EP1002951B1 - Lame pour soupape à lamelle - Google Patents

Lame pour soupape à lamelle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1002951B1
EP1002951B1 EP99308362A EP99308362A EP1002951B1 EP 1002951 B1 EP1002951 B1 EP 1002951B1 EP 99308362 A EP99308362 A EP 99308362A EP 99308362 A EP99308362 A EP 99308362A EP 1002951 B1 EP1002951 B1 EP 1002951B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
reed
valve closure
valve
closure portion
body portion
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
EP99308362A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1002951A2 (fr
EP1002951A3 (fr
Inventor
Stuart Lawson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Arctic Circle Ltd
Original Assignee
Arctic Circle Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Arctic Circle Ltd filed Critical Arctic Circle Ltd
Publication of EP1002951A2 publication Critical patent/EP1002951A2/fr
Publication of EP1002951A3 publication Critical patent/EP1002951A3/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1002951B1 publication Critical patent/EP1002951B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
    • F04B39/00—Component parts, details, or accessories, of pumps or pumping systems specially adapted for elastic fluids, not otherwise provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B25/00 - F04B37/00
    • F04B39/10—Adaptations or arrangements of distribution members
    • F04B39/1073—Adaptations or arrangements of distribution members the members being reed valves

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a reed for use in a valve assembly.
  • the valve assembly may be for use in a compressor.
  • UK Patent No. 2161583 discloses that a known reciprocating compressor has a cylinder having an inlet valve including a resilient reed which is mounted within the cylinder.
  • the reed moves away from a valve seat to open an inlet port when the piston moves downwardly and the pressure differential between the inlet port and the interior of the cylinder reaches a certain level.
  • the valve reed is held at a first end, which is spaced from the cylinder inlet, the gas flow forcing the reed to move and flex during intake to allow a second end of the reed to uncover the inlet port.
  • the inlet reed It has been considered undesirable for the known inlet reed to move away from the inlet port by more than a small amount, as a large degree of movement results in excess deformation fatigue and then ultimate failure of the reed.
  • the inlet reed is conventionally provided with at least one projection at its second end, which engages with a stationary obstacle or tip-stop in the cylinder wall, the stop limiting movement of the reed to a small degree.
  • Such a reed valve is disclosed in U.K. patent No. GB 2105821A.
  • a reed for use in a valve assembly the reed being an elongate resilient reed which comprises a body portion having one end intended for fixing to a mount and another end contiguous with a valve closure portion of the reed, the reed being such that the width of the body portion tapers towards the valve closure portion so that the width of the surface of the body portion adjacent the valve closure portion is small relative to the width of the valve closure portion whereby the configuration of the reed is such as substantially to equalise the bending stress experienced by the reed along the length of the body portion when the reed is in use and a load generated by fluid flow is applied to the valve closure portion.
  • the reed of UK Patent No. 2161583 obviates the need for the provision of a stationary obstacle for impeding the movement of the reed in use. Also, movement of the reed is not impeded during intake of fluid to the cylinder, and thus the lift of the reed is not limited. Further, the noise generated by the interaction of the reed and a tip-stop is removed, as well as the possible fatigue of the reed caused during use. Still further, removal of the projection on the reed for tip-stop engagement results in simplification of reed production, as the reed of UK Patent No. 2161583 is of a less complex shape.
  • the reed of UK Patent no. 2161583 does however create a problem in that the reed is such that the end of the valve closure portion which is farthest from the body portion is a curved end.
  • the reed will impact on a piston in the compressor in which the reed is used.
  • Contact between the reed and the piston can be beneficial to the reed behaviour.
  • impact of the reed with the piston may damage the piston. More specifically, the impact of the reed on the piston can either locally deform the piston or cut metal from the surface of the piston. If the contact was always at the same spot on the piston, the deformation or damage would be inconsequential.
  • the piston travels greater or lesser distances before the reed impacts. This means that the point of contact on the top of the piston is different.
  • the amount of damage to the piston that occurs on impact with the reed is a function of the pressure generated at the point of contact between the reed and the piston. This in turn is a function of the difference in velocity of the piston and the reed, the mass of the reed and the contact area.
  • the rounded end of the reed disclosed in UK Patent No. 2161583 is such that until the reed deforms the piston, the contact area is very small. This gives high pressures at the point of contact. The high pressures in turn cause greater damage than would lower contact pressures.
  • the present invention provides a reed for use in a valve assembly, the reed being an elongate resilient reed which comprises a body portion having one end intended for fixing to a mount and another end contiguous with a valve closure portion of the reed, the reed being such that the width of the body portion tapers towards the valve closure portion so that the width of the surface of the body portion adjacent the valve closure portion is small relative to the width of the valve closure portion whereby the configuration of the reed is such as substantially to equalise the bending stress experienced by the reed along the length of the body portion when the reed is in use and a load generated by fluid flow is applied to the valve closure portion, and the reed being such that the end of the valve closure portion which is furthest away from the body portion is a straight end which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the body portion.
  • the reed of the present invention is advantageous in that the end of the valve closure portion which is furthest away from the body portion is a straight end rather than a rounded end as disclosed in UK Patent No. 2161583.
  • the mass and stiffness of the reed and therefore the velocity of the reed can be the same as in the UK patent.
  • the use of the flat end enables the contact area to be increased. This helps considerably in preventing or reducing the above mentioned piston damage.
  • the reed may be one in which the body portion provides a neck adjacent the valve closure portion.
  • the reed may be one in which the body portion forms part of an isosceles triangle, the base of the triangle lying at the fixed end of the reed and the apex of the triangle lying at a point in the valve closure portion.
  • the said point in the valve closure portion is chosen to be the centre of application for the load generated by the fluid which passes through the port.
  • the reed may be one in which the reed comprises first and second side-by-side such body portions, each having such a tapered section which tapers away from the fixed end of the reed, each of said tapered sections being contiguous with a respective valve closure portion configured for selectively uncovering first and second inlet ports and wherein a discharge port is positioned between said tapered sections.
  • the present invention also provides a valve assembly having a valve and a port, the valve comprising a reed of the invention, and the valve closure portion being configured for selectively uncovering the port to allow flow of fluid therethrough.
  • the valve assembly may be an inlet valve assembly or an outlet valve assembly.
  • the present invention further provides a compressor having the valve assembly.
  • a valve reed is shown embodied in a compressor 1.
  • the compressor 1 includes a piston 3 which reciprocates in a cylinder formed from a cylinder block 5 and a cylinder head 7.
  • the cylinder head 7 is attached to the block 5 by means of mounting bolts (not shown) through a gasket 9.
  • the cylinder head 7 is divided by a baffle 11 into an inlet side 13 and a discharge side 15.
  • the inlet side 13 has an inlet port 17 provided in three part-annular portions (see Figure 3). Flow through the inlet port 17 is controlled by means of a resiliently flexible reed 19.
  • the reed is elongate and is fixed between the cylinder head 7 and block 5 at one end 21 by means of mounting pins 23.
  • a piece of resilient material 25 is fixed, with the reed 19, to the block 5.
  • the reed 19 has a tapered portion 29 extending from the fixed end 21, and a valve closure portion 27 connected to the portion 29 for covering the inlet port 17.
  • the valve closure portion 27 is freely movable away from the port 17 and is of annular shape, in plan, to allow intake fluid entering the cylinder to pass over the outer edge and through the centre of the valve closure portion 29.
  • the tapered portion 29 forms part of an isosceles triangle, with the base of the triangle being provided by the fixed end 21 and with the apex of the triangle being defined at a point within the outer circumference of valve closure portion 27, which point is chosen to be the centre of application for the load generated by the fluid which enters the cylinder through the inlet port 17 during intake.
  • This shape of portion 29 allows the reed 19 to bend at a constant radius of curvature and flex to a far greater degree than the known inlet reed discussed above without risk of failure as will be hereinafter described.
  • the width of the fixed end 21 is determined by the stress level which it is desired that the reed will absorb in use.
  • the discharge side 15 is provided with two outlet ports 31 spaced equally from the centre line of the inlet reed 19. Each discharge port 31 is provided with a discharge reed 33 of conventional construction.
  • the inlet reed 19 which is generally planar, normally rests against the cylinder head 7 as shown in Figure 1.
  • the fluid in the cylinder is pushed out through discharge ports 31, the pressure of the fluid within the cylinder serving to seal reed 19 against inlet port 17.
  • the piston 3 is shown during an inlet stroke. Downward movement of the piston 3 causes a pressure difference across the inlet reed 19. This causes the reed 19 to flex, against its resilience, away from the port 17 into the cylinder. As the valve closure portion 27 is freely movable away from the inlet port 17 and no tip-stop is provided, movement of the reed 19 is not impeded.
  • valve reed 119 is shown, the reed 119 being of similar form to the reed 19, except that it has a circular valve closure portion for covering a circular inlet port.
  • the portion 129 joining the fixed end 121 to the valve closure portion 127 is of tapered shape so that the centre of application of load generated by the inlet fluid, when the valve is open, forms the apex of an isosceles triangle having its base at the fixed end 121.
  • portion 129 is chosen because it will result in the bending stress of the reed 119, when in the open position due to fluid entering the cylinder under pressure, being equalised over the whole length of the tapered portion, so that no part of this portion is stressed substantially more than any other part during flexure of the reed. This means that the reed can tolerate a large deflection without risking failure.
  • the inlet valve may open when the piston has moved only a short distance away form the head 7.
  • the reed at this stage may contact the piston, which advantageously acts as a moving buffer to prevent excessive reed deformation at such high suction pressures.
  • a dual suction reed 219 is shown.
  • This reed has a single fixed end 221 but has two valve closure portions 227a and 227b which cover respective inlet ports 217a and 217b.
  • the valve closure portions 227a, 227b are connected to the fixed end 221 by means of respective tapered portions 229a, 229b, each of similar form to the reed shown in Figure 4.
  • This design of reed has an advantage that a discharge opening 231b can be provided between the two tapered portions 229a, 229b, in addition to discharge openings 231a and 231c, thus allowing increased flow from the cylinder, as well as providing the other advantages of the basic reed design previously mentioned.
  • any given reed will impact on the piston as it opens.
  • the contact between the reed and the piston can be beneficial to the reed behaviour, but the impact may damage the piston.
  • the impact of the reed on the piston can either locally deform the piston, or it can cut metal from the surface of the piston.
  • the area of contact is best appreciated from Figure 2 wherein the area of contact is indicated generally by the reference arrow 300. If the contact were always at the same point on the piston 3, the deformation or damage would be inconsequential. However, at different operating conditions, the piston 3 will have travelled a greater or lesser distance before the reed impacts and so the point of contact will be different.
  • the amount of damage that occurs on impact is a function of the pressure generated at the point of contact between the reed and the piston 3. This in turn is a function of the difference in velocity of the piston 3 and the reed, the mass of the reed, and the contact area.
  • the reeds 119 and 219 have ends which are rounded as shown. These rounded ends mean that until the reeds deform the piston 3, the contact area is very small because it is only a point contact on the rounded ends 301. This small contact area gives high pressures on the point of contact. The high pressures are thus able to cause maximum damage to the top of the piston 3.
  • the design of the reed of UK Patent No. 2161583 is altered such that the end of the valve closure portion which is furthest away from the body portion is a straight end which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the body portion.
  • the reed in accordance with the present invention has a straight end 302 as shown by the dotted line.
  • the reed of the present invention may be such that the mass and stiffness of the reed and therefore its velocity may not measurably change with respect to the reed disclosed in UK Patent No. 2161583.
  • the change which is a significant change, is that the reed has a straight end, as shown by way of example as straight end 302 in Figures 4 and 5.
  • the straight end means that the contact area of the reed with the piston is increased. This increased contact area means that damage to the top of the piston can be prevented or reduced. This in turn provides a substantial operating advantage.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Check Valves (AREA)
  • Compressor (AREA)
  • Medicines Containing Plant Substances (AREA)

Claims (9)

  1. Lame (119, 219) à utiliser dans un module de soupape, la lame (119, 219) étant une lame élastique allongée qui comprend une partie corps (129, 229a, 229b) ayant une extrémité (121, 221) destinée à la fixation sur un support et une autre extrémité contiguë à une partie obturateur de soupape (127, 227a, 227b) de la lame (119, 219), la lame (119, 219) étant telle que la largeur de la partie corps (129, 229a, 229b) se rétrécit en direction de la partie obturateur de soupape (127, 227a, 227b) de sorte que la largeur de la surface de la partie corps (129, 229a, 229b) adjacente à la partie obturateur de soupape (127, 227a, 227b) est petite par rapport à la largeur de la partie obturateur de soupape (127, 227a, 227b), la configuration de la lame (119, 219) étant réalisée de manière à égaliser sensiblement la contrainte de flexion à laquelle est soumise la lame (119, 219) le long de la longueur de la partie corps (129, 229a, 229b) quand la lame (119, 219) est en service et qu'une charge générée par le flux de fluide est appliquée sur la partie obturateur de soupape (127, 227a, 227b), et la lame (119, 219) étant caractérisée en ce que l'extrémité de la partie obturateur de soupape (127, 227a, 227b) qui est la plus éloignée de la partie corps (129, 229a, 229b) est une extrémité (302) droite qui s'étend transversalement à l'axe longitudinal de la partie corps (129, 229a, 229b).
  2. Lame (119, 219) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle la partie corps (129, 229a, 229b) présente un col adjacent à la partie obturateur de soupape (127, 227a, 227b).
  3. Lame (119, 219) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle la partie corps (129, 229a, 229b) fait partie d'un triangle isocèle, la base du triangle se trouvant à l'extrémité fixe (121, 221) de la lame (119, 219) et le sommet du triangle se trouvant en un point dans la partie obturateur de soupape (127, 227a, 227b).
  4. Lame (119, 219) selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle ledit point dans la partie obturateur de soupape (127, 227a, 227b) est choisi pour être le centre d'application pour la charge générée par le fluide qui passe par l'orifice (217a, 217b).
  5. Lame (219) selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle la lame (219) comprend de telles première et deuxième parties corps (229a, 229b) côte à côte, chacune ayant une section effilée qui se rétrécit en s'éloignant de l'extrémité fixe (221) de la lame (219), chacune desdites sections effilées étant contiguë à une partie obturateur de soupape (227a, 227b) respective configurée pour découvrir sélectivement les premier et deuxième orifices d'entrée (217a, 217b) et dans laquelle un orifice de décharge (31 b) est positionné entre lesdites sections effilées.
  6. Module de soupape ayant une soupape et un orifice, la soupape consistant en une lame (119, 219) selon une quelconque des revendications précédentes, et la partie obturateur de soupape (127, 227a, 227b) étant configurée pour découvrir sélectivement l'orifice (217a, 217b) pour permettre le passage d'un flux de fluide.
  7. Module de soupape selon la revendication 6 et qui est un module de soupape d'entrée.
  8. Module de soupape selon la revendication 6 et qui est un module de soupape de sortie.
  9. Compresseur ayant un module de soupape selon une quelconque des revendications 6 - 8.
EP99308362A 1998-11-20 1999-10-22 Lame pour soupape à lamelle Expired - Lifetime EP1002951B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9825550 1998-11-20
GB9825550A GB2343934B (en) 1998-11-20 1998-11-20 A reed for use in a valve assembly

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1002951A2 EP1002951A2 (fr) 2000-05-24
EP1002951A3 EP1002951A3 (fr) 2003-11-19
EP1002951B1 true EP1002951B1 (fr) 2006-06-07

Family

ID=10842832

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99308362A Expired - Lifetime EP1002951B1 (fr) 1998-11-20 1999-10-22 Lame pour soupape à lamelle

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1002951B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE329156T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69931731D1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2343934B (fr)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4034044B2 (ja) * 2001-05-01 2008-01-16 カルソニックカンセイ株式会社 圧縮機
JP3742862B2 (ja) 2003-03-05 2006-02-08 ダイキン工業株式会社 圧縮機
JP2009509076A (ja) * 2006-09-27 2009-03-05 パナソニック株式会社 圧縮機
BRPI0801970A2 (pt) * 2008-05-08 2010-01-12 Whirlpool Sa arranjo de válvulas de descarga para compressor hermético
BRPI1003494A2 (pt) * 2010-09-27 2013-01-29 Tecumseh Do Brasil Ltda aperfeiÇoamento em sistema de vÁlvulas
KR101203584B1 (ko) 2011-07-21 2012-11-21 엘지전자 주식회사 압축기
DE202014009180U1 (de) 2014-11-14 2015-01-14 Technische Universität Ilmenau Druckgradientengesteuertes Lamellenventil mit einstellbarer Steifigkeit

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB860008A (en) * 1957-01-28 1961-02-01 John Courtney Fisher Fluid flow rectifier
GB2161583B (en) * 1984-07-10 1988-01-27 Prestcold Ltd Reed valve
US5718571A (en) * 1995-11-13 1998-02-17 Thomas Industries Inc. Valve assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE329156T1 (de) 2006-06-15
GB2343934A (en) 2000-05-24
GB2343934B (en) 2003-05-21
EP1002951A2 (fr) 2000-05-24
DE69931731D1 (de) 2006-07-20
GB9825550D0 (en) 1999-01-13
EP1002951A3 (fr) 2003-11-19

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
GB2161583A (en) Reed valve
EP1452737B1 (fr) Soupape d'admission à lamelles pour un compresseur
EP1002951B1 (fr) Lame pour soupape à lamelle
US3286728A (en) Slot type reed valve
KR960008051A (ko) 냉매 압축기의 밸브형 배출장치
US5243934A (en) Multiple stage reed valves for use in internal combustion engines
KR100368631B1 (ko) 비절삭가공에의해성형된로커암또는핑거레버
US4319737A (en) Diaphram valve
US4940048A (en) Boat-type rocker arm with flanges
US6280153B1 (en) Suction gas conduit for a refrigeration compressor
US9835264B2 (en) Diaphragm valve for vehicle
KR100485272B1 (ko) 자동차의 글러브 박스에 사용되는 에어댐퍼
EP0890048B1 (fr) Compresseur a piston axial
US11585139B2 (en) Liquid sealed damper for opening and closing member
US20220356872A1 (en) Valve plate having valve lamellae
JP7219131B2 (ja) 自動車用内燃機関のオイルパン
JPH07279746A (ja) 可撓性ブロックと可撓性オイルパンを有する内燃式エンジン
EP3929475A1 (fr) Soupape mano-sensible
KR20000076561A (ko) 로드가 없는 실린더
SU1258332A3 (ru) Задвижка
KR100214980B1 (ko) 클러치 마스터 실린더의 서플라이 밸브
KR102210169B1 (ko) 흡기매니폴드 및 그 흡기매니폴드용 러너 구조
US20220128112A1 (en) Liquid sealed damper for opening and closing member
US6036168A (en) Control valve including a piston cylinder connected to a spring steel sealing member
WO2024189446A1 (fr) Robinet-vanne à gorge d'étanchéité améliorée

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20001121

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK RO SI

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060607

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060607

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20060607

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060607

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060607

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060607

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060607

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69931731

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20060720

Kind code of ref document: P

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060907

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060907

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060908

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060918

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20061023

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20061031

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20061107

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

EN Fr: translation not filed
26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20070308

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060908

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20070309

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20061022

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060607

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060607

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20180911

Year of fee payment: 20

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: PE20

Expiry date: 20191021

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20191021