EP0447330B1 - Tank for normally gaseous fuels, stored in the liquid phase, and device using its combustion in the gaseous phase - Google Patents

Tank for normally gaseous fuels, stored in the liquid phase, and device using its combustion in the gaseous phase Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0447330B1
EP0447330B1 EP91420033A EP91420033A EP0447330B1 EP 0447330 B1 EP0447330 B1 EP 0447330B1 EP 91420033 A EP91420033 A EP 91420033A EP 91420033 A EP91420033 A EP 91420033A EP 0447330 B1 EP0447330 B1 EP 0447330B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fuel
reservoir
tank
liquid phase
tube
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP91420033A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0447330A1 (en
Inventor
René Frigière
Philippe Grel
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Cricket SA
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Cricket SA
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C7/00—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases from pressure vessels, not covered by another subclass
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C1/00—Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C11/00—Use of gas-solvents or gas-sorbents in vessels
    • F17C11/007—Use of gas-solvents or gas-sorbents in vessels for hydrocarbon gases, such as methane or natural gas, propane, butane or mixtures thereof [LPG]
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F23—COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
    • F23Q—IGNITION; EXTINGUISHING-DEVICES
    • F23Q2/00—Lighters containing fuel, e.g. for cigarettes
    • F23Q2/34—Component parts or accessories
    • F23Q2/42—Fuel containers; Closures for fuel containers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
    • F17C2201/0119—Shape cylindrical with flat end-piece
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
    • F17C2203/0612—Wall structures
    • F17C2203/0614—Single wall
    • F17C2203/0617—Single wall with one layer
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0308—Protective caps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0338—Pressure regulators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2209/00—Vessel construction, in particular methods of manufacturing
    • F17C2209/21—Shaping processes
    • F17C2209/2109—Moulding
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2209/00—Vessel construction, in particular methods of manufacturing
    • F17C2209/21—Shaping processes
    • F17C2209/2109—Moulding
    • F17C2209/2118—Moulding by injection
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2209/00—Vessel construction, in particular methods of manufacturing
    • F17C2209/23—Manufacturing of particular parts or at special locations
    • F17C2209/232—Manufacturing of particular parts or at special locations of walls
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2209/00—Vessel construction, in particular methods of manufacturing
    • F17C2209/23—Manufacturing of particular parts or at special locations
    • F17C2209/234—Manufacturing of particular parts or at special locations of closing end pieces, e.g. caps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/04—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by other properties of handled fluid before transfer
    • F17C2223/042—Localisation of the removal point
    • F17C2223/043—Localisation of the removal point in the gas
    • F17C2223/045—Localisation of the removal point in the gas with a dip tube
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0486—Indicating or measuring characterised by the location
    • F17C2250/0491—Parameters measured at or inside the vessel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/06—Controlling or regulating of parameters as output values
    • F17C2250/0605—Parameters
    • F17C2250/0636—Flow or movement of content
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/05—Applications for industrial use
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
    • Y10T137/8593—Systems
    • Y10T137/86348—Tank with internally extending flow guide, pipe or conduit

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fuel tank, normally gaseous, stored in the liquid phase, for an appliance using its combustion in the gaseous phase, this tank possibly forming an integral part of the body of the appliance which, in this case, is of the disposable type, or constitute a removable cartridge capable of being replaced by a full cartridge, when it is empty.
  • a normally gaseous fuel is described as a pure substance or a mixture of pure substances in the liquid state under the pressure and temperature conditions in which it is stored, the liquid phase being in thermodynamic balance with its vapor phase.
  • the surface which delimits the two phases can be plane or have a certain radius of curvature, in particular if the liquid phase is located within a porous medium. or fibrous, the viscosity and the surface tension of the liquid phase making it possible to modify the state of liquid-vapor equilibrium and to retain the liquid phase within the porous or fibrous medium.
  • a gas dissolved in a suitable thickening or gelling solvent such as in particular low molecular weight polymers such as metacrylates, fatty acid salts such as sodium palmitate, colloidal silicas, aluminum carboxylic acid salts, ... etc.
  • the presence of a device for regulating the fuel flow is essential and the device only works stably if it is always supplied in the same phase, liquid or gas. Since, in addition, the gas phase is always located above the liquid phase and the tank is often used upright, that is to say with its outlet opening facing upwards, it is necessary to obtain that the control device is always supplied in the gaseous phase.
  • a device for regulating the fuel flow such as a pressure reducing filter
  • Cylindrical-shaped tanks are known, whether circular or not, with an outlet orifice in the center of one of the end walls, in which the fuel is trapped, in the liquid phase, within a porous or fibrous material, with which they are filled, a high porosity allowing a high filling rate. However, if the tank is filled beyond this rate, the excess liquid fuel is no longer trapped, and nothing prevents the liquid phase from reaching the regulating device.
  • a dip tube connects the outlet orifice to the center of the tank, the cross section of the free end of this dip tube, located upstream of the device. regulation, being closed by a transverse partition, while at least one inlet orifice is provided in the cylindrical wall of this dip tube, and of a size capable of causing the formation of a meniscus of liquid-vapor interface of the fuel in liquid phase, under normal tank storage temperature conditions.
  • the inlet orifice arranged in the cylindrical wall of the dip tube is located near its free end, that is to say near its aforementioned transverse partition.
  • each inlet orifice of the dip tube has the form of a slot arranged longitudinally, along a generatrix of the wall of this tube, and three orifices of regular angular distribution are advantageously provided.
  • the downstream end of the dip tube that is to say its end linked to the outlet orifice of the tank, is dimensioned so as to constitute the sump in which is housed the fuel flow control device.
  • This dip tube can, moreover, form an integral part of the body of the reservoir with the wall from which it can be obtained, by molding or injection, in any suitable moldable or injectable material.
  • the tank 2 of the invention is of the type of cylindrical shape with circular section, of axis 3 and whose cylindrical wall 2a is closed, at each of its ends, by two diametrical walls 2b and 2c.
  • One of the diametrical walls, namely the wall 2 b in the example illustrated in FIG. 1, has, in its center, an orifice 4, constituting the outlet orifice of the reservoir 2.
  • this reservoir 2 constitutes a removable cartridge capable of being replaced by a full cartridge, when it is itself empty.
  • the interior of the tank 2 is filled with a porous or fibrous material 6, intended to trap the fuel in the liquid phase.
  • a porous or fibrous material 6 intended to trap the fuel in the liquid phase.
  • the fuel in the liquid phase is only fully trapped provided that the quantity of fuel in the liquid phase introduced into the tank does not exceed the capacity that the porous or fibrous material has, to absorb it. In totality. Consequently, if the filling of the tank 2 takes place at a filling rate higher than that tolerated by the porosity of the material 6, this results in supersaturation of fuel in the liquid phase, not trapped and capable of reaching directly, liquid phase, the orifice 4 of the reservoir 2 and therefore, the flow control device located near this orifice 4, upstream or downstream.
  • a dip tube 7 is provided in the reservoir according to the invention, coaxial with the axis 3 of the reservoir connecting its outlet orifice 4 to the center of the reservoir 2, c 'that is to say, the length of which is substantially equal to half that of the tank 2.
  • the free end 7a, of this plunger tile 2 is therefore located substantially in the center of the tank 2, within the porous material or fibrous 6.
  • This end 7a of the dip tube 7 is closed by a transverse partition 7b.
  • three inlet openings 7c are formed, distributed regularly around the periphery of the end 7a of the tube 7, near the transverse partition 7b, as is more particularly visible in FIGS. 2 and 3.
  • Each orifice 7c, which constitutes an inlet orifice for the dip tube 7, has the form of a slot arranged longitudinally, that is to say along a generatrix of the cylindrical wall of the tube plunger 7.
  • the dimension of each of them is small enough to cause the formation of a liquid-vapor interface meniscus, of the fuel in the liquid phase, under normal conditions of storage temperature of the tank 2.
  • the end 7e of the dip tube 7, that is to say that opposite to its free end 7a, is arranged to constitute the sump serving as housing for the flow control device 8, associated with this tank 2.
  • the dip tube 7 can be an integral part of the body of the reservoir 2, that is to say of its cylindrical walls 2a and ends 2b, with which it can be obtained by molding or injection. It may be noted, in this regard, that the longitudinal slit shape of the inlet orifices 7c of the central channel 7d, of the dip tube 7, is particularly suitable for manufacture by molding or injection, since these slots can be produced without counter bare.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Feeding And Controlling Fuel (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Lighters Containing Fuel (AREA)
  • Wick-Type Burners And Burners With Porous Materials (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)

Abstract

This tank is of the cylindrical type with a circular or non-circular cross section, provided with an outlet orifice (4) in the centre of one (2b) of its end walls (2a, 2b), and in which the fuel is trapped in its liquid phase within a porous or fibrous material (6) with which it is filled. <??>This tank furthermore comprises a plunger tube (7) connecting the outlet orifice (4) to the centre of the tank (2), the cross-section of the free end (7a) of this plunger tube (7), situated upstream of a device for regulating the flow of fuel, being closed by a transverse partition (7b), while at least one inlet orifice (7c) is produced in the cylindrical wall of this plunger tube (7), and having dimensions capable of allowing the formation of a liquid-vapour interface meniscus of the fuel in its liquid phase under the normal storage temperature conditions of the tank (2). <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention concerne un réservoir de combustible, normalement gazeux, stocké en phase liquide, pour appareil utilisant sa combustion en phase gazeuse, ce réservoir pouvant faire partie intégrante du corps de l'appareil qui, dans ce cas, est du type jetable, ou constituer une cartouche amovible susceptible d'être remplacée par une cartouche pleine, lorsqu'elle est vide.The present invention relates to a fuel tank, normally gaseous, stored in the liquid phase, for an appliance using its combustion in the gaseous phase, this tank possibly forming an integral part of the body of the appliance which, in this case, is of the disposable type, or constitute a removable cartridge capable of being replaced by a full cartridge, when it is empty.

Lorsqu'il est en phase liquide, un combustible normalement gazeux est décrit comme un corps pur ou un mélange de corps purs se trouvant à l'état liquide dans les conditions de pression et de température dans lesquelles il est stocké, la phase liquide étant en équilibre thermodynamique avec sa phase vapeur. Lorsque cet équilibre est atteint, la surface qui délimite les deux phases, c'est-à-dire l'interface, peut être plane ou posséder un certain rayon de courbure, notamment si la phase liquide se trouve au sein d'un milieu poreux ou fibreux, la viscosité et la tension superficielle de la phase liquide permettant de modifier l'état d'équilibre liquide-vapeur et de retenir la phase liquide au sein du milieu poreux ou fibreux.When in the liquid phase, a normally gaseous fuel is described as a pure substance or a mixture of pure substances in the liquid state under the pressure and temperature conditions in which it is stored, the liquid phase being in thermodynamic balance with its vapor phase. When this equilibrium is reached, the surface which delimits the two phases, that is to say the interface, can be plane or have a certain radius of curvature, in particular if the liquid phase is located within a porous medium. or fibrous, the viscosity and the surface tension of the liquid phase making it possible to modify the state of liquid-vapor equilibrium and to retain the liquid phase within the porous or fibrous medium.

Il peut s'agir également d'un gaz dissout dans un solvant, épaississant ou gélifiant approprié, tels que notamment des polymères de faibles poids moléculaires comme des métacrylates, des sels d'acide gras comme du palmitate de sodium, des silices colloïdales, des sels d'acides carboxyliques de l'aluminium, ...etc.It may also be a gas dissolved in a suitable thickening or gelling solvent, such as in particular low molecular weight polymers such as metacrylates, fatty acid salts such as sodium palmitate, colloidal silicas, aluminum carboxylic acid salts, ... etc.

Les appareils susceptibles d'utiliser la combustion d'un combustible normalement gazeux et stocké en phase liquide, sont très nombreux et de types très variés : ce peut être des briquets, des fers à friser, à repasser, à souder et autres similaires. Ces appareils peuvent, en cours d'utilisation, être orientés dans toutes les directions.There are many devices that can use the combustion of a normally gaseous fuel stored in the liquid phase, and of very varied types: they can be lighters, curling irons, flat irons, soldering irons and the like. These devices can, in use, be oriented in all directions.

Par ailleurs, entre le réservoir et le brûleur de ces appareils, la présence d'un dispositif de régulation du débit du combustible, tel qu'un filtre réducteur de pression, est indispensable et le dispositif ne fonctionne de façon stable que s'il est toujours alimenté en une même phase, liquide ou gazeuse. Comme, en outre, la phase gazeuse est toujours située au-dessus de la phase liquide et que le réservoir est souvent utilisé debout, c'est-à-dire avec son orifice de sortie tourné vers le haut, il faut obtenir que le dispositif de régulation soit toujours alimenté en phase gazeuse. Le préambule de la revendication 1 mentionne un réservoir selon l'état de la technique comme connu du document FR-A-1 591 263.Furthermore, between the tank and the burner of these devices, the presence of a device for regulating the fuel flow, such as a pressure reducing filter, is essential and the device only works stably if it is always supplied in the same phase, liquid or gas. Since, in addition, the gas phase is always located above the liquid phase and the tank is often used upright, that is to say with its outlet opening facing upwards, it is necessary to obtain that the control device is always supplied in the gaseous phase. The preamble of claim 1 mentions a tank according to the state of the art as known from document FR-A-1,591,263.

On connaît des réservoirs de forme cylindrique à section circulaire ou non, avec un orifice de sortie au centre de l'une des parois en bout, dans lesquels le combustible est piégé, en phase liquide, au sein d'une matière poreuse ou fibreuse, dont ils sont remplis, une grande porosité permettant un taux de remplissage élevé. Cependant, si le réservoir est rempli au-delà de ce taux, le combustible liquide en excès n'est plus piégé, et rien n'empêche la phase liquide d'atteindre le dispositif de régulation.Cylindrical-shaped tanks are known, whether circular or not, with an outlet orifice in the center of one of the end walls, in which the fuel is trapped, in the liquid phase, within a porous or fibrous material, with which they are filled, a high porosity allowing a high filling rate. However, if the tank is filled beyond this rate, the excess liquid fuel is no longer trapped, and nothing prevents the liquid phase from reaching the regulating device.

La présente invention vise à remédier à cet inconvénient. A cet effet, dans le réservoir qu'elle concerne et qui est du type précité, un tube plongeur relie l'orifice de sortie au centre du réservoir, la section droite de l'extrémité libre de ce tube plongeur, située en amont du dispositif de régulation, étant fermée par une cloison transversale, tandis qu'au moins un orifice d'entrée est aménagé dans la paroi cylindrique de ce tube plongeur, et de dimension apte à provoquer la formation d'un ménisque d'interface liquide-vapeur du combustible en phase liquide, dans les conditions normales de température de stockage du réservoir.The present invention aims to remedy this drawback. To this end, in the tank which it concerns and which is of the aforementioned type, a dip tube connects the outlet orifice to the center of the tank, the cross section of the free end of this dip tube, located upstream of the device. regulation, being closed by a transverse partition, while at least one inlet orifice is provided in the cylindrical wall of this dip tube, and of a size capable of causing the formation of a meniscus of liquid-vapor interface of the fuel in liquid phase, under normal tank storage temperature conditions.

De préférence, l'orifice d'entrée aménagé dans la paroi cylindrique du tube plongeur, est situé à proximité de son extrémité libre, c'est-à-dire à proximité de sa cloison transversale précitée.Preferably, the inlet orifice arranged in the cylindrical wall of the dip tube, is located near its free end, that is to say near its aforementioned transverse partition.

Ainsi, il suffit que la sursaturation, en phase liquide, du réservoir, ne dépasse pas la moitié de son volume, pour que le combustible liquide en excès, c'est-à-dire non-piégé, ne puisse jamais atteindre un orifice d'entrée du tube plongeur ni, par conséquent, le dispostifi de régulation situé en aval de cet orifice.Thus, it suffices that the supersaturation, in the liquid phase, of the tank, does not exceed half its volume, so that the excess liquid fuel, that is to say un-trapped, can never reach an orifice d entry of the dip tube nor, consequently, the regulating device located downstream of this orifice.

De préférence, chaque orifice d'entrée du tube plongeur présente la forme d'une fente disposée longitudinalement, suivant une génératrice de la paroi de ce tube et il est avantageusement prévu trois orifices de répartition angulaire régulière.Preferably, each inlet orifice of the dip tube has the form of a slot arranged longitudinally, along a generatrix of the wall of this tube, and three orifices of regular angular distribution are advantageously provided.

Suivant une forme d'exécution intéressante de l'invention, l'extrémité avale du tube plongeur, c'est-à-dire son extrémité liée à l'orifice de sortie du réservoir, est dimensionnée de manière à constituer le puisard dans lequel est logé le dispositif de régulation du débit de combustible.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the downstream end of the dip tube, that is to say its end linked to the outlet orifice of the tank, is dimensioned so as to constitute the sump in which is housed the fuel flow control device.

Ce tube plongeur peut, en outre, faire partie intégrante du corps du réservoir avec la paroi duquel il peut être obtenu, par moulage ou injection, en n'importe quelle matière moulable ou injectable appropriée.This dip tube can, moreover, form an integral part of the body of the reservoir with the wall from which it can be obtained, by molding or injection, in any suitable moldable or injectable material.

De toute façon, l'invention sera bien comprise, à l'aide de la description qui suit, en référence aux dessins schématiques annexés représentant, à titre d'exemple non-limitatif, une forme d'exécution de ce réservoir :

  • Figure 1 en est une vue en coupe axiale, en position debout ;
  • Figure 2 est, à échelle agrandie, une vue partielle montrant l'extrémité libre du tube plongeur ;
  • Figure 3 est une vue de l'extrémité libre du tube plongeur vu en bout, c'est-à-dire dans le sens de la flèche "A" de figure 2.
In any case, the invention will be clearly understood, with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawings showing, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of this reservoir:
  • Figure 1 is an axial sectional view, in the standing position;
  • Figure 2 is, on an enlarged scale, a partial view showing the free end of the dip tube;
  • FIG. 3 is a view of the free end of the dip tube seen at the end, that is to say in the direction of the arrow "A" in FIG. 2.

Comme le montre la figure 1, le réservoir 2 de l'invention est du type de forme cylindrique à section circulaire, d'axe 3 et dont la paroi cylindrique 2a est fermée, à chacune de ses extrémités, par deux parois diamétrales respectivement 2b et 2c. L'une des parois diamétrales, à savoir la paroi 2 b dans l'exemple illustré sur la figure 1, présente, en son centre, un orifice 4, constituant l'orifice de sortie du réservoir 2.As shown in FIG. 1, the tank 2 of the invention is of the type of cylindrical shape with circular section, of axis 3 and whose cylindrical wall 2a is closed, at each of its ends, by two diametrical walls 2b and 2c. One of the diametrical walls, namely the wall 2 b in the example illustrated in FIG. 1, has, in its center, an orifice 4, constituting the outlet orifice of the reservoir 2.

En outre, la paroi diamétrale 2b porte, sur sa face externe, un collet fileté 5, permettant la fixation amovible du réservoir 2 à un appareil utilisant, pour son fonctionnement, la combustion du combustible stocké en phase liquide dans le réservoir 2. Dans ce cas, ce réservoir 2 constitue une cartouche amovible susceptible d'être remplacée par une cartouche pleine, lorsqu'elle-même est vide.In addition, the diametrical wall 2b carries, on its external face, a threaded collar 5, allowing the removable fixing of the tank 2 to an apparatus using, for its operation, the combustion of the fuel stored in liquid phase in the tank 2. In this case, this reservoir 2 constitutes a removable cartridge capable of being replaced by a full cartridge, when it is itself empty.

Enfin, comme cela est connu en soi, l'intérieur du réservoir 2 est rempli d'une matière poreuse ou fibreuse 6, destinée à piéger le combustible en phase liquide. Cependant, comme cela se conçoit facilement, le combustible en phase liquide n'est totalement piégé que sous réserve que la quantité de combustible en phase liquide introduite dans le réservoir ne dépasse pas la capacité que la matière poreuse ou fibreuse possède, pour l'absorber en totalité. Par conséquent, si le remplissage du réservoir 2 se fait à un taux de remplissage supérieur à celui toléré par la porosité de la matière 6, il en résulte une sursaturation de combustible en phase liquide, non-piégé et susceptible d'atteindre directement, en phase liquide, l'orifice 4 du réservoir 2 et par conséquent, le dispositif de régulation de débit situé à proximité de cet orifice 4, en amont ou en aval.Finally, as is known per se, the interior of the tank 2 is filled with a porous or fibrous material 6, intended to trap the fuel in the liquid phase. However, as is easily understood, the fuel in the liquid phase is only fully trapped provided that the quantity of fuel in the liquid phase introduced into the tank does not exceed the capacity that the porous or fibrous material has, to absorb it. In totality. Consequently, if the filling of the tank 2 takes place at a filling rate higher than that tolerated by the porosity of the material 6, this results in supersaturation of fuel in the liquid phase, not trapped and capable of reaching directly, liquid phase, the orifice 4 of the reservoir 2 and therefore, the flow control device located near this orifice 4, upstream or downstream.

Par ailleurs, les cadences de production de ces réservoirs 2 étant généralement très élevées, le temps de leur remplissage doit être très court, de sorte qu'il est très difficile de doser, avec une grande précision et dans un temps très court, la quantité de combustible introduite dans chacun d'euxFurthermore, the production rates of these tanks 2 being generally very high, the time for filling them must be very short, so that it is very difficult to dose, with great precision and in a very short time, the quantity of fuel introduced into each of them

Comme le montre le dessin, et plus particulièrement la figure 1, dans le réservoir selon l'invention, il est prévu un tube plongeur 7, coaxial à l'axe 3 du réservoir reliant son orifice de sortie 4 au centre du réservoir 2, c'est-à-dire dont la longueur est sensiblement égale à la moitié de celle du réservoir 2. L'extrémité libre 7a, de ce tuble plongeur 2, se trouve donc sensiblement au centre du réservoir 2, au sein de la matière poreuse ou fibreuse 6.As shown in the drawing, and more particularly in FIG. 1, a dip tube 7 is provided in the reservoir according to the invention, coaxial with the axis 3 of the reservoir connecting its outlet orifice 4 to the center of the reservoir 2, c 'that is to say, the length of which is substantially equal to half that of the tank 2. The free end 7a, of this plunger tile 2, is therefore located substantially in the center of the tank 2, within the porous material or fibrous 6.

Cette extrémité 7a, du tube plongeur 7, est fermée par une cloison transversale 7b. En outre, à proximité de cette extrémité 7a du tube plongeur 7, sont ménagés trois orifices d'entrée 7c, répartis régulièrement à la périphérie de l'extrémité 7a du tube 7, à proximité de la cloison transversale 7b, comme cela est plus particulièrement visible sur les figures 2 et 3. Chaque orifice 7c, qui constitue un orifice d'entrée du tube plongeur 7, présente la forme d'une fente disposée longitudinalement, c'est-à-dire suivant une génératrice de la paroi cylindrique du tube plongeur 7. En outre, la dimension de chacun d'eux est suffisamment petite pour provoquer la formation d'un ménisque interface liquide-vapeur, du combustible en phase liquide, dans les conditions normales de température de stockage du réservoir 2.This end 7a of the dip tube 7 is closed by a transverse partition 7b. In addition, near this end 7a of the dip tube 7, three inlet openings 7c are formed, distributed regularly around the periphery of the end 7a of the tube 7, near the transverse partition 7b, as is more particularly visible in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each orifice 7c, which constitutes an inlet orifice for the dip tube 7, has the form of a slot arranged longitudinally, that is to say along a generatrix of the cylindrical wall of the tube plunger 7. In addition, the dimension of each of them is small enough to cause the formation of a liquid-vapor interface meniscus, of the fuel in the liquid phase, under normal conditions of storage temperature of the tank 2.

Il résulte de toutes ces dispositions que lorsque du combustible en phase liquide est introduit en excès dans le réservoir 2, et sous réserve que cette quantité en excès, ou sursaturation, ne dépasse la moitié du volume du réservoir 2, cette partie en excès non-piégée par la matière poreuse ou fibreuse contenue dans le réservoir 2, ne peut pas pénétrer dans le canal central 7d, du tube plongeur 7, non-seulement en raison de la formation d'un ménisque dans chacun des orifices 7c, qui sont les seuls orifices par lesquels le combustible peut pénétrer dans ce canal 7d, pour atteindre l'orifice de sortie 4 du réservoir, mais aussi parce que, dans ces conditions, quelle que soit la position de ce dernier, le combustible en excès, c'est-à-dire non-piégé par la matière poreuse ou fibreuse 6, contenue dans le réservoir, ne peut pas atteindre le niveau de l'extrémité libre 7a du tube plongeur 7.It follows from all these provisions that when fuel in the liquid phase is introduced in excess into the tank 2, and provided that this amount in excess, or supersaturation, does not exceed half the volume of the tank 2, this excess portion not trapped by the porous or fibrous material contained in the reservoir 2, cannot penetrate into the central channel 7d, of the dip tube 7, not only due to the formation of a meniscus in each of the orifices 7c, which are the only ones orifices through which the fuel can enter this channel 7d, in order to reach the outlet port 4 of the tank, but also because, under these conditions, whatever the position of the latter, the excess fuel, that is to say not trapped by the porous or fibrous material 6, contained in the reservoir, cannot reach the level of the free end 7a of the dip tube 7.

Si, à l'inverse, par suite de la consommation d'une partie importante du combustible contenu dans le réservoir 2, du combustible en phase gazeuse se trouve au niveau des orifices d'entrée 7c du tube plongeur 7, ce gaz peut alors pénétrer dans le canal central 7d, du tube plongeur 7, sans qu'il n'en résulte aucun inconvénient, puisqu'il ne pourra atteindre le dispositif de régulation de débit, situé en amont ou en aval de l'orifice 4, qu'en phase gazeuse.If, conversely, as a result of the consumption of a large part of the fuel contained in the tank 2, fuel in the gas phase is found at the level of the inlet orifices 7c of the dip tube 7, this gas can then penetrate in the central channel 7d, of the dip tube 7, without this resulting in any drawback, since it cannot reach the flow control device, located upstream or downstream of the orifice 4, only in the gas phase.

Dans toute situation intermédiaire entre les deux situations extrêmes précitées, le combustible en phase liquide se trouvant au niveau de l'extrémité libre 7a, du tube 7, ne pourra pas pénétrer dans le canal central de ce tube 7, en phase liquide, par les orifices d'entrée 7c.In any intermediate situation between the two aforementioned extreme situations, the liquid phase fuel located at the free end 7a of the tube 7 cannot penetrate into the central channel of this tube 7, in the liquid phase, through the inlet ports 7c.

Dans l'exemple illustré sur le dessin, et plus particulièrement par la figure 1, on peut voir que l'extrémité 7e, du tube plongeur 7, c'est-à-dire celle opposée à son extrémité libre 7a, est agencée pour constituer le puisard servant de logement au dispositif de régulation de débit 8, associé à ce réservoir 2.In the example illustrated in the drawing, and more particularly in FIG. 1, it can be seen that the end 7e of the dip tube 7, that is to say that opposite to its free end 7a, is arranged to constitute the sump serving as housing for the flow control device 8, associated with this tank 2.

Enfin, comme le montre encore plus particulièrement la figure 1, le tube plongeur 7 peut faire partie intégrante du corps du réservoir 2, c'est-à-dire de ses parois cylindriques 2a et d'extrémités 2b, avec lesquelles il peut être obtenu par moulage ou injection. On peut noter, à cet égard, que la forme en fente longitudinale, des orifices d'entrée 7c du canal central 7d, du tube plongeur 7, convient particulièrement à une fabrication par moulage ou injection, puisque ces fentes peuvent être réalisées sans contre-dépouille.Finally, as shown more particularly in Figure 1, the dip tube 7 can be an integral part of the body of the reservoir 2, that is to say of its cylindrical walls 2a and ends 2b, with which it can be obtained by molding or injection. It may be noted, in this regard, that the longitudinal slit shape of the inlet orifices 7c of the central channel 7d, of the dip tube 7, is particularly suitable for manufacture by molding or injection, since these slots can be produced without counter bare.

Claims (6)

  1. A reservoir for normally gaseous fuel stored in the liquid phase for a device utilising the combustion of the fuel in the gaseous phase, of the type having a cylindrical form with a circular cross section or not, provided with an exit orifice (4) at the centre of one (2b) of its end walls (2a, 2b) and with an extended tube (7) connected to the exit orifice (4) to the interior of the reservoir, a regulating device of the outflow of the fuel being located in the proximity of the said exit orifice (4), the fuel being ultimately held, in the liquid phase in the middle of a porous or fibrous material (6) with which the reservoir is filled, characterised in that, the free end (7a) of the extended tube (7) is located in the centre of the reservoir(2), the cross section of the said free end (7a) being closed by a cross wise web (7b) which is provided with at least one entry orifice (7c) and disposed in the cylindrical wall of the extended tube (7), and the dimensions of which being adapted to provoke the formation of a meniscus at the liquid vapour interface of the fuel in the liquid phase, in the normal conditions of temperature of storage of the reservoir (2).
  2. A fuel reservoir according to claim 1, characterised in that the entry orifice (7c), disposed in the cylindrical wall of the extended tube (7), is located at the proximity of the free end (7a) of the tube (7), that is to say in the proximity of its cross wise web (7b).
  3. A fuel reservoir according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each entry orifice (7c), of the extended tube (7), is in the form of a slot disposed longitudinally, following the profile of the wall of the tube.
  4. A fuel reservoir according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that it is provided with three orifices (7c) evenly and radially spaced.
  5. A fuel reservoir according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the downstream end (7d), of the extended tube (7), that is to say its end located in the exit orifice (4) of the reservoir (2), is dimensioned in a manner to comprise a sump (8) in which the regulating device for the outflow of the fuel is located.
  6. A fuel reservoir according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the extended tube (7) is formed as an integral part of the body of the reservoir (2) which together with the wall of which it can be obtained by moulding or injection.
EP91420033A 1990-03-15 1991-02-01 Tank for normally gaseous fuels, stored in the liquid phase, and device using its combustion in the gaseous phase Expired - Lifetime EP0447330B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9003849 1990-03-15
FR9003849A FR2659723B1 (en) 1990-03-15 1990-03-15 NORMALLY GASEOUS FUEL TANK, STORED IN LIQUID PHASE, FOR APPARATUS USING ITS GAS PHASE COMBUSTION.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0447330A1 EP0447330A1 (en) 1991-09-18
EP0447330B1 true EP0447330B1 (en) 1994-09-21

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP91420033A Expired - Lifetime EP0447330B1 (en) 1990-03-15 1991-02-01 Tank for normally gaseous fuels, stored in the liquid phase, and device using its combustion in the gaseous phase

Country Status (7)

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US (1) US5097867A (en)
EP (1) EP0447330B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2725897B2 (en)
AT (1) ATE112029T1 (en)
DE (1) DE69104095T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2060333T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2659723B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2700602B1 (en) * 1993-01-19 1995-05-24 Cricket Sa Liquid fuel gas tank.
EP1367326A3 (en) * 2002-05-27 2005-03-30 Shenzhen Bailingda Lighters &amp; Electrical Products Co. Ltd. A lighter
USD636668S1 (en) 2008-03-24 2011-04-26 Mary Kay Inc. Dip tubes
US8376192B2 (en) * 2008-03-24 2013-02-19 Mary Kay Inc. Apparatus for dispensing fluids using a press-fit diptube
US9789502B2 (en) 2008-06-05 2017-10-17 Mary Kay Inc. Apparatus for dispensing fluids using a removable bottle
US8511343B2 (en) * 2010-08-05 2013-08-20 Control Solutions LLC Bladderless reservoir tank for a hydraulic accumulator
CN111578271A (en) * 2020-05-09 2020-08-25 苏州北美国际高级中学 Novel safe alcohol lamp and preparation method thereof

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3291184A (en) * 1965-08-23 1966-12-13 Master Cons Inc Fuel supply system
GB1232587A (en) * 1967-08-11 1971-05-19
FR1591263A (en) * 1967-11-08 1970-06-05
US3523005A (en) * 1968-05-20 1970-08-04 Butane Match Corp Of America Gas lighter construction
US3510102A (en) * 1968-08-08 1970-05-05 Atomic Energy Commission Valve assembly
FR2270521B2 (en) * 1973-10-29 1976-10-15 Benzaria Clement
FR2313639A1 (en) * 1975-06-05 1976-12-31 Genoud & Cie Ets GAS LIGHTER VALVE
US4201537A (en) * 1978-02-09 1980-05-06 Tokai Seiki Co., Ltd. Fuel tank of a disposable cigarette gas lighter
FR2428789A1 (en) * 1978-06-16 1980-01-11 Dupont S T Pocket lighter flame height limiter - is compressible gas-permeable element with resistance falling linearly along flow-path

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2060333T3 (en) 1994-11-16
ATE112029T1 (en) 1994-10-15
JP2725897B2 (en) 1998-03-11
DE69104095T2 (en) 1995-01-19
EP0447330A1 (en) 1991-09-18
JPH06281142A (en) 1994-10-07
US5097867A (en) 1992-03-24
FR2659723A1 (en) 1991-09-20
FR2659723B1 (en) 1992-06-12
DE69104095D1 (en) 1994-10-27

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