EP1055862A1 - Gas filling plant for containers - Google Patents

Gas filling plant for containers Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1055862A1
EP1055862A1 EP00400532A EP00400532A EP1055862A1 EP 1055862 A1 EP1055862 A1 EP 1055862A1 EP 00400532 A EP00400532 A EP 00400532A EP 00400532 A EP00400532 A EP 00400532A EP 1055862 A1 EP1055862 A1 EP 1055862A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
valve
valves
network
filling
control unit
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP00400532A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1055862B1 (en
Inventor
Philippe Deck
Jean-Philippe Dhalluin
Christophe Knapik
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.)
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Original Assignee
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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 Air Liquide SA, LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical Air Liquide SA
Publication of EP1055862A1 publication Critical patent/EP1055862A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1055862B1 publication Critical patent/EP1055862B1/en
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
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/10—Mixing gases with gases
    • B01F23/19—Mixing systems, i.e. flow charts or diagrams; Arrangements, e.g. comprising controlling means
    • 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
    • F17C2205/0326—Valves electrically 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
    • F17C2205/05—Vessel or content identifications, e.g. labels
    • F17C2205/054—Vessel or content identifications, e.g. labels by bar codes
    • 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
    • F17C2221/011—Oxygen
    • 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
    • F17C2221/018—Acetylene
    • 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
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2223/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/036—Very high pressure (>80 bar)
    • 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
    • F17C2250/03—Control means
    • F17C2250/032—Control means using computers
    • 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
    • F17C2250/0439—Temperature
    • 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
    • F17C2250/0447—Composition; Humidity
    • F17C2250/046—Humidity
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0486—Indicating or measuring characterised by the location
    • F17C2250/0491—Parameters measured at or inside the vessel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/06—Controlling or regulating of parameters as output values
    • F17C2250/0605—Parameters
    • F17C2250/0626—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
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/02—Applications for medical applications
    • 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
    • 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

  • Pure gases or gas mixtures are commonly conditioned in bottles or frames carrying a batch of bottles. These are filled in a filling facility and then transported to the site use of gas.
  • filling installations conventionally include a network of valves allowing selective connection to the packaging volume to fill a variety of supply gas sources.
  • opening and closing valves are entrusted to an operator. This one opens and closes the different valves, at determined times, and following a sequence determined. The operation of such an installation therefore requires the continuous presence of an experienced operator who determines the sequence operations.
  • control unit is adapted to receive, at input, the specification of the gas to be introduced into the volume conditioning.
  • the information entered consists in particular of the composition in mass, or in pressure of the various bodies constituting the gas.
  • the information entered in the control unit is the expected result of the filling operation.
  • the document FR-A-2.713.105 describes an installation filling a tank with a mixture of gases.
  • This installation includes a computer controlling the cyclic opening and closing of valves arranged between the tank and pressurized gas sources.
  • the computer receives the expected composition for mixing as a set point. It is suitable for determining and implementing a piloting cycle different valves in order to obtain the desired mixture.
  • JP-2675633 describes an installation for filling cylinders with several gas sources which can selectively supply bottles under the control of a control unit. The operating steps of the control unit and the variables entered are not described.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a simple filling installation. allowing uniformity and standardization of installations filling systems used on several sites, thus facilitating filling packaging volumes, while improving reproducibility and reliability of gas conditioning operations.
  • the installation shown in Figure 1 includes, like any installation filling according to the invention, a set 10 of sources of supply gas and a network 12 of controlled valves, selectively connecting the outlet of each supply gas source, to a set 14 of fittings constituting connection points for packaging bottles. It also includes a unit 16 for controlling the network of valves 12.
  • an oxygen storage 18 and a storage of nitrogen 20 are provided at the inlet of the valve network 12. These sources of gases are connected to a main supply line 22 through controlled valves 24 and 26.
  • the main supply line 22 is connected to an outlet 28 of venting via a controlled valve 30.
  • a vacuum pump 32 is connected to the main line supply 22 via a controlled valve 34.
  • valves 24, 26, 30, 34 allowing the selective connection of the main supply line 22 to a gas source, at the outlet of vent 28 or vacuum pump 32, are controlled from the piloting 16.
  • a supply pressure sensor 36 is mounted on the pipe main supply 22. This pressure sensor is connected to the control unit 16.
  • the main supply line 22 is connected to a line main distribution 28 via a shut-off valve 40 and a control valve 42. These two valves 40, 42 are mounted in parallel and are controlled from the control unit 16. They regulate the filling rate of the bottles
  • pressure sensors 44A, 44B, 44C On the distribution line 38 are provided three pressure sensors 44A, 44B, 44C having measuring ranges of 300 respectively bars, 40 bars and 5 bars. These pressure sensors are connected to the control unit 16 in order to communicate to the latter the pressure in the distribution 38.
  • the set of points 14 for connecting the bottles are distributed along three ramps 46, 48, 50.
  • Each ramp generally has sixteen connection points, each suitable for connecting a 50-liter bottle.
  • the ramps 46, 48, 50 are connected in parallel to the distribution pipe 38 via a controlled sectioning valve 52, 54, 56 specific to each ramp. These valves are connected for their control to the control unit 16.
  • an infrared probe 58 for measuring the temperature is provided. in the vicinity of the ramp 50.
  • the probe 58 is connected to the control unit 16. It is suitable to be applied to a bottle and to measure the filling temperature of this bottle.
  • the temperature measured by the probe 58 allows the control unit 16 to correct the target pressures as a function of the temperature, in order to to fill the bottles to a desired pressure in standard temperature conditions.
  • control unit 16 comprises means 60 input of a recipe for filling a batch of sixteen bottles with a mixture of gases whose nature conforms to a given specification.
  • Each recipe consists of a sequence of successive procedures.
  • Each procedure describes a basic task that can be put implemented by the valve assembly under the control of the control unit 16.
  • Each procedure is characterized by the designation of a valve, and information relating to the mode of control of the operation.
  • this information first includes the actuation mode of the valve, the instruction to be reached which conditions the stopping of the actuation of the valve, the tolerance applicable to the percentage setpoint and the delay wait in seconds between completion of valve actuation and the start of actuation of the next valve.
  • the recipes are established manually by transcribing with the defined formalism above, the successive elementary steps implemented by an operator.
  • the recipes are established by processing means of information receiving as input the desired characteristics for the gas filling the bottles.
  • the information processing means determine the sequence of procedures making up the recipe.
  • This recipe is stored on a support allowing its implementation subsequent by an installation according to the invention.
  • the control unit 16 is for example made up of an industrial computer or a programmable controller implementing a program adapted.
  • the means 60 for entering a recipe include for example a barcode reader.
  • the recipes are presented on a material support, such as a sheet of paper in the form of a succession of barcodes.
  • a material support such as a sheet of paper in the form of a succession of barcodes.
  • Each barcode advantageously corresponds to a recipe procedure.
  • the recipes are stored on magnetic media, such as floppy disks.
  • the input means 60 then comprise a reader suitable for magnetic media.
  • the input means 60 comprise a connection to a local data transfer network, allowing sending recipes from a remote station to the control unit 16.
  • control unit 16 includes means 62 for processing successive procedures constituting the recipe entered. These are suitable for controlling the network of valves 12 for the sequential implementation of the elementary tasks described in the sequence of procedures constituting the recipe. Each controlled valves is connected to the processing means 62.
  • the means 62 for processing the procedures include a time delay adapted to postpone, by a specified waiting period, the implementation of the following elementary task, after the end of the actuation of the valve designated in the current procedure.
  • the control unit 16 further comprises means 64 for collecting measurements made by the various sensors of the installation. These collection means are connected to means 62 for processing procedures successive so that the latter put an end to the actuation of a valve selected when the measurement made by a sensor reaches a setpoint.
  • Table 1 describes by way of example the recipe for filling sixteen bottles with a volume of 50 liters with medical oxygen under a pressure of 201 bars absolute at 15 ° C with ⁇ 15%.
  • the recipe presented here includes six procedures, each described by a line in the table.
  • the first procedure implemented consists in venting the bottles by opening the vent valve 30, in order to ensure a pressure drop down to a pressure of 1.5 bar absolute ⁇ 20%. Once this pressure is reached, the vent valve 30 is closed. After a waiting time of one second, the vacuum valve 34 is open to ensure a descent of the pressure up to a setpoint of 0.20 bar absolute ⁇ 20%. After this pressure has been reached and after a waiting period of one second has expired, the oxygen inlet valve 24 is open to ensure a rise in cylinder pressure up to a pressure of 5 bar absolute ⁇ 20%.
  • valve vent 30 is open until the pressure in the line distribution 38 reaches a set pressure value equal to 1.5 bar absolute ⁇ 20%.
  • the distribution line 38 is put under vacuum by opening the vacuum valve 34 until the pressure down to a set pressure of 0.2 bar absolute ⁇ 20%.
  • the oxygen supply valve 24 is then opened again until what the pressure in the distribution line 38 and therefore in the bottles reaches 201 bars absolute ⁇ 5%.
  • each ramp is connected in parallel to the outlet of the valve network 12 through a clean valve 52, 54, 56.
  • a clean valve 52, 54, 56 is connected to the outlet of the valve network 12 through a clean valve 52, 54, 56.
  • a batch of sixteen bottles is filled on one of the ramps
  • a another batch to be filled is installed on a second ramp, while a third lot of bottles, previously filled, is detached from the third ramp.
  • the shut-off valve associated with this ramp is open, while the valves of the other ramps are kept closed, allowing intervention on the bottles.
  • the installation can therefore fill bottles almost continuously.
  • shut-off valve 40 mounted in parallel with the shut-off valve regulation 42 ensures a bypass of the gas flow when the flow gas is maximum, the control valve then being inoperative. On the contrary, for small flows, which must be precisely regulated, the bypass 40 is closed and most of the flow passes through the control valve 42.
  • the filling installation of figure 2 is intended for packaging mixtures of compressed gases as a function of the corrected pressure by the temperature and the weighing of a pilot bottle.
  • a bypass is provided on the distribution pipe 38. 70 to which a pilot bottle 72 is connected. This bottle is connected at the end of a hose 74.
  • the branch 70 includes a valve 76 and a block valve 78 mounted in bypass. These valves 76 and 78 are controlled by the control unit 16.
  • a scale 80 is provided to ensure continuous weighing of the pilot bottle 72.
  • the balance 80 is connected to the control unit 16.
  • the temperature probe 58 is deported in the immediate vicinity of the pilot bottle 72, in order to determine the temperature of the gas contained in this one.
  • Table 2 describes, by way of example, the recipe for filling sixteen bottles with a volume of 50 liters with a mixture of medical air consisting of 20% oxygen and 80% nitrogen with a difference 5% at a pressure of 201 bar absolute.
  • the recipe presented here includes seven procedures, each described by a line in the table.
  • the first procedure implemented consists in carrying out a air from the bottles by opening the vent valve 30 so ensure a drop in pressure to a pressure of 1.5 bar absolute ⁇ 20%. Once this pressure is reached, the vent valve 30 is closed. After a waiting period of one second, the vacuum valve 34 is open to ensure pressure drop to a set point from 0.20 bar absolute ⁇ 20%. After this pressure has been reached and after a waiting period of one second has expired, the inlet valve of nitrogen 26 is opened to ensure a pressure rise in the bottles up to a pressure of 5 bar absolute ⁇ 20%.
  • valve vent 30 is open until the pressure in the line distribution 38 reaches a set pressure value equal to 1.5 bar absolute ⁇ 20%.
  • the distribution line 38 is put under vacuum by opening the vacuum valve 34 until the pressure drops to a set pressure of 0.2 bar absolute ⁇ 20%.
  • the oxygen supply valve 24 is then opened until the mass of the pilot bottle 72, determined by the scale 80, reaches 2.633 kg ⁇ 5%.
  • valve 26 nitrogen inlet is open until the mass of one of the bottles reaches 9.294 kg ⁇ 5%.
  • the filling installation of Figure 3 is intended for packaging mixtures of compressed gases as a function of the corrected pressure by the temperature and the weighing of the entire batch of bottles to be packaged.
  • the installation includes a single conditioning ramp 100 to which all sixteen bottles 102 of a batch are connected fill.
  • the conditioning ramp 100 is connected by a hose 104 to the main supply line 22.
  • a control valve 106 mounted in parallel with a control valve sectioning 108.
  • the valves 106 and 108 are connected for their control to the control unit 16.
  • the pressure sensors 44A, 44B, 44C are mounted directly on the conditioning ramp 100.
  • a balance 110 suitable for continuously weighing all the bottles 102 of the batch to be packaged are connected to the piloting 16.
  • the temperature probe 58 is deported to the immediate vicinity of the batch of bottles 102.
  • hose 104 allows the result of the weighing carried out by the scale 110 is not influenced by the rigidity of the ramp packaging 100, since the latter is floating and is not supported only by the bottles 102 alone.
  • FIG. 4 shows a filling installation for the compressed gas mixture conditioning regulated according to the pressure corrected by temperature and by weighing one of the bottles in the batch to condition.
  • FIG. 4 is substantially similar to that of FIG. 1. It further comprises a balance 120 adapted for weigh one, denoted 122, of the bottles connected to the filling ramp 50.
  • the balance 120 is connected to the control unit 16.
  • the temperature probe 58 is applied to the bottle 122.
  • FIG. 5 The installation of FIG. 5 is intended for the conditioning of a gas unique with pressure regulation corrected by gas temperature.
  • the installation is substantially similar to that of the figure 1.
  • the bypass 40 and regulation 42 valves are eliminated.
  • the valves 24 and 26, provided at the outlet of the sources of gases 18 and 20, are replaced by proportional valves 130, 132, controlled by the control unit 16.
  • proportional valves 130, 132 are replaced by proportional valves 130, 132, controlled by the control unit 16.
  • pressure sensors 134,136 connected to the control unit 16 in order to communicate the gas pressures feed.
  • the flow rate of the supply gases is regulated not between the main supply line 22 and the supply line distribution 38, but directly at the outlet of gas sources 18 and 20 by through proportional valves 130, 132.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 operate by implementation a recipe made up of procedures defining the opening sequence and valve closures based on comparison of measurements collected by the sensors with the instructions defined in the procedures.
  • Figure 6 The installation of Figure 6 is intended for gas conditioning liquefied regulated by weighing the liquefied gas, with rinsing of the bottles. The rinsing operations are carried out under pressure corrected by temperature.
  • a phase of conditioning a gas includes a step initial rinsing of the bottle followed by a proper filling step said.
  • the recipe defines a first rinsing step then a second filling step, the rinsing and filling steps each consisting of a sequence of procedures.
  • FIG. 6 The installation of Figure 6 has three filling stations 200A, 200B, 200C identical and mounted in parallel.
  • Each filling station has its own network of valves noted 202A, 202B, 202C.
  • the valves of each network have their output connected to a line 204A, 204B, 204C intended for the connection of a cylinder to fill.
  • These lines are each provided with a pressure sensor 206A, 2066, 206C connected to the control unit 16.
  • Each valve network 202A, 202B, 202C includes a valve 210 vacuum system ensuring the selective connection of the bottles with a common vacuum pump 212.
  • each valve network includes a valve 214 controlling a venting outlet 216.
  • a valve 218 for controlling the supply gas is provided in each valve network. Upstream of the supply gas valves 218 is mounted a common control valve 220 disposed at the outlet of a source 222 of filling gas, such as liquid CO 2 . A pressure sensor 224, connected to the control unit 16, is provided at the outlet from the filling gas source 222.
  • each valve network includes a valve 226 rinse ordering the connection of each bottle with a source flushing gas common 228.
  • each valve network includes an analysis valve 230 ensuring the selective connection of the bottle with a humidity analyzer common 232, the latter being connected to the control unit 16.
  • Balances 234A, 234B, 234C are provided at each station filling to continuously weigh the bottles.
  • the initial rinsing and filling steps are carried out under the control of the piloting unit by implementing for each stage a succession of elementary tasks each defined by a procedure.
  • Figure 7 is shown a solvent redosing installation of an acetylene bottle and control of the charge of that bottle after filling.
  • It comprises a source of solvent 300 such as acetone supplying, through a proportional valve 302, a distribution line 304.
  • a pressure sensor 305 is provided downstream of the source of solvent 300.
  • Distribution line 304 has two branches supplying each a bottle to be filled, through a stop valve 306, 308.
  • a pressure sensor 310, 312 is mounted at the outlet the corresponding stop valve.
  • Valves 302, 306, 308 are controlled by the control unit 16 and the sensors 308, 310, 312 and the scales 314, 316 are connected to this same control unit.
  • Two control bottles 320 are fitted with temperature sensors 322. One is placed inside a room while the other is arranged outside the room. Depending on the bottles to be redosed, and in particular their previous place of storage, namely inside a room or outside, one or other of the control bottles 320 is used as a reference temperature during redosage.

Abstract

The plant comprises a set of feed gas sources (18,20), a network of controlled valves (12), selectively linking the outlet o each feed gas source to the cylinders, and a unit (16) for driving the network of valves and adapted so as to control the state the valves. The drive unit (16) comprises an input device (60) for entering a recipe consisting of a sequence of procedures, eac procedure describing an elementary task which can be implemented by the valves under the control of the drive unit (16). It furthermore comprises a device (62) for processing the successive procedures constituting the recipe. They are adapted to contro the network of valves (12) by the sequential implementation of the elementary tasks described successively in the sequence of procedures.

Description

La présente invention concerne une installation de remplissage d'un volume de conditionnement avec du gaz dont la nature est conforme à une spécification donnée, comportant:

  • un ensemble de sources de gaz d'alimentation;
  • au moins un raccord de liaison du ou de chaque volume de conditionnement;
  • un réseau de vannes commandées, reliant sélectivement la sortie de chaque source de gaz d'alimentation au ou à chaque raccord ; et
  • une unité de pilotage du réseau de vannes adaptée pour commander l'état des vannes pour le remplissage du ou de chaque volume de conditionnement avec un gaz conforme à la spécification donnée.
The present invention relates to an installation for filling a packaging volume with gas, the nature of which conforms to a given specification, comprising:
  • a set of supply gas sources;
  • at least one connection fitting for the or each packaging volume;
  • a network of controlled valves, selectively connecting the outlet of each supply gas source to or at each fitting; and
  • a valve network control unit adapted to control the state of the valves for filling the or each packaging volume with a gas conforming to the given specification.

Les gaz purs ou les mélanges gazeux sont couramment conditionnés dans des bouteilles ou des cadres portant un lot de bouteilles. Celles-ci sont remplies dans une installation de remplissage puis acheminées sur le site d'utilisation du gaz.Pure gases or gas mixtures are commonly conditioned in bottles or frames carrying a batch of bottles. These are filled in a filling facility and then transported to the site use of gas.

Afin de permettre le remplissage de volumes de conditionnement avec du gaz de différentes compositions et sous des pressions différentes, les installations de remplissage comportent classiquement un réseau de vannes permettant de relier sélectivement au volume de conditionnement à remplir un ensemble de sources de gaz d'alimentation.To allow filling of packaging volumes with gas of different compositions and under different pressures, filling installations conventionally include a network of valves allowing selective connection to the packaging volume to fill a variety of supply gas sources.

Pour assurer un remplissage du volume de conditionnement avec un gaz satisfaisant une spécification donnée, il est courant que l'ouverture et la fermeture des vannes soient confiées à un opérateur. Celui-ci ouvre et ferme les différentes vannes, à des instants déterminés, et suivant un enchaínement déterminé. Le fonctionnement d'une telle installation nécessite donc la présence continue d'un opérateur expérimenté qui détermine l'enchaínement des opérations.To ensure filling of the packaging volume with a gas satisfying a given specification, it is common for the opening and closing valves are entrusted to an operator. This one opens and closes the different valves, at determined times, and following a sequence determined. The operation of such an installation therefore requires the continuous presence of an experienced operator who determines the sequence operations.

Il a été envisagé de remplacer les vannes manuelles par des vannes commandées reliées à une unité de pilotage adaptée pour commander l'état des vannes pour un remplissage du volume de conditionnement avec un gaz conforme à la spécification donnée.It has been envisaged to replace manual valves with valves controlled connected to a control unit adapted to control the state valves for filling the packaging volume with a gas conforming to the given specification.

Dans une telle installation, l'unité de pilotage est adaptée pour recevoir, en entrée, la spécification du gaz devant être introduit dans le volume de conditionnement. Les informations entrées consistent notamment en la composition en masse, ou en pression des différents corps constituant le gaz. Ainsi, l'information entrée dans l'unité de pilotage est le résultat escompté de l'opération de remplissage.In such an installation, the control unit is adapted to receive, at input, the specification of the gas to be introduced into the volume conditioning. The information entered consists in particular of the composition in mass, or in pressure of the various bodies constituting the gas. Thus, the information entered in the control unit is the expected result of the filling operation.

Une telle installation de remplissage nécessite une unité de pilotage extrêmement complexe dont le programme de gestion mis en oeuvre dépend à la fois de la structure physique du réseau de vannes utilisé et de la nature des gaz pouvant être introduits.Such a filling installation requires a control unit extremely complex on which the management program implemented depends both the physical structure of the valve network used and the nature gases which can be introduced.

A titre d'exemple, le document FR-A-2.713.105 décrit une installation de remplissage d'un réservoir avec un mélange de gaz. Cette installation comporte un ordinateur pilotant l'ouverture et la fermeture cycliques de vannes disposées entre le réservoir et des sources de gaz sous pression. L'ordinateur reçoit comme consigne la composition escomptée pour le mélange. Il est adapté pour déterminer et mettre en oeuvre un cycle de pilotage des différentes vannes afin d'obtenir le mélange souhaité.By way of example, the document FR-A-2.713.105 describes an installation filling a tank with a mixture of gases. This installation includes a computer controlling the cyclic opening and closing of valves arranged between the tank and pressurized gas sources. The computer receives the expected composition for mixing as a set point. It is suitable for determining and implementing a piloting cycle different valves in order to obtain the desired mixture.

Par ailleurs, JP-2675633 décrit une installation de remplissage de bouteilles comportant plusieurs sources de gaz pouvant alimenter sélectivement les bouteilles sous la commande d'une unité de commande. Les étapes de fonctionnement de l'unité de commande et les variables entrées ne sont pas décrites.Furthermore, JP-2675633 describes an installation for filling cylinders with several gas sources which can selectively supply bottles under the control of a control unit. The operating steps of the control unit and the variables entered are not described.

L'invention a pour but de fournir une installation simple de remplissage permettant une uniformisation et une standardisation des installations de remplissage utilisées sur plusieurs sites, facilitant ainsi le remplissage des volumes de conditionnement, tout en améliorant la reproductibilité et la fiabilité des opérations de conditionnement du gaz.The object of the invention is to provide a simple filling installation. allowing uniformity and standardization of installations filling systems used on several sites, thus facilitating filling packaging volumes, while improving reproducibility and reliability of gas conditioning operations.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet une installation de remplissage d'au moins un volume de conditionnement avec du gaz dont la nature est conforme à une spécification donnée, comportant:

  • un ensemble de sources de gaz d'alimentation;
  • au moins un raccord de liaison du ou de chaque volume de conditionnement;
  • un réseau de vannes commandées, reliant sélectivement la sortie de chaque source de gaz d'alimentation au ou à chaque raccord ; et
  • une unité de pilotage du réseau de vannes adaptée pour commander l'état des vannes pour le remplissage du ou de chaque volume de conditionnement avec un gaz conforme à la spécification donnée;
caractérisée en ce que:
  • ladite unité de pilotage comporte des moyens d'entrée d'une recette constituée d'une séquence de procédures, chaque procédure décrivant une tâche élémentaire pouvant être mise en oeuvre par le réseau de vannes sous la commande de l'unité de pilotage,
    et en ce que ladite unité de pilotage comporte des moyens de traitement des procédures successives constituant la recette, lesquels moyens sont adaptés pour commander le réseau de vannes pour la mise en oeuvre séquentielle des tâches élémentaires décrites successivement dans la séquence de procédures constituant la recette.
    •  To this end, the subject of the invention is an installation for filling at least one packaging volume with gas, the nature of which conforms to a given specification, comprising:
    • a set of supply gas sources;
    • at least one connection fitting for the or each packaging volume;
    • a network of controlled valves, selectively connecting the outlet of each supply gas source to or at each fitting; and
    • a valve network control unit adapted to control the state of the valves for filling the or each packaging volume with a gas conforming to the given specification;
    characterized in that:
  • said control unit comprises means for entering a recipe consisting of a sequence of procedures, each procedure describing an elementary task that can be implemented by the network of valves under the control of the control unit,
    and in that said control unit comprises means for processing the successive procedures constituting the recipe, which means are adapted to control the network of valves for the sequential implementation of the elementary tasks described successively in the sequence of procedures constituting the recipe.

    • Suivant des modes particuliers de réalisation, l'installation comporte l'une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques suivantes:

    • chaque procédure comporte la désignation d'une unique vanne devant être commandée dans le réseau de vannes, lors de la mise en oeuvre de la tâche élémentaire correspondante, et des informations relatives au mode d'actionnement de la vanne;
    • les informations relatives au mode d'actionnement de chaque vanne comportent une valeur de consigne, l'installation comporte un ensemble de capteurs adaptés pour effectuer des mesures sur l'état de remplissage du ou de chaque volume de conditionnement, et les moyens de traitement sont adaptés pour mettre un terme à l'actionnement de la vanne lorsque la mesure effectuée atteint la valeur de consigne correspondante;
    • l'ensemble de capteurs comporte au moins l'un parmi un capteur de mesure de la température du gaz dans au moins un volume de conditionnement, une balance de pesée d'au moins un volume de conditionnement, un capteur de pression disposé en amont d'au moins un volume de conditionnement, et un capteur d'humidité disposé en aval d'au moins un volume de conditionnement;
    • les informations relatives au mode d'actionnement de la vanne comportent un délai d'attente, et en ce que les moyens de traitement comportent une temporisation adaptée pour différer, dudit délai d'attente, la mise en oeuvre de la tâche élémentaire suivante après la fin de l'actionnement de la vanne désignée dans la procédure en cours;
    • elle comporte une pompe à vide et le réseau de vannes comporte des moyens pour relier sélectivement la pompe à vide au ou à chaque raccord sous la commande de ladite unité de pilotage mettant en oeuvre une tâche élémentaire de mise sous vide décrite dans la séquence de procédures constituant la recette;
    • elle comporte une sortie de mise à l'air et le réseau de vannes comporte des moyens pour relier sélectivement la sortie de mise à l'air au ou à chaque raccord sous la commande de ladite unité de pilotage mettant en oeuvre une tâche élémentaire de mise à l'air décrite dans la séquence de procédure constituant la recette; et
    • elle comporte au moins deux ensembles de raccords pour la liaison de volumes de conditionnement, lesquels ensembles de raccords sont reliés en parallèle à la sortie dudit réseau de vannes par l'intermédiaire d'une vanne de sectionnement propre à chaque ensemble de raccords.
    According to particular embodiments, the installation includes one or more of the following characteristics:
    • each procedure includes the designation of a single valve to be controlled in the valve network, during the implementation of the corresponding elementary task, and information relating to the actuation mode of the valve;
    • the information relating to the actuation mode of each valve includes a set value, the installation comprises a set of sensors adapted to carry out measurements on the filling state of the or each packaging volume, and the processing means are adapted to terminate actuation of the valve when the measurement carried out reaches the corresponding set value;
    • the set of sensors comprises at least one of a sensor for measuring the temperature of the gas in at least one packaging volume, a weighing scale of at least one packaging volume, a pressure sensor disposed upstream of 'at least one packaging volume, and a humidity sensor disposed downstream of at least one packaging volume;
    • the information relating to the valve actuation mode includes a waiting time, and in that the processing means include a time delay adapted to defer, from said waiting time, the implementation of the following elementary task after the end of actuation of the valve designated in the current procedure;
    • it includes a vacuum pump and the valve network includes means for selectively connecting the vacuum pump to or at each connection under the control of said control unit implementing a basic vacuuming task described in the sequence of procedures constituting the recipe;
    • it includes a venting outlet and the valve network includes means for selectively connecting the venting outlet to or at each connection under the control of said control unit implementing an elementary task of setting to the air described in the procedure sequence constituting the recipe; and
    • it comprises at least two sets of fittings for the connection of packaging volumes, which sets of fittings are connected in parallel to the outlet of said network of valves by means of a sectioning valve specific to each set of fittings.

    L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple et faite en se référant aux dessins, sur lesquels:

    • La figure 1 est une vue schématique d'une installation de remplissage de bouteilles avec un mélange de gaz comprimé, avec contrôle par la pression corrigée par la température;
    • La figure 2 est une vue schématique d'une installation de remplissage de bouteilles avec un mélange de gaz comprimé, avec contrôle par la pression corrigée par la température et par la pesée d'une bouteille pilote;
    • La figure 3 est une vue schématique d'une installation de remplissage d'un lot de bouteilles avec un mélange de gaz comprimé, avec contrôle par la pression corrigée par la température et par la pesée de la totalité du lot de bouteilles à conditionner;
    • La figure 4 est une vue schématique d'une installation de remplissage d'un lot de bouteilles avec un mélange de gaz comprimé, avec contrôle par la pression corrigée par la température et par la pesée d'une des bouteilles du lot de bouteilles à conditionner;
    • La figure 5 est une vue schématique d'une installation de remplissage de bouteilles avec un gaz pur, avec contrôle par la pression corrigée par la température de gaz pur;
    • La figure 6 est une vue schématique d'une installation de remplissage de bouteilles avec un gaz pur liquéfié, avec contrôle par la pesée du gaz liquéfié et par la pression corrigée par la température avec rinçage initial des emballages ; et
    • La figure 7 est une vue schématique d'une installation de redosage de bouteilles d'acétylène en solvant et contrôle de la charge d'acétylène des bouteilles après remplissage.
    The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the drawings, in which:
    • Figure 1 is a schematic view of a bottle filling installation with a compressed gas mixture, with pressure control corrected by temperature;
    • FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an installation for filling bottles with a mixture of compressed gas, with control by the pressure corrected by the temperature and by the weighing of a pilot bottle;
    • Figure 3 is a schematic view of an installation for filling a batch of bottles with a mixture of compressed gas, with control by the pressure corrected by temperature and by weighing the entire batch of bottles to be conditioned;
    • FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an installation for filling a batch of bottles with a mixture of compressed gas, with control by the pressure corrected by temperature and by the weighing of one of the bottles in the batch of bottles to be conditioned ;
    • FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an installation for filling bottles with pure gas, with control by the pressure corrected by the temperature of pure gas;
    • FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an installation for filling bottles with pure liquefied gas, with control by weighing the liquefied gas and by the pressure corrected by the temperature with initial rinsing of the packages; and
    • Figure 7 is a schematic view of an installation for redosage of acetylene bottles in solvent and control of the acetylene charge of the bottles after filling.

    L'installation représentée sur la figure 1 comporte, comme toute installation de remplissage selon l'invention, un ensemble 10 de sources de gaz d'alimentation et un réseau 12 de vannes commandées, reliant sélectivement la sortie de chaque source de gaz d'alimentation, à un ensemble 14 de raccords constituant des points de connexion pour des bouteilles de conditionnement. Elle comporte en outre une unité 16 de pilotage du réseau de vannes 12.The installation shown in Figure 1 includes, like any installation filling according to the invention, a set 10 of sources of supply gas and a network 12 of controlled valves, selectively connecting the outlet of each supply gas source, to a set 14 of fittings constituting connection points for packaging bottles. It also includes a unit 16 for controlling the network of valves 12.

    Dans l'exemple représenté, un stockage d'oxygène 18 et un stockage d'azote 20 sont prévus à l'entrée du réseau de vannes 12. Ces sources de gaz sont reliées à une conduite principale d'alimentation 22 au travers de vannes commandées 24 et 26.In the example shown, an oxygen storage 18 and a storage of nitrogen 20 are provided at the inlet of the valve network 12. These sources of gases are connected to a main supply line 22 through controlled valves 24 and 26.

    La conduite principale d'alimentation 22 est reliée à une sortie 28 de mise à l'air par l'intermédiaire d'une vanne commandée 30.The main supply line 22 is connected to an outlet 28 of venting via a controlled valve 30.

    Enfin, une pompe à vide 32 est connectée sur la conduite principale d'alimentation 22 par l'intermédiaire d'une vanne commandée 34.Finally, a vacuum pump 32 is connected to the main line supply 22 via a controlled valve 34.

    Les vannes 24, 26, 30, 34 permettant la connexion sélective de la conduite principale d'alimentation 22 à une source de gaz, à la sortie de mise à l'air 28 ou à la pompe à vide 32, sont commandées depuis l'unité de pilotage 16. The valves 24, 26, 30, 34 allowing the selective connection of the main supply line 22 to a gas source, at the outlet of vent 28 or vacuum pump 32, are controlled from the piloting 16.

    Un capteur de pression d'alimentation 36 est monté sur la conduite principale d'alimentation 22. Ce capteur de pression est relié à l'unité de pilotage 16.A supply pressure sensor 36 is mounted on the pipe main supply 22. This pressure sensor is connected to the control unit 16.

    La conduite principale d'alimentation 22 est reliée à une conduite principale de distribution 28 par l'intermédiaire d'une vanne de sectionnement 40 et d'une vanne de régulation 42. Ces deux vannes 40, 42 sont montées en parallèle et sont commandées depuis l'unité de pilotage 16. Elles assurent le réglage du débit de remplissage des bouteillesThe main supply line 22 is connected to a line main distribution 28 via a shut-off valve 40 and a control valve 42. These two valves 40, 42 are mounted in parallel and are controlled from the control unit 16. They regulate the filling rate of the bottles

    Sur la conduite de distribution 38 sont prévus trois capteurs de pression 44A, 44B, 44C ayant respectivement des plages de mesure de 300 bars, 40 bars et 5 bars. Ces capteurs de pression sont reliés à l'unité de pilotage 16 afin de communiquer à celle-ci la pression dans la conduite de distribution 38.On the distribution line 38 are provided three pressure sensors 44A, 44B, 44C having measuring ranges of 300 respectively bars, 40 bars and 5 bars. These pressure sensors are connected to the control unit 16 in order to communicate to the latter the pressure in the distribution 38.

    L'ensemble de points 14 de connexion des bouteilles sont répartis suivant trois rampes 46, 48, 50. Chaque rampe comporte en général seize points de connexion, chacun adapté pour la liaison d'une bouteille de 50 litres.The set of points 14 for connecting the bottles are distributed along three ramps 46, 48, 50. Each ramp generally has sixteen connection points, each suitable for connecting a 50-liter bottle.

    Les rampes 46, 48, 50 sont reliées en parallèle à la conduite de distribution 38 par l'intermédiaire d'une vanne de sectionnement commandée 52, 54, 56 propre à chaque rampe. Ces vannes sont reliées pour leur commande à l'unité de pilotage 16.The ramps 46, 48, 50 are connected in parallel to the distribution pipe 38 via a controlled sectioning valve 52, 54, 56 specific to each ramp. These valves are connected for their control to the control unit 16.

    Enfin, une sonde infrarouge 58, de mesure de la température est prévue au voisinage de la rampe 50. La sonde 58 est reliée à l'unité de pilotage 16. Elle est adaptée pour être appliquée sur une bouteille et pour mesurer la température de remplissage de cette bouteille.Finally, an infrared probe 58, for measuring the temperature is provided. in the vicinity of the ramp 50. The probe 58 is connected to the control unit 16. It is suitable to be applied to a bottle and to measure the filling temperature of this bottle.

    La température mesurée par la sonde 58 permet à l'unité de pilotage 16 de corriger les pressions cibles en fonction de la température, afin d'assurer un remplissage des bouteilles à une pression souhaitée dans des conditions de température normalisées.The temperature measured by the probe 58 allows the control unit 16 to correct the target pressures as a function of the temperature, in order to to fill the bottles to a desired pressure in standard temperature conditions.

    Selon l'invention, l'unité de pilotage 16 comporte des moyens 60 d'entrée d'une recette pour le remplissage d'un lot de seize bouteilles avec un mélange de gaz dont la nature est conforme à une spécification donnée. According to the invention, the control unit 16 comprises means 60 input of a recipe for filling a batch of sixteen bottles with a mixture of gases whose nature conforms to a given specification.

    Chaque recette est constituée d'une séquence de procédures successives. Chaque procédure décrit une tâche élémentaire pouvant être mise en oeuvre par l'ensemble de vannes sous la commande de l'unité de pilotage 16.Each recipe consists of a sequence of successive procedures. Each procedure describes a basic task that can be put implemented by the valve assembly under the control of the control unit 16.

    Chaque procédure est caractérisée par la désignation d'une vanne, et des informations relatives au mode de contrôle de l'opération. En particulier, ces informations comportent d'abord le mode d'actionnement de la vanne, la consigne devant être atteinte qui conditionne l'arrêt de l'actionne-ment de la vanne, la tolérance applicable à la consigne en pourcentage et le délai d'attente en secondes entre l'achèvement de l'actionnement d'une vanne et le début de l'actionnement de la vanne suivante.Each procedure is characterized by the designation of a valve, and information relating to the mode of control of the operation. In particular, this information first includes the actuation mode of the valve, the instruction to be reached which conditions the stopping of the actuation of the valve, the tolerance applicable to the percentage setpoint and the delay wait in seconds between completion of valve actuation and the start of actuation of the next valve.

    Suivant un premier mode de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, les recettes sont établies manuellement en retranscrivant avec le formalisme défini ci-dessus, les étapes élémentaires successives mises en oeuvre par un opérateur.According to a first embodiment of the invention, the recipes are established manually by transcribing with the defined formalism above, the successive elementary steps implemented by an operator.

    En variante, les recettes sont établies par des moyens de traitement d'informations recevant en entrée les caractéristiques souhaitées pour le gaz remplissant les bouteilles.Alternatively, the recipes are established by processing means of information receiving as input the desired characteristics for the gas filling the bottles.

    A partir d'un algorithme adapté, tenant compte des lois thermodynamiques des gaz considérés, les moyens de traitement d'informations déterminent la séquence de procédures constituant la recette.From an adapted algorithm, taking into account thermodynamic laws of the gases considered, the information processing means determine the sequence of procedures making up the recipe.

    Cette recette est stockée sur un support permettant sa mise en oeuvre ultérieure par une installation selon l'invention.This recipe is stored on a support allowing its implementation subsequent by an installation according to the invention.

    L'unité de pilotage 16 est par exemple constituée d'un ordinateur industriel ou d'un automate programmable mettant en oeuvre un programme adapté.The control unit 16 is for example made up of an industrial computer or a programmable controller implementing a program adapted.

    Les moyens 60 d'entrée d'une recette comportent par exemple un lecteur de codes-barres. Dans ce cas, les recettes sont présentées sur un support matériel, tel qu'une feuille de papier sous la forme d'une succession de codes-barres. Chaque code-barre correspond avantageusement à une procédure de la recette. The means 60 for entering a recipe include for example a barcode reader. In this case, the recipes are presented on a material support, such as a sheet of paper in the form of a succession of barcodes. Each barcode advantageously corresponds to a recipe procedure.

    En variante, les recettes sont stockées sur des supports magnétiques, tels que des disquettes. Les moyens d'entrée 60 comportent alors un lecteur adapté au support magnétique.Alternatively, the recipes are stored on magnetic media, such as floppy disks. The input means 60 then comprise a reader suitable for magnetic media.

    Suivant encore une autre variante, les moyens d'entrée 60 comportent une connexion à un réseau local de transfert de données, permettant l'envoi de recettes depuis un poste distant vers l'unité de pilotage 16.According to yet another variant, the input means 60 comprise a connection to a local data transfer network, allowing sending recipes from a remote station to the control unit 16.

    Afin d'assurer le pilotage du réseau de vannes 12, l'unité de pilotage 16 comporte des moyens 62 de traitement des procédures successives constituant la recette entrée. Ceux-ci sont adaptés pour commander le réseau de vannes 12 pour la mise en oeuvre séquentielle des tâches élémentaires décrites dans la séquence de procédures constituant la recette. Chacune des vannes commandées est reliée aux moyens de traitement 62.In order to ensure the control of the valve network 12, the control unit 16 includes means 62 for processing successive procedures constituting the recipe entered. These are suitable for controlling the network of valves 12 for the sequential implementation of the elementary tasks described in the sequence of procedures constituting the recipe. Each controlled valves is connected to the processing means 62.

    Les moyens 62 de traitement des procédures comportent une temporisation adaptée pour différer, d'un délai d'attente déterminé, la mise en oeuvre de la tâche élémentaire suivante, après la fin de l'actionnement de la vanne désignée dans la procédure en cours.The means 62 for processing the procedures include a time delay adapted to postpone, by a specified waiting period, the implementation of the following elementary task, after the end of the actuation of the valve designated in the current procedure.

    L'unité de pilotage 16 comporte en outre des moyens 64 de recueil des mesures effectuées par les différents capteurs de l'installation. Ces moyens de recueil sont reliés aux moyens 62 de traitement des procédures successives afin que ces derniers mettent un terme à l'actionnement d'une vanne sélectionnée lorsque la mesure effectuée par un capteur atteint une valeur de consigne.The control unit 16 further comprises means 64 for collecting measurements made by the various sensors of the installation. These collection means are connected to means 62 for processing procedures successive so that the latter put an end to the actuation of a valve selected when the measurement made by a sensor reaches a setpoint.

    Le tableau 1 décrit à titre d'exemple la recette pour le remplissage de seize bouteilles d'un volume de 50 litres avec de l'oxygène médical sous une pression de 201 bars absolus à 15°C avec ± 15 %.

    Figure 00080001
    Figure 00090001
    Table 1 describes by way of example the recipe for filling sixteen bottles with a volume of 50 liters with medical oxygen under a pressure of 201 bars absolute at 15 ° C with ± 15%.
    Figure 00080001
    Figure 00090001

    La recette présentée ici comporte six procédures décrites chacune par une ligne du tableau.The recipe presented here includes six procedures, each described by a line in the table.

    En considérant la recette décrite sur le tableau de la figure 1, afin d'obtenir un remplissage des bouteilles, la première procédure mise en oeuvre consiste à effectuer une mise à l'air des bouteilles par ouverture de la vanne de mise à l'air 30, afin d'assurer une descente de la pression jusqu'à une pression de 1,5 bar absolu ± 20 %. Une fois cette pression atteinte, la vanne de mise à l'air 30 est fermée. Après un délai d'attente d'une seconde, la vanne de mise sous vide 34 est ouverte pour assurer une descente de la pression jusqu'à une consigne de 0,20 bar absolu ± 20 %. Après que cette pression a été atteinte et après expiration d'un délai d'attente d'une seconde, la vanne d'arrivée d'oxygène 24 est ouverte pour assurer une montée en pression des bouteilles jusqu'à une pression de 5 bars absolus ± 20 %.Considering the recipe described in the table in Figure 1, to to obtain a filling of the bottles, the first procedure implemented consists in venting the bottles by opening the vent valve 30, in order to ensure a pressure drop down to a pressure of 1.5 bar absolute ± 20%. Once this pressure is reached, the vent valve 30 is closed. After a waiting time of one second, the vacuum valve 34 is open to ensure a descent of the pressure up to a setpoint of 0.20 bar absolute ± 20%. After this pressure has been reached and after a waiting period of one second has expired, the oxygen inlet valve 24 is open to ensure a rise in cylinder pressure up to a pressure of 5 bar absolute ± 20%.

    Quatre secondes après que cette pression a été atteinte, la vanne de mise à l'air 30 est ouverte jusqu'à ce que la pression dans la conduite de distribution 38 atteigne une valeur de pression de consigne égale à 1,5 bar absolu ± 20 %.Four seconds after this pressure has been reached, the valve vent 30 is open until the pressure in the line distribution 38 reaches a set pressure value equal to 1.5 bar absolute ± 20%.

    Après une seconde, la conduite de distribution 38 est mise sous vide par ouverture de la vanne de mise au vide 34 jusqu'à ce que la pression descende jusqu'à une pression de consigne de 0,2 bar absolu ± 20 %.After a second, the distribution line 38 is put under vacuum by opening the vacuum valve 34 until the pressure down to a set pressure of 0.2 bar absolute ± 20%.

    La vanne d'arrivée d'oxygène 24 est ensuite à nouveau ouverte jusqu'à ce que la pression dans la conduite de distribution 38 et donc dans les bouteilles atteigne 201 bars absolus ± 5 %.The oxygen supply valve 24 is then opened again until what the pressure in the distribution line 38 and therefore in the bottles reaches 201 bars absolute ± 5%.

    Les bouteilles ainsi remplies sont ensuite fermées et l'installation est purgée.The bottles thus filled are then closed and the installation is purged.

    La présence de trois rampes de remplissage 46, 48, 50 permet un travail en temps masqué. En effet, chaque rampe est reliée en parallèle à la sortie du réseau de vannes 12 à travers une vanne propre 52, 54, 56. Ainsi, pendant qu'un lot de seize bouteilles est rempli sur l'une des rampes, un autre lot à remplir est installé sur une deuxième rampe, alors qu'un troisième lot de bouteilles, précédemment remplies, est détaché de la troisième rampe. Lors du remplissage depuis une rampe donnée, la vanne de sectionnement associée à cette rampe est ouverte, alors que les vannes des autres rampes sont maintenues fermées, ce qui permet l'intervention sur les bouteilles.The presence of three filling ramps 46, 48, 50 allows a hidden time work. Indeed, each ramp is connected in parallel to the outlet of the valve network 12 through a clean valve 52, 54, 56. Thus, while a batch of sixteen bottles is filled on one of the ramps, a another batch to be filled is installed on a second ramp, while a third lot of bottles, previously filled, is detached from the third ramp. When filling from a given ramp, the shut-off valve associated with this ramp is open, while the valves of the other ramps are kept closed, allowing intervention on the bottles.

    Ainsi, l'installation peut assurer le remplissage de bouteilles quasiment en continu.The installation can therefore fill bottles almost continuously.

    La vanne de sectionnement 40 montée en parallèle avec la vanne de régulation 42 permet d'assurer une dérivation du flux gazeux lorsque le flux gazeux est maximal, la vanne de régulation étant alors inopérante. Au contraire, pour de faibles flux, devant être régulés avec précision, la vanne de dérivation 40 est fermée et l'essentiel du flux traverse la vanne de régulation 42.The shut-off valve 40 mounted in parallel with the shut-off valve regulation 42 ensures a bypass of the gas flow when the flow gas is maximum, the control valve then being inoperative. On the contrary, for small flows, which must be precisely regulated, the bypass 40 is closed and most of the flow passes through the control valve 42.

    Dans les autres installations de remplissage représentées aux figures suivantes, les éléments analogues ou identiques à ceux de la figure 1 sont désignés par les mêmes numéros de référence. Seuls les éléments distinguant les installations de celle de la figure 1 sont décrits en détail.In the other filling installations shown in the figures following, elements similar or identical to those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numbers. Only the elements distinguishing the installations of that of FIG. 1 are described in detail.

    L'installation de remplissage de la figure 2 est destinée au conditionnement de mélanges de gaz comprimés en fonction de la pression corrigée par la température et de la pesée d'une bouteille pilote.The filling installation of figure 2 is intended for packaging mixtures of compressed gases as a function of the corrected pressure by the temperature and the weighing of a pilot bottle.

    A cet effet, il est prévu, sur la conduite de distribution 38, une dérivation 70 à laquelle est reliée une bouteille pilote 72. Cette bouteille est connectée à l'extrémité d'un flexible 74. La dérivation 70 comporte une vanne de régulation 76 et une vanne de sectionnement 78 montée en dérivation. Ces vannes 76 et 78 sont commandées par l'unité de pilotage 16.To this end, a bypass is provided on the distribution pipe 38. 70 to which a pilot bottle 72 is connected. This bottle is connected at the end of a hose 74. The branch 70 includes a valve 76 and a block valve 78 mounted in bypass. These valves 76 and 78 are controlled by the control unit 16.

    En outre, une balance 80 est prévue pour assurer en continu le pesage de la bouteille pilote 72. La balance 80 est reliée à l'unité de pilotage 16.In addition, a scale 80 is provided to ensure continuous weighing of the pilot bottle 72. The balance 80 is connected to the control unit 16.

    La sonde de température 58 est déportée au voisinage immédiat de la bouteille pilote 72, afin de déterminer la température du gaz contenu dans celle-ci.The temperature probe 58 is deported in the immediate vicinity of the pilot bottle 72, in order to determine the temperature of the gas contained in this one.

    Le tableau 2 décrit, à titre d'exemple, la recette pour le remplissage de seize bouteilles d'un volume de 50 litres avec un mélange d'air médical constitué à 20 % d'oxygène et à 80 % d'azote avec un écart de 5 % sous une pression de 201 bars absolus.

    Figure 00110001
    Table 2 describes, by way of example, the recipe for filling sixteen bottles with a volume of 50 liters with a mixture of medical air consisting of 20% oxygen and 80% nitrogen with a difference 5% at a pressure of 201 bar absolute.
    Figure 00110001

    La recette présentée ici comporte sept procédures décrites chacune par une ligne du tableau.The recipe presented here includes seven procedures, each described by a line in the table.

    En considérant la recette décrite sur le tableau 2, afin d'obtenir un remplissage des bouteilles avec un pourcentage de 20 % d'oxygène et 80 % d'azote, la première procédure mise en oeuvre consiste à effectuer une mise à l'air des bouteilles par ouverture de la vanne de mise à l'air 30 afin d'assurer une descente de la pression jusqu'à une pression de 1,5 bar absolu ± 20 %. Une fois cette pression atteinte, la vanne de mise à l'air 30 est fermée. Après un délai d'attente d'une seconde, la vanne de mise sous vide 34 est ouverte pour assurer une descente de la pression jusqu'à une consigne de 0,20 bar absolu ± 20 %. Après que cette pression a été atteinte et après expiration d'un délai d'attente d'une seconde, la vanne d'arrivée d'azote 26 est ouverte pour assurer une montée en pression des bouteilles jusqu'à une pression de 5 bars absolus ± 20 %.Considering the recipe described in Table 2, in order to obtain a filling of bottles with 20% oxygen and 80% of nitrogen, the first procedure implemented consists in carrying out a air from the bottles by opening the vent valve 30 so ensure a drop in pressure to a pressure of 1.5 bar absolute ± 20%. Once this pressure is reached, the vent valve 30 is closed. After a waiting period of one second, the vacuum valve 34 is open to ensure pressure drop to a set point from 0.20 bar absolute ± 20%. After this pressure has been reached and after a waiting period of one second has expired, the inlet valve of nitrogen 26 is opened to ensure a pressure rise in the bottles up to a pressure of 5 bar absolute ± 20%.

    Neuf secondes après que cette pression a été atteinte, la vanne de mise à l'air 30 est ouverte jusqu'à ce que la pression dans la conduite de distribution 38 atteigne une valeur de pression de consigne égale à 1,5 bar absolu ± 20 %.Nine seconds after this pressure has been reached, the valve vent 30 is open until the pressure in the line distribution 38 reaches a set pressure value equal to 1.5 bar absolute ± 20%.

    Après une seconde, la conduite de distribution 38 est mise sous vide par ouverture de la vanne de mise au vide 34 jusqu'à ce que la pression descende à une pression de consigne de 0,2 bar absolu ± 20 %. After a second, the distribution line 38 is put under vacuum by opening the vacuum valve 34 until the pressure drops to a set pressure of 0.2 bar absolute ± 20%.

    La vanne d'arrivée d'oxygène 24 est ensuite ouverte jusqu'à ce que la masse de la bouteille pilote 72, déterminée par la balance 80, atteigne 2,633 kg ± 5 %. Quatre secondes après la fermeture de la vanne 24, la vanne 26 d'arrivée d'azote est ouverte jusqu'à ce que la masse de l'une des bouteilles atteigne 9,294 kg ± 5 %.The oxygen supply valve 24 is then opened until the mass of the pilot bottle 72, determined by the scale 80, reaches 2.633 kg ± 5%. Four seconds after closing valve 24, valve 26 nitrogen inlet is open until the mass of one of the bottles reaches 9.294 kg ± 5%.

    Les bouteilles ainsi remplies sont ensuite fermées et l'installation est purgée.The bottles thus filled are then closed and the installation is purged.

    L'installation de remplissage de la figure 3 est destinée au conditionnement de mélanges de gaz comprimés en fonction de la pression corrigée par la température et de la pesée de la totalité du lot de bouteilles à conditionner.The filling installation of Figure 3 is intended for packaging mixtures of compressed gases as a function of the corrected pressure by the temperature and the weighing of the entire batch of bottles to be packaged.

    A cet effet, l'installation comporte une unique rampe de conditionnement 100 à laquelle est connectée la totalité des seize bouteilles 102 d'un lot à remplir. La rampe de conditionnement 100 est reliée par un flexible 104 à la conduite d'alimentation principale 22. En sorte du flexible 104, sont prévues une vanne de régulation 106 montée en parallèle avec une vanne de sectionnement 108. Les vannes 106 et 108 sont reliées pour leur commande à l'unité de pilotage 16.To this end, the installation includes a single conditioning ramp 100 to which all sixteen bottles 102 of a batch are connected fill. The conditioning ramp 100 is connected by a hose 104 to the main supply line 22. As a result of the flexible 104, are provided a control valve 106 mounted in parallel with a control valve sectioning 108. The valves 106 and 108 are connected for their control to the control unit 16.

    Les capteurs de pression 44A, 44B, 44C sont montés directement sur la rampe de conditionnement 100.The pressure sensors 44A, 44B, 44C are mounted directly on the conditioning ramp 100.

    Une balance 110, adaptée pour effectuer en continu la pesée de l'ensemble des bouteilles 102 du lot à conditionner est reliée à l'unité de pilotage 16. La sonde de température 58 est déportée au voisinage immédiat du lot de bouteilles 102.A balance 110, suitable for continuously weighing all the bottles 102 of the batch to be packaged are connected to the piloting 16. The temperature probe 58 is deported to the immediate vicinity of the batch of bottles 102.

    La présence du flexible 104 permet que le résultat de la pesée effectuée par la balance 110 ne soit pas influencé par la rigidité de la rampe de conditionnement 100, puisque cette dernière est flottante et n'est supportée que par les seules bouteilles 102.The presence of hose 104 allows the result of the weighing carried out by the scale 110 is not influenced by the rigidity of the ramp packaging 100, since the latter is floating and is not supported only by the bottles 102 alone.

    On conçoit qu'une telle installation permet le remplissage du lot de bouteilles 102 à partir d'une recette déterminée. Celle-ci comporte notamment des procédures prévoyant l'ouverture des vannes 26 à 30 jusqu'à ce que des consignes de pression ou de masse portant sur l'ensemble des bouteilles soient atteintes. It is understood that such an installation allows the filling of the batch of 102 bottles from a specific recipe. This notably includes procedures for opening valves 26 to 30 until that pressure or mass instructions relating to all of the bottles are reached.

    Sur la figure 4, est représentée une installation de remplissage pour le conditionnement de mélange de gaz comprimé régulé en fonction de la pression corrigée par la température et par pesée d'une des bouteilles du lot à conditionner.FIG. 4 shows a filling installation for the compressed gas mixture conditioning regulated according to the pressure corrected by temperature and by weighing one of the bottles in the batch to condition.

    A cet effet, l'installation de la figure 4 est sensiblement analogue à celle de la figure 1. Elle comporte en outre une balance 120 adaptée pour peser l'une, notée 122, des bouteilles reliées à la rampe de remplissage 50. La balance 120 est reliée à l'unité de pilotage 16. La sonde de température 58 est appliquée sur la bouteille 122.To this end, the installation of FIG. 4 is substantially similar to that of FIG. 1. It further comprises a balance 120 adapted for weigh one, denoted 122, of the bottles connected to the filling ramp 50. The balance 120 is connected to the control unit 16. The temperature probe 58 is applied to the bottle 122.

    L'installation de la figure 5 est destinée au conditionnement d'un gaz unique avec régulation par pression corrigée par la température du gaz.The installation of FIG. 5 is intended for the conditioning of a gas unique with pressure regulation corrected by gas temperature.

    A cet effet, l'installation est sensiblement analogue à celle de la figure 1. Toutefois, les vannes de dérivation 40 et de régulation 42 sont supprimées. En revanche, les vannes 24 et 26, prévues en sortie des sources de gaz 18 et 20, sont remplacées par des vannes proportionnelles 130, 132, commandées par l'unité de pilotage 16. En outre, en amont des vannes proportionnelles 130, 132, sont prévus des capteurs de pression 134,136 reliés à l'unité de pilotage 16 afin de communiquer les pressions des gaz d'alimentation.For this purpose, the installation is substantially similar to that of the figure 1. However, the bypass 40 and regulation 42 valves are eliminated. On the other hand, the valves 24 and 26, provided at the outlet of the sources of gases 18 and 20, are replaced by proportional valves 130, 132, controlled by the control unit 16. In addition, upstream of the proportional valves 130, 132, there are pressure sensors 134,136 connected to the control unit 16 in order to communicate the gas pressures feed.

    Dans ce mode de réalisation, le débit des gaz d'alimentation est régulé non pas entre la conduite principale d'alimentation 22 et la conduite de distribution 38, mais directement en sortie des sources de gaz 18 et 20 par l'intermédiaire des vannes proportionnelles 130, 132.In this embodiment, the flow rate of the supply gases is regulated not between the main supply line 22 and the supply line distribution 38, but directly at the outlet of gas sources 18 and 20 by through proportional valves 130, 132.

    Les installations des figures 4 et 5 fonctionnent par mise en oeuvre d'une recette constituée de procédures définissant la séquence d'ouvertures et de fermetures des vannes en fonction de la comparaison des mesures recueillies par les capteurs avec les consignes définies dans les procédures.The installations of FIGS. 4 and 5 operate by implementation a recipe made up of procedures defining the opening sequence and valve closures based on comparison of measurements collected by the sensors with the instructions defined in the procedures.

    L'installation de la figure 6 est destinée au conditionnement de gaz liquéfié régulé par la pesée du gaz liquéfié, avec rinçage des bouteilles. Les opérations de rinçage se font en pression corrigée par la température.The installation of Figure 6 is intended for gas conditioning liquefied regulated by weighing the liquefied gas, with rinsing of the bottles. The rinsing operations are carried out under pressure corrected by temperature.

    Ainsi, une phase de conditionnement d'un gaz comporte une étape initiale de rinçage de la bouteille suivie d'une étape de remplissage proprement dite. Thus, a phase of conditioning a gas includes a step initial rinsing of the bottle followed by a proper filling step said.

    Dans ces conditions, la recette définit une première étape de rinçage puis une seconde étape de remplissage, les étapes de rinçage et de remplissage étant chacune constituées d'une séquence de procédures.Under these conditions, the recipe defines a first rinsing step then a second filling step, the rinsing and filling steps each consisting of a sequence of procedures.

    L'installation de la figure 6 comporte trois postes de remplissage 200A, 200B, 200C identiques et montés en parallèle.The installation of Figure 6 has three filling stations 200A, 200B, 200C identical and mounted in parallel.

    Chaque poste de remplissage comporte un propre réseau de vannes noté 202A, 202B, 202C. Les vannes de chaque réseau ont leur sortie reliée à une conduite 204A, 204B, 204C destinée à la connexion d'une bouteille à remplir. Ces conduites sont chacune munies d'un capteur de pression 206A, 2066, 206C reliée à l'unité de pilotage 16.Each filling station has its own network of valves noted 202A, 202B, 202C. The valves of each network have their output connected to a line 204A, 204B, 204C intended for the connection of a cylinder to fill. These lines are each provided with a pressure sensor 206A, 2066, 206C connected to the control unit 16.

    Chaque réseau de vannes 202A, 202B, 202C comporte une vanne 210 de mise au vide assurant la liaison sélective des bouteilles avec une pompe à vide commune 212. De même, chaque réseau de vannes comporte une vanne 214 commandant une sortie de mise à l'air 216.Each valve network 202A, 202B, 202C includes a valve 210 vacuum system ensuring the selective connection of the bottles with a common vacuum pump 212. Likewise, each valve network includes a valve 214 controlling a venting outlet 216.

    Une vanne 218 de commande du gaz d'alimentation est prévue dans chaque réseau de vannes. En amont des vannes de gaz d'alimentation 218 est montée une vanne de régulation commune 220 disposée à la sortie d'une source 222 de gaz de remplissage, tel que du CO2 liquide. Un capteur de pression 224, relié à l'unité de pilotage 16, est prévu en sortie de la source de gaz de remplissage 222.A valve 218 for controlling the supply gas is provided in each valve network. Upstream of the supply gas valves 218 is mounted a common control valve 220 disposed at the outlet of a source 222 of filling gas, such as liquid CO 2 . A pressure sensor 224, connected to the control unit 16, is provided at the outlet from the filling gas source 222.

    De manière analogue, chaque réseau de vannes comporte une vanne 226 de rinçage commandant la liaison de chaque bouteille avec une source commune de gaz de rinçage 228.Similarly, each valve network includes a valve 226 rinse ordering the connection of each bottle with a source flushing gas common 228.

    Enfin, chaque réseau de vannes comporte une vanne d'analyse 230 assurant la liaison sélective de la bouteille avec un analyseur d'humidité commun 232, ce dernier étant relié à l'unité de pilotage 16.Finally, each valve network includes an analysis valve 230 ensuring the selective connection of the bottle with a humidity analyzer common 232, the latter being connected to the control unit 16.

    Des balances 234A, 234B, 234C sont prévues à chaque poste de remplissage pour assurer en continu la pesée des bouteilles.Balances 234A, 234B, 234C are provided at each station filling to continuously weigh the bottles.

    Dans cette installation, les étapes de rinçage initial et de remplissage sont effectuées sous la commande de l'unité de pilotage en mettant en oeuvre pour chaque étape une succession de tâches élémentaires définies chacune par une procédure. In this installation, the initial rinsing and filling steps are carried out under the control of the piloting unit by implementing for each stage a succession of elementary tasks each defined by a procedure.

    Sur la figure 7 est représentée une installation de redosage en solvant d'une bouteille d'acétylène et de contrôle de la charge de celle bouteille après remplissage.In Figure 7 is shown a solvent redosing installation of an acetylene bottle and control of the charge of that bottle after filling.

    Elle comporte une source de solvant 300 tel que de l'acétone alimentant, au travers d'une vanne proportionnelle 302, une conduite de distribution 304. Un capteur de pression 305 est prévu en aval de la source de solvant 300.It comprises a source of solvent 300 such as acetone supplying, through a proportional valve 302, a distribution line 304. A pressure sensor 305 is provided downstream of the source of solvent 300.

    La conduite de distribution 304 comporte deux branches alimentant chacune une bouteille à remplir, au travers d'une vanne d'arrêt 306, 308. Pour chaque bouteille, un capteur de pression 310, 312 est monté en sortie de la vanne d'arrêt correspondante.Distribution line 304 has two branches supplying each a bottle to be filled, through a stop valve 306, 308. For each bottle, a pressure sensor 310, 312 is mounted at the outlet the corresponding stop valve.

    En outre, une balance 314, 316 est prévue pour le pesage de chaque bouteille, lors de sa charge. Les vannes 302, 306, 308 sont commandées par l'unité de pilotage 16 et les capteurs 308, 310, 312 et les balances 314, 316 sont reliées à cette même unité de pilotage.In addition, a balance 314, 316 is provided for weighing each bottle when loaded. Valves 302, 306, 308 are controlled by the control unit 16 and the sensors 308, 310, 312 and the scales 314, 316 are connected to this same control unit.

    Deux bouteilles témoins 320 sont munies de sondes de température 322. L'une est placée à l'intérieur d'un local alors que l'autre est disposée à l'extérieur du local. En fonction des bouteilles à redoser, et notamment de leur lieu de stockage antérieur, à savoir à l'intérieur d'un local ou à l'extérieur, l'une ou l'autre des bouteilles témoin 320 est utilisée comme référence de température lors du redosage.Two control bottles 320 are fitted with temperature sensors 322. One is placed inside a room while the other is arranged outside the room. Depending on the bottles to be redosed, and in particular their previous place of storage, namely inside a room or outside, one or other of the control bottles 320 is used as a reference temperature during redosage.

    On conçoit qu'avec une installation selon l'invention, le recours à des recettes constituées de procédures élémentaires permet d'améliorer la reproductibilité des séquences de remplissage quelle que soit l'installation sur laquelle le remplissage est effectué. De plus, la structure de l'unité de pilotage est relativement simple puisqu'elle n'a pas à élaborer la séquence de remplissage mais seulement à exécuter celle-ci.It is understood that with an installation according to the invention, the use of recipes made up of basic procedures improves reproducibility filling sequences whatever the installation on which filling is carried out. In addition, the structure of the steering unit is relatively simple since it does not have to develop the sequence of filling but only to execute it.

    Claims (8)

    Installation de remplissage d'au moins un volume de conditionnement avec du gaz dont la nature est conforme à une spécification donnée, comportant : un ensemble de sources de gaz d'alimentation (18, 20 ; 222, 228 ; 300) ; au moins un raccord (14) de liaison du ou de chaque volume de conditionnement ; un réseau (12 ; 202A, 202B, 202C) de vannes commandées, reliant sélectivement la sortie de chaque source de gaz d'alimentation au ou à chaque raccord (14) ; et une unité (16) de pilotage du réseau de vannes adaptée pour commander l'état des vannes pour le remplissage du ou de chaque volume de conditionnement avec un gaz conforme à la spécification donnée ; caractérisée en ce que : ladite unité de pilotage (16) comporte des moyens (60) d'entrée d'une recette constituée d'une séquence de procédures, chaque procédure décrivant une tâche élémentaire pouvant être mise en oeuvre par le réseau de vannes sous la commande de l'unité de pilotage (16),
    et en ce que ladite unité de pilotage (16) comporte des moyens (62) de traitement des procédures successives constituant la recette, lesquels moyens (62) sont adaptés pour commander le réseau de vannes (12) pour la mise en oeuvre séquentielle des tâches élémentaires décrites successivement dans la séquence de procédures constituant la recette.         Installation for filling at least one packaging volume with gas, the nature of which conforms to a given specification, comprising: a set of supply gas sources (18, 20; 222, 228; 300); at least one connector (14) for connecting the or each packaging volume; a network (12; 202A, 202B, 202C) of controlled valves, selectively connecting the outlet of each source of supply gas to or at each fitting (14); and a valve network control unit (16) adapted to control the state of the valves for filling the or each packaging volume with a gas conforming to the given specification; characterized in that: said control unit (16) comprises means (60) for entering a recipe consisting of a sequence of procedures, each procedure describing an elementary task that can be implemented by the network of valves under the control of the control unit (16),
    and in that said control unit (16) comprises means (62) for processing the successive procedures constituting the recipe, which means (62) are suitable for controlling the network of valves (12) for the sequential implementation of the tasks elements described successively in the sequence of procedures constituting the recipe.     Installation selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que chaque procédure comporte la désignation d'une unique vanne devant être commandée dans le réseau (12) de vannes, lors de la mise en oeuvre de la tâche élémentaire correspondante, et des informations relatives au mode d'actionnement de la vanne.Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that each procedure involves the designation of a single valve to be controlled in the valve network (12), during the implementation of the corresponding elementary task, and information relating to the mode valve actuation. Installation selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que les informations relatives au mode d'actionnement de chaque vanne comportent une valeur de consigne, en ce que l'installation comporte un ensemble de capteurs (36, 44A, 44B, 44C, 58 ; 80 ; 110 ; 120 ; 134, 136 ; 206A, 206B, 206C , 224, 234A, 234B , 234C ; 305, 310, 312, 314, 316) adaptés pour effectuer des mesures sur l'état de remplissage du ou de chaque volume de conditionnement, et en ce que les moyens de traitement (62) sont adaptés pour mettre un terme à l'actionnement de la vanne lorsque la mesure effectuée atteint la valeur de consigne correspondante.Installation according to claim 2, characterized in that the information relating to the actuation mode of each valve includes a set value, in that the installation comprises a set of sensors (36, 44A, 44B, 44C, 58; 80; 110; 120; 134, 136; 206A, 206B, 206C, 224, 234A, 234B, 234C; 305, 310, 312, 314, 316) suitable for perform measurements on the filling status of or each volume of packaging, and in that the processing means (62) are suitable to stop actuation of the valve when the measurement is made reaches the corresponding setpoint. Installation selon la revendication 3, caractérisée en ce que l'ensemble de capteurs comporte au moins l'un parmi un capteur (58) de mesure de la température du gaz dans au moins un volume de conditionnement, une balance (80 ; 110 ; 120 ; 234A, 234B, 234C ; 314, 316) de pesée d'au moins un volume de conditionnement, un capteur (44A, 44B, 44C) de pression disposé en amont d'au moins un volume de conditionnement, et un capteur d'humidité (232) disposé en aval d'au moins un volume de conditionnement.Installation according to claim 3, characterized in that the set of sensors comprises at least one of a sensor (58) of measurement of the gas temperature in at least one packaging volume, a weighing scale (80; 110; 120; 234A, 234B, 234C; 314, 316) at least one packaging volume, a sensor (44A, 44B, 44C) of pressure arranged upstream of at least one packaging volume, and a humidity sensor (232) arranged downstream of at least one packaging volume. Installation selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2, 3 ou 4, caractérisée en ce que les informations relatives au mode d'actionnement de la vanne comportent un délai d'attente, et en ce que les moyens de traitement (62) comportent une temporisation adaptée pour différer, dudit délai d'attente, la mise en oeuvre de la tâche élémentaire suivante après la fin de l'actionnement de la vanne désignée dans la procédure en cours.Installation according to any one of claims 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the information relating to the actuation mode of the valve has a waiting time, and in that the processing means (62) include a delay adapted to differ, from said delay waiting, the implementation of the next elementary task after the end of actuation of the valve designated in the current procedure. Installation de remplissage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte une pompe à vide (32) et le réseau de vannes (12) comporte des moyens pour relier sélectivement la pompe à vide (32) au ou à chaque raccord (14) sous la commande de ladite unité de pilotage (16) mettant en oeuvre une tâche élémentaire de mise sous vide décrite dans la séquence de procédures constituant la recette.Filling installation according to any one of the claims previous, characterized in that it includes a vacuum pump (32) and the valve network (12) includes means for selectively connecting the vacuum pump (32) at or at each fitting (14) under the control of said control unit (16) implementing an elementary task vacuum described in the sequence of procedures constituting recipe. Installation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte une sortie de mise à l'air (28) et le réseau de vannes (12) comporte des moyens pour relier sélectivement la sortie de mise à l'air (28) au ou à chaque raccord (14) sous la commande de ladite unité de pilotage (16) mettant en oeuvre une tâche élémentaire de mise à l'air décrite dans la séquence de procédure constituant la recette. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a venting outlet (28) and the valve network (12) includes means for selectively connecting the venting outlet (28) at or at each fitting (14) under the control of said control unit (16) implementing an elementary task of venting described in the procedure sequence constituting the recipe. Installation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte au moins deux ensembles de raccords (46, 48, 50) pour la liaison de volumes de conditionnement, lesquels ensembles de raccords (14) sont reliés en parallèle à la sortie dudit réseau de vannes (12) par l'intermédiaire d'une vanne de sectionnement (52, 54, 56) propre à chaque ensemble de raccords.Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two sets of fittings (46, 48, 50) for linking packaging volumes, which sets of fittings (14) are connected in parallel to the outlet of said network valves (12) via a shut-off valve (52, 54, 56) specific to each set of fittings.
    EP00400532A 1999-05-26 2000-02-28 Gas filling plant for containers Expired - Lifetime EP1055862B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (2)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    FR9906651 1999-05-26
    FR9906651A FR2794216B1 (en) 1999-05-26 1999-05-26 INSTALLATION FOR FILLING A CONDITIONING VOLUME WITH GAS

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP1055862A1 true EP1055862A1 (en) 2000-11-29
    EP1055862B1 EP1055862B1 (en) 2008-10-29

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    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP00400532A Expired - Lifetime EP1055862B1 (en) 1999-05-26 2000-02-28 Gas filling plant for containers

    Country Status (9)

    Country Link
    US (1) US6182713B1 (en)
    EP (1) EP1055862B1 (en)
    JP (1) JP2000337596A (en)
    AT (1) ATE412848T1 (en)
    AU (1) AU780042B2 (en)
    CA (1) CA2290284C (en)
    DE (1) DE60040632D1 (en)
    FR (1) FR2794216B1 (en)
    ZA (1) ZA997294B (en)

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    FR2915801A1 (en) * 2007-05-03 2008-11-07 Taema Sa METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A HOMOGENEOUS BATCH OF FLUID BOTTLES UNDER PRESSURE
    US8047079B2 (en) 2007-05-03 2011-11-01 L'air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Method for controlling an electronic pressure gauge and pressure gauge therefor
    US8359171B2 (en) 2007-05-03 2013-01-22 L'air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Electronic pressure gauge for measuring pressure

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    US6655422B2 (en) 2001-09-26 2003-12-02 Atnl, Inc. Computer controlled apparatus and method of filling cylinders with gas
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    FR2884592B1 (en) * 2005-04-13 2007-08-03 Air Liquide METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE FILLING OF GAS BOTTLES
    US7337794B2 (en) * 2005-10-05 2008-03-04 Medra Arabia Trading Method and apparatus for the delivery of compressed gas in the field
    DE102006016554A1 (en) * 2006-04-07 2007-10-11 L'Air Liquide, S.A. a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude Method for filling at least one compressed gas container with at least one gas, intermediate piece for connecting to an opening of a compressed gas container and compressed gas cylinder fitting
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    Cited By (5)

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    FR2915801A1 (en) * 2007-05-03 2008-11-07 Taema Sa METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A HOMOGENEOUS BATCH OF FLUID BOTTLES UNDER PRESSURE
    WO2008139074A1 (en) * 2007-05-03 2008-11-20 L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude Method for controlling a homogeneous batch of pressurised fluid cylinders
    US8047079B2 (en) 2007-05-03 2011-11-01 L'air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Method for controlling an electronic pressure gauge and pressure gauge therefor
    US8359171B2 (en) 2007-05-03 2013-01-22 L'air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Electronic pressure gauge for measuring pressure
    US9046219B2 (en) 2007-05-03 2015-06-02 L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude Method for controlling a homogeneous batch of pressurized-fluid cylinders

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    FR2794216B1 (en) 2001-08-03
    FR2794216A1 (en) 2000-12-01
    CA2290284A1 (en) 2000-11-26
    US6182713B1 (en) 2001-02-06
    CA2290284C (en) 2007-09-04
    JP2000337596A (en) 2000-12-05
    AU780042B2 (en) 2005-02-24
    ZA997294B (en) 2000-05-29
    DE60040632D1 (en) 2008-12-11
    EP1055862B1 (en) 2008-10-29
    AU6172599A (en) 2000-11-30
    ATE412848T1 (en) 2008-11-15

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