EP0641966B1 - Installation for the automatic filling of gas bottles - Google Patents

Installation for the automatic filling of gas bottles Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0641966B1
EP0641966B1 EP94401906A EP94401906A EP0641966B1 EP 0641966 B1 EP0641966 B1 EP 0641966B1 EP 94401906 A EP94401906 A EP 94401906A EP 94401906 A EP94401906 A EP 94401906A EP 0641966 B1 EP0641966 B1 EP 0641966B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
carriage
filling
installation according
tap
movable
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
EP94401906A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0641966A1 (en
Inventor
Jacques Rufflet
Thierry Robin
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Siraga SAS
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Siraga SAS
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Publication of EP0641966A1 publication Critical patent/EP0641966A1/en
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Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • F17C5/00—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures
    • F17C5/002—Automated filling apparatus
    • F17C5/005—Automated filling apparatus for gas bottles, such as on a continuous belt or on a merry-go-round
    • 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
    • F17C5/00—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures
    • F17C5/02—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures for filling with liquefied gases
    • 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
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F17C2205/0329—Valves manually actuated
    • 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
    • F17C2205/0341—Filters
    • 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
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/04—Methods for emptying or filling
    • 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
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/03—Dealing with losses
    • F17C2260/035—Dealing with losses of fluid
    • F17C2260/036—Avoiding leaks
    • 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
    • F17C2270/059—Mass bottling, e.g. merry belts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an installation for automatic filling gas cylinders provided with a tap having a square base at its part lower, a handwheel at its upper part and a nozzle filling / emptying extending horizontally between the square base and the handwheel operation, this installation comprising, on a vertically movable frame, a gas supply head which comprises a horizontal connecting end turned towards the filling / emptying end of the tap of the gas bottle to be filled, and a movable screwing / unscrewing device vertically to engage the handwheel of said valve and suitable for cause the latter to rotate to open or close it.
  • BE-A-687 264 describes a bottle filling installation gas of this type whose relatively long operating cycle does not not allow high work rates.
  • this installation can only be used to fill bottles of a particular model.
  • the present invention proposes to remedy these various drawbacks and, to do this, it relates to an installation for filling gas cylinders of the type described in BE-A-687 264, which is characterized in that it further comprises a horizontal table suspended from the frame and able to pivot relative to this around a vertical axis, a carriage mounted on the table and movable relative to it in two predetermined opposite directions, and two hanging anvils to the carriage and movable in opposite directions relative to the latter, these anvils being directed towards each other and able to engage with the tap, at the base square and with a zone diametrically opposite to the filling / emptying nozzle, the head gas supply being suspended from the table and movable relative to the carriage for allow a tight connection of its connecting end piece with the end piece filling / emptying when the anvils are engaged with the tap while the screwing / unscrewing device is carried by the frame and rotatably mounted around the axis of pivoting of the table.
  • the installation according to the invention is compact and particularly reliable. By elsewhere, its operating cycle is significantly shorter than that of installations current, which allows to use the production line in which it is mounted at a higher rate and therefore increase the profitability of this chain.
  • the table is suspended from the built by means of a hollow column extending vertically, this column being fixed to the table at its lower end and rotatably mounted in a bearing horizontal provided on the frame, near its upper end.
  • anvils are arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane vertical containing the pivot axis of the table and extending parallel to the opposite directions of movement of the carriage.
  • each of the anvils includes a first, a second and a third active surface, the first active surfaces being able to cooperate with the two sides of the square base which are parallel to the filling / emptying nozzle while the second and third active surfaces are able to cooperate respectively with the upper face of the square base and with the tap area which is diametrically opposite the filling / emptying nozzle, it being specified that the axis longitudinal of the connection end of the gas supply head and the longitudinal axis of the filling / emptying end of the tap are confused when the anvils are tight on the tap.
  • connection end of the feed head can be automatically aligned with the filling / emptying end of the tap.
  • the first active surfaces When the first active surfaces come into contact with the two above-mentioned sides of the square base, they force the table to pivot about its axis of suspension until the vertical plane of symmetry of the anvils coincides with the vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis of the valve filling / emptying nozzle.
  • the longitudinal axis of the connecting end of the supply head gas coincides with the longitudinal axis of the valve filling / emptying nozzle.
  • the anvils are located at the lower end two vertical arms secured to two movable horizontal guide members in the opposite direction in two elongated openings in the carriage, perpendicular to the opposite directions of movement of the latter.
  • the horizontal guide members each carry a flange protruding above the table and are movable under the control of at least one cylinder and at least one tension spring connecting the flanges, the cylinder and the spring being perpendicular to the opposite directions of movement of the carriage.
  • anvils are constantly stressed towards one another by the tension spring (s) and that they exert additional pressure on the square base when tightened, eliminating the risk of it may inadvertently escape their grip, especially during a failure of the or cylinders.
  • the gas supply head comprises a body extending vertically and is symmetrical with respect to the vertical plane containing the axis of pivoting of the table and extending parallel to the directions of movement opposite of the carriage.
  • the horizontal base and the carriage each carry a flange advancing above the table, the flanges being connected by at least one jack and to the minus a tension spring extending parallel to the directions of movement opposite of the carriage.
  • the rod or cylinders should be retracted to move the connection end of the supply head to the filling / emptying end of the tap and extend said rod to move the connecting end piece in the opposite direction.
  • the connecting end piece is constantly urged towards the tap by the tension spring (s) and that it exerts additional pressure on the end piece filling / emptying when applied against it, thereby maintaining a tight connection between the two end pieces in the event of failure of the actuator (s).
  • the screwing / unscrewing bell is mounted at the lower end of a vertical rod passing through orifices made in the table and the carriage and whose longitudinal axis coincides with the pivot axis of the table.
  • the vertical rod When the table is suspended from the frame via a hollow column, the vertical rod extends partly therein.
  • the rod is movable vertically under the control of a cylinder carried by the frame.
  • the rod is also integral in rotation a horizontal pinion which it crosses and relative to which it is movable longitudinally, this pinion being connected by means of a transmission to a engine provided on the frame.
  • the carriage is movable relative to the table under the control of a jack or equivalent means.
  • the filling installation according to the invention has been developed for introduce liquefied gas, in particular butane or propane, into cylinders metallic gases of the type of those provided with a tap 1 comprising a square base 2 at its lower part, a handwheel 3 at its upper part, and a filling / emptying nozzle 4 extending horizontally between the base 2 and the steering wheel 3.
  • a tap 1 comprising a square base 2 at its lower part, a handwheel 3 at its upper part, and a filling / emptying nozzle 4 extending horizontally between the base 2 and the steering wheel 3.
  • the frame 5 is slidably mounted on two vertical columns (see Figures 3 and 4) secured to a fixed support not shown and is movable along these columns under the control of a jack also not shown, or an equivalent member.
  • the table 6 is suspended from the frame 5 by means of a column hollow 16 extending vertically.
  • column 16 is fixed to table 6 near its lower end and is rotatably mounted in a horizontal bearing 17 (see FIG. 3) mounted on the frame 5, near its upper end.
  • the anvils 10 are directed towards each other and intended to engage with the valve 1 of the bottle to be filled, at the square base 2 and an area of the valve body diametrically opposite to the filling nozzle 4.
  • the anvils 10 each comprise a first active surface 18, a second active surface 19a and a third active surface 19b, the second and third active surfaces of each anvil projecting from to the first active surface with which they are associated, near the corner upper of the latter which is furthest from the gas supply head 12.
  • the first active surfaces 18 are flat, extend vertically and are intended to cooperate with the two sides of the square base 2 of the valve which are parallel to the end piece 4 thereof.
  • the second active surfaces 19a are planar, extend horizontally and are intended to cooperate with the upper face of the base 2.
  • the third active surfaces 19b are constituted by sections vertical cylinders whose radius corresponds to that of the valve body and are intended to cooperate with the tap area which is diametrically opposite the nozzle filling / emptying 4.
  • the anvils 10 are located at the lower end two vertical arms 20 integral with two horizontal guide members 21 carried by the carriage 8.
  • the guide members 21 are retained in two elongated openings 22 formed in the carriage and in which they can be moved in opposite directions in the directions of movement 11 and therefore perpendicular to the directions of movement 9 of the carriage 8.
  • tension spring 25 permanently stresses the flanges 23 towards each other. Therefore, if the cylinder 24 fails then the jaws 10 are applied against the base 2 of the tap, the spring 25 will hold these clamped jaws and will prevent the base from escaping from them.
  • the plane of symmetry P 1 of the anvils 10 forms an angle a with the vertical plane P 2 containing the longitudinal axis of the filling / emptying nozzle 4 of the valve.
  • the gas filling head 12 comprises a vertical body symmetrical with respect to the plane P 1 and is integral with a base 26 carried by the table 6.
  • the base 26 is movable on the table 6 in the directions of movement 9 of the carriage 8, and carries a flange 27 projecting above the table 6.
  • the flange 27 is parallel to a flange 28 provided on the carriage 8 and is located on the same side as the flange 28 relative to the pivot axis 7 of the table.
  • the flanges 27 and 28 are connected by a jack 29 arranged parallel to the directions of movement 9 and two tension springs 30 extending parallel to the cylinder 29, on either side thereof.
  • the two springs 30 permanently stress the supply head 2 towards the tap. Therefore, if the cylinder 29 fails then the end pieces 13 and 4 are connected, the springs 30 will hold these end pieces one against the other and will prevent the risk of gas leakage between them.
  • the screwing / unscrewing bell 14 is mounted at the lower end of a rod vertical 31 passing through orifices 32,33 (visible in FIGS. 3 and 4) formed respectively in the table 6 and in the carriage 8, the orifice 32 being circular while the orifice 33 is oblong so that the carriage can move in the directions opposite 9.
  • the rod 31 is coaxial with the pivot axis 7 of the table and partly extends in the hollow column 16 which connects the latter to the frame 5. It is movable vertically under the control of a vertical cylinder 34 whose piston rod is connected at its upper end and whose cylinder is fixed to a bracket 35 mounted on the frame 5.
  • the rod 31 is also integral in rotation with a horizontal bevel gear 36 through which it extends so that it can move longitudinally under the cylinder control 34.
  • the bevel gear 36 meshes with a vertical bevel gear 37 connected by via a transmission (not shown) to a motor 38 provided on the frame 5.
  • the screwing / unscrewing bell is intended to come into engagement with the handwheel. operation of the tap 3, on the one hand to open the latter after the completion of the connection of the connecting end piece 13 of the supply head 12 with the end piece filling / emptying 4, and on the other hand to close the tap after filling the bottle.
  • Motor 38 should also be operated so that it turns the rod 31 in the direction corresponding to the unscrewing of the flywheel so that the bell, once that it is engaged with the latter, opens the valve, and actuate the motor 38 in the opposite direction reverse so that the bell screws the handwheel and closes the valve.
  • the table 6 carries a flange 39 facing upwards and parallel to the directions of movement 11.
  • carriage 8 carries a parallel flange 40 and adjacent to the flange 39, and that a jack 41 connects these two flanges.
  • an empty gas cylinder is immobilized under the filling installation so that its vertical axis coincides with the axis of pivot 7 of the table 6 and that the two sides of the base 2 of the tap 1 which are parallel to the filling / emptying nozzle 4 are substantially parallel to the first active surfaces 18 of the anvils 10.
  • the frame 5 is lowered so as to bring the lower part of the first active surfaces 18 of the anvils at the height of the upper part of the two above-mentioned sides of the base 2, after which the actuator 41 is actuated to move the carriage 8 on table 6 so that the lower part of the first surfaces active 18 anvils is further located opposite the top of the two the aforementioned parallel sides of the base 2 (see diagrams a) and b) of FIG. 5).
  • the actuator 24 is then actuated so as to slightly tighten the anvils 10 and to rotate the table 6 about the vertical axis 7 so that the plane of symmetry P 1 of said anvils coincides with the vertical plane P 2 containing the longitudinal axis of the filling / emptying endpiece 4 of the tap, after which the frame 5 is again lowered so as to apply the second active surfaces 19a of the anvils against the upper face of the base 2, after which the actuator is again actuated cylinder 41 so as to apply the third active surfaces 19b of the anvils against the part of the valve which is diametrically opposite the filling / emptying nozzle 4 (see diagrams c) and d) of FIG. 5).
  • the actuator 24 is again actuated to block the valve between the anvils 10 and the actuator 29 is actuated to apply the connecting end piece 13 of the head supply 12 against the filling / emptying nozzle 4 and establish a tight connection between them (see diagrams e) and f) in Figure 6).
  • the actuator 34 is actuated in order to lower the rod 31 and to put the bell screwing / unscrewing 14 in engagement with the valve flywheel 3, and the motor 38 is actuated to rotate the rod 31 and the bell 14 in the direction for which it opens the tap (see diagrams g) and h) in Figure 6).
  • the valve (not shown) of the feed head 12 is then opened so to fill the gas bottle.
  • the installation according to the invention is again ready to carry out the filling the next gas cylinder.

Abstract

The installation according to the invention comprises a supporting structure (5) which can be moved vertically, a horizontal table (6) able to pivot relative to the supporting structure about a vertical axis (7), a carriage (8) which can move along the table, two anvils (10) suspended from the carriage and able to come into engagement with the valve (1) in the region of the square fitting (2), a gas feeding head (12) suspended from the table (6) and able to be moved relative to the carriage (8) to allow sealed coupling of its connector piece with the filling/draining adaptor of the valve when the anvils (10) are tightened and a screwing/unscrewing bell (14) borne by the supporting structure (5) and able to come into engagement with the operating knob (3) for opening the valve after the connection between the connector piece (13) and the filling/draining adaptor (4) has been made, and for closing the valve after the bottle (cylinder) has been filled. <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention concerne une installation pour le remplissage automatique de bouteilles de gaz pourvues d'un robinet comportant une embase carrée à sa partie inférieure, un volant de manoeuvre à sa partie supérieure et un embout de remplissage/vidage s'étendant horizontalement entre l'embase carrée et le volant de manoeuvre, cette installation comprenant, sur un bâti déplaçable verticalement, une tête d'alimentation en gaz qui comporte un embout de liaison horizontal tourné vers l'embout de remplissage/vidage du robinet de la bouteille de gaz à remplir, et un dispositif de vissage/dévissage déplaçable verticalement pour venir en prise avec le volant de manoeuvre dudit robinet et apte à entraíner ce dernier en rotation pour l'ouvrir ou le fermer.The present invention relates to an installation for automatic filling gas cylinders provided with a tap having a square base at its part lower, a handwheel at its upper part and a nozzle filling / emptying extending horizontally between the square base and the handwheel operation, this installation comprising, on a vertically movable frame, a gas supply head which comprises a horizontal connecting end turned towards the filling / emptying end of the tap of the gas bottle to be filled, and a movable screwing / unscrewing device vertically to engage the handwheel of said valve and suitable for cause the latter to rotate to open or close it.

BE-A-687 264 décrit une installation de remplissage de bouteilles de gaz de ce type dont le cycle de fonctionnement relativement long ne permet pas des cadences de travail élevées.BE-A-687 264 describes a bottle filling installation gas of this type whose relatively long operating cycle does not not allow high work rates.

Par ailleurs, la fiabilité du branchement des bouteilles avec la tête d'alimentation en gaz de cette installation n'est pas pleinement garantie, ce qui peut être dangereux pour le personnel.Furthermore, the reliability of the connection of the bottles with the gas supply head of this installation is not fully warranty, which can be dangerous for personnel.

De plus, cette installation ne peut être utilisée que pour remplir des bouteilles d'un modèle particulier.In addition, this installation can only be used to fill bottles of a particular model.

La présente invention se propose de remédier à ces différents inconvénients et, pour ce faire, elle a pour objet une installation de remplissage de bouteilles de gaz du type décrit dans BE-A-687 264, qui se caractérise en ce qu'elle comprend en outre une table horizontale suspendue au bâti et apte à pivoter par rapport à celui-ci autour d'un axe vertical, un chariot monté sur la table et déplaçable par rapport à celle-ci dans deux directions opposées prédéterminées, et deux enclumes suspendues au chariot et déplaçables en sens inverse par rapport à celui-ci, ces enclumes étant dirigées l'une vers l'autre et aptes à venir en prise avec le robinet, au niveau de l'embase carrée et d'une zone diamétralement opposée à l'embout de remplissage/vidage, la tête d'alimentation en gaz étant suspendue à la table et déplaçable par rapport au chariot pour permettre un raccordement étanche de son embout de liaison avec l'embout de remplissage/vidage lorsque les enclumes sont en prise avec le robinet tandis que le dispositif de vissage/dévissage est porté par le bâti et monté rotatif autour de l'axe de pivotement de la table. The present invention proposes to remedy these various drawbacks and, to do this, it relates to an installation for filling gas cylinders of the type described in BE-A-687 264, which is characterized in that it further comprises a horizontal table suspended from the frame and able to pivot relative to this around a vertical axis, a carriage mounted on the table and movable relative to it in two predetermined opposite directions, and two hanging anvils to the carriage and movable in opposite directions relative to the latter, these anvils being directed towards each other and able to engage with the tap, at the base square and with a zone diametrically opposite to the filling / emptying nozzle, the head gas supply being suspended from the table and movable relative to the carriage for allow a tight connection of its connecting end piece with the end piece filling / emptying when the anvils are engaged with the tap while the screwing / unscrewing device is carried by the frame and rotatably mounted around the axis of pivoting of the table.

L'installation conforme à l'invention est compacte et particulièrement fiable. Par ailleurs, son cycle de fonctionnement est nettement plus court que celui des installations actuelles, ce qui permet d'utiliser la chaíne de production dans laquelle elle est montée à une plus grande cadence et d'augmenter par conséquent la rentabilité de cette chaíne.The installation according to the invention is compact and particularly reliable. By elsewhere, its operating cycle is significantly shorter than that of installations current, which allows to use the production line in which it is mounted at a higher rate and therefore increase the profitability of this chain.

Selon un mode de réalisation particulier de l'invention, la table est suspendue au bâti par l'intermédiaire d'une colonne creuse s'étendant verticalement, cette colonne étant fixée à la table au niveau de son extrémité inférieure et montée à rotation dans un palier horizontal prévu sur le bâti, au voisinage de son extrémité supérieure.According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the table is suspended from the built by means of a hollow column extending vertically, this column being fixed to the table at its lower end and rotatably mounted in a bearing horizontal provided on the frame, near its upper end.

Par ailleurs, les enclumes sont disposées symétriquement par rapport au plan vertical contenant l'axe de pivotement de la table et s'étendant parallèlement aux directions de déplacement opposées du chariot.Furthermore, the anvils are arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane vertical containing the pivot axis of the table and extending parallel to the opposite directions of movement of the carriage.

De préférence, chacune des enclumes comprend une première, une seconde et une troisième surfaces actives, les premières surfaces actives étant aptes à coopérer avec les deux côtés de l'embase carrée qui sont parallèles à l'embout de remplissage/vidage tandis que les secondes et troisièmes surfaces actives sont aptes à coopérer respectivement avec la face supérieure de l'embase carrée et avec la zone du robinet qui est diamétralement opposée à l'embout de remplissage/vidage, étant précisé que l'axe longitudinal de l'embout de liaison de la tête d'alimentation en gaz et l'axe longitudinal de l'embout de remplissage/vidage du robinet sont confondus lorsque les enclumes sont serrées sur le robinet.Preferably, each of the anvils includes a first, a second and a third active surface, the first active surfaces being able to cooperate with the two sides of the square base which are parallel to the filling / emptying nozzle while the second and third active surfaces are able to cooperate respectively with the upper face of the square base and with the tap area which is diametrically opposite the filling / emptying nozzle, it being specified that the axis longitudinal of the connection end of the gas supply head and the longitudinal axis of the filling / emptying end of the tap are confused when the anvils are tight on the tap.

Grâce à la structure particulière des enclumes de l'installation conforme à l'invention, l'embout de liaison de la tête d'alimentation peut être automatiquement aligné avec l'embout de remplissage/vidage du robinet.Thanks to the special structure of the installation anvils in accordance with the invention, the connection end of the feed head can be automatically aligned with the filling / emptying end of the tap.

En effet, lorsque les premières surfaces actives viennent en prise avec les deux côtés précités de l'embase carrée, elles obligent la table à pivoter autour de son axe de suspension jusqu'à ce que le plan vertical de symétrie des enclumes coïncide avec le plan vertical contenant l'axe longitudinal de l'embout de remplissage/vidage du robinet.When the first active surfaces come into contact with the two above-mentioned sides of the square base, they force the table to pivot about its axis of suspension until the vertical plane of symmetry of the anvils coincides with the vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis of the valve filling / emptying nozzle.

De plus, lorsque les secondes surfaces actives s'appuient contre la face supérieure de l'embase carrée, l'axe longitudinal de l'embout de liaison de la tête d'alimentation en gaz coïncide avec l'axe longitudinal de l'embout de remplissage/vidage du robinet.In addition, when the second active surfaces are pressed against the upper face of the square base, the longitudinal axis of the connecting end of the supply head gas coincides with the longitudinal axis of the valve filling / emptying nozzle.

Selon une disposition préférée, les enclumes sont situées à l'extrémité inférieure de deux bras verticaux solidaires de deux organes de guidage horizontaux déplaçables en sens inverse dans deux ouvertures allongées ménagées dans le chariot, perpendiculairement aux directions de déplacement opposées de ce dernier.According to a preferred arrangement, the anvils are located at the lower end two vertical arms secured to two movable horizontal guide members in the opposite direction in two elongated openings in the carriage, perpendicular to the opposite directions of movement of the latter.

Par ailleurs, les organes de guidage horizontaux portent chacun un flasque s'avançant au-dessus de la table et sont déplaçables sous la commande d'au moins un vérin et d'au moins un ressort de traction reliant les flasques, le vérin et le ressort étant perpendiculaires aux directions de déplacement opposées du chariot.Furthermore, the horizontal guide members each carry a flange protruding above the table and are movable under the control of at least one cylinder and at least one tension spring connecting the flanges, the cylinder and the spring being perpendicular to the opposite directions of movement of the carriage.

Avec ce montage, il est nécessaire de rétracter la tige du ou des vérins pour déplacer les enclumes l'une vers l'autre et d'allonger ladite tige pour déplacer ces dernières en sens inverse.With this assembly, it is necessary to retract the rod of the jack (s) to move the anvils towards each other and lengthen said rod to move these last in reverse.

On précisera ici que les enclumes sont en permanence sollicitées l'une vers l'autre par le ou les ressorts de traction et qu'elles exercent une pression supplémentaire sur l'embase carrée lorsqu'elles sont serrées, ce qui élimine les risques pour que celle-ci puisse s'échapper intempestivement à leur prise en particulier lors d'une défaillance du ou des vérins.It will be specified here that the anvils are constantly stressed towards one another by the tension spring (s) and that they exert additional pressure on the square base when tightened, eliminating the risk of it may inadvertently escape their grip, especially during a failure of the or cylinders.

Avantageusement, la tête d'alimentation en gaz comporte un corps s'étendant verticalement et est symétrique par rapport au plan vertical contenant l'axe de pivotement de la table et s'étendant parallèlement aux directions de déplacement opposées du chariot.Advantageously, the gas supply head comprises a body extending vertically and is symmetrical with respect to the vertical plane containing the axis of pivoting of the table and extending parallel to the directions of movement opposite of the carriage.

Elle est par ailleurs solidaire d'un socle horizontal porté par la table et déplaçable par rapport au chariot dans les deux directions de déplacement opposées de ce dernier.It is also secured to a horizontal base carried by the table and movable relative to the carriage in the two opposite directions of movement of the latter.

Le fait que la tête d'alimentation en gaz s'étende verticalement et que les enclumes soient situées à l'extrémité inférieure de deux bras verticaux permet d'utiliser l'installation conforme à l'invention pour remplir la plupart des bouteilles du parc mondial, y compris celles dont le robinet est protégé par une collerette, et évite par conséquent la construction d'installations spécifiques aux différents types de bouteilles.The fact that the gas supply head extends vertically and that the anvils are located at the lower end of two vertical arms allows to use the installation according to the invention for filling most of the bottles in the fleet worldwide, including those whose tap is protected by a flange, and avoided by Consequently the construction of specific facilities for different types of bottles.

De préférence, le socle horizontal et le chariot portent chacun un flasque s'avançant au-dessus de la table, les flasques étant reliés par au moins un vérin et au moins un ressort de traction s'étendant parallèlement aux directions de déplacement opposées du chariot.Preferably, the horizontal base and the carriage each carry a flange advancing above the table, the flanges being connected by at least one jack and to the minus a tension spring extending parallel to the directions of movement opposite of the carriage.

Dans ce cas, il convient de rétracter la tige du ou des vérins pour déplacer l'embout de liaison de la tête d'alimentation vers l'embout de remplissage/vidage du robinet et d'allonger ladite tige pour déplacer l'embout de liaison en sens inverse. In this case, the rod or cylinders should be retracted to move the connection end of the supply head to the filling / emptying end of the tap and extend said rod to move the connecting end piece in the opposite direction.

On notera que l'embout de liaison est en permanence sollicité vers le robinet par le ou les ressorts de traction et qu'il exerce une pression supplémentaire sur l'embout de remplissage/vidage lorsqu'il est appliqué contre celui-ci, ce qui permet de maintenir un raccordement étanche entre les deux embouts lors d'une défaillance du ou des vérins.It will be noted that the connecting end piece is constantly urged towards the tap by the tension spring (s) and that it exerts additional pressure on the end piece filling / emptying when applied against it, thereby maintaining a tight connection between the two end pieces in the event of failure of the actuator (s).

Selon un mode de réalisation particulier, la cloche de vissage/dévissage est montée à l'extrémité inférieure d'une tige verticale passant dans des orifices réalisés dans la table et le chariot et dont l'axe longitudinal coïncide avec l'axe de pivotement de la table.According to a particular embodiment, the screwing / unscrewing bell is mounted at the lower end of a vertical rod passing through orifices made in the table and the carriage and whose longitudinal axis coincides with the pivot axis of the table.

Lorsque la table est suspendue au bâti par l'intermédiaire d'une colonne creuse, la tige verticale s'étend en partie dans celle-ci.When the table is suspended from the frame via a hollow column, the vertical rod extends partly therein.

Avantageusement, la tige est déplaçable verticalement sous la commande d'un vérin porté par le bâti.Advantageously, the rod is movable vertically under the control of a cylinder carried by the frame.

Il suffit donc d'actionner ce vérin dans le sens pour lequel il déplace la tige vers le bas pour mettre la cloche de vissage/dévissage en prise avec le volant de manoeuvre du robinet et de l'actionner en sens inverse pour mettre la cloche de vissage/dévissage hors de prise d'avec le volant.It is therefore enough to actuate this jack in the direction for which it moves the rod towards bottom to put the screwing / unscrewing bell in engagement with the handwheel tap and turn it in reverse to put the screwing / unscrewing bell out of grip with the steering wheel.

Selon un mode de réalisation particulier, la tige est en outre solidaire en rotation d'un pignon horizontal qu'elle traverse et par rapport auquel elle est déplaçable longitudinalement, ce pignon étant relié par l'intermédiaire d'une transmission à un moteur prévu sur le bâti.According to a particular embodiment, the rod is also integral in rotation a horizontal pinion which it crosses and relative to which it is movable longitudinally, this pinion being connected by means of a transmission to a engine provided on the frame.

Lorsque la cloche de vissage/dévissage est en prise avec le volant de manoeuvre du robinet, il suffit donc d'actionner le moteur de façon à faire tourner la tige dans un sens ou dans l'autre pour ouvrir ou fermer le robinet.When the screwing / unscrewing bell is engaged with the handwheel of the tap, it is therefore enough to activate the motor so as to rotate the rod in a either way to open or close the valve.

Pour être complet, on indiquera que le chariot est déplaçable par rapport à la table sous la commande d'un vérin ou d'un moyen équivalent.For completeness, it will be indicated that the carriage is movable relative to the table under the control of a jack or equivalent means.

Un mode d'exécution de la présente invention sera décrit ci-après à titre d'exemple nullement limitatif en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en perspective schématique d'une installation de remplissage conforme à l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue schématique de face de l'installation visible sur la figure 1 ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue schématique de côté et partiellement en coupe de l'installation visible sur la figure 2, la position du vérin de commande du chariot ayant été modifiée pour plus de clarté ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue schématique en coupe selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 2 ;
  • la figure 5 illustre deux premières étapes principales du fonctionnement de l'installation, les schémas a) et c) étant des vues de côté de l'installation tandis que les schémas b) et d) en sont des vues de face ; et
  • la figure 6 illustre deux étapes principales ultérieures de fonctionnement de l'installation, les schémas e) et g) étant des vues de côté tandis que les schémas f) et h) sont des vues de face.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
  • Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a filling installation according to the invention;
  • Figure 2 is a schematic front view of the installation visible in Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a schematic side view and partially in section of the installation visible in Figure 2, the position of the carriage control cylinder having been changed for clarity;
  • Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view along the line IV-IV of Figure 2;
  • FIG. 5 illustrates two first main stages in the operation of the installation, the diagrams a) and c) being side views of the installation while the diagrams b) and d) are front views thereof; and
  • FIG. 6 illustrates two subsequent main stages of operation of the installation, the diagrams e) and g) being side views while the diagrams f) and h) are front views.

L'installation de remplissage conforme à l'invention a été mise au point pour introduire un gaz liquéfié, notamment du butane ou du propane, dans des bouteilles de gaz métalliques du type de celles qui sont pourvues d'un robinet 1 comportant une embase carrée 2 à sa partie inférieure, un volant de manoeuvre 3 à sa partie supérieure, et un embout de remplissage/vidage 4 s'étendant horizontalement entre l'embase 2 et le volant 3.The filling installation according to the invention has been developed for introduce liquefied gas, in particular butane or propane, into cylinders metallic gases of the type of those provided with a tap 1 comprising a square base 2 at its lower part, a handwheel 3 at its upper part, and a filling / emptying nozzle 4 extending horizontally between the base 2 and the steering wheel 3.

Comme on peut le voir sur les figures 1 à 3, cette installation comprend :

  • un bâti 5 déplaçable verticalement ;
  • une table horizontale 6 suspendue au bâti et apte à pivoter autour d'un axe vertical 7 ;
  • un chariot 8 monté sur la table 6 et déplaçable sur celle-ci dans deux directions opposées 9 ;
  • deux enclumes 10 suspendues au chariot 8, et déplaçables par rapport à celui-ci dans deux directions opposées 11 perpendiculaires aux directions 9 ;
  • une tête d'alimentation en gaz 12 suspendue à la table 6, cette tête comportant un embout de liaison horizontal 13 tourné vers l'embout 4 du robinet et étant déplaçable par rapport au chariot 8, dans les deux directions de déplacement 9 de celui-ci ; et
  • une cloche de vissage/dévissage 14 portée par le bâti 5 et déplaçable d'une part verticalement et d'autre part en rotation atour de l'axe de pivotement 7 de la table 6.
As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, this installation includes:
  • a frame 5 movable vertically;
  • a horizontal table 6 suspended from the frame and able to pivot around a vertical axis 7;
  • a carriage 8 mounted on the table 6 and movable thereon in two opposite directions 9;
  • two anvils 10 suspended from the carriage 8, and movable relative to the latter in two opposite directions 11 perpendicular to the directions 9;
  • a gas supply head 12 suspended from the table 6, this head comprising a horizontal connection nozzle 13 facing the nozzle 4 of the valve and being movable relative to the carriage 8, in the two directions of movement 9 of the latter this ; and
  • a screwing / unscrewing bell 14 carried by the frame 5 and movable on the one hand vertically and on the other hand in rotation around the pivot axis 7 of the table 6.

Le bâti 5 est monté coulissant sur deux colonnes verticales (voir les figures 3 et 4) solidaires d'un support fixe non représenté et est déplaçable le long de ces colonnes sous la commande d'un vérin également non représenté, ou d'un organe équivalent. The frame 5 is slidably mounted on two vertical columns (see Figures 3 and 4) secured to a fixed support not shown and is movable along these columns under the control of a jack also not shown, or an equivalent member.

Par ailleurs, la table 6 est suspendue au bâti 5 par l'intermédiaire d'une colonne creuse 16 s'étendant verticalement. Dans le mode de réalisation représenté sur les dessins, la colonne 16 est fixée à la table 6 au voisinage de son extrémité inférieure et est montée à rotation dans un palier horizontal 17 (voir la figure 3) monté sur le bâti 5, au voisinage de son extrémité supérieure.Furthermore, the table 6 is suspended from the frame 5 by means of a column hollow 16 extending vertically. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, column 16 is fixed to table 6 near its lower end and is rotatably mounted in a horizontal bearing 17 (see FIG. 3) mounted on the frame 5, near its upper end.

Les enclumes 10 sont dirigées l'une vers l'autre et destinées à venir en prise avec le robinet 1 de la bouteille à remplir, au niveau de l'embase carrée 2 et d'une zone du corps du robinet diamétralement opposée à l'embout de remplissage 4.The anvils 10 are directed towards each other and intended to engage with the valve 1 of the bottle to be filled, at the square base 2 and an area of the valve body diametrically opposite to the filling nozzle 4.

Elles sont disposées symétriquement par rapport au plan vertical P1 qui contient l'axe de pivotement 7 de la table 6 et qui s'étend parallèlement aux directions de déplacement opposées 9 du chariot 8.They are arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical plane P 1 which contains the pivot axis 7 of the table 6 and which extends parallel to the opposite directions of movement 9 of the carriage 8.

Dans l'exemple représenté, les enclumes 10 comprennent chacune une première surface active 18, une seconde surface active 19a et une troisième surface active 19b, les seconde et troisième surfaces actives de chaque enclume faisant saillie par rapport à la première surface active à laquelle elles sont associées, au voisinage du coin supérieur de celle-ci qui est le plus éloigné de la tête d'alimentation en gaz 12.In the example shown, the anvils 10 each comprise a first active surface 18, a second active surface 19a and a third active surface 19b, the second and third active surfaces of each anvil projecting from to the first active surface with which they are associated, near the corner upper of the latter which is furthest from the gas supply head 12.

Les premières surfaces actives 18 sont planes, s'étendent verticalement et sont destinées à coopérer avec les deux côtés de l'embase carrée 2 du robinet qui sont parallèles à l'embout 4 de celui-ci.The first active surfaces 18 are flat, extend vertically and are intended to cooperate with the two sides of the square base 2 of the valve which are parallel to the end piece 4 thereof.

Par ailleurs, les secondes surfaces actives 19a sont planes, s'étendent horizontalement et sont destinées à coopérer avec la face supérieure de l'embase 2.Furthermore, the second active surfaces 19a are planar, extend horizontally and are intended to cooperate with the upper face of the base 2.

Quant aux troisièmes surfaces actives 19b, elles sont constituées par des tronçons de cylindres verticaux dont le rayon correspond à celui du corps du robinet et sont destinées à coopérer avec la zone du robinet qui est diamétralement opposée à l'embout de remplissage/vidage 4.As for the third active surfaces 19b, they are constituted by sections vertical cylinders whose radius corresponds to that of the valve body and are intended to cooperate with the tap area which is diametrically opposite the nozzle filling / emptying 4.

On notera ici que lorsque les secondes surfaces actives 19a des enclumes 10 reposent sur la face supérieure de l'embase 2, l'axe longitudinal de l'embout de liaison 13 de la tête d'alimentation en gaz 12 et l'axe longitudinal de l'embout 4 du robinet s'étendent horizontalement, dans le prolongement l'un de l'autre.It will be noted here that when the second active surfaces 19a of the anvils 10 rest on the upper face of the base 2, the longitudinal axis of the connecting piece 13 of the gas supply head 12 and the longitudinal axis of the nozzle 4 of the valve extend horizontally, in line with one another.

Dans l'exemple représenté, les enclumes 10 sont situées à l'extrémité inférieure de deux bras verticaux 20 solidaires de deux organes de guidage horizontaux 21 portés par le chariot 8. In the example shown, the anvils 10 are located at the lower end two vertical arms 20 integral with two horizontal guide members 21 carried by the carriage 8.

Les organes de guidage 21 sont retenus dans deux ouvertures allongées 22 ménagées dans le chariot et dans lesquelles ils sont déplaçables en sens inverse dans les directions de déplacement 11 et donc perpendiculairement aux directions de déplacement 9 du chariot 8.The guide members 21 are retained in two elongated openings 22 formed in the carriage and in which they can be moved in opposite directions in the directions of movement 11 and therefore perpendicular to the directions of movement 9 of the carriage 8.

Ils portent chacun un flasque vertical 23 s'avançant au-dessus de la table 6, les deux flasques 23 étant reliés l'un à l'autre par l'intermédiaire d'un vérin 24 et d'un ressort de traction 25 disposés parallèlement aux directions de déplacement 11.They each carry a vertical flange 23 advancing above the table 6, the two flanges 23 being connected to each other by means of a jack 24 and a spring traction 25 arranged parallel to the directions of movement 11.

On conçoit aisément que grâce à ce montage, les enclumes 10 se rapprochent lorsque la tige de piston du vérin 24 se rétracte dans le cylindre de ce dernier et s'éloignent l'une de l'autre lorsque la tige de piston du vérin 24 s'allonge.It is easy to see that thanks to this arrangement, the anvils 10 come closer when the piston rod of the cylinder 24 retracts into the cylinder of the latter and move away from each other when the piston rod of the jack 24 lengthens.

On notera ici que le ressort de traction 25 sollicite en permanence les flasques 23 l'un vers l'autre. Par conséquent, si le vérin 24 a une défaillance alors que les mâchoires 10 sont appliquées contre l'embase 2 du robinet, le ressort 25 maintiendra ces mâchoires serrées et empêchera l'embase de s'échapper de celles-ci.It will be noted here that the tension spring 25 permanently stresses the flanges 23 towards each other. Therefore, if the cylinder 24 fails then the jaws 10 are applied against the base 2 of the tap, the spring 25 will hold these clamped jaws and will prevent the base from escaping from them.

En général, le plan de symétrie P1 des enclumes 10 forme un angle a avec le plan vertical P2 contenant l'axe longitudinal de l'embout de remplissage/vidage 4 du robinet.In general, the plane of symmetry P 1 of the anvils 10 forms an angle a with the vertical plane P 2 containing the longitudinal axis of the filling / emptying nozzle 4 of the valve.

Ce décalage entre les plans P1 et P2 ne s'oppose toutefois pas au raccordement de l'embout de liaison 13 de la tête d'alimentation en gaz 12 avec l'embout 4 du robinet. En effet, lorsque les premières surfaces actives 18 des enclumes 10 viennent en prise avec les côtés de l'embase 2 qui sont parallèles à l'embout 4, elles obligent la table 6 à pivoter autour de l'axe vertical 7 jusqu'à ce qu'elles soient parallèles aux côtés précités de l'embase.This offset between the planes P 1 and P 2 does not however preclude the connection of the connecting end piece 13 of the gas supply head 12 with the end piece 4 of the valve. Indeed, when the first active surfaces 18 of the anvils 10 engage with the sides of the base 2 which are parallel to the end piece 4, they force the table 6 to pivot around the vertical axis 7 until that they are parallel to the aforementioned sides of the base.

La tête de remplissage en gaz 12 comprend un corps vertical symétrique par rapport au plan P1 et est solidaire d'un socle 26 porté par la table 6.The gas filling head 12 comprises a vertical body symmetrical with respect to the plane P 1 and is integral with a base 26 carried by the table 6.

Le socle 26 est déplaçable sur la table 6 dans les directions de déplacement 9 du chariot 8, et porte un flasque 27 s'avançant au-dessus de la table 6.The base 26 is movable on the table 6 in the directions of movement 9 of the carriage 8, and carries a flange 27 projecting above the table 6.

Le flasque 27 est parallèle à un flasque 28 prévu sur le chariot 8 et est situé du même côté que le flasque 28 par rapport à l'axe de pivotement 7 de la table.The flange 27 is parallel to a flange 28 provided on the carriage 8 and is located on the same side as the flange 28 relative to the pivot axis 7 of the table.

Par ailleurs, les flasques 27 et 28 sont reliés par un vérin 29 disposé parallèlement aux directions de déplacement 9 et deux ressorts de traction 30 s'étendant parallèlement au vérin 29, de part et d'autre de celui-ci. Furthermore, the flanges 27 and 28 are connected by a jack 29 arranged parallel to the directions of movement 9 and two tension springs 30 extending parallel to the cylinder 29, on either side thereof.

Grâce à ce montage particulier de la tête d'alimentation 12, l'embout de liaison 13 de celle-ci se rapproche de l'embout 4 du robinet lorsque la tige de piston du vérin 29 se rétracte dans le cylindre de celui-ci et s'éloigne de l'embout 4 lorsque la tige de piston du vérin 29 s'allonge.Thanks to this particular mounting of the supply head 12, the connecting end piece 13 it approaches the nozzle 4 of the valve when the piston rod of the cylinder 29 retracts into the cylinder thereof and moves away from the end piece 4 when the rod of cylinder piston 29 lengthens.

En outre, les deux ressorts 30 sollicitent en permanence la tête d'alimentation 2 en direction du robinet. Par conséquent, si le vérin 29 a une défaillance alors que les embouts 13 et 4 sont raccordés, les ressorts 30 maintiendront ces embouts l'un contre l'autre et empêcheront les risques de fuite de gaz entre ces derniers.In addition, the two springs 30 permanently stress the supply head 2 towards the tap. Therefore, if the cylinder 29 fails then the end pieces 13 and 4 are connected, the springs 30 will hold these end pieces one against the other and will prevent the risk of gas leakage between them.

La cloche de vissage/dévissage 14 est montée à l'extrémité inférieure d'une tige verticale 31 passant dans des orifices 32,33 (visibles sur les figures 3 et 4) ménagés respectivement dans la table 6 et dans le chariot 8, l'orifice 32 étant circulaire tandis que l'orifice 33 est oblong pour que le chariot puisse se déplacer dans les directions opposées 9.The screwing / unscrewing bell 14 is mounted at the lower end of a rod vertical 31 passing through orifices 32,33 (visible in FIGS. 3 and 4) formed respectively in the table 6 and in the carriage 8, the orifice 32 being circular while the orifice 33 is oblong so that the carriage can move in the directions opposite 9.

La tige 31 est coaxiale avec l'axe de pivotement 7 de la table et s'étend en partie dans la colonne creuse 16 qui relie cette dernière au bâti 5. Elle est déplaçable verticalement sous la commande d'un vérin vertical 34 dont la tige de piston est reliée à son extrémité supérieure et dont le cylindre est fixé à une potence 35 montée sur le bâti 5.The rod 31 is coaxial with the pivot axis 7 of the table and partly extends in the hollow column 16 which connects the latter to the frame 5. It is movable vertically under the control of a vertical cylinder 34 whose piston rod is connected at its upper end and whose cylinder is fixed to a bracket 35 mounted on the frame 5.

La tige 31 est également solidaire en rotation d'un pignon conique horizontal 36 à travers lequel elle s'étend de manière à pouvoir se déplacer longitudinalement sous la commande du vérin 34.The rod 31 is also integral in rotation with a horizontal bevel gear 36 through which it extends so that it can move longitudinally under the cylinder control 34.

Le pignon conique 36 engrène avec un pignon conique vertical 37 relié par l'intermédiaire d'une transmission (non représentée) à un moteur 38 prévu sur le bâti 5.The bevel gear 36 meshes with a vertical bevel gear 37 connected by via a transmission (not shown) to a motor 38 provided on the frame 5.

La cloche de vissage/dévissage est destinée à venir en prise avec le volant de manoeuvre 3 du robinet, d'une part pour ouvrir ce dernier après la réalisation du raccordement de l'embout de liaison 13 de la tête d'alimentation 12 avec l'embout de remplissage/vidage 4, et d'autre part pour fermer le robinet après le remplissage de la bouteille.The screwing / unscrewing bell is intended to come into engagement with the handwheel. operation of the tap 3, on the one hand to open the latter after the completion of the connection of the connecting end piece 13 of the supply head 12 with the end piece filling / emptying 4, and on the other hand to close the tap after filling the bottle.

Il convient bien entendu d'actionner le vérin 34 de façon à ce qu'il abaisse la tige 34 pour que la cloche de vissage/dévissage 14 vienne en prise avec le volant de manoeuvre 3 du robinet, et d'actionner le vérin 34 en sens inverse de façon à ce qu'il remonte la tige 34 pour que la cloche 14 se dégage du volant 3. It is of course advisable to actuate the jack 34 so that it lowers the rod 34 so that the screwing / unscrewing bell 14 engages the flywheel maneuver 3 of the valve, and actuate the cylinder 34 in the opposite direction so that it goes back the rod 34 so that the bell 14 emerges from the flywheel 3.

Il convient également d'actionner le moteur 38 de façon à ce qu'il fasse tourner la tige 31 dans le sens correspondant au dévissage du volant pour que la cloche, une fois qu'elle est en prise avec ce dernier, ouvre le robinet, et d'actionner le moteur 38 en sens inverse pour que la cloche visse le volant et ferme le robinet.Motor 38 should also be operated so that it turns the rod 31 in the direction corresponding to the unscrewing of the flywheel so that the bell, once that it is engaged with the latter, opens the valve, and actuate the motor 38 in the opposite direction reverse so that the bell screws the handwheel and closes the valve.

Pour être complet, on remarquera qu'à son extrémité qui est opposée au socle 26 de la tête d'alimentation 12, la table 6 porte un flasque 39 tourné vers le haut et parallèle aux directions de déplacement 11.To be complete, it will be noted that at its end which is opposite the base 26 of the feed head 12, the table 6 carries a flange 39 facing upwards and parallel to the directions of movement 11.

On remarquera également que le chariot 8 porte un flasque 40 parallèle et adjacent au flasque 39, et qu'un vérin 41 relie ces deux flasques.It will also be noted that the carriage 8 carries a parallel flange 40 and adjacent to the flange 39, and that a jack 41 connects these two flanges.

Il suffit bien entendu d'actionner le vérin 41 pour que le chariot 8 se déplace par rapport à la table 6, dans la direction 9 dirigée vers la gauche, et permette aux troisièmes surfaces actives 19b des enclumes 10, après un léger serrage de ces dernières, de venir contre la zone du robinet qui est diamétralement opposée à l'embout de remplissage/vidage 4.It is of course sufficient to actuate the jack 41 so that the carriage 8 moves by compared to table 6, in direction 9 directed to the left, and allows third active surfaces 19b of the anvils 10, after a slight tightening of the latter, to come against the tap area which is diametrically opposite the nozzle of filling / emptying 4.

On va maintenant décrire le fonctionnement de l'installation de remplissage conforme à l'invention en supposant qu'au départ les enclumes 10 sont écartées l'une de l'autre, que la tête d'alimentation en gaz 12 est dans sa position la plus éloignée de l'embout de remplissage/vidage 4 du robinet, que la tige 31 portant la cloche de vissage/dévissage 14 est en position haute, et que le bâti 5 est à la partie supérieure des colonnes 15.We will now describe the operation of the filling installation according to the invention assuming that at the start the anvils 10 are separated one of the other, that the gas supply head 12 is in its position furthest from the filling / emptying end 4 of the tap, that the rod 31 carrying the bell screwing / unscrewing 14 is in the high position, and that the frame 5 is at the upper part of the columns 15.

On suppose également qu'une bouteille de gaz vide est immobilisée sous l'installation de remplissage de telle sorte que son axe vertical coïncide avec l'axe de pivotement 7 de la table 6 et que les deux côtés de l'embase 2 du robinet 1 qui sont parallèles à l'embout de remplissage/vidage 4 soient sensiblement parallèles aux premières surfaces actives 18 des enclumes 10.It is also assumed that an empty gas cylinder is immobilized under the filling installation so that its vertical axis coincides with the axis of pivot 7 of the table 6 and that the two sides of the base 2 of the tap 1 which are parallel to the filling / emptying nozzle 4 are substantially parallel to the first active surfaces 18 of the anvils 10.

Tout d'abord, on abaisse le bâti 5 de façon à amener la partie inférieure des premières surfaces actives 18 des enclumes à la hauteur de la partie supérieure des deux côtés précités de l'embase 2, après quoi on actionne le vérin 41 pour déplacer le chariot 8 sur la table 6 de telle sorte que la partie inférieure des premières surfaces actives 18 des enclumes soit en outre située en face de la partie supérieure des deux côtés parallèles précités de l'embase 2 (voir les schémas a) et b) de la figure 5).First of all, the frame 5 is lowered so as to bring the lower part of the first active surfaces 18 of the anvils at the height of the upper part of the two above-mentioned sides of the base 2, after which the actuator 41 is actuated to move the carriage 8 on table 6 so that the lower part of the first surfaces active 18 anvils is further located opposite the top of the two the aforementioned parallel sides of the base 2 (see diagrams a) and b) of FIG. 5).

On actionne ensuite le vérin 24 de façon à serrer légèrement les enclumes 10 et à faire pivoter la table 6 autour de l'axe vertical 7 pour que le plan de symétrie P1 desdites enclumes coïncide avec le plan vertical P2 contenant l'axe longitudinal de l'embout de remplissage/vidage 4 du robinet, après quoi on abaisse à nouveau le bâti 5 de façon à appliquer les secondes surfaces actives 19a des enclumes contre la face supérieure de l'embase 2, après quoi, on actionne à nouveau le vérin 41 de façon à appliquer les troisièmes surfaces actives 19b des enclumes contre la partie du robinet qui est diamétralement opposée à l'embout de remplissage/vidage 4 (voir les schémas c) et d) de la figure 5).The actuator 24 is then actuated so as to slightly tighten the anvils 10 and to rotate the table 6 about the vertical axis 7 so that the plane of symmetry P 1 of said anvils coincides with the vertical plane P 2 containing the longitudinal axis of the filling / emptying endpiece 4 of the tap, after which the frame 5 is again lowered so as to apply the second active surfaces 19a of the anvils against the upper face of the base 2, after which the actuator is again actuated cylinder 41 so as to apply the third active surfaces 19b of the anvils against the part of the valve which is diametrically opposite the filling / emptying nozzle 4 (see diagrams c) and d) of FIG. 5).

On actionne à nouveau le vérin 24 pour bloquer le robinet entre les enclumes 10 et l'on actionne le vérin 29 pour appliquer l'embout de liaison 13 de la tête d'alimentation 12 contre l'embout de remplissage/vidage 4 et établir une liaison étanche entre eux (voir les schémas e) et f) de la figure 6).The actuator 24 is again actuated to block the valve between the anvils 10 and the actuator 29 is actuated to apply the connecting end piece 13 of the head supply 12 against the filling / emptying nozzle 4 and establish a tight connection between them (see diagrams e) and f) in Figure 6).

On actionne le vérin 34 afin d'abaisser la tige 31 et de mettre la cloche de vissage/dévissage 14 en prise avec le volant 3 du robinet, et l'on actionne le moteur 38 pour faire tourner la tige 31 et la cloche 14 dans le sens pour lequel celle-ci ouvre le robinet (voir les schémas g) et h) de la figure 6).The actuator 34 is actuated in order to lower the rod 31 and to put the bell screwing / unscrewing 14 in engagement with the valve flywheel 3, and the motor 38 is actuated to rotate the rod 31 and the bell 14 in the direction for which it opens the tap (see diagrams g) and h) in Figure 6).

On ouvre alors la vanne (non représentée) de la tête d'alimentation 12 de façon à remplir la bouteille de gaz.The valve (not shown) of the feed head 12 is then opened so to fill the gas bottle.

Une fois que la bouteille est pleine, on ferme la vanne de la tête d'alimentation 12, et l'on effectue en sens inverse les opérations décrites ci-dessus pour fermer le robinet, ramener la cloche de vissage/dévissage 14 en position haute, séparer l'embout de la tête d'alimentation d'avec l'embout 4 du robinet, éloigner les enclumes 10 l'une de l'autre et ramener le bâti 5 en position haute.Once the bottle is full, we close the valve of the feed head 12, and the operations described above are performed in reverse to close the valve, return the screwing / unscrewing bell 14 to the high position, separate the nozzle from the supply head with the nozzle 4 of the tap, move the anvils 10 away from one the other and bring the frame 5 to the high position.

L'installation conforme à l'invention est à nouveau prête pour effectuer le remplissage de la bouteille de gaz suivante.The installation according to the invention is again ready to carry out the filling the next gas cylinder.

Claims (14)

  1. Installation for automatically filling gas cylinders which are provided with a tap (1) including a square base (2) at its lower part, a hand wheel (3) at its upper part and a filling/emptying end (4) extending horizontally between the square base and the hand wheel, said installation comprising, on a supporting structure (5) which is movable vertically, a gas supply head (12) including a horizontal connecting end (13) facing towards the filling/emptying end (4) of the tap (1) of the gas cylinder to be filled, and a screwing/unscrewing device (14) which is movable vertically into engagement with the hand wheel (3) of said tap and capable of rotationally driving the latter in order to open or close it, characterized in that it further comprises a horizontal table (6) suspended from the supporting structure (5) and pivotable with respect to the latter about a vertical axis (7), a carriage (8) mounted on table (6) and movable with respect to the latter in two predetermined opposite directions (9), and two jaws (10) suspended from the carriage (8) and movable in the opposite direction with respect to the latter, said jaws facing towards one another and being engagable with the tap (1), at the square base (2) and in a region diametrically opposite the filling/emptying end (4), the gas supply head (12) being suspended from the table (6) and movable with respect to the carriage (8) to allow a tight coupling of its connecting end with the filling/emptying end when the jaws (10) are engaged with the tap (1), while the screwing/unscrewing device (14) is carried by the supporting structure (5) and is rotatably mounted about the pivot axis (7) of the table (6).
  2. Installation according to Claim 1, characterized in that the table (6) is suspended from the supporting structure (5) through the use of a hollow post (16) extending vertically, said post being fixed to the table at its lower end and rotatably mounted in a horizontal bearing (17) provided on the supporting structure adjacent its upper end.
  3. Installation according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the jaws (10) are disposed symmetrically with respect to the vertical plane (P1) containing the pivot axis (7) of the table (6) and extending parallel to the opposite directions of movement (9) of the carriage (8).
  4. Installation according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the jaws (10) each comprise a first, a second and a third active surface (18, 19a, 19b), the first active surfaces (18) being capable of interacting with the two sides of the square base which are parallel to the filling/emptying end (4), while the second and third active surfaces (19a, 19b) are capable of interacting respectively with the upper face of the square base (2) and with the region of the tap (1) which is diametrically opposite the filling/emptying end (4), wherein the longitudinal axis of the connecting end (13) of the gas supply head (12) and the longitudinal axis of the filling/emptying end (4) of the tap are coincident when the jaws (10) are clamped onto the tap (1).
  5. Installation according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the jaws (10) are situated at the lower end of two vertical arms (20) secured to two horizontal guide members (21) which are movable in opposite directions in two elongate openings (22) formed in the carriage (8) perpendicularly to the opposite directions of movement (9) of the latter.
  6. Installation according to Claim 5, characterized in that the horizontal guide members (21) each carry a flange (23) projecting above the table (6) and are movable under the control of at least one cylinder (24) and of at least one tension spring (25) connecting the flanges (23), the cylinder and the spring being perpendicular to the opposite directions of movement (9) of the carriage (8).
  7. Installation according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas supply head (12) includes a body extending vertically and is symmetrical with respect to the vertical plane (P1) containing the pivot axis (7) of the table (6) and extending parallel to the opposite directions of movement (9) of the carriage (8).
  8. Installation according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas supply head (12) is secured to a horizontal base plate (26) carried by the table (6) and movable with respect to the carriage (8) in the two opposite directions of movement (9) of the latter.
  9. Installation according to Claim 8, characterized in that the horizontal base plate (26) and the carriage (8) each carry a flange (27, 28) projecting above the table (6), the flanges (27, 28) being connected by at least one cylinder (29) and at least one tension spring (30) extending parallel to the opposite directions of movement (9) of the carriage (8).
  10. Installation according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screwing/unscrewing device (14) is formed by a bell mounted at the lower end of a vertical rod (31) passing through orifices provided in the table (6) and the carriage (8), and the longitudinal axis of which is coincident with the pivot axis (7) of the table (6).
  11. Installation according to Claim 10, characterized in that the vertical rod (31) carrying the screwing/unscrewing bell (14) extends partially into the hollow post (16) connecting the table (6) to the supporting structure (5).
  12. Installation according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the rod (31) is movable vertically under the control of a cylinder (34) carried by the supporting structure (5).
  13. Installation according to Claim 10 or 12, characterized in that the rod (31) is rotatably secured to a horizontal gear (36) through which it passes and with respect to which it can move longitudinally, said gear being connected through a transmission to a motor (38) provided on the supporting structure (5).
  14. Installation according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carriage (8) is movable with respect to the table (6) under the control of a cylinder (41).
EP94401906A 1993-09-01 1994-08-26 Installation for the automatic filling of gas bottles Expired - Lifetime EP0641966B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9310424A FR2708332B1 (en) 1993-09-01 1993-09-01 Installation for automatic filling of gas cylinders.
FR9310424 1993-09-01

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0641966A1 EP0641966A1 (en) 1995-03-08
EP0641966B1 true EP0641966B1 (en) 1998-04-08

Family

ID=9450483

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94401906A Expired - Lifetime EP0641966B1 (en) 1993-09-01 1994-08-26 Installation for the automatic filling of gas bottles

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0641966B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH07167395A (en)
AT (1) ATE164931T1 (en)
DE (1) DE69409455D1 (en)
DK (1) DK0641966T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2117770T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2708332B1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
TWI790427B (en) * 2019-03-28 2023-01-21 南韓商Ａｍｔ股份有限公司 Valve automatic connection device for high-pressure gas tank

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2214842T3 (en) * 1998-01-30 2004-09-16 Kosan Crisplant A/S INSTALLATION TO FILL GAS LICUATED IN CONTAINERS.
WO2015099622A2 (en) * 2013-12-24 2015-07-02 Aygaz Anonim Sirketi A cylinder discharging system
CN111853528A (en) * 2020-07-13 2020-10-30 河北柒壹壹玖工业自动化技术有限公司 A hydrogen jar aerating device for hydrogen kinetic energy unmanned aerial vehicle

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE687264A (en) * 1966-09-22 1967-03-01
DE3739950A1 (en) * 1987-11-25 1989-06-08 Rommenhoeller Kohlensaeure Apparatus for filling gases into bottles
JPH0565998A (en) * 1991-09-06 1993-03-19 Kubota Corp Liquified gas charger
JPH0799238B2 (en) * 1992-06-29 1995-10-25 明光産業株式会社 LP gas filling device

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
TWI790427B (en) * 2019-03-28 2023-01-21 南韓商Ａｍｔ股份有限公司 Valve automatic connection device for high-pressure gas tank

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69409455D1 (en) 1998-05-14
ATE164931T1 (en) 1998-04-15
FR2708332A1 (en) 1995-02-03
ES2117770T3 (en) 1998-08-16
EP0641966A1 (en) 1995-03-08
JPH07167395A (en) 1995-07-04
FR2708332B1 (en) 1995-10-20
DK0641966T3 (en) 1999-02-01

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