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
  • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
  • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
  • F17C2205/0153—Details of mounting arrangements
  • F17C2205/0157—Details of mounting arrangements for transport
  • F17C2205/0165—Details of mounting arrangements for transport with handgrip
• • 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
  • F17C2205/0308—Protective caps
• • 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
  • F17C2205/0388—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
  • F17C2223/035—High pressure (>10 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
  • F17C2250/034—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
  • F17C2250/0443—Flow or movement of content
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
  • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
  • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
  • F17C2250/0478—Position or presence
• • 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
  • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
  • F17C2260/01—Improving mechanical properties or manufacturing
  • F17C2260/012—Reducing weight
• • 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
  • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
  • F17C2265/04—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling using an independent energy source, e.g. battery
• • 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
  • F17C2270/0545—Tools

Definitions

• the invention relates to a digital valve for use with a gas cylinder. Specifically, the invention is concerned with charging of the battery.
• digital valves on gas cylinders.
• the term digital valve encompasses at least manual valves with electronic sensors,
• valves with or without sensors, and valves comprising locating and communication devices.
• Such cylinders are used to supply gas for a range of
• the various types of digital valve have in common the need for the devices (sensors, actuators, locating devices, and/or communication devices) to be powered electrically.
• the present invention is concerned with battery powered digital valves.
• Digital valves require small batteries in order to keep the weight of the assembly (valve and cylinder) to a minimum. Furthermore, the cylinders may be retained for a long time, in some cases in cold environments. There is therefore a technical pressure to conserve the charge of a battery, or provide some means of replacing the battery when the charge is too low.
• Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a digital valve assembly in accordance with the invention
• Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a pallet for use with a third embodiment of a digital valve assembly in accordance with the invention
• Figure 4 shows a modification of the first embodiment
• Figure 5 shows a modification of the second embodiment; and Figure 6 shows a further preferred embodiment.
• a first embodiment of a digital valve assembly 1 comprises a cylinder 10, a digital valve 20, and a battery 30.
• the cylinder 10 may be configured to store a fluid. More particularly, the cylinder 10 may be configured to store a pressurised and/or flammable fluid.
• the cylinder may comprise a flat base 12 at a first end thereof and an opening 14 at a second end thereof, the second end opposite the first end.
• a collar 16 may surround the opening.
• the digital valve 20 may be attached to the cylinder 10 to cover the opening 14.
• the digital valve 20 may be screwed into a thread formed in the inner surface of a bore in the cylinder 10 forming the opening 14.
• the digital valve 20 may comprise an outlet, a valve, and a manually-operated or electrically-operated actuator for opening or closing the valve.
• the valve can be opened, allowing the internal volume of the cylinder to communicate with the outlet, or closed, preventing the internal volume of the cylinder from communicating with the outlet.
• the valve is referred to as a digital valve 20 because it comprises an electrical load, such as: the (optional) electrically-operated actuator; one or more sensor (s) for sensing a parameter of a fluid stored in the cylinder 10; one or more sensor (s) for sensing a parameter of the environment surrounding the cylinder 10; one or more sensor (s) for sensing a parameter of a fluid flowing through the digital valve 20; a location-sensing device; and/or a communication device (e.g., a wireless communications device) .
• the electric load is arranged to receive power from the battery 30.
• the inventors have discovered that it is possible to safely charge the battery 30 by using a wireless charging
• the digital valve assembly 1 may comprise a wireless charging point 40 that, as shown in Figure 1, may be provided separately from the digital valve 20 or formed integrally therewith.
• the wireless charging point 40 may be mounted on: the digital valve 20; the cylinder 10, for example, the collar 16 of the cylinder 10; or on a valve guard 70 (as shown in Figure 2 ) .
• the wireless charging point 40 is arranged to charge the battery 30.
• the wireless charging point 40 is arranged to receive electricity wirelessly from a wireless transmission point 50.
• the wireless charging point 40 may comprise an inductive receiver and/or a capacitative receiver.
• the wireless charging point 40 When the wireless charging point 40 is provided separately, it may be connected to the battery 30 via a cable. In the first embodiment shown in Figure 1, the wireless charging point 40 is mounted on, or forms part of, the top of the digital valve 20. By positioning the wireless charging point 40 in that location, it exposes the wireless charging point 40 for easy alignment with a wireless
• transmission point 50 in a controlled environment, such as a cylinder filling station.
• a digital valve recharging system 50, 60 for use with a digital valve assembly 1, 2, 3, there may be provided a digital valve recharging system 50, 60,
• transmission point 50 for transmitting power wirelessly to the wireless charging point 40.
• the wireless transmission point 50 forms part of a device that can be placed next to the wireless charging point 40 for charging the battery of the digital valve assembly 1, 2, 3.
• the wireless transmission point 50 can magnetically engage the wireless charging point 40 so as to maintain appropriate alignment for the transfer of power .
• the digital valve recharging system comprises a locating member comprising magnetic or a ferromagnetic material.
• the locating member may be included in a housing encapsulating the wireless transmission point 50.
• the wireless charging point 40 would include a magnetic
• a second embodiment of a digital valve assembly 2 may be generally the same as the digital valve assembly 1 of the first embodiment. However, in the second embodiment, the wireless charging point 40 of the digital valve assembly 2 is mounted on one of the other elements of the digital valve assembly 2.
• valve guard 70 is provided and the wireless charging point 40 is mounted on the valve guard 70.
• the valve guard 70 may be made integrally with either the cylinder 10 or the digital valve 20, or may be a separate entity mounted thereon (for example, a threaded part of the digital valve 20 may be screwed into the cylinder 10 through an aperture in the valve guard 70 such that the valve guard 70 is clamped between the cylinder 10 and the digital valve 20) .
• the valve guard 70 may be formed as a housing extending from the gas cylinder 10 with one or more apertures providing access to the digital valve 20.
• the valve guard 70 includes an inner surface and an outer surface.
• the wireless charging point 40 is mounted on the inner surface of the valve guard 70 or within a cavity formed in the valve guard 70 and is oriented to receive power from a wireless transmission point 50 placed on the outer surface of the valve guard 70.
• the valve guard 70 may comprise a material through which power may be transmitted.
• the entire valve guard 70 may comprise a material through which power can be transmitted (for example, a material not comprising metal, such as a plastic) .
• a material not comprising metal such as a plastic
• an aperture may be formed in a valve guard 70 made from a material through which power cannot be transmitted (for example, metal or a material comprising metal) and a
• material through which power can be transmitted may be provided within or over the aperture (e.g. filling or covering the aperture) .
• the digital valve assembly 2 has a protrusion, eye, or connector 72 that is spaced from the wireless charging point 40.
• the protrusion, eye, or connector 72 will be provided on the guard 70.
• a protrusion 72 in the form of a churning knob may be provided.
• a churning knob is a structural feature of a valve guard 70 that assists in movement of the cylinder 10.
• the digital valve assembly 2 of the second embodiment can be used in conjunction with the digital valve recharging system described above (with or without the magnetic engagement feature) .
• the digital valve recharging system additionally comprises a tether 52 connected at a first end to the wireless transmission point 50.
• the tether 52 has a loop or connector 54 (for example, a hook or carabiner) at a second end.
• a loop or connector 54 for example, a hook or carabiner
• the loop or connector 54 of the tether 52 may be engaged with the protrusion, eye, or connector 72 of the digital valve assembly 2. This will suspend the wireless transmission point 50 from the valve guard 70.
• the length of the tether 52 can be chosen such that the wireless transmission point 50 is aligned with the wireless charging point 40 when suspended.
• the magnetic locating feature discussed above can be used to ensure accurate alignment.
• the tether 52 can carry the load of the wireless transmission point 50, whilst the magnetic attraction can assure accurate alignment.
• FIG. 4 shows a version of the first embodiment having corresponding features, but for which the magnetic locating features are optional.
• the digital valve assembly 4 includes a mechanical locating feature 42, which may be arranged to engage a complementary mechanical locating feature 57 on the wireless transmission point 50.
• the wireless transmission point 50 is housed in a housing from which protrudes a ridge that can surround the wireless charging point 40 for accurate alignment.
• the mechanical locating feature 42 is the outer edge of the wireless charging point 40.
• the mechanical locating feature 57 on the wireless transmission point 50 may be one or more protruding studs that can be inserted within notches forming the mechanical locating feature 42 of the wireless charging point 40.
• Figure 5 shows a version of the second embodiment having corresponding features, but for which the magnetic locating features are optional.
• the digital valve assembly 5 includes a mechanical locating feature 42, which is mounted on the valve guard 70.
• the mechanical locating feature 42 may be arranged to engage a complementary mechanical locating feature 57 on the wireless transmission point 50.
• the mechanical locating feature 57 is the outer edge of the wireless transmission point 50.
• the mechanical locating feature 42 is a ridge, protruding from the valve guard 70 of the valve assembly 5, into which may be located the wireless transmission point 50 for accurate alignment.
• the mechanical locating feature 42 on the wireless transmission point 50 may be one or more protruding studs that can be inserted within notches forming the mechanical locating feature 57 of the wireless
• a third embodiment of a digital valve assembly 3 may be generally the same as the digital valve assembly 1 of the first embodiment.
• the digital valve assembly 3 differs from the digital valve assembly 1 in that the wireless charging point 40 is located in a base unit 80 attached to the base 12 of the cylinder 10.
• the wireless charging point 40 can receive power from below the digital valve assembly 3.
• Figure 3 also shows an embodiment of a pallet 100 for use with the digital valve assembly 3 of this embodiment. The inventors have realised that the shipping of a cylinder 10 provides an opportunity to charge the batteries 30 of multiple digital valve assemblies simultaneously.
• a typical pallet for transporting a plurality of cylinders 10 comprises a base 110 for supporting the cylinders 10 and a frame 120 for holding the cylinders in place and in a desired orientation.
• the pallet 100 of Figure 3 additionally comprises a source of electricity 60 and a plurality of wireless charging points 50 for transmitting power wirelessly to wireless charging points 40 supported by the base 110.
• the wireless transmission points 50 can be mounted on the frame 120 at a first
• the wireless charging point 40 can be located on the side of the cylinder 10 at the same first distance from the base 12 of the cylinder 10.
• Figure 6 shows a further embodiment having features
• the wireless charging point 40 forms or
• the wireless charging point 40 may form or surround any part of the valve assembly/cylinder assembly.
• a wireless charging point 50 for use with such an
• a pair of capacitative or inductive charging units 50a, 50b which can collectively form a loop for surrounding the wireless charging point 40; and locating means 7 for locating the pair of charging units 50a, 50b in a first position which they form a loop or a second position in which they are separated.
• the locating means 7 may be a pair of tongs.
• the battery 30 may be permanently connected to the electronics of the digital valve 20, for example, by being soldered to a PCB of the digital valve 20. Accordingly, the risks of corrosion or battery loosening from vibration are reduced.
• a cylinder filling station for filling a cylinder and for charging the digital valve may comprise: a source of fluid, and a pump for filling a cylinder; a source of electricity; and a wireless charging point for transmitting power
• the cylinder filling station further comprises a filling adaptor for attachment to a digital valve assembly.
• the filling adaptor may carry the wireless charging point.

Landscapes

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

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=53016236

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (1)

Family Cites Families (3)

• 2015
  • 2015-03-17 GB GB201504457A patent/GB201504457D0/en active Pending
• 2016
  • 2016-03-17 EP EP16710228.4A patent/EP3271641A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2016-03-17 WO PCT/EP2016/055835 patent/WO2016146762A2/en not_active Ceased

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