EP1034109A1 - Automatic fluid container refill device - Google Patents
Automatic fluid container refill deviceInfo
- Publication number
- EP1034109A1 EP1034109A1 EP97948120A EP97948120A EP1034109A1 EP 1034109 A1 EP1034109 A1 EP 1034109A1 EP 97948120 A EP97948120 A EP 97948120A EP 97948120 A EP97948120 A EP 97948120A EP 1034109 A1 EP1034109 A1 EP 1034109A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- fluid
- hydraulic cylinder
- container
- valve
- pressure
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
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
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B3/00—Packaging plastic material, semiliquids, liquids or mixed solids and liquids, in individual containers or receptacles, e.g. bags, sacks, boxes, cartons, cans, or jars
- B65B3/04—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles
- B65B3/10—Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles by application of pressure to material
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
- F17C2201/01—Shape
- F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
- F17C2201/0109—Shape cylindrical with exteriorly curved end-piece
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
- F17C2201/01—Shape
- F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
- F17C2201/0119—Shape cylindrical with flat end-piece
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- 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
-
- 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
- F17C2205/0352—Pipes
- F17C2205/0364—Pipes flexible or articulated, e.g. a hose
-
- 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
- F17C2205/037—Quick connecting means, e.g. couplings
-
- 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
- F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
- F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
- F17C2221/014—Nitrogen
-
- 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
- F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
- F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
- F17C2221/015—Carbon monoxide
-
- 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
- F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
- F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
- F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
- F17C2250/043—Pressure
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
- F17C2250/06—Controlling or regulating of parameters as output values
- F17C2250/0605—Parameters
- F17C2250/0636—Flow or movement of content
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
- F17C2250/07—Actions triggered by measured parameters
- F17C2250/072—Action when predefined value is reached
- F17C2250/075—Action when predefined value is reached when full
-
- 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
- F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
- F17C2270/0165—Applications for fluid transport or storage on the road
- F17C2270/0168—Applications for fluid transport or storage on the road by vehicles
Definitions
- the invention relates generally to the field of fluid storage and delivery and more particularly to devices and systems for the automatic delivery and shutoff of fluids during the process of filling pressure containers.
- Sealed pressure containers such as approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) are gaining popularity as vessels for storing and delivering fluids.
- Some of the advantages gained by using pressure containers include enhanced health and safety since DOT pressure containers resist slitting and leakage, decreased environmental impact due to a lower probability of fluid being inadvertently released from sealed pressure container, more efficient fluid transfer capabilities between the container and the destination of the fluid (e.g. an automobile or other machine), and lower costs due to reusability of the pressure containers.
- a propellant gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide
- FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the device of the invention connected to a pressure container adapted to be filled with fluid.
- FIGURE 2 is a side view of the device, with the valve in the open position.
- FIGURE 3 is a side view of the device, with the valve in the closed position.
- the device 10 of the invention includes a memory unit 12.
- Memory unit 12 includes a sealed pressure vessel 14 having a predetermined interior volume 16, and preferably with a small and predetermined amount of liquid 18 (e.g. oil) contained therein. The reason for this is that liquids are less likely to leak from hydraulic cylinders than are gases, are much less compressible under pressure, and thus are far more reliable.
- Memory unit 12 has a gas inlet valve 20 to permit gas to be introduced and pressurize the interior volume 16 and fluid 18 contained in memory unit 12.
- a pressure gauge 22 is in communication with memory unit 12. Pressure gauge 22 indicates the “open” and “close” pressure, as will be discussed below.
- a small fluid tube 24 is in fluid connection between the bottom of memory unit 12 and a hydraulic cylinder 26 at a right side 28. Pressure gauge 22 provides a visual indication of the pressures at which fluid will flow into sealed pressure container 58 (open) and the pressures at which fluid flow will stopped (close), indicating sealed pressure container 58 is full.
- the pressurizing gas is preferably an inert gas.
- Hydraulic cylinder 26 has a fluid tight piston 30 with a push rod 32 located therein.
- a second hydraulic fluid tube 34 is connected to hydraulic cylinder 26 at hydraulic cylinder's left side 36.
- Second hydraulic fluid tube 34 connects to and is in fluid communication with a downstream fluid junction means, for example, in the form of a T- fitting 38.
- Push rod 32 has a first engagement means located at its distal end, such as gear rack 40. Alternately, other engagement means can be provided.
- Gear rack 40 rides on a geared sprocket 42.
- Geared sprocket 42 is connected to and is adapted to open and close a fluid valve 44 (such as a ball valve).
- valve 44 has a fluid/air inlet side 46, and a fluid outlet side 48. Fluid to be fed into a sealed pressure container 58 to be filled is fed to fluid/air inlet side 46 of valve 44 via fluid supply line 50. Fluid supply line 50 is in turn connected to a larger source of fluid, e.g. a tanker truck supplying the fluid via pumps (not shown.) Fluid/air inlet side 46 and outlet sides 48 preferably have reducers 52 and 54, respectively, to reduce fluid pressure fluctuation and spurts through valve 44. Fluid travels through valve 44 and exits outlet side 48 and enters T-fitting 38. As best shown in Fig. 1, a fluid fill hose 56 is adapted to carry fluid to sealed pressure container 58 to be filled.
- a pressure valve 60 can be positioned on T-fitting 38 to monitor the fluid pressure in T-fitting 38 (and thus the fluid pressure in sealed pressure container 58.)
- An additional safety feature is provided as follows.
- a locking mechanism 62 can preferably be provided to automatically maintain valve 44 in a closed position when sealed pressure container 58 is filled with fluid.
- One such locking mechanism 62 is shown, and comprises a pivoted catch arm 64 with a locking head 66, wherein head 66 slideably rides on and does not engage with gear rack 40 until gear rack 40 is positioned to the right, thereby turning sprocket 42 clockwise (and thus closing valve 44.) At this position, head 64 will be resting behind gear rack 40 (or on a locking point of gear rack 40, not shown) and thus prevent gear rack 40 from further turning geared sprocket 42, and thus not allowing fluid valve 44 from being inadvertently opened, as best shown in Figure 3.
- the device 10 functions as follows. As fluid enters the system from fluid/area inlet side 46, and travels through valve 44, and into the fluid egress side 48, there will be a pressure drop due to constriction of the inner diameter of the tubing and reduced size of the interior diameter of valve 44.
- fluid fill hose 56 connects to a sealed pressure container 58 via hose 68.
- fluid fill hose 56 can have a hydraulic fitting 70 for connection to a fluid filling fitting 70 connected to hose 68.
- Fluid filling fitting 70 preferably incorporates a device to prevent any fluid or volume of the blanket of propellant gas in sealed pressure container 58 from escaping.
- Sealed pressure container 58 is adapted for holding a liquid, such as hydraulic or motor oil, and a blanket of pressurized propellant gas, preferably an inert gas, such as nitrogen.
- the pressure of the propellant gas in sealed pressure container 58 will increase due to the decreased gas volume area available.
- sealed pressure container 58 when empty, will be charged with about 20 P.S.I, of nitrogen gas.
- the nitrogen gas pressure might jump to about 80 to a 100 P.S.I.
- This pressure is experienced in the fluid in T-fitting 38 and second hydraulic fluid tube 34 connected to the left side 36 of hydraulic cylinder 26.
- This new invention represents an important improvement to the art because it allows sealed pressure fluid containers under propellant gas blanket to be refilled in a safe and effective manner from high pressure fluid sources of fluid, such as tanks of fluid fed under higher pressure pulses, and automatically shuts off the fluid flow when the container is full.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
- Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
- Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1997/019237 WO1999021761A1 (en) | 1997-10-27 | 1997-10-27 | Automatic fluid container refill device |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1034109A1 true EP1034109A1 (en) | 2000-09-13 |
EP1034109A4 EP1034109A4 (en) | 2002-03-20 |
Family
ID=22261935
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP97948120A Withdrawn EP1034109A4 (en) | 1997-10-27 | 1997-10-27 | Automatic fluid container refill device |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1034109A4 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2001520964A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20010031419A (en) |
AU (1) | AU726889B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2308061A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1999021761A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
BRPI0923691A2 (en) * | 2008-12-23 | 2017-07-11 | C H & I Tech Inc | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECHARGING PACKAGING CONSUMER |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2650606A (en) * | 1952-10-10 | 1953-09-01 | Elgan C Amidon | Level controller |
US3604594A (en) * | 1969-06-04 | 1971-09-14 | Technicon Corp | Pressure pumping system with sealed pressure container |
US4025234A (en) * | 1974-02-21 | 1977-05-24 | Mecano Quimica S.A. | Apparatus for obtaining artificial gravity in liquids |
US4450981A (en) * | 1979-02-26 | 1984-05-29 | Abe Jacobs | Precision material filling systems |
EP0745832A1 (en) * | 1995-05-30 | 1996-12-04 | Ivek Corporation | A volumetric fluid dispensing apparatus |
WO1997014505A1 (en) * | 1995-10-20 | 1997-04-24 | Abb Flexible Automation A/S | Liquid control for spray painting applications |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3282305A (en) * | 1964-02-20 | 1966-11-01 | Gen Dynamics Corp | Cylinder filling apparatus |
US5454407A (en) * | 1992-09-24 | 1995-10-03 | Diba Industries Inc. | Pneumatic wand apparatus and method |
US5341859A (en) * | 1993-10-25 | 1994-08-30 | Howseman Jr William E | Dispensing cartridge filling system |
-
1997
- 1997-10-27 EP EP97948120A patent/EP1034109A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1997-10-27 AU AU54253/98A patent/AU726889B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1997-10-27 CA CA002308061A patent/CA2308061A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-10-27 WO PCT/US1997/019237 patent/WO1999021761A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1997-10-27 JP JP2000517880A patent/JP2001520964A/en active Pending
- 1997-10-27 KR KR1020007004446A patent/KR20010031419A/en active IP Right Grant
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2650606A (en) * | 1952-10-10 | 1953-09-01 | Elgan C Amidon | Level controller |
US3604594A (en) * | 1969-06-04 | 1971-09-14 | Technicon Corp | Pressure pumping system with sealed pressure container |
US4025234A (en) * | 1974-02-21 | 1977-05-24 | Mecano Quimica S.A. | Apparatus for obtaining artificial gravity in liquids |
US4450981A (en) * | 1979-02-26 | 1984-05-29 | Abe Jacobs | Precision material filling systems |
EP0745832A1 (en) * | 1995-05-30 | 1996-12-04 | Ivek Corporation | A volumetric fluid dispensing apparatus |
WO1997014505A1 (en) * | 1995-10-20 | 1997-04-24 | Abb Flexible Automation A/S | Liquid control for spray painting applications |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See also references of WO9921761A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1034109A4 (en) | 2002-03-20 |
AU726889B2 (en) | 2000-11-23 |
AU5425398A (en) | 1999-05-17 |
JP2001520964A (en) | 2001-11-06 |
KR20010031419A (en) | 2001-04-16 |
CA2308061A1 (en) | 1999-05-06 |
WO1999021761A1 (en) | 1999-05-06 |
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Legal Events
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Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
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18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20030503 |