EP3389798B1 - Device for supplying a pressurized material and fire extinguisher including such a device - Google Patents

Description

Background of the invention

The present invention relates to the general field of devices used to deliver a pressurized material. The invention relates more particularly to a device for the delivery of a pressurized material by a gas generator, such as a liquid or a powder, which can be used as an onboard extinguisher.

A device for delivering a pressurized material generally consists of a reservoir in which is stored a material, a gas generator capable of pressurizing the material in the tank, and an output port configured to open and deliver the material when the pressure inside the tank exceeds a threshold pressure. In certain known devices, the output port comprises a shutter member able to unlock automatically when a threshold pressure is reached in the tank to open the tank to the outside and allow the delivery of the material it contains, see for example the document US 6,702,033 B1 .

When the aforementioned devices are transported, the material contained in the reservoir is capable of generating on the closure member pressure peaks, also called pressure surges. These pressure peaks sometimes reach the pressure threshold required for the opening of the closure member, and cause the delivery of the material contained in the tank inadvertently.

We know of the document WO 2007/12693 a device for delivering a fluid which is activated by a pyrotechnic actuator abutting on a piston initially blocked in a position in which the piston closes the outlet port of the reservoir. The locking of the piston in its initial position is ensured by means of locking balls cooperating with a groove made in the piston rod. This solution makes it possible to limit untimely openings due to pressure peaks. However, such a solution is not suitable for devices triggered by a gas generator.

In addition, the aforementioned devices are unsatisfactory because the opening amplitude of their closure member depends on the pressure difference existing between the inside of the tank and the outside of the tank. More specifically in the aforementioned devices, the lower the pressure inside the reservoir, the more the closure member tends to return to its initial position closing the output port, which reduces the effectiveness of the delivery of the material over the duration.

There is therefore a need for a device for delivering a pressurized material by a gas generator that prevents untimely deliveries of material during its transportation, while ensuring the delivery of the material when the gas generator is triggered, and whose The amplitude of the opening of the output port does not depend on the pressure inside the tank.

Object and summary of the invention

The main object of the present invention is therefore to overcome such disadvantages by proposing a device for delivering a pressurized material comprising: a reservoir intended to contain a material having an outlet port provided with an opening; a gas generator configured to pressurize the material contained in the tank when it is triggered; and a shutter member having a shutter member connected to one or more locking spring elements.

The shutter member is movable between a first position in which said shutter member closes the opening of the exit port and a second position in which said shutter member is disengaged from the opening of the exit port so as to allowing the evacuation of the material present in the reservoir, each locking spring element being present in a first housing formed in an inner wall of the outlet port in said first position, each locking spring element being present in a second housing provided in the inner wall in said second position, each locking spring element being able to retract inside the closure member during the passage of said closure member from the first to the second position after pressurizing the material contained in the tank by the gas generator.

Unlike the devices of the prior art, the device according to the invention makes it possible simultaneously to: deliver the material contained in the reservoir when the gas generator is triggered, that is to say when the material at the inside the tank is put under pressure ; the prevention of untimely deliveries of the material inside the tank, in particular when the device is transported and the material inside the tank is in motion; and holding the closure member of the outlet port opening in position when the material is being delivered or delivered.

Indeed, the shutter element is provided with one (or more) locking spring element which reversibly locks the shutter element in its first and in its second position. When the shutter member is in the first position corresponding to a closure of the opening of the output port, the locking spring element is present in a first housing of the inner wall of the output port. In this configuration, the shutter member is configured to close the output port even in case of inadvertent pressure peaks of the material inside the tank. Then, after triggering of the gas generator, the pressure of the material inside the tank exceeds a threshold for which the blocking spring element of the closure member is forced to retract inside said body through the pressure exerted on the sealing element by the material. The closure member is then pushed through the pressurized material and moves to the second position corresponding to the opening of the output port and the delivery of the material. The blocking spring element of the closure member is then present in a second housing of the inner wall of the outlet port, which causes the closure member to lock in its second position and prevents its return to the first position.

The reservoir may contain a material in liquid or powder form. The material may for example be an extinguishing agent.

Preferably, the opening of the outlet port has a circular section and the closure member comprises a piston provided with a rod.

In several embodiments, the closure member comprises a perforated disk attached to the piston rod and provided with the locking spring element or elements. By "perforated" disc, it is meant that the disc is provided with openings allowing the material contained in the reservoir to pass through the disc to allow its delivery.

According to one embodiment, each locking spring element comprises a ball held in abutment against the inner wall of the output port by a spring present inside a housing provided in the perforated disc. The springs allow the balls on the one hand to be held against the wall of the outlet port and engage them in the housings provided in the wall, and on the other hand to retract inside the tubes during the passage of the piston from the first to the second position.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the locking spring element comprises an elastic ring present in a groove at the periphery of the perforated disc and held in abutment against the inner wall of the outlet port. By "elastic ring" is meant an element in the form of a splittable ring, which can come to lock or engage in the housing of the inner wall of the cavity. The elastic ring is also able to retract into the throat of the disk by virtue of the force exerted by the material pressurized by the gas generator on the piston so as to allow the passage of the piston from the first to the second position.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, each locking spring element comprises a ball held in abutment against the inner wall of the output port by a spring housed in a tube fixed on the piston rod.

Preferably, the device further comprises means for retaining the closure member on which said member is intended to abut when it reaches the second position. The retention means of the shutter member prevent the shutter member is ejected from the output port during the delivery of the material.

The retention means of the closure member may comprise a cover fixed on the output port. In one example, the cover can be integrated into the output port so that the cover and the output port form a single piece. The hood also avoids bodily injury when the closure member moves from the first to the second position, preventing an operator from coming into contact with the closure member.

Alternatively, the retention means of the closure member may be constituted by a stop present at the opening of the output port.

The invention also relates to an extinguisher comprising a device for delivering a pressurized material such as that described above, the tank containing an extinguishing agent.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 est une vue d'ensemble en coupe d'un dispositif de délivrance d'un matériau pressurisé selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• les figures 2 et 3 sont respectivement des vues en coupe et éclatée du dispositif de la figure 1 au niveau de son port de sortie,
• la figure 4 est une vue éclatée de l'organe d'obturation d'un dispositif selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention, et
• les figures 5 et 6 sont respectivement une vue en coupe au niveau du port de sortie et une vue éclatée de l'organe d'obturation d'un dispositif selon un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description given below, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate embodiments having no limiting character. In the figures:

• the figure 1 is an overall sectional view of a device for delivering a pressurized material according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• the Figures 2 and 3 are respectively sectional and exploded views of the device of the figure 1 at its exit port,
• the figure 4 is an exploded view of the shutter member of a device according to a second embodiment of the invention, and
• the Figures 5 and 6 are respectively a sectional view at the output port and an exploded view of the shutter member of a device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The figure 1 shows a device 1 for delivering a pressurized material according to a first embodiment of the invention. The device 1 comprises: a tank 2 of cylindrical shape centered on an axis A, a gas generator 3 positioned at the bottom of the tank 2, and an outlet port 4 positioned here at the end of the tank 2 opposite to the gas generator 3 .

In the present description, the terms "inside" and "outside" are defined with respect to the inside and the outside of the tank 2, the terms "axial" and "radial" are defined with respect to the axis A of the tank 2. Unless stated otherwise, the identical reference signs on the different ones indicate the same characteristics.

The reservoir 2 contains a material 5 to be delivered, for example a liquid or a powder. Before triggering the gas generator 3, the material 5 is not pressurized. The gas generator 3 may, in a manner known per se, consist of a pyrotechnic generator or a pressurized gas bottle, and can be triggered to pressurize the material contained in the tank 2. The gas generator 3 may be present inside the tank 3 or at least partially inside the tank 3 as in the example shown. Alternatively, it may be located outside the tank 3 (or remote) and in fluid communication with the tank.

The output port 4 of the device 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the Figures 2 and 3 . The figure 2 shows in its left part a view of the device when it is closed, and in its right part a view of the device when it is open, that is to say when the material 5 is delivered outside the device. device 1.

In the illustrated example, the output port 4 is an insert which is fixed on one end of the tank 2. Alternatively, the output port 4 can be directly integrated with the wall of the tank 2. The output port 4 takes here the shape of a cylinder centered on the axis A having an inner opening 10 opening inside the tank 2, and an outer opening 12 opening out of the tank 2. In the example shown, the opening 12 is circular and has a diameter smaller than that of the inner opening 10. Between the two openings 10, 12 is a cylindrical cavity 14 having an inner wall 16 in which are provided, at the inner opening 10, a first housing 18a; and in the middle of the cavity 14, a second housing 18b. The first 18a and second 18b housings here consist of circular V-section grooves which are machined, for example, in the inner wall 16 of the cavity 14.

A closure member 20 is housed inside the outlet port 4. The closure member 20 comprises a closure member constituted here by a piston 22 provided at its periphery with a groove 23 in which is housed a ring or seal 24. The piston 22 is dimensioned so as to seal the outer opening 12 of the outlet port 4 tightly when in a first position. In addition, the piston 22 can move slidably within the outlet port 4 to reach a second position in which the material 5 can exit the device 1 through the outer opening 12. The piston 22 is connected to a rod 26 which extends from the piston 22 and inwards. This rod 26 is connected to a perforated disk 28 provided with a plurality of locking spring elements. The locking spring elements are able to engage in the housings 18a, 18b of the inner wall 16 to lock the piston 22 in the first position corresponding to the first housing 18a, and in the second position corresponding to the second housing 18b. The locking spring elements are also able to retract inside the closure member 20 so as to allow the piston 22 to move from the first position to the second position.

The perforated disc 28 is centered on the axis A, which furthermore corresponds to the axis on which the piston 22 and the rod 26 are centered. The perforated disc 28 is provided with axial bores 29 in the thickness of the disc 28 in order to allow the circulation of the material 5 through the disk 28. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. Figures 1 to 3 each locking spring element of the perforated disc 28 comprises a ball 30 positioned at the radially outer end of a spring 32 which is housed in radial bores 34 made in the thickness of the disc 28. The diameter of the balls 30 is smaller to the diameter of the radial bores 34 so that the balls can move inside the radial bores 34. In this way, each ball 30 is held in permanent support by a spring 32 against the inner wall 16 of the cavity 14 of the port of output 4, and in the housing 18a, 18b where appropriate. In the device illustrated on the Figures 1 to 3 , the perforated disc 28 is provided with three radial bores distributed circumferentially around the disc 28 between which are the axial bores 29 intended to let material 5 pass. In this way, the radial bores 34 form an angle of about 120 between them. °.

The device 1 may also be provided with means for retaining the closure member on which the closure member 20 can abut when it reaches its second position. Such means allow to retain the closure member 20 inside the device to prevent ejection. In the illustrated example, these shutter means comprise a cover 42 fixed on the output port 4, for example by screwing, the cover 42 being placed in front of the outer opening 12. The distance between the outer opening 12 and the cover 42 corresponds substantially to the distance separating the two positions of the shutter member, that is to say the distance separating the two housings 18a, 18b of the wall 16. The cover 42 is here provided with openings 44 through which the material 5 can exit the device 1 when the closure member 20 is in its second position. In an example not shown, the cover 44 can be integrated into the output port, so that the cover 44 and the output port 4 form a single piece.

The figure 4 illustrates a shutter member 120 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The closure member 120 also comprises a piston 122 provided at its periphery with a groove 123 in which is housed a seal 124. In this example, the rod 126 of the piston 122 is provided at its inner end (c). that is to say at the opposite end to the piston 122) of several locking spring elements. Each locking spring element comprises, as in the previous example, a ball 130 positioned at the radially outer end of a spring 132. Each spring 132 is housed in a tube 136 extending radially from the rod 126. As before, the diameter of the balls 130 is smaller than the internal diameter of the tubes 136 so that the balls can move inside the tubes 136. The length of each tube 136 is chosen so that on the one hand the body of shutter can move in the output port 4, and secondly the balls 130 can be held in permanent support against the wall 16, and engage in the housing 18a, 18b where appropriate.

The Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a shutter member 220 according to a third embodiment of the invention. The closure member 220 comprises, as previously, a piston 222 provided at its periphery with a groove 223 in which is housed a seal 224. In this example, the rod 226 of the piston 222 is fixed at its end. less than a perforated disc 228 provided with axial bores 229 and a locking spring element here constituted by an elastic ring 238. The ring 238 is housed in a groove 240 present at the periphery of the disc 228. The elastic ring 238 here takes the shape of a split ring, for example of plastic or metal material. Alternatively, the elastic ring 238 could be replaced by a rubber ring sized to retract inside the disc 228. The ring 238 and the groove 240 are sized so that the rod 238 can retract inside. disc 228 when the rod 238 is compressed in a radial direction. In all cases, the elastic ring 238 is dimensioned to be maintained in permanent support against the inner wall 16 of the cavity 14 of the outlet port 4, and engage in the housing 18a, 18b where appropriate.

In this example, the wall of the outlet port 4 in which the opening 12 is located comprises an inner annular surface forming a stop 13. The perforated disk 228 can come into contact with the stop 13 when the shutter member 220 reaches his second position. This stop 13 thus constitutes another example of retention means of the shutter member 220. However, it should be noted that, alternatively, a cover 44 such as that presented in the previous example can also be used in this example.

The operation of a device 1 according to the invention will now be described in connection with the first embodiment illustrated in particular on the figure 2 .

On the left side of the figure 2 , the closure member 20 is in the first position corresponding to the closed position of the device 1 in which the material 5 is stored in the reservoir, and the piston 22 sealingly closes the outer opening 12 of the outlet port 4 The material 5 is not yet pressurized at this stage. In this first position, we see that the balls 30 of the closure member are present or engaged in the first housing 18a of the inner wall 16 of the output port 4, and held by the springs 32. The balls 30 provide a locking the piston 22 in this first position, which prevents the device from opening unexpectedly because of pressure peaks caused for example during the displacement of the device 1. It is also seen that material 5 may be present in the cavity 14 of the exit port because it can pass through the perforated disc 28.

When the gas generator 3 is triggered, the pressure of the material 5 present in the tank 2 increases sharply. This pressure is directly applied to the piston 22 and exerts on it a force directed towards the outside of the device 1. When the force is sufficient, the balls 30 will be able to retract inside the holes 29 of the disc and release the piston 22 who can then move to the second position.

In this second position, visible on the right side of the figure 2 the pressurized material can exit through the opening 12 which is no longer closed by the piston 22 (the path of the material 5 is symbolized by solid arrows). In addition, the balls 30 are now present or engaged in the second housing 18b of the inner wall 16 of the output port 4 and held by the springs 32. In this way, the piston 22 is locked in this second position, which makes prevents the outer opening 12 from being closed again, even partially, even if the pressure inside the reservoir decreases. It can also be seen that the presence of the hood 42 prevents ejection of the piston 22 after the gas generator 3 has been triggered.

The operation of the device 1 is identical for the different embodiments of the closure member 20, 120, 220 according to the invention which have been presented previously.

A device for delivering a pressurized material according to the invention may for example be used in a fire extinguisher that can be embedded in vehicles. In this case, the reservoir may contain an extinguishing agent, for example in liquid or powder form.

Claims (10)

1. A device (1) for delivering a pressurised material comprising:

   a tank (2) intended to contain a material (5) having an outlet port (4) provided with an opening (12),

   a gas generator (3) configured to pressurise the material contained in the tank (2) when it is activated, and

   a blocking member (20; 120; 220) including a blocking element (22; 122; 222) connected to one or several locking spring elements (30, 32; 130, 132; 238),

   the blocking member (20; 120; 220) being moveable between a first position wherein said blocking element (22; 122; 222) blocks the opening (12) of the outlet port (4) and a second position wherein said blocking element (22; 122; 222) is clear from the opening (12) of the outlet port (4) so as to allow the discharge of the material (5) present in the tank (2), characterised in that each locking spring element (30, 32; 130, 132; 238) is present in a first housing (18a) formed in an inner wall (16) of the outlet port (4) in said first position, in that each locking spring element is present in a second housing (18b) formed in the inner wall (16) in said second position, and in that each locking spring element (30, 32; 130, 132; 238) is able to retract inside the blocking member (20; 120; 220) during the passage of said blocking member from the first to the second position after pressurisation of the material (5) contained within the tank by the gas generator (3).
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the opening (12) of the outlet port (4) exhibits a circular section and the blocking element comprises a piston (22; 122; 222) provided with a rod (26; 126; 226).
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the blocking member (20; 220) comprises a perforated disc (28; 228) fastened onto the rod (26; 226) of the piston (22; 222) and provided with the locking spring element(s) (30, 32, 238).
4. The device according to claim 3, wherein each locking spring element comprises a bead (30) maintained pressed on the inner wall (16) of the outlet port (4) by a spring (32) found inside a housing (34) provided in the perforated disc (28).
5. The device according to claim 3, wherein the locking spring element comprises an elastic circlip (238) found in a groove (240) at the periphery of the perforated disc (228) and maintained pressed on the inner wall (16) of the outlet port (4).
6. The device according to claim 2, wherein each locking spring element comprises a bead (130) maintained pressed on the inner wall (16) of the outlet port (4) by a spring (132) housed within a tube (136) fastened on the rod (126) of the piston (122).
7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising retaining means (13; 42) of the blocking member (20; 120; 220) whereon said member is intended to come into abutment when it reaches the second position.
8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the retaining means of the blocking member comprise a cap (42) fastened on the outlet port (4).
9. The device according to claim 7, wherein the retaining means of the blocking member are composed by a bearing (13) found at the opening (12) of the outlet port (4).
10. A fire extinguisher comprising a device (1) for delivering a pressurised material according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the tank (2) containing an extinguishing agent.

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