EP3271639A1 - A lever-type shut-off valve - Google Patents

A lever-type shut-off valve

Info

Publication number
EP3271639A1
EP3271639A1 EP16710219.3A EP16710219A EP3271639A1 EP 3271639 A1 EP3271639 A1 EP 3271639A1 EP 16710219 A EP16710219 A EP 16710219A EP 3271639 A1 EP3271639 A1 EP 3271639A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
valve
lever
shut
valve assembly
assembly according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP16710219.3A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Jon Spratley
Colin HADEN
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.)
Linde GmbH
Original Assignee
Linde GmbH
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 Linde GmbH filed Critical Linde GmbH
Publication of EP3271639A1 publication Critical patent/EP3271639A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/04—Arrangement or mounting of valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/03—Orientation
    • F17C2201/032—Orientation with substantially vertical main axis
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/056—Small (<1 m3)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/058—Size portable (<30 l)
    • 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
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0382—Constructional details of valves, regulators
    • F17C2205/0385—Constructional details of valves, regulators in blocks or units
    • 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
    • F17C2205/0388—Arrangement of valves, regulators, filters
    • F17C2205/0394—Arrangement of valves, regulators, filters in direct contact with the pressure 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
    • 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
    • F17C2250/03—Control means
    • F17C2250/034—Control means using wireless transmissions
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
    • F17C2250/043—Pressure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/05—Applications for industrial use

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a lever-type shut-off valve, in particular a lever-type shut-off valve for use on a cylinder containing pressurised fluid.
  • Such cylinders are used to supply gas for a range of
  • Pressurised fluid cylinders are traditionally provided with a shut off valve at the top of the cylinder which is
  • the valve has a valve element which is usually moved towards and away from a seat by rotation of a screw mechanism. In some cases, this consists of a hand wheel with a male screw which mates with a female screw thread in the valve body. The user can therefore open and close the shut off valve by rotating the hand wheel to raise and lower the valve element.
  • a further difficulty with the fact that there is no clear indication of position is that a user may not fully close a valve as there is no clear indication that the valve has reached the fully closed position, thereby leading to inadvertent leakage from the container.
  • the present invention relates to improvements in such lever- type shut-off valves.
  • a shut-off valve assembly for use on a cylinder containing pressurised fluid, the shut-off valve assembly comprising a valve element movable between an open position and a closed position in response to rotation of a lever from a first position to a second position; wherein the lever is biased towards the second position by a biasing means; wherein the valve comprises a securing means for locking the lever in the first position, and thus the valve element in the open position; and wherein the securing means can release the lever to allow the valve element to return to the closed position by the biasing means.
  • the securing means is beneficial since it a) provides a convenient mechanism for holding the valve open via the lever; and b) does not interfere with the automatic closure of the valve when it is not holding the lever open.
  • the securing means may be mounted on the securing means
  • the lever may be releasable from the securing means in response to an electronic signal.
  • the valve assembly may comprise one or more sensors for monitoring a parameter of either the valve assembly, a fluid in fluid communication with the valve assembly, a fluid in the cylinder, and/or the environment around the cylinder.
  • the monitored parameter may be, for instance, the duration that the valve assembly is open, the quantity of fluid flowing through the valve assembly, leakage from the valve assembly, ambient temperature, pressure in the cylinder, and/or the number of opening cycles the valve assembly makes .
  • the shut-off valve assembly comprises a sensor and a lever releasable from the securing means in response to an electronic signal
  • the electronic signal may be triggered based on the parameter from the sensor. In this way, the valve assembly could be closed if needed, for instance if too much fluid had passed through the valve assembly.
  • the electronic signal may be wirelessly transmitted to the valve assembly.
  • the shut-off valve assembly can be remotely closed if needed, for instance in the case of an emergency .
  • the lever may be coupled via an eccentric coupling to the valve stem, such that rotation of the lever about a pivot axis causes the linear movement of the valve element between the open and closed positions.
  • This provides a particularly effective opening mechanism.
  • the rotary motion of the lever could alternatively be converted into a linear movement of the valve element by any other appropriate mechanism, such as a rack and pinion.
  • the force required to release the lever from the securing means is preferably less than the biasing force exerted on the valve element by the biasing means when the valve element is in the open position.
  • the securing means may comprise a portion of magnetic or ferromagnetic material and a magnet enagageable with the portion of magnetic material.
  • the securing means may further comprise an electromagnet operable to cancel or oppose the magnetic force between the magnetic or ferromagnetic material and the magnet for unlocking the lever from the first position.
  • the magnet alternatively may be an electromagnet.
  • the securing means may be a latch, which may be operated by a solenoid located on the valve assembly.
  • the latch may be moveable in a direction perpendicular to the lever.
  • the securing means may alternatively comprise a coupling member which is connected at a first end to the lever and which is connectable at its other end to an electronically operated actuator.
  • the coupling member may extend
  • the securing means may comprise a protective casing to prevent accidental damage to the securing means.
  • the present invention provides a cylinder for pressurised fluid comprising the shut-off valve assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention.
  • Fig. 1 is a cross section view of a lever-type shut-off valve
  • Fig. 2 is a cross section taken along lines II to II in Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the valve body shown in
  • Fig. 4 shows the top portion of Fig. 1 in greater detail
  • Fig. 5 shows a front view of the top portion of the valve body showing the return spring in greater detail
  • Fig. 6 is a side view similar to Fig. 5;
  • Figs. 7A and 7B show respective open and closed
  • Fig. 8 shows a shut-off valve in an open position according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 9A shows a shut-off valve in an open position according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 9B shows a perspective view of a portion of the shut- off valve shown in Fig 9A. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
  • FIG. 1 An exemplary prior art lever-type shut-off valve is shown in Figure 1 through Figures 6.
  • the valve comprises a valve body 2 connectable to a cylinder body 1 for a pressurised fluid.
  • the cylinder 1 is provided with a female screw thread 3 which mates with a male screw thread 4 on an outer surface of the lower portion of the valve body 2.
  • the valve body has an axial gas outlet path 5 extending centrally up through the valve body 2. Flow through the gas outlet path 5 is controlled by a valve element 6 which selectively blocks flow to a gas outlet port 7.
  • the lateral port 8 of the pressure side of the valve element 6 leads to a pressure gauge as is well known in the art.
  • the pressurised gas path is sealed above the valve element 6 by an inner 9 and outer 10 high pressure O-ring seal. Lifting the valve element 6 from its seat 11 selectively opens and closes the gas flow path out of the cylinder.
  • valve element 6 is biased closed by a spring 15 the top end of which bears against a shoulder 16 in the valve body and the bottom of which bears against an annular flange 17 which forms part of the valve stem 18.
  • the valve stem 18 comprises a main stem 19, a valve element retaining member 20 and a valve element coupling 21 all of which are rigidly fixed together.
  • a lever mechanism In order to open the valve element 6 against the action of the spring 15, a lever mechanism is provided. This comprises a lever 27 which is connected via a pair of bosses 28 and shear pins 29 to be rotatable with a shaft 31 about fixed lever axis L. The shear pins project from both ends of the shaft 31 into the bosses 28 and protect the valve mechanism against unexpected forces about the lever axis L in the opening direction.
  • a stop protrudes from the valve body 2 and acts as a stop for the lever 27 to prevent the lever 27 moving beyond the open position.
  • the shaft is mounted in bearings 32 in respective bosses 33 at the top of the valve body as best shown in Fig. 4.
  • An eccentric pin 35 forms a central portion of the shaft 31 and is mounted to rotate about an eccentric axis E off-set from lever axis L and which moves as the lever 27 is operated.
  • a linkage member 37 is rotatably mounted to the eccentric pin 35 via pin bearings and extends at its lower end to a connecting pin 38 which extends through and is coupled to an elongate orifice 39 in the valve element coupling member 21.
  • a spring clip 50 is provided. As shown from a combination of Figs. 2 to 6, the spring clip 50 is retained underneath an elongate boss 51 on one side of the valve body and a pair of bosses 52 on the opposite side.
  • the spring clip 50 extends over both ends of the connecting pin 38 and is retained in grooves 53. As can best be seen from Fig. 4, the presence of the spring clip 50 provides a downwardly biasing force of approximately 50N on the connecting pin 38 which resists any small forces which would otherwise tend to vibrate the lever 27.
  • the opening operation will now be described in greater detail.
  • the purpose of the spring 15 is to provide a
  • the spring clip 50 is simply provided to give a relatively weak biasing force on the coupling and hence the lever when in the closed position to prevent the lever from rattling.
  • the spring clip has little effect other than during the first part of the motion of the lever away from the fully closed position.
  • valve could be supplied without the spring clip 50.
  • FIGS 7A and 7B show a first embodiment of a shut-off valve in accordance with the invention.
  • valve operation of the valve may be as shown in detail with reference to Figures 1A-6.
  • the position of the lever 27 when the valve element 6 is in the fully open position is shown in Figure 7A.
  • Figure 7B shows the position of the lever 27 when the valve element 6 is in the fully closed position.
  • the valve is always biased into the closed position shown in Figure 7B by the spring 15.
  • the lever is made of a magnetic material, and a securing means 100 in the form of a magnet 102 is provided next to the position of the lever 27 when the valve is in the open position. In this position, the magnet 102 provides a magnetic force on the lever 27 to lock it in the open position.
  • At least a portion of the lever 27, or a component that is attached to the lever 27 may comprise a magnetic or
  • the magnetic force applied by the magnet 102 on the lever 27 is larger than the biasing force from the spring 15 which urges the valve element 6 to the closed position shown in Figure 7B.
  • the magnet 102 may be an electromagnet to allow the magnetic force applied to the lever 27 to be toggled on and off. In this way, when the electromagnet is in operation the lever 27, and thus the valve element 6, are held in their open positions. When the electromagnet is then turned off, the biasing force from the spring 15 returns the valve element 6 to the closed position.
  • the securing means may further comprise an electromagnet 104 as shown in Figure 7A.
  • the electromagnet 104 is located in the vicinity of the magnet 102 and provides an actuatable magnetic force of opposing polarity, and of equal or greater magnitude, to the force provided by the magnet 102. In this way, on actuation of the electromagnet 104, the net force exerted on the lever 27 by the securing means 100 causes the biasing force from the spring 15 to pull the lever 27 and the valve element 6 to the closed position.
  • any electromagnet ( s ) is used in the securing means
  • a power source (not shown in the Figures) on the valve is used to power it.
  • the magnet 102 may be provided on the lever 27 and the securing means 100 may comprise a magnetic or ferromagnetic material.
  • Figure 8 shows a second embodiment of a shut-off valve in accordance with the invention, and shows the valve in an open position.
  • the securing means 100 comprises an actuatable latch 202.
  • the latch 202 In its non-actuated state, the latch 202 is in an extended position as shown in Figure 8. In this position, when the valve element 6 is in its open position, the latch 202 provides a mechanical force on the lever 27 which prevents the lever from being returned to its closed position by the biasing force from the spring 15 inside the valve body 2. Specifically, the latch 202 may protrude into the path of the lever to obstruct its movement from the open position.
  • the latch 202 may be biased into its non-actuated state by a biasing member 204, which preferably as shown in Figure 8 is a spring.
  • the latch 202 can be withdrawn to release the lever 27 to allow the spring 15 to restore the valve element 6, and thus the lever 27, back to their closed positions. Withdrawal of the latch 202 can be achieved either by the user providing a manual force which overcomes the biasing force provided by the biasing member 204 to withdraw the latch 202 away from the lever 27, or by actuating a solenoid 206 located on the valve which generates a force to withdraw the latch 202 away from the lever 27 against the biasing force provided by the biasing member 204.
  • the solenoid 206 is powered by a power source (not shown in Figure 8) .
  • the magnitude of the force required to actuate the solenoid may be smaller than the biasing force provided by the biasing member 204.
  • FIGS 9A and 9B show a third embodiment of a shut-off valve in accordance with the invention.
  • the valve comprises a securing means 100 in the form of a coupling member 302 which is connected at a first end 304 to the lever 27 and which is connectable at its other end 306 to a moveable arm 310 from an electronically operated actuator 308.
  • the coupling member 302 is shown in Figures 9A and 9B as a winding which extends around both the lever axis L (and eccentric axis E) and between the bosses 28 of the valve.
  • the moveable arm 310 from the actuator 308 is in an
  • the moveable arm 310 is extended by actuating the actuator 308 so that it engages against the other end 306 of the coupling member 302.
  • the moveable arm 310 is actuated away from the other end 306 of the coupling member 302, and is returned to its retracted position.
  • the moveable arm 310 may move perpendicular to the axis L of the lever 27 as shown in Figure 9A, or parallel therewith. In the latter case, the moveable arm 310 can hold the valve element 6 in the open position by simply obstructing rotation of the lever 27 without requiring continuous power.
  • embodiments may be encased within a protective housing 500, as shown for instance in Figures 7A and 7B, to protect the securing means from accidental damage.
  • the housing 500 is preferably made of a ferromagnetic material so that the magnetic field generated by the securing means 100 is better contained and focussed.
  • the shut-off valves herein described may be provided with a sensor 502 for monitoring a parameter of either the valve, fluid in fluid communication with the valve, a fluid in the cylinder, and/or the environment around the cylinder.
  • a sensor 502 is exemplarily shown in Figure 8.
  • the parameter monitored by the sensor 502 may be, for instance, the duration that the valve element 6 is open, the quantity of fluid flowing through the valve, leakage from the valve, ambient temperature, pressure in the cylinder, and/or the number of opening cycles the valve element 6 makes.
  • the sensor 502 may be powered by any appropriate power source 504 and may also be controlled by a CPU 506. Signals from the sensor 502 may be transmitted to the securing means 100 to allow the securing means 100 to be operated based on the parameter from the sensor 502. Signals from the sensor 502 may also be transferred between at least one wireless transceiver 508 to allow remote monitoring of the valve, and to allow the sensor 502 to be remotely controlled. The wireless transceiver 508 may also send and receive signals to the securing means 100 to allow the shut-off valve to be remotely closed if needed. The wireless
  • transceiver can be configured to communicate over any conventional wireless transmission method, for instance Bluetooth, UHF and GSM.
  • the wireless transceiver 508 could alternatively and/or additionally allow for non-wireless communication signals to be transceived, for instance by being provided with a USB port.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Abstract

A shut-off valve assembly for use on a cylinder containing pressurised fluid. The shut-off valve assembly comprises a valve element movable between an open position and a closed position in response to rotation of a lever from a first position to a second position. The lever is biased towards the second position by a biasing means and the valve assembly comprises a securing means for locking the lever in the first, or open, position. The securing means can release the lever to allow the valve element to return to the closed position by the biasing means.

Description

A LEVER- TYPE SHUT -OFF VALVE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a lever-type shut-off valve, in particular a lever-type shut-off valve for use on a cylinder containing pressurised fluid.
Although reference is made to a "cylinder", it will be understood that the invention is applicable broadly to all portable pressurised gas containers whether they are
strictly in the form of a cylinder or not.
Such cylinders are used to supply gas for a range of
applications including welding and cutting hoses and
torches, gas packaging machines and laboratory equipment.
Pressurised fluid cylinders are traditionally provided with a shut off valve at the top of the cylinder which is
protected by a guard. The valve has a valve element which is usually moved towards and away from a seat by rotation of a screw mechanism. In some cases, this consists of a hand wheel with a male screw which mates with a female screw thread in the valve body. The user can therefore open and close the shut off valve by rotating the hand wheel to raise and lower the valve element.
Although such mechanisms are widely used, they suffer from a number of problems. The hand wheel requires multiple
rotations in order to rotate it which is time consuming and it is not particularly accessible when the guard is in place. Further, it can be stuck in a fully open or a fully closed position. Although arrows are usually present on the wheel to indicate the direction of opening and closing to the user, it is difficult to determine by sight the current position of the wheel, such that the user can, for example, attempt to open an already fully open valve and mistakenly believe the valve to be stuck.
A further difficulty with the fact that there is no clear indication of position is that a user may not fully close a valve as there is no clear indication that the valve has reached the fully closed position, thereby leading to inadvertent leakage from the container.
A number of these problems are overcome by using a lever in place of a hand wheel. An example of such a lever-type shut- off valve is disclosed in GB 2,514,358. Operation of a similarly designed valve to GB 2,514,358 is described below with reference to Figures 1 through Figures 7A-7C.
The present invention relates to improvements in such lever- type shut-off valves.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a shut-off valve assembly for use on a cylinder containing pressurised fluid, the shut-off valve assembly comprising a valve element movable between an open position and a closed position in response to rotation of a lever from a first position to a second position; wherein the lever is biased towards the second position by a biasing means; wherein the valve comprises a securing means for locking the lever in the first position, and thus the valve element in the open position; and wherein the securing means can release the lever to allow the valve element to return to the closed position by the biasing means. The securing means is beneficial since it a) provides a convenient mechanism for holding the valve open via the lever; and b) does not interfere with the automatic closure of the valve when it is not holding the lever open.
Optionally, the securing means may be mounted on the
cylinder, or on a valve guard of the cylinder, or may form an integral part of the valve assembly itself. The lever may be releasable from the securing means in response to an electronic signal.
The valve assembly may comprise one or more sensors for monitoring a parameter of either the valve assembly, a fluid in fluid communication with the valve assembly, a fluid in the cylinder, and/or the environment around the cylinder. The monitored parameter may be, for instance, the duration that the valve assembly is open, the quantity of fluid flowing through the valve assembly, leakage from the valve assembly, ambient temperature, pressure in the cylinder, and/or the number of opening cycles the valve assembly makes .
When the shut-off valve assembly comprises a sensor and a lever releasable from the securing means in response to an electronic signal, the electronic signal may be triggered based on the parameter from the sensor. In this way, the valve assembly could be closed if needed, for instance if too much fluid had passed through the valve assembly.
The electronic signal may be wirelessly transmitted to the valve assembly. In this way, the shut-off valve assembly can be remotely closed if needed, for instance in the case of an emergency .
The lever may be coupled via an eccentric coupling to the valve stem, such that rotation of the lever about a pivot axis causes the linear movement of the valve element between the open and closed positions. This provides a particularly effective opening mechanism. The rotary motion of the lever could alternatively be converted into a linear movement of the valve element by any other appropriate mechanism, such as a rack and pinion.
The force required to release the lever from the securing means is preferably less than the biasing force exerted on the valve element by the biasing means when the valve element is in the open position.
The securing means may comprise a portion of magnetic or ferromagnetic material and a magnet enagageable with the portion of magnetic material.
In this case, the securing means may further comprise an electromagnet operable to cancel or oppose the magnetic force between the magnetic or ferromagnetic material and the magnet for unlocking the lever from the first position.
The magnet alternatively may be an electromagnet.
The securing means may be a latch, which may be operated by a solenoid located on the valve assembly.
The latch may be moveable in a direction perpendicular to the lever. The securing means may alternatively comprise a coupling member which is connected at a first end to the lever and which is connectable at its other end to an electronically operated actuator.
When the valve assembly comprises a coupling member and a lever coupled via an eccentric coupling to the valve stem, such that rotation of the lever about a pivot axis causes the linear movement of the valve element between the open and closed positions, the coupling member may extend
circumferentially around the pivot axis of the lever.
The securing means may comprise a protective casing to prevent accidental damage to the securing means.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a cylinder for pressurised fluid comprising the shut-off valve assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a cross section view of a lever-type shut-off valve ;
Fig. 2 is a cross section taken along lines II to II in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the valve body shown in
Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 shows the top portion of Fig. 1 in greater detail ; Fig. 5 shows a front view of the top portion of the valve body showing the return spring in greater detail;
Fig. 6 is a side view similar to Fig. 5;
Figs. 7A and 7B show respective open and closed
positions of a shut-off valve according to one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 8 shows a shut-off valve in an open position according to another embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 9A shows a shut-off valve in an open position according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9B shows a perspective view of a portion of the shut- off valve shown in Fig 9A. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
An exemplary prior art lever-type shut-off valve is shown in Figure 1 through Figures 6. As shown in Figure 1, the valve comprises a valve body 2 connectable to a cylinder body 1 for a pressurised fluid. The cylinder 1 is provided with a female screw thread 3 which mates with a male screw thread 4 on an outer surface of the lower portion of the valve body 2.
The valve body has an axial gas outlet path 5 extending centrally up through the valve body 2. Flow through the gas outlet path 5 is controlled by a valve element 6 which selectively blocks flow to a gas outlet port 7. The lateral port 8 of the pressure side of the valve element 6 leads to a pressure gauge as is well known in the art.
The pressurised gas path is sealed above the valve element 6 by an inner 9 and outer 10 high pressure O-ring seal. Lifting the valve element 6 from its seat 11 selectively opens and closes the gas flow path out of the cylinder.
The mechanism for lifting the valve element 6 will now be described .
The valve element 6 is biased closed by a spring 15 the top end of which bears against a shoulder 16 in the valve body and the bottom of which bears against an annular flange 17 which forms part of the valve stem 18. As shown in the drawings, the valve stem 18 comprises a main stem 19, a valve element retaining member 20 and a valve element coupling 21 all of which are rigidly fixed together.
In order to open the valve element 6 against the action of the spring 15, a lever mechanism is provided. This comprises a lever 27 which is connected via a pair of bosses 28 and shear pins 29 to be rotatable with a shaft 31 about fixed lever axis L. The shear pins project from both ends of the shaft 31 into the bosses 28 and protect the valve mechanism against unexpected forces about the lever axis L in the opening direction.
A stop protrudes from the valve body 2 and acts as a stop for the lever 27 to prevent the lever 27 moving beyond the open position.
The shaft is mounted in bearings 32 in respective bosses 33 at the top of the valve body as best shown in Fig. 4. An eccentric pin 35 forms a central portion of the shaft 31 and is mounted to rotate about an eccentric axis E off-set from lever axis L and which moves as the lever 27 is operated. A linkage member 37 is rotatably mounted to the eccentric pin 35 via pin bearings and extends at its lower end to a connecting pin 38 which extends through and is coupled to an elongate orifice 39 in the valve element coupling member 21.
This provides a crank arrangement whereupon lifting the lifting lever 27 from its at rest position shown in Figs. 1 and 4 initially causes upward movement of the connecting pin 38 and hence the valve element, thereby compressing the spring 15. This effectively ensures that the valve is locked in the closed position as the spring force must be overcome before the valve can be opened.
As can be appreciated particularly from Fig. 2, which shows the valve in the closed position, there is a clearance above the connecting pin 38 between this pin and the elongate orifice 39. As a result of this, initial movement of the lever 27 encounters almost no resistance and is therefore readily able to lift the connecting pin 38 within the elongate orifice 39. This could cause the lever to rattle during transportation.
In order to prevent this, a spring clip 50 is provided. As shown from a combination of Figs. 2 to 6, the spring clip 50 is retained underneath an elongate boss 51 on one side of the valve body and a pair of bosses 52 on the opposite side.
There could, however, be one or two bosses on either side as necessary .
As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the spring clip 50 extends over both ends of the connecting pin 38 and is retained in grooves 53. As can best be seen from Fig. 4, the presence of the spring clip 50 provides a downwardly biasing force of approximately 50N on the connecting pin 38 which resists any small forces which would otherwise tend to vibrate the lever 27.
The opening operation will now be described in greater detail. The purpose of the spring 15 is to provide a
relatively strong biasing force on the valve element 6. This spring therefore biases the valve in the closed position and prevents accidental opening. The spring clip 50 is simply provided to give a relatively weak biasing force on the coupling and hence the lever when in the closed position to prevent the lever from rattling.
As can be appreciated, the spring clip has little effect other than during the first part of the motion of the lever away from the fully closed position.
It will be appreciated that alternatives to the above shut- off valve design are possible.
Depending on the application requirements of the valve, the valve could be supplied without the spring clip 50.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Improvements to the shut-off valve described in Figs 1-6 are explained with reference to Figs. 7A-9B.
Figures 7A and 7B show a first embodiment of a shut-off valve in accordance with the invention. The internal
operation of the valve may be as shown in detail with reference to Figures 1A-6. In this embodiment, the position of the lever 27 when the valve element 6 is in the fully open position is shown in Figure 7A. Figure 7B shows the position of the lever 27 when the valve element 6 is in the fully closed position. In this embodiment of shut-off valve (and all of the remaining embodiments henceforth described) , the valve is always biased into the closed position shown in Figure 7B by the spring 15.
To hold the valve element 6 in the open position, the lever is made of a magnetic material, and a securing means 100 in the form of a magnet 102 is provided next to the position of the lever 27 when the valve is in the open position. In this position, the magnet 102 provides a magnetic force on the lever 27 to lock it in the open position.
At least a portion of the lever 27, or a component that is attached to the lever 27 may comprise a magnetic or
ferromagnetic material in order to be magnetically attracted to the magnet 102.
The magnetic force applied by the magnet 102 on the lever 27 is larger than the biasing force from the spring 15 which urges the valve element 6 to the closed position shown in Figure 7B.
The magnet 102 may be an electromagnet to allow the magnetic force applied to the lever 27 to be toggled on and off. In this way, when the electromagnet is in operation the lever 27, and thus the valve element 6, are held in their open positions. When the electromagnet is then turned off, the biasing force from the spring 15 returns the valve element 6 to the closed position.
In addition to the magnet 102, the securing means may further comprise an electromagnet 104 as shown in Figure 7A. The electromagnet 104 is located in the vicinity of the magnet 102 and provides an actuatable magnetic force of opposing polarity, and of equal or greater magnitude, to the force provided by the magnet 102. In this way, on actuation of the electromagnet 104, the net force exerted on the lever 27 by the securing means 100 causes the biasing force from the spring 15 to pull the lever 27 and the valve element 6 to the closed position. Where any electromagnet ( s ) is used in the securing means
100, a power source (not shown in the Figures) on the valve is used to power it.
In an alternative embodiment, the magnet 102 may be provided on the lever 27 and the securing means 100 may comprise a magnetic or ferromagnetic material.
Figure 8 shows a second embodiment of a shut-off valve in accordance with the invention, and shows the valve in an open position. In this embodiment, the securing means 100 comprises an actuatable latch 202. In its non-actuated state, the latch 202 is in an extended position as shown in Figure 8. In this position, when the valve element 6 is in its open position, the latch 202 provides a mechanical force on the lever 27 which prevents the lever from being returned to its closed position by the biasing force from the spring 15 inside the valve body 2. Specifically, the latch 202 may protrude into the path of the lever to obstruct its movement from the open position.
The latch 202 may be biased into its non-actuated state by a biasing member 204, which preferably as shown in Figure 8 is a spring. The latch 202 can be withdrawn to release the lever 27 to allow the spring 15 to restore the valve element 6, and thus the lever 27, back to their closed positions. Withdrawal of the latch 202 can be achieved either by the user providing a manual force which overcomes the biasing force provided by the biasing member 204 to withdraw the latch 202 away from the lever 27, or by actuating a solenoid 206 located on the valve which generates a force to withdraw the latch 202 away from the lever 27 against the biasing force provided by the biasing member 204. The solenoid 206 is powered by a power source (not shown in Figure 8) .
The magnitude of the force required to actuate the solenoid may be smaller than the biasing force provided by the biasing member 204.
Figures 9A and 9B show a third embodiment of a shut-off valve in accordance with the invention. The valve comprises a securing means 100 in the form of a coupling member 302 which is connected at a first end 304 to the lever 27 and which is connectable at its other end 306 to a moveable arm 310 from an electronically operated actuator 308. The coupling member 302 is shown in Figures 9A and 9B as a winding which extends around both the lever axis L (and eccentric axis E) and between the bosses 28 of the valve.
The moveable arm 310 from the actuator 308 is in an
initially retracted position. To hold the lever 27 in the open position shown in Figure 9A, the moveable arm 310 is extended by actuating the actuator 308 so that it engages against the other end 306 of the coupling member 302. To release the lever 27, the moveable arm 310 is actuated away from the other end 306 of the coupling member 302, and is returned to its retracted position. The moveable arm 310 may move perpendicular to the axis L of the lever 27 as shown in Figure 9A, or parallel therewith. In the latter case, the moveable arm 310 can hold the valve element 6 in the open position by simply obstructing rotation of the lever 27 without requiring continuous power.
The securing means 100 from each of the described
embodiments may be encased within a protective housing 500, as shown for instance in Figures 7A and 7B, to protect the securing means from accidental damage. In the case of the embodiment shown in Figures 7A and 7B, to improve the effectiveness of the securing means 100, the housing 500 is preferably made of a ferromagnetic material so that the magnetic field generated by the securing means 100 is better contained and focussed.
The shut-off valves herein described may be provided with a sensor 502 for monitoring a parameter of either the valve, fluid in fluid communication with the valve, a fluid in the cylinder, and/or the environment around the cylinder. Such a sensor 502 is exemplarily shown in Figure 8. The parameter monitored by the sensor 502 may be, for instance, the duration that the valve element 6 is open, the quantity of fluid flowing through the valve, leakage from the valve, ambient temperature, pressure in the cylinder, and/or the number of opening cycles the valve element 6 makes.
The sensor 502 may be powered by any appropriate power source 504 and may also be controlled by a CPU 506. Signals from the sensor 502 may be transmitted to the securing means 100 to allow the securing means 100 to be operated based on the parameter from the sensor 502. Signals from the sensor 502 may also be transferred between at least one wireless transceiver 508 to allow remote monitoring of the valve, and to allow the sensor 502 to be remotely controlled. The wireless transceiver 508 may also send and receive signals to the securing means 100 to allow the shut-off valve to be remotely closed if needed. The wireless
transceiver can be configured to communicate over any conventional wireless transmission method, for instance Bluetooth, UHF and GSM. The wireless transceiver 508 could alternatively and/or additionally allow for non-wireless communication signals to be transceived, for instance by being provided with a USB port.

Claims

1. A shut-off valve assembly for use on a cylinder containing pressurised fluid, the shut-off valve assembly comprising a valve element movable between an open position and a closed position in response to rotation of a lever from a first position to a second position;
wherein the lever is biased towards the second position by a biasing means;
wherein the valve assembly comprises a securing means for locking the lever in the first position, and thus the valve element in the open position; and
wherein the securing means can release the lever to allow the valve element to return to the closed position by the biasing means.
2. A shut-off valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein the lever is releasable from the securing means in response to an electronic signal.
3. A shut-off valve assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the valve assembly comprises a sensor for monitoring a parameter of either the valve or the fluid in fluid communication with the valve.
4. A shut-off valve assembly according to claim 2 and claim 3 wherein the electronic signal is triggered based on the parameter from the sensor.
5. A shut-off valve assembly according to claims 2 or 4 wherein the electronic signal is wirelessly transmitted to the valve assembly.
6. A shut-off valve assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the lever is coupled via an eccentric coupling to the valve stem, such that rotation of the lever about a pivot axis causes the linear movement of the valve element between the open and closed positions.
7. A shut-off valve assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the force required to release the lever from the securing means is less than the biasing force exerted on the valve element by the biasing means when the valve element is in the open position.
8. A shut-off valve assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the securing means comprises a portion of magnetic or ferromagnetic material and a magnet engageable with the portion of magnetic or ferromagnetic material.
9. A shut-off valve assembly according to claim 8 wherein the securing means further comprises an electromagnet operable to provide a magnetic force at least equal and opposite to the magnetic force between the magnetic material and the magnet for unlocking the lever from the first position .
10. A shut-off valve assembly according to claim 8 wherein the securing means further comprises an electromagnet operable to provide a magnetic force that when combined with the force applied by the biasing means is greater than and opposite to the magnetic force between the magnetic material and the magnet for unlocking the lever from the first position .
11. A shut-off valve assembly according to claim 8 wherein the magnet is an electromagnet.
12. A shut-off valve assembly according to claims 1-7 wherein the securing means is a latch.
13. A shut-off valve assembly according to claim 12 wherein the latch is operated by a solenoid located on the valve.
14. A shut-off valve assembly according to claims 12 or 13 wherein the latch is moveable in a direction perpendicular to the lever.
15. A shut-off valve assembly according to claims 1-7 wherein the securing means comprises a coupling member which is connected at a first end to the lever and which is connectable at its other end to an electronically operated actuator .
16. A shut-off valve assembly according to claim 15 when dependent on claim 6 wherein the coupling member extends circumferentially around the pivot axis of the lever.
17. A shut-off valve assembly according to any preceding claim wherein the securing means comprises a protective casing .
18. A cylinder for pressurised fluid comprising the shut- off valve assembly of any preceding claim.
19. The cylinder of claim 18, wherein the securing means is mounted on the cylinder.
20. The cylinder of claim 18, comprising a valve guard, wherein the securing means is mounted on the valve guard.
EP16710219.3A 2015-03-17 2016-03-17 A lever-type shut-off valve Withdrawn EP3271639A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB201504448A GB201504448D0 (en) 2015-03-17 2015-03-17 A lever-type shut-off valve
PCT/EP2016/055803 WO2016146743A1 (en) 2015-03-17 2016-03-17 A lever-type shut-off valve

Publications (1)

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EP3271639A1 true EP3271639A1 (en) 2018-01-24

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EP (1) EP3271639A1 (en)
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WO (1) WO2016146743A1 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3692286B1 (en) 2017-10-05 2021-07-07 L'air Liquide, Société Anonyme Pour L'Étude Et L'exploitation Des Procédés Georges Claude Valve and reservoir(s) for pressurized fluid
FR3072152B1 (en) * 2017-10-05 2021-02-19 Air Liquide PRESSURE FLUID VALVE AND TANK (S)
LU101208B1 (en) * 2019-04-26 2020-10-26 Luxembourg Patent Co Lever valve with securing hook
CN115405856A (en) * 2022-09-14 2022-11-29 北京三盈氢能源装备有限公司 Automatic hydrogen filling machine of diffusing

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DE9115142U1 (en) * 1991-12-05 1992-02-13 Erwin Weh Gmbh, 7918 Illertissen, De
EP1236678B1 (en) * 2001-02-28 2005-01-26 BN OPW S.r.l. Dispensing gun with locking device
ES2438616T3 (en) * 2010-01-29 2014-01-17 Elaflex Hiby Tanktechnik Gmbh & Co. Kg Boquerel group of base nozzle and interface overlay and modular system of a base nozzle and multiple interface overlays
FR2962520B1 (en) * 2010-07-09 2013-07-26 Air Liquide CONDITIONING TAKE-OUT, USE AND FILLING METHOD

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GB201504448D0 (en) 2015-04-29

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