / regulated valve dedicated ducts 74, 75 confluence at junction 92, where the second gas mixture is formed, consisting of gases 3 and 6 (first and fourth gases). This second mixture is guided through a second intermediate duct 42 to the second tank 43, connected to the second outlet 17.

A solenoid valve 102 and a pressure gauge 52 are arranged on the second intermediate conduit. These elements are part of an interlocking and / or safety system as described above with respect to the first intermediate conduit 41 containing the first gas mixture.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the presence of junctions 83, 84, 86 in the supply ducts 11, 14 makes it possible to use the same gas sources, in this case sources 3 and 6, to supply setting devices 61,62, etc. arranged to produce mixtures composed of different gases. The duct system 2 containing the junctions 83-88, intended to supply the various adjustment devices 61-65 with the corresponding gases, can be part of the invention, or can be made available by a user. In the latter case, the mixer comprises the adjusting devices 61-65 and, preferably, the mixing junctions 91-95. In one embodiment, the buffer tanks 42-46 and / or the outputs of the mixtures 16-20 are also part of the mixer of the invention. Preferably, the data processing unit 9 is still part of the invention, since it preferably contains, among other things, the algorithms necessary for controlling the adjustable valves 33-37. To be able to operate in the automatic mode, the invention preferably also includes the solenoid valves 101-105 and the manometers 51-54, arranged to measure the pressure in the tanks 42-46.

In one embodiment, the gas mixer comprises, for each gas mixture, at least one solenoid valve and / or a safety valve 101-105, said data processing unit 9, being configured to emit an alarm. and / or closing one or more of said valves 101-105 as a function of the flow rate and / or the pressure respectively measured by said flowmeters 21-31 and pressure sensors 51-54.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the fourth gas source 6 is hydrogen. Since this gas is very reactive, a safety valve 38, preferably a solenoid valve, is arranged on the supply duct 14, as described above with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1, wherein the second gas source 4 contained a reactive gas. Of course, hydrogen is mentioned here as an example of a reactive gas, and the invention can be carried out to produce gas mixtures containing other reactive gases.

By contemplating the diagram of FIG. 2, the person skilled in the art will understand that the third outlet 18 provides a mixture composed of the same gases, from the sources 3 and 6, as the outlet 17. In the case of these outlets 17, 18, the mixer is not arranged to produce mixtures composed of different gases, but mixtures composed of the same gases, but at different proportions. This may be appropriate in the case where certain mixtures are often used or requested. In the case shown, it is 3% hydrargon and 7% hydrargon. Since these two mixtures are regularly used, it is more convenient to directly provide the corresponding mixtures in the mixer of the invention, instead of reconfiguring the mixer at the recipes to produce the desired mixtures from the same outlet. In this way, the mixer can also produce and make available simultaneously two different recipes composed of the same gases, present in different proportions in the two recipes.

Therefore, the third adjustment device 63 is fed by the first and fourth gas sources 3, 6, as the second adjustment device 62. A sixth dedicated duct 76 branches off from a third junction 85 of the duct 11 of the first gas source, and a seventh dedicated duct 77 forks a second junction 88 of the supply duct 14 of the fourth gas source 6. The third control device contains sixth and seventh flow meters 26 , 27, arranged respectively on the dedicated ducts 76, 77, and a fourth regulated valve 35, arranged to adjust the flow rate through the seventh dedicated duct 77. The mixture formed at the confluence 93 of the dedicated ducts 76, 77 is transported in a third intermediate conduit 43 to the third reservoir 44.

The fourth adjustment and mixing device 64 is arranged to mix the gases from the fourth and fifth sources 6 and 7. A dedicated duct 79 of the fourth adjustment device 64 branches to the second junction 88 of the supply duct 14 On the other hand, the fifth gas is guided through the supply duct 15 to the dedicated duct 78. Flow meters 28, 29 and a controlled valve 36 are arranged in the fourth control device 64 in a similar manner. to what has been described above, to produce, under the control of the unit 9, a mixture of the gases 6 and 7, according to the proportions entered, at the confluence 94. As in the case of the previous mixtures, a reservoir 45 and an outlet 19 are provided to provide the fourth mixture.

Finally, a fifth mixture is produced by the fifth adjustment device 65, from the first and third gas sources 3, 5. The dedicated duct 80 containing the gas 3 is connected to the supply duct 11 by the third junction 85, and the dedicated duct 81 containing the gas 5 is connected to the supply duct 13 by the junction 87, upstream of the adjusting device 65. Flowmeters 30, 31 and a controlled valve 37 are arranged in a manner similar to that which has been as described above in the fourth adjustment device 64. in order to produce, under the control of the unit 9, a mixture of gases 3 and 5, according to the proportions entered. A conduit 45 provided with a solenoid valve 105 and a pressure gauge 54 leads from the mixing junction 95 to the fifth reservoir 46, from which the fifth mixture can be drawn through the outlet 20.

As those skilled in the art will understand from the foregoing, the blends at the outlets 16-20 contain the gases 3, 4, 5 (output 16); 3, 6 (exit 17); 3, 6 (exit 18); 6, 7 (19); and 3.5 (output 20). The mixer of the invention can produce all these mixtures simultaneously. Thus, the mixer is configured to produce different mixtures consisting partly of different gases and common gases. For example, the blends provided by the outlets 16, 17 and 20 are made of different gases, each mixture however containing the gas 3. The blender 10 can be supplied with gas from a single source. For example, the gas 3 in the mixtures at the outlets 16, 17, 18 and 20 comes from a single source 3, which feeds a supply duct 11, junctions 83, 84, 85 being arranged upstream of the control devices correspondents.

The mixer can also produce, simultaneously, mixtures consisting of the same gases at different proportions, for example 3% and 7% hydrargon (outputs 17 and 18). This applies as long as both mixtures are predefined separately. In this case too, a gas source is used to produce both mixtures simultaneously. For example, sources 3 and 6 respectively supplying argon and hydrogen for outlets 17 and 18.

For the implementation, all of the adjustment devices 61-65 may be arranged in a single housing. Dedicated conduits 71-81 may be arranged as incoming tube portions in the housing. On the other hand, the ducts dedicated downstream of the flowmeters and the controlled valves can be arranged in the form of portions of tubes leaving the casing. In one embodiment, the junctions 91-95 are also contained within the housing, and the housing outlets are formed by the tube portions of the intermediate conduits 41-45.

In yet another embodiment, the solenoid valves 101-105 and preferably also the pressure sensors 51-54 are also arranged in this housing. In the latter case, the outgoing tubes of the housing can be directly connected to the corresponding tanks. Of course, the housing includes the appropriate electrical and electronic outputs for connecting the housing and its components to the unit 9 by cable or wireless.

As mentioned above with respect to the gas mixer shown in FIG. 1, the mixer shown in FIG. 1 can also be achieved without one or more buffer tanks 42-46. In this case, the sensors 51-54 may also be absent. According to this embodiment, the outputs of the mixtures 16-20 are preferably directly connected to the junctions 91-95 and / or to the corresponding intermediate conduits 41-45.

It should also be noted that the flowmeter and the controlled valve of a dedicated duct can be made in the form of a unit. There are commercially available flow meters containing valves. In another embodiment, the flowmeter and the controlled valve arranged on a dedicated conduit are two separate pieces, connected separately, and independently of each other, to the unit 9.

In one embodiment, the unit 9 is configured to allow a user to set the automatic mixer. More particularly, a user can determine, modify and / or adjust the parameters of the operation of the mixer. Preferably, the user can perform this setting through the interface 8 in a convenient and fast manner. Preferably, the mixer can be parameterized without programming knowledge and / or software running on the unit 9, without accessing directly and / or without visualizing software and / or without the need to modify the code and / or a parameter to the program. inside a software. The interface 8 may contain a screen and / or an input unit, allowing a user to directly enter the parameter or parameters to be adjusted, which will then be used during the implementation of a production of a mixture gas.

The unit 9 can be configured to obtain advantages that have not yet been described in the state of the art. For example, the production of a gas mixture can be performed automatically or, if desired, by an operator using the interface 8 only. Thus, there is no need to manually activate valves and / or taps of gas sources. On the other hand, the unit 9 preferably contains software allowing a user to perform configurations, for example to define a recipe (the proportions of the gases of a mixture) and to perform other types of adjustment .

An advantage of the mixer of the invention is that it can be parameterized by a user and can be adapted according to the needs of a user. In one embodiment, wherein said data processing unit 9 is configured to enable a user and / or a specialist to: - determine the number of setting devices 61-65 under control and / or control of the unit data processing unit 9; adding and / or removing an adjustment device 61-65 and thus the number of gas mixtures supplied by the mixer 1.10; modifying the proportions (the recipe) of the constituent gases of a gas mixture; - save one or more gas mixture recipes provided by an adjusting device; - set up an automatic and autonomous production of a gas mixture and preferably determine the conditions for automatic production; - set the operating hours of the automatic mixer; - Set the pressure threshold values and / or gas flow generating one or more operations selected from: a filling protocol, alarms, messages and / or security measures; - select and order the production of a predefined gas mixture; - Determine access rights of different levels to allow users with different access rights to perform different operations.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the unit 9 can be used to produce a large number of different mixtures, and can be quickly configured by a specialist to produce one or more mixtures of more or less. It suffices to add the structural elements, if necessary the gas source (s), the ducts, the adjustment device, the junction and, if provided, the buffer tank and / or the pressure sensor. The unit 9 can be updated by connecting it to the sensors, flowmeters and solenoid valves and by creating interaction elements on the interface (for example windows and / or corresponding graphics elements, as described below). For example, the graphic symbols used to visualize an adjusting device / mixing unit can be obtained by duplicating the existing image of a mixing unit as shown in FIG. 1, and entering the parameters concerning the new mixture to be integrated into the mixer.

The addition or removal of a mixing unit of the mixer of the invention can be quickly performed, and can be managed and controlled by the same data processing unit 9. There is no need to install a separate mixing unit for each gas mixture to be produced.

While the deletion and more particularly the addition and mixing unit require the intervention of a specialist and / or computer scientist, the operating parameters of an installed mixing unit can preferably be parameterized by any user who has received the corresponding access rights. For this purpose, the unit 9 and the interface 8 preferably generate a display and / or a visual interface, for example a window on a screen, a table, a grid or another form of information display, allowing a user to enter parameters, for example, using a keyboard or other tool. Typically, a window and / or display is generated by the unit 9, allowing the user to quickly find the place where a parameter can be entered or changed.

The possibilities of parameterizing the mixer of the invention as well as other functionalities will be illustrated in FIG. 3, which shows a logic diagram 200 according to an embodiment of a software running on the unit 9 and for controlling a mixer of the invention such as that shown in FIG. 2.

The software displays a welcome window 210 allowing any operator to access the functions of the automatic mixer 10 and information. This window, appearing on a screen, can thus constitute or be part of the interface 8.

For example, an overview window 201 shows the state of the adjustment devices 61-65 (FIG 2). This window 201 shows which adjustment device is producing a mixture, the state (open or closed) of the solenoid valves 101-105, and the pressures measured by the sensors 51-54 upstream of the buffer tanks 42-46.

The welcome window 210 contains a menu bar allowing an operator to access other windows 201-204 and activate a manual mode. In one embodiment, this menu bar remains present in the other windows as well, and the operator can thus go directly from the window 204 to the window 201 or 202, using the menu bar, for example.

The software of the invention preferably contains an alarm or monitoring part, configured to produce an alarm in predefined situations, generally related to the pressures and / or the measured flow rates, or in the case where the signals received by the Unit 9 are contradictory. This may be a situation where a regulated valve is expected to be partially or completely closed, but where the flow through the corresponding dedicated conduit remains high, or vice versa.

By activating the menu point 202, an operator can access the alarm window 203. For example, a new window 203 may be opened by an operator touching the symbol and / or the corresponding box of a touch screen. 8 (Figure 2). The alarm window 203 may show, in general, whether the pressure of a gas mixture exceeds or remains lower than limit values. For example, for each gas mixture, color indicators can be used to indicate whether an alarm is triggered. The green color typically indicates that everything is in order, and the color red if a pressure is below a value below or above an upper threshold value. The alarm can be a symbol displayed in color or an audible signal. The alarm may also involve security measures such as closing valves.

In one embodiment, the processing unit 9 is configured to have a plurality of access levels, a level of access allowing a user with the corresponding access right to perform one or more access levels. several predefined operations. Preferably, the unit 9 has access rights of different levels, that is to say at least a lower level and a higher level.

For example, a user having access rights of a given level, for example level "2", is not entitled to perform the same setting as a user having access rights. for example, the level 1 access right. On the other hand, it is generally permissible for a user with the higher level access right (eg level 1) to make the setting that a user with a lower access right has the right to perform.

The unit 9 is preferably configured to allow access only to one (or more) user logged in and / or having a corresponding access right. This may concern access to information as well as parameterization, or only to parameterization, for example.

The alarm window 203 may also allow a user having the corresponding access right, to release an alarm, for example because the production of the mixture in question was stopped in the meantime and / or because the corresponding safety valve has been closed, or that another measure has been taken to ensure the safety of the system. Preferably, the system of the invention allows only a person with the appropriate access right, for example a manager and / or a specialist, to disable an alarm.

The welcome window 201 allows an operator to access an information window 205 showing information on the status of the flow meters 21-31 and / or adjustable valves 32-37. The window 205 can be accessed by a menu item 204 in the home window 201. In one embodiment, this window 205 shows in computer terms the state of the flow meters and the valves, for example, the currently measured flow rate. , the opening of the valves, the presence or absence of a hardware error, the IP address of the hardware (valve / flowmeter).

The information and data collected by the data processing unit 9 are preferably stored on a suitable medium, for example a memory arranged in the unit 9 or on an external storage unit (USB key, external disk, etc.). Information and data can be stored in a database.

In one embodiment, the mixer of the invention is configured to present, in real time, the flow rate of a gas measured by one or more flowmeters 21-31 and / or the pressure of a gas or gas. a gas mixture measured by a pressure sensor 51-54. This information can be displayed on the interface, but also on a remote screen.

For example, the information and data collected by the data processing unit 9 can be transmitted from the unit 9, to one or more workstations, to a server, a database, etc. the information can thus be made accessible to persons authorized by a computer network, including the Internet. The information can be transmitted to computers, workstations, notebooks, laptops, smartphones. The information and data can thus be made available to users, employees, etc., located in the same building as the mixer, but also outside, in another building, on the move. For example, information and data may be made available in the context of the Internet of Things, while retaining the possibility of restricting access to information to authorized persons.

[0090] The invention also relates to a computer system configured to perform the aforementioned activities. As mentioned, access to this information may or may not be dependent on the existence of a right of access.

As indicated, the window 205 may show the presence or absence of an error. For example, a hardware error can be reported when the power of a flowmeter and / or a regulated valve is cut off, when an analog setpoint value is out of the valid values, when there is no measured flow rate while a regulated valve is open, or conversely, when there is a measured flow while the valve of the corresponding pipe is closed, if a valve does not react after a variation of the setpoint, to mention only a few -a possible hardware error in the valves / flowmeters.

The window 205 or another window may display the total amount passed through a dedicated conduit, the volume of gas that has passed through a dedicated conduit or the total amount of a gas that has been discharged through the assembly. dedicated ducts of the gas in question. For example, it is possible to display the total quantity of gas delivered in the ducts 21, 24, 26, and 30, in order to know the volume of the gas 3 consumed in an interval. This is basically a counter, which can also be set to zero by a user with the appropriate access rights.

In one embodiment, the data processing unit 9 is configured to calculate the quantity of a particular gas delivered from the corresponding gas source during a defined period and / or from an initial moment.

In one embodiment, the data processing unit 9 is configured to produce a warning when the contents of a gas source 3-7 approaches a minimum value and / or approaches a minimum threshold quantity indicating that a source of gas is almost exhausted. For example, the aforementioned meter is preferably reset when a new gas cylinder is connected to the mixer of the invention. The volume and / or amount of gas contained in a cylinder or other source can be entered or configured as a parameter in unit 9. From the measured flow rate for each of the gases, unit 9 can determine the volume of gas remaining in a gas source. The unit 9 is preferably configured to issue a warning and / or to display or send an informational message when the volume remaining in a source reaches a lower threshold value. A user noticing the message can then order a new gas cylinder before it is completely emptied. This allows a plant to be able to produce the gas mixture without interruption, avoiding a gas stock breakage due to the depletion of a gas source.

In one embodiment, the mixer of the invention, and more particularly the unit 9, can be configured to initiate the production of a mixture and / or to stop the production automatically and / or autonomously. according to predefined conditions. The unit 9 is preferably configured to have access to this information, for example the date and time, the pressure in a tank 42-46, or other information not specified in this specification. It can in principle be any condition, provided that unit 9 has access to the information to determine if the condition is met. For example, it could be a temperature threshold, a particular weather condition, or a combination of two or more different conditions. The mixer can thus be configured to produce a mixture when one or more predefined conditions are met.

In one embodiment, a condition for the automatic production of a gas mixture, in particular the start and / or stop of the production of the mixture is the gas pressure at a target location, for example the pressure of the gas mixture in a target gas tank, for example a buffer tank 42-46, or another container for containing a gas, for example a mixture of gas produced by the mixer.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the mixer 10 operates in an automatic mode, according to the steps and conditions 211 to 217 of the logic diagram. This automatic mode is activated even if no user / operator is logged in, and is preferably activated during predefined time schedules. The time schedules for triggering the mixer in the automatic mode can be modified by a user having the corresponding access rights using the "clock" menu 250, as will be described below.

According to the autofill protocol, the software first determines, in step 211, whether the clock is enabled, or whether the clock conditions imposed by the clock are met. Typically this can be the case during normal working hours. For example, the filling can be triggered in the morning at 8 o'clock and run until noon, and then from 1:30 to 5 pm. It should be noted that the time sheets of the operation can be configured by a user.

During the hours of operation defined by the clock, the software measures the pressure at 51-54 manometers, to determine the pressure in the tanks of 42-46 gas mixtures, respectively. If in a given tank the pressure is below a predefined low threshold, the mixer activates automatically, ie the production of the gas mixture for the tank in question is activated. The unit 9 thus activates the corresponding adjustment device and produces a gas mixture. For example, if the pressure in the reservoir 42 in FIG. 2 goes below the preset threshold value, the unit 9 activates the control device 61, opening the solenoid valve 101 and adjusting the flow rate through the controlled valves 32, 33 to produce the gas mixture for the tank 42 according to the recorded recipe. The activation of the filling is represented by step 213 of the logic diagram, step 214 indicating the opening of the corresponding solenoid valve (101-105). During the process of filling a tank, the pressure in the tank is constantly compared, at point 215, with a preset high threshold value. Autofill continues until the high threshold value is reached. In this case, the solenoid valve in question (chosen from valves 101-105) is closed under point 216 of the logic diagram, the automatic filling is completed at point 217.

In one embodiment, said data processing unit 9 is configured, as part of a filling protocol, to automatically stop filling when the pressure in said tank reaches a predefined high threshold value.

In one embodiment, said data processing unit 9 is configured to automatically start the production of a gas mixture and the filling of a tank 42-46 arranged to contain said mixture 42-46 when the gas pressure in said tank reaches a predefined low threshold value.

An advantage of the invention is that all the gas mixtures in all the tanks 42-46 of the mixer can be performed simultaneously when necessary, or simultaneously in several of the tanks. The control devices 61-65 are simultaneously operational and are activated automatically according to the conditions defined in the software, in this case the predefined and / or parameterizable pressure conditions.

In one embodiment, the gas mixer 10 is arranged to simultaneously supply a first and at least a second gas mixture, said first mixture containing at least one gas absent in said second mixture, and / or vice versa.

The filling of a tank can also be done manually, or more precisely can be activated by a user having the corresponding access rights. For example, if a user has logged in at point 206, he can turn on manual fill by activating a menu item in overview window 201, or in the above menu bar. Manual mode being activated, the user can directly open a solenoid valve between valves 101-105, in order to start filling, this time in the manual mode. These solenoid valves are preferably displayed in the window 201 where their status, open or closed, is also shown.

In the embodiment shown, the manual filling is provided for an emergency or in a particular situation, for example when a manometer does not work properly and does not determine the correct pressure. For example, when a tank is empty or nearly empty, and the automatic filling does not engage due to any error, the invention provides for the manual opening of the mixing valve and the activation of the adjusting device concerned.

The manual filling mode is illustrated by protocol 220-230 of the logic diagram of FIG. 3. Firstly, the software checks whether a user is logged in (no. 206) and whether manual mode is activated in point 220. In the display window 201, the operator can select a particular setting device, for example example the regulator 61 of FIG. 2. This selection activates window 218, in which the detailed information about this controller is displayed, ie the pressure, flow, etc., of this controller. At point 223, the software verifies whether the user logged on to the appropriate access rights for the manual fill mode, and, at 224, whether the current time corresponds to the predefined work schedule. If these conditions are fulfilled, and if furthermore the user has specifically activated the manual filling under No. 225, the manual filling is started under step 226 by activating a corresponding menu item, for example by opening the corresponding solenoid valve (selected from valves 101-105), as described above. This filling concerns the gas mixture according to the adjustment device selected by the user. The user has the possibility to activate the manual filling for one or more regulators, and the manual filling by several adjustment devices can take place simultaneously, as in the case of automatic filling.

The filling is carried out for example, as long as the solenoid valve in question is open. The opening of the valve is monitored under step 227. When the user manually closes the valve the completion condition of manual filling is met under step 228, the valve is closed (229), and the filling is completed in step 230.

In order to avoid any misunderstanding, it is specified that the "manual mode", for example in the context of opening and / or manually closing a valve, refers to the fact that an operator activates a valve and / or an adjustment device directly on the interface 8, the unit 9 then controlling the valve in question. The term "manual" is therefore understood as the direct intervention of a user on the computer system of the invention, compared to the automatic mode of operation described above. The term "manual" does not indicate that an operator turns a valve and / or a tap physically, for example with his hands.

It should be noted that the manual mode as described above is preferably intended to be used exceptionally, for example in the case of a malfunction of a sensor or other element of the mixer. It is thus possible to manually activate the automatic mixer until the appropriate repair is done, so that the mixer can function properly in the automatic mode.

In one embodiment, said data processing unit 9 is configured to allow a user to determine the composition of a gas mixture, said composition being determined by the proportion of each of the different gases of a mixture of gases. Preferably, the unit allows a user to change the proportions (recipe) of the constituent gases of a gas mixture.

[0111] Two access levels are provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, for example level 2 and level 1. The invention also envisages more access levels, for example from 2 to 5 access levels. In the embodiment shown, a level 2 user, for example a team leader, can activate the manual mode described above. This same user can change the composition (recipe) of the gas mixtures to the window 240 or change the operating time range to the window 250. Finally a user of level 1 can set the pressure thresholds to the parameter window 260. In steps 239, 249 and 259 the access rights to the menus and / or corresponding functions are checked.

For example, a level 2 user can access the recipes window under No. 240, by activating the corresponding menu item in the menu bar. As mentioned, the menu bar is preferably displayed in all windows. In the window of recipes 240, the percentages of each constituent gas of a gas mixture are preferably indicated. For example, a current recipe of the "Cronigon" mixture is indicated to be composed of 77.5% argon, 2.5% CO2 and 20% helium. The user can then change the percentages in this window. In one embodiment of the invention, the automatic mixer automatically produces the mixture according to the new recipe, as soon as the new recipe is activated by the user. Of course, the user can thus modify each of the recipes, to modify the proportions of the constituent gases of each gas mixture.

The unit 9 is preferably configured to allow a user to enter a modified parameter, for example a new recipe of a mixture, and to activate the modified parameter in a next step, and / or to determine a later moment of automatic activation of the modified parameter. The mixer will use the new preference setting from the moment of activation by the user.

The ability to quickly modify a recipe allows the mixer to be used in a search box, for example. A user can change a recipe to test, preferably quickly or even instantly, the effects and / or properties of a modified blend in a particular application. It is sufficient for the user to change the recipe in the interface 8, entering the percentages of the constituent gases of a gas mixture and then activate the recipe.

It should be noted that, to change a recipe, it would normally be expected that the buffer tank of the corresponding mixture is empty before the mixture according to the new recipe is provided. Another possibility is to provide a mixer of the invention in which the buffer tank is absent, so that the output of the mixture provides directly and almost instantly the gas mixture, without filling step of the buffer tank. In this case, the pressure sensors 51-54 can also be omitted. Such a mixer can be adapted specifically for research and evaluation of new recipes.

Claims (12)

The user can also save a new recipe, for example if a new recipe turns out to have interesting properties. The unit 9 is preferably configured to allow a user to save one or more recipes for each controller. In this way, in case of need of a different mixture consisting of the same source gases, a user can quickly activate another recipe that he has saved previously, or which is part of the recipes of a starting configuration. The unit 9 is preferably configured to generate a display showing the recorded recipes and to generate an interface allowing a user, for example a logged-in user, to enter and save a new recipe, delete a recipe or again to select and activate a recipe from a list of recipes saved by the user or prerecorded by default on the unit 9, for example. By activating the appropriate menu item on the menu bar and / or on the overview window 201, the user having the appropriate access right (for example level 2), can open the window 250 showing the automatic gas mixer time slots, ie the hours and / or dates at which the automatic filling takes place. Depending on the organization of this menu, the time slot may be indicated separately for each mix and / or may provide start times, end times for each day of a week, and may also include exceptions on certain dates, for example. At no. 251, the user with the appropriate access rights can change the clock, time ranges, dates of operation of the automatic mixer, for example. The parameter window 260 is, in the embodiment shown, accessible to a user having a high access right, for example a computer specialist, factory manager and / or a specialist. The access right for a logged-in user wanting to activate the parameter window 260 or wanting to modify the parameters is checked under No. 259. The window 260 shows, for example, the pressure threshold values for switching on and off the device. automatic filling, these values being used in steps 212 and 215 described above. On the other hand, the window 260 may show the threshold pressures (high and low) provided for triggering an alarm and / or the delay times, the times during which a particular limit value must be crossed before the alarm is triggered (or a filling engaged or terminated). Delay times are provided to prevent an alarm from being triggered due to pressure fluctuations generally remaining within the expected ranges. The user having the appropriate access right can then modify (and save) these threshold values and / or the delay times, or other operating parameters, under the number 261. [0121] The software of the the invention can be configured to allow everyone and / or any operator logged to view some or all of the information, for example one or more information selected from the threshold values, pressure values, flow rates, counters, alarm status, recipe composition. For example, in one embodiment, the windows 201, 203, 240, 250, 260 can be opened without the need for a login, and therefore everyone having access to the interface 8 can view the corresponding information. Then only a user with the appropriate access right can make and save the changes in the relevant windows. In this way, a distinction is made between access to information and setting. According to another embodiment, access to certain information is also categorized and accessible according to a predefined access right. The invention indeed considers all the possibilities of adapting the configuration of the access rights according to the need of a user of the automatic gas mixer, while ensuring the operation of the latter in complete safety. The skilled person will not encounter any particular difficulty to adapt the content of the present disclosure to his own needs and implement an automatic gas mixer, without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will be noted, for example, that the adaptation of the present teaching to the construction of another type of gas mixer will not pose any particular difficulty to those skilled in the art. claims An automatic gas mixer (1, 10), comprising: - a data processing unit (9) and an interface (8), - one or more adjustment devices (61-65), each arranged to be connected upstream to a plurality of pressurized gas sources (3-7), each of said one or more regulating devices (61-65) comprising: - a plurality of dedicated conduits (71-81), each of said dedicated conduits being arranged to be connected to one of said gas sources (3-7), and, - a plurality of flow meters (21-31) connected to said data processing unit (9) so as to enable said processing unit (9) to given (9) to determine the flow rate of gas flowing in the dedicated ducts of an adjusting device; each of said one or more regulators (61-65) further comprising: - at least one regulated valve (32-37) arranged on one or more of said dedicated conduits (71-81) and connected to said data processing unit (9) to allow said unit (9) to control the flow of gas through the corresponding dedicated conduit, said automatic mixer (1, 10) further comprising, for each of said adjusting device (61-65): a junction (91-95) arranged downstream of said at least one regulated valve (32-37) so that the gases flowing in the dedicated ducts (71-81) of a single control device (61- 65) confluent and form a mixture of gases; said unit (9) being configured to allow a user to set the automatic mixer (1,10). The gas mixer (1, 10) according to claim 1, wherein said data processing unit (9) is configured to allow a user to: - determine the number of adjustment devices (61-65) under control and / or control of the data processing unit (9); - Adding and / or removing an adjusting device (61-65) and thus the number of gas mixtures supplied by the mixer (1, 10); - change the proportions (the recipe) of the constituent gases of a gas mixture; - save one or more gas mixture recipes provided by an adjusting device; - set up an automatic and autonomous production of a gas mixture and preferably determine the conditions for automatic production; - set the operating hours of the automatic mixer; - Set the values of pressure thresholds and / or gas flow rates generating one or more operations selected from: a filling protocol, alarms, messages and / or security measures; - select and order the production of a predefined gas mixture; - Determine access rights of different levels to allow users with different access rights to perform predefined operations. The gas mixer (1, 10) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising - a reservoir (42-46) arranged to receive said gas mixture; a pressure sensor (51-54) arranged to measure the pressure in said reservoir (42-46) and connected to said data processing unit (9); said data processing unit (9) being configurable, as part of a filling protocol, to stop filling automatically when the pressure in said tank reaches a predetermined high threshold value. The gas mixer (1, 10) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein said data processing unit (9) can be configured to automatically start production of a gas mixture and filling a reservoir (42-46) arranged to contain said mixture (42-46) when the gas pressure in said reservoir reaches a predefined low threshold value. 5. The gas mixer (10) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, arranged to simultaneously provide a first and at least a second gas mixture, said first mixture containing at least one gas absent in said second mixture, and / or vice versa. 6. The gas mixer (1, 10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising, for each different gas mixture, a number of regulated valves (32-37) sufficient to allow to determine the relative flow between the different gas of a single mixture. The gas mixer (1, 10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said data processing unit (9) is configured to allow a user to determine and change, using the interface (8), the composition of a gas mixture, said composition being determined by the proportion of each of the different gases of the gas mixture supplied by the mixer of the invention. 8. The gas mixer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising, for each gas mixture, at least one solenoid valve and / or a safety valve (101-105), said data processing unit ( 9), being configured to emit an alarm and / or close one or more of said valves (101-105) depending on the flow rate and / or pressure measured respectively by said flowmeters (21-31) and pressure sensors (51- 54). The gas mixer (1, 10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said processing unit (9) is configured to have a plurality of access levels, a level of access allowing a user having the corresponding access right to perform one or more predefined operations. 10. The gas mixer (1, 10) according to any one of the preceding claims, configured to present, in real time, the flow rate of a gas measured by one or more flowmeters (21-31) and / or pressure a gas or a mixture of gases measured by a pressure sensor (51-54). The gas mixer (1,10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data processing unit (9) is configured to calculate the amount of a particular gas supplied by the corresponding gas source. during a defined period and / or from an initial moment. The gas mixer (1, 10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data processing unit (9) is configured to produce a warning when the contents of a gas source (3- 7) approaches a minimum value and / or approaches a minimum threshold quantity indicating that a source of gas is nearing exhaustion.