Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
  • F16K11/00—Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valves; Pipe fittings incorporating such valves
  • F16K11/02—Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valves; Pipe fittings incorporating such valves with all movable sealing faces moving as one unit
  • F16K11/06—Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valves; Pipe fittings incorporating such valves with all movable sealing faces moving as one unit comprising only sliding valves, i.e. sliding closure elements
  • F16K11/072—Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valves; Pipe fittings incorporating such valves with all movable sealing faces moving as one unit comprising only sliding valves, i.e. sliding closure elements with pivoted closure members
  • F16K11/074—Multiple-way valves, e.g. mixing valves; Pipe fittings incorporating such valves with all movable sealing faces moving as one unit comprising only sliding valves, i.e. sliding closure elements with pivoted closure members with flat sealing faces
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
  • F16K17/00—Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves
  • F16K17/36—Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves actuated in consequence of extraneous circumstances, e.g. shock, change of position
  • F16K17/38—Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves actuated in consequence of extraneous circumstances, e.g. shock, change of position of excessive temperature
  • F16K17/386—Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves actuated in consequence of extraneous circumstances, e.g. shock, change of position of excessive temperature the closure members being rotatable or pivoting
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
  • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
  • Y02E60/32—Hydrogen storage
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
  • Y10T137/1624—Destructible or deformable element controlled
  • Y10T137/1797—Heat destructible or fusible
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
  • Y10T137/1842—Ambient condition change responsive
  • Y10T137/1939—Atmospheric
  • Y10T137/1963—Temperature
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
  • Y10T137/8593—Systems
  • Y10T137/86493—Multi-way valve unit
  • Y10T137/86501—Sequential distributor or collector type

Definitions

• Gas distribution device and installation comprising such a device.
• the present invention relates to a device and a gas distribution installation.
• the invention relates to a gas distribution device for sequentially relating multiple sources of pressurized gas to a user, the device comprising a housing having a plurality of gas inlets for connection to gas sources. respective and an output intended to be connected to a user member, a selectively movable distribution member relative to the body in different distribution positions allowing the selective communication and in turn of each input with the output while the other inputs are isolated from the exit.
• Industrial applications in particular using hydrogen gas, include a gas distribution system connected to one or more pressure tanks.
• pressurized hydrogen tanks can be connected in parallel to a fuel cell.
• the emptying of the tanks is done sequentially, that is to say one after the other.
• reversing units to preferentially empty one tank relative to the other. These plants are typically composed of two regulators mounted in parallel and set at two different expansion pressures. The tank connected to the line with the regulator set at the highest expansion pressure is then emptied first. These reversing units are adapted to the case of two tanks connected to the application.
• the safety gas shutdown function is provided downstream by a solenoid valve on the common circuit.
• a known system uses a bayonet comprising as many solenoid valves as tanks connected in parallel to the same user output.
• a PLC ensures the opening sequences of the solenoid valves according to the tank to be drained.
• These installations require a large number of valves and fuses as well as a programming logic of the control automaton of the assembly. This architecture is expensive and not very compact and increases the probability of nuisance tripping of the fuses.
• An object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art noted above.
• the device according to the invention is essentially characterized in that the device comprises an emergency evacuation system movable in an active position. wherein all the gas inlets are forced into forced connection simultaneously with a gas exhaust outlet.
• embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features:
• the emergency evacuation system comprises a thermal fuse
• the emergency evacuation system comprises a selectively movable actuator manually or electromechanically
• the actuator is movable in translation and comprises an end protruding outside the casing with a view to its actuation
• the emergency evacuation system is movable from a neutral position to the active position, in the neutral position the emergency evacuation system allowing the selective displacement of the dispensing member in the dispensing positions, in position active, the emergency evacuation system moving the dispenser member in a disengaged position preventing said dispensing positions,
• the dispenser member is constrained by a return member to the disengaged position and that in neutral position the emergency evacuation system forms a removable stop preventing the displacement of the dispensing member to the disengaged position ,
• the dispensing member is rotatable relative to the body, said dispensing positions being defined by respective angular positions of the dispensing member relative to the body and the inputs,
• the dispensing member is movable in translation relative to the body to the disengaged position
• the dispensing member comprises an internal channel having a downstream end in communication with the outlet and an upstream end capable of being placed in communication with one or all the inlets according to the position of the dispensing member relative to the body; - the emergency evacuation system is repositionable in its neutral position after being moved to the active position,
• the emergency evacuation system comprises a thermal fuse comprising a metal eutectic having a determined melting temperature of between 85 ° C. and 120 ° C. and preferably between 105 ° C. and 115 ° C.,
• the housing consists of one or more assembled parts
• the housing comprises an outlet for evacuating any internal leaks
• the device comprises one or more seals ensuring the fluidic sealing of the gas path between the moving parts relative to each other
• the dispenser member is rotatably mounted relative to the housing about an axis mounted on the housing;
• the gas evacuation outlet coincides with the outlet intended to be connected to a user organ of the gas.
• the invention also relates to a gas distribution installation from several pressurized gas sources used sequentially to supply a user, the installation comprising a dispensing device according to any one of the above characteristics or below. said sources being respectively fluidly connected to the gas inlets of the housing, the user being fluidly connected to the outlet of the housing.
• the invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the above or below features.
• FIG. 1 represents a schematic and partial view illustrating the structure of an exemplary gas distribution installation according to the invention
• FIG. 2 represents a schematic and partial rear view of a first example of a gas distribution device according to the invention
• FIG. 3 represents a view in longitudinal section along the line AA of the gas distribution device of FIG. 2,
• FIG. 4 represents a schematic and partial rear view of a second example of a gas distribution device according to the invention
• FIG. 5 represents a view in longitudinal section along the line AA of the gas distribution device of FIG. 4.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a nonlimiting example of an installation comprising four gas sources (E1 to E4) such as pressurized gas tanks (for example hydrogen).
• the four sources E1 to E4 are connected in parallel to a gas distributor device comprising an output S1 connected to a user U of gas (for example a fuel cell).
• the four sources E1 to E4 are fluidly connected to respective inputs 1, 2, 3, 4 of the disassembly device 14.
• the allocation device is operable to supply the user U from the drained sources sequentially.
• the dispensing device 14 has an emergency evacuation system 7, 27 for purging the gas coming from said sources E1 to E4, the emergency evacuation system 7, 27 being common to all four gas sources.
• This emergency evacuation system 7, 17 evacuates the gas to an outlet in a controlled manner and / or in response to a dangerous situation (in the event of a fire, for example).
• the gas distribution device 14 comprises a housing 20, 30, for example consisting of two parts 20, 30.
• the housing 20, 30 comprises at one of its several orifices forming gas inlets 1, 2, 3, 4 intended to be connected to respective gas sources E1, E2, E3, E4.
• Another end of the housing 20, 30 comprises an orifice forming a gas outlet S1 intended to be connected to a user unit U of the gas supplied by the sources E1, E2, E3, E4.
• a dispensing member 9 is movably disposed in the body 20, 30.
• the dispensing member 9 is selectively movable relative to the body 20, 30 and the inputs 1, 2, 3, 4 in different dispensing positions allowing the selectively and successively placing each input 1, 2, 3, 4 with the output S1 (while the other inputs are isolated from the output S1).
• the dispensing member 9 is rotatable in the housing 20, 30 about a longitudinal axis 1 1 1 mounted in the housing 20, 30.
• the detecting member 9 includes a can 1 ntern e having u not end downstream in communication with the output S1 and an upstream end may be placed in communication with one or all the inputs 1, 2, 3, 4 according to the position of the dispensing member 9 relative to the body 2, 13.
• the angular position of the dispensing member 9 is for example controlled via an electromagnetic actuator or quite the appropriate control system (not shown).
• the four inputs 1, 2, 3, 4 are arranged at 90 degrees relative to each other with respect to the axis 1 1 1.
• the inputs 1 to 4 can therefore be put successively in communication with the output S1 via the channel 10.
• the distribution member 9 passes through positions at 45 ° in which there is an isolation between the output S1 the inputs 1 to 4.
• the dispensing member 9 is sealed against the face of the housing 20 provided with the inputs 1 to 4 via a return element such as one or more springs 17 and / or one or more washers of Belleville .
• the seal between the channel 10 and the orifices may be provided by one or more O-rings or any other suitable means.
• the return element 17 which forces the dispensing member 9 against the inlets 1 to 4 is supported for example on a thermal fuse 7 and an actuator forming a mechanical spacer 27.
• Another element 1 1 reminder such as a spring (including a compression spring) biases the dispensing member 9 towards the output S1. In this so-called neutral position, the emergency evacuation system 7, 17, 27 allows a normal (sequential) operation of the dispenser 14.
• the emergency evacuation system 7, 1 1, 17, 27, however, is movable in a so-called active position in which all the gas inlets 1, 2, 3, 4 are forced in relation simultaneously with an evacuation outlet. gas.
• the fuse 7 melts from a determined temperature threshold.
• the return member 1 1 then slides the dispensing member 9 longitudinally to the outlet S1.
• the seal between the channel 10 and the face of the housing 20,30 is then lost. In this position, all the inputs 1 to 4 are then simultaneously in communication with the output S1 and an optional natural leakage orifice 13.
• the actuator 27 is movable in translation in the housing 20, 30 and comprises an end projecting outside the housing to allow its actuation.
• a new thermal fuse 7 and / or the actuator 27 are repositionable (reset in neutral position).
• the evacuation of the gas when switching to the active position is performed for example via the output S1.
• this evacuation of the gas borrows another dedicated orifice for this purpose.
• the inputs 1, 2, 3, 4 can be placed in fluid communication with another discharge port.
• the housing 2, 30 may also include an orifice 13 for collecting and evacuating natural leaks which would occur at the seal 12 and between the inputs 1 to 4 and the outlet S1.
• the outlet S1 may coincide with a pipe 15 which engages inside the housing 20, 30 or even within a housing of the body of the dispensing member 9.
• One or more seals 16 may be provided to seal between the pipe 15 and the housing 20, 30 and the dispensing member 9. This piping can also provide a guiding function of the dispensing member 9 in its translation between the neutral position and the active position.
• FIGS. 4 and 5 differs from those of FIGS. 2 and 3 only in that it does not comprise an actuator. That is, only a thermal fuse keeps the dispensing member 9 in the dispensing positions.
• a thermal fuse keeps the dispensing member 9 in the dispensing positions.
• the invention thus makes it possible to achieve a sequential supply of several gas sources with a safety evacuation system which purges the installation in case of fire and / or in case of a situation deemed dangerous via a separate command.
• the structure is simpler and less expensive than existing solutions.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
• Fire-Extinguishing By Fire Departments, And Fire-Extinguishing Equipment And Control Thereof (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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Family Applications (1)

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• 2010
  • 2010-04-02 FR FR1052496A patent/FR2958368B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2011
  • 2011-03-01 WO PCT/FR2011/050413 patent/WO2011121200A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2011-03-01 CN CN201180016062.6A patent/CN102822578B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2011-03-01 CA CA 2788945 patent/CA2788945A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 2011-03-01 US US13/638,750 patent/US8931502B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2011-03-01 EP EP11712938A patent/EP2553298A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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