EP3397893A1 - Tap assembly for gas cylinder with operating lever and cover - Google Patents

Tap assembly for gas cylinder with operating lever and cover

Info

Publication number
EP3397893A1
EP3397893A1 EP16809440.7A EP16809440A EP3397893A1 EP 3397893 A1 EP3397893 A1 EP 3397893A1 EP 16809440 A EP16809440 A EP 16809440A EP 3397893 A1 EP3397893 A1 EP 3397893A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tap
shutter
shut
refill
passage
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Withdrawn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
EP16809440.7A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Johan BROECHLER
Pascal CHIR
Jean-Claude Schmitz
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.)
Luxembourg Patent Co SA
Original Assignee
Luxembourg Patent Co SA
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 Luxembourg Patent Co SA filed Critical Luxembourg Patent Co SA
Publication of EP3397893A1 publication Critical patent/EP3397893A1/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Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • F17C2205/01—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
    • F17C2205/0329—Valves manually 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
    • F17C2205/0338—Pressure regulators
    • 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
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/04—Methods for emptying or filling
    • F17C2227/048—Methods for emptying or filling by maintaining residual 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
    • F17C2270/02—Applications for medical applications
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/07—Applications for household use
    • F17C2270/0745—Gas bottles

Definitions

  • the invention is directed to the field of taps for gas cylinder, more particularly to taps for compressed industrial and/or medical gases.
  • Prior art patent document published FR 2 865 263 A1 discloses a cover for a tap mounted on a gas cylinder.
  • the cover comprises a general ball- shaped shell housing the cylinder tap.
  • the shell comprises an opening for an outlet connector, and a lever for actuating a lid that closes and opens said opening.
  • the main goal of this lid is to protect the connector from dust pollution by the ambient air.
  • the opening of the tap is made by pre-setting the pressure reducer. This construction fails to provide a reliable and ergonomic shut-off device.
  • Prior art patent document published FR 2 502 290 A1 discloses a tap for a gas cylinder that provides a reserve position.
  • the tap comprises a shutter that is urged by a spring towards a seat in a direction opposite to the normal gas flow, i.e. when being delivered from the cylinder to a user.
  • the pressure inside the cylinder decreases down to a level that is predetermined by the shutter and its spring, the pressure of the gas is not able anymore to move the shutter against the spring force.
  • the tap remains therefore closed.
  • a lever mounted on the tap body can be actuated for moving the shutter in an open position and thereby allowing the reserve amount of gas to be used.
  • the function of this tap is limited to providing a reserve of gas.
  • Prior art patent document published WO 2015/132092 A2 discloses a cover for a gas cylinder tap.
  • the cover comprises a shell for housing the tap and a hook pivotally mounted on the shell, the hook being configured for securing the gas cylinder to a horizontal bar, like a bar of a hospital bed.
  • the shell comprises reservations on its external surface configured for receiving the hook in a folded position so as to generally conform to said external surface.
  • the invention is also directed to a gas storage assembly comprising a gas cylinder, a tap and a cover.
  • the shell comprises an upper half-shell and a lower half-shell joined together.
  • the tap comprises a rotatable wheel for actuating a flow selector, said wheel being on the upper half-shell.
  • the tap fails to provide a shut-off device distinct from the flow selector.
  • Prior art patent document published FR 2 244 123 A1 discloses a tap for gas cylinder with a rotating lever that permits to purge the outlet and the circuit connected thereto.
  • the rotating lever comprises a slope contact surface that slides on the stems of two shutters cooperating with corresponding seats in the tap body.
  • That gas cylinder tap addresses a particular problem and fails to be particularly compatible with a protective cover that becomes nowadays a standard for reasons of ergonomics, security and aesthetic. This is particularly true when the cover comprises a gripping handle at the top which prevents a convenient operation of the operating lever.
  • the invention has for technical problem to provide a tap for gas cylinder with a shut-off valve whose operation is convenient and reliable. More particularly, the invention has for technical problem to provide a tap with a shut-off valve whose operation is compatible with a protective cover for said tap.
  • the invention is directed to a tap for gas cylinder, comprising: a body with a threaded gas inlet extending along a longitudinal axis and adapted to be connected to a collar of the gas cylinder, a gas outlet and a passage interconnecting said inlet and outlet; a shut-off device of the passage, said device comprising a seat in the passage and a shutter extending through and cooperating with said seat; a lever adapted for moving the shutter against a delivery flow direction in the passage from the inlet towards the outlet, in order to open the shut-off device; wherein the lever is rotatable around a transversal axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis or that forms an angle with said perpendicular that is less than 30°, preferably less than 20°, more preferably less than 10°.
  • the shutter of the shut-off valve is slidably movable along a transversal direction that is parallel to the rotation axis of the lever or that forms an angle with said axis that is less than 30°, preferably less than 20°, more preferably less than 10°.
  • the shutter of the shut-off valve is urged towards the seat of said device by a spring in the delivery flow direction.
  • said the lever comprises a contact surface that is sloped relative to plane perpendicular to the rotation axis, said sloped surface contacting an actuating rod slidably mounted in the body and contacting the shutter.
  • the actuating rod extends through the passage downstream of the seat in the delivery flow direction.
  • said tap comprises a residual pressure device arranged in the passage downstream of the seat in the delivery flow direction, and preferably wherein said device comprises a shutter urged by a spring towards a seat in a direction opposite to the delivery flow direction, the actuating rod extending through said shutter.
  • said tap comprises an anti-refill device arranged in a refill passage interconnecting a refill port and the inlet, said passage intersecting the passage upstream, in the delivery flow direction, of the shut-off device.
  • the anti-refill device comprises a shutter urged by a spring towards a seat in the refill passage in refill flow direction from the refill port to the inlet, the shutter of the shut-off device being adapted, in a refill position, for contacting and moving said shutter of the anti-refill device off said seat of the anti-refill device in order to open the refill passage.
  • the shutter of the anti-refill device is slidable along a direction that is aligned with the sliding direction of the shutter of the shut-off device, said shutter preferably comprising a protruding portion extending through the seat of the anti-refill device for contacting said shutter of the anti-refill device.
  • the lever comprises a first position where the shut-off device is closed, a second position where the shut-off device is opened, and third position where the shut-off device is further opened and the anti-refill device is opened.
  • the actuating rod can comprise a shoulder that abuts against the shutter of the residual pressure device when passing from the second position to the third position so as to keep the residual pressure device in a closed position.
  • said tap comprises blocking means that prevent rotation of the lever to the third position, said means being releasable.
  • the body comprises a longitudinal portion comprising the gas inlet, and a transversal portion extending transversally on each side of the longitudinal portion and housing the shut- off device, the residual pressure device and the anti-refill device.
  • the lever comprises two side arms rotatably mounted on both sides of the body, and a handle interconnecting said arms.
  • one of the two arms is adapted for converting the pivoting movement of the lever into a movement the shutter of the shut-off device and the other of said two arms is freely rotatably mounted on the body.
  • the two side arms are mounted on the transversal portion of the body.
  • the invention is also directed to a tap assembly comprising: a tap for gas cylinder; and a cover housing the tap; wherein the tap is according to the invention, and the tap assembly further comprises a lid fixed with the lever of said tap, said lid covering or uncovering a front area of the cover when actuating said lever.
  • the lid uncovers the front area comprising an indicator and/or a hand-wheel for adjusting the delivery outlet pressure and/or flow rate when the lever is actuated for opening the shut-off device.
  • the tap comprises a flow selector
  • the front area of the cover comprises a hand-wheel for actuating said selector, said hand-wheel comprising at its periphery a flattened portion that allows movement of the lever in a closing direction of the shut-off valve only when the hand-wheel is in an angular position that corresponds to a null flow rate.
  • the invention is particularly interesting in that it provides a reliable and convenient operation of the shut-off device, in particular in relation with a tap assembly that comprises a cover housing the tap.
  • Figure 1 is front perspective view of a tap assembly in accordance with the invention, the tap being in an open position.
  • Figure 2 is a view of the tap assembly of figure 1 in a close position.
  • Figure 3 is a front view of the tap of the tap assembly of figures 1 and 2.
  • Figure 4 is a side view of the tap of figure 3.
  • Figure 5 is a sectional view of the central portion of the tap of figures 3 and
  • Figure 6 corresponds to figure 5 where the tap is in an open position.
  • Figure 7 correspond to figures 4 and 5 where the tap is in a refill position. Description of an embodiment
  • Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a tap assembly in accordance with the invention.
  • the tap assembly 2 comprises a cover 4 housing a tap (not visible in figures 1 and 2).
  • the cover 4 comprises, essentially, a shell 4 1 that can be generally ball-shaped, a handle 4 2 extending generally horizontally above the shell 4 1 , and two side arms connecting the handle 4 2 to the shell 4 1 .
  • the tap (not visible) and the shell can be attached to each other so as to form an assembly that can be mounted as a unit on a gas cylinder.
  • the tap assembly 2 comprises also a hand-wheel 6 that actuates a flow selector provided in the tap.
  • the hand-wheel is located on a front area of the shell 4 1 .
  • the tap assembly 2 comprises a lid 8 that is pivotally mounted on the tap around a transversal axis, i.e. an axis that is at least generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the assembly.
  • the longitudinal axis is vertical when the assembly is oriented as in figures 1 and 2, i.e. oriented as when mounted on an upright cylinder gas.
  • the tap assembly can comprise two outlets 10, one being a barbed connector for a hose and the other one being a quick connector. These outlets are advantageously positioned on the front area of the shell 4 1 , below the hand-wheel 6.
  • Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the tap of the tap assembly of figures 1 and 2.
  • the tap 12 comprises a body 14 with a first longitudinal portion 14 1 extending along the longitudinal axis 16, and a second transversal portion 14 2 extending along the transversal axis 18 that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 16.
  • the transversal portion 14 2 of the body 14 supports the two lateral arms 8 2 and 8 3 of the pivoting lid 8. These two arms are interconnected by a gripping and covering portion 8 1 .
  • this portion 8 1 is indeed generally curved so as to travel around the tap, more particularly the hand-wheel 6. It comprises also a gripping portion for facilitating its manoeuvring by a user.
  • the hand-wheel 6 can comprise at its periphery a flattened portion 6 1 that cooperates with one of the arms 8 2 and 8 3 , for instance with the arm 8 2 such that this flattened portion 6 1 needs to be positioned towards said arm to allow its pivoting movement down to a position as illustrated in figure 2.
  • This position of the flattened portion 6 1 can correspond to an angular position of the hand-wheel that sets a null flow rate.
  • Such measures provide the effect that the lid can only be moved back to the position as illustrated in figure 2 when the flow selector is set to a flow rate of zero. This provides an enhanced security and also ergonomics of the tap assembly since it requires from the user who wants to stop the delivery of gas and use of the assembly to first sets the flow rate to zero and second to move the lid over the hand-wheel to close the shut-off device.
  • the body 14 comprises a gas inlet at the lower end of the longitudinal portion 14 1 and a gas passage (not visible) that interconnects the inlet with the outlet(s) 10.
  • a shut-off device is provided in the body 14 for shutting-off the passage.
  • a pressure reducer 20 and a flow selector operated by the hand-wheel 6 are also provided downstream of said shut-off device. The pressure reducer and the flow selector are as such well known to the skilled person and do not need to be further detailed.
  • Figures 5 to 7 are sectional views of the tap 12, more particularly of the transversal portion of the body 14 of the tap, illustrating the interaction between the arms of the lid 8 and the shut-off device.
  • Figure 5 corresponds to a closed state, figure 6 to an open state and figure 7 to a refill state of the tap.
  • the transversal portion 14 2 of the body comprises a gas passage 22 interconnecting the inlet (not represented) with the outlet(s) (also not represented).
  • a shut-off device 24 is provided in the passage 22. More specifically, the passage 22 comprises a portion 22 1 that is in direct connection with the inlet (not represented) and upstream of the shut-off device.
  • the passage 22 comprises also a portion 22 2 that is downstream of the shut-off device 24 and in direction connection with the above mentioned pressure reducer (20 in figure 4) towards the outlet(s) (10 in figures 1 and 3).
  • the shut-off device 24 comprises a seat 26 in the passage 22, a shutter 28, also in the passage and upstream of the seat 26, and a spring 29 urging the shutter 28 against the set 26.
  • the shutter 28 is in a gas tight contact with the seat 26 so as to shut-off the passage 22 between the portions 22 1 and 22 2 of said passage.
  • the high pressure present in the cylinder and in the portion 22 1 of the passage 22 further urges the shutter 28 against the seat 26.
  • An actuating rod 30 is provided between the lever 8 2 and the shutter 28.
  • one end of the rod 30 is in contact with a trunnion 32 that is rotatably attached to the lever 8 2 by means of its end portion 32 1 .
  • This latter can comprise a flattened portion for providing a secure torque transmission between the lever 8 2 and the trunnion 32.
  • the trunnion 32 comprises a contact surface 32 2 that is sloped relative to a plane perpendicular to the transversal axis 18.
  • the axis of rotation 19 of the trunnion is parallel and offset to the transversal axis 18. The rotation of the trunnion 32 can therefore move the actuating rod 30 towards the shutter 28 so as to move it to an open position and vice versa.
  • the tap can comprise residual pressure device 34 adapted for maintaining a residual pressure in the gas cylinder, e.g. comprises between 10 and 1 bars.
  • the purpose of such a device is to avoid a direct contact between the interior of the cylinder and the ambient environment of the cylinder in the absence of gas flow because such a direct contact could contaminate the interior of the cylinder.
  • the residual pressure opens when gas is delivered to a user as long as the pressure inside the cylinder is high enough to open the device. When the pressure in the cylinder is below the critical pressure of the device, this latter remains closed, thereby preventing contamination of the cylinder when the shut-off device remains open.
  • the residual pressure device 34 is arranged downstream of the shut-off device 24. It comprises essentially a shutter 36, a seat 38 and a spring 40.
  • the spring 40 urges the shutter 36 in the reverse direction of the delivery flow of the gas towards the seat 38. As soon as the pressure difference on the shutter 36 is high enough, this latter is moved against the resilient force of the spring off the seat 38 so as to open the passage.
  • the actuating rod 30 extends in a gas thigh fashion through the spring 40 and the shutter 36 of the residual pressure device 34. This construction prevents the rod 30 from disturbing the functioning of the residual pressure device and vice versa.
  • the seat 38 of the residual pressure device 34 is formed on a bushing that is inserted into a bore of the body portion 14 2 .
  • This bushing forms a cavity that houses the shutter 36.
  • Its front portion comprises a deepening that houses the seat 26 of the shut-off device 24.
  • Its rear portion is in contact with plug 42 that closes the bore cavity and through which the actuating rod 30 extends in a gas tight fashion.
  • the tap can comprise an anti-refill device 44 adapted to prevent a refill of the cylinder by an unauthorized person.
  • the anti-refill device 44 is arranged in a portion 22 3 of the passage that branches off the upstream portion 22 1 of the passage to a refill port (not represented).
  • the anti-refill device is arrange along the transversal axis 18 at the opposite of the residual pressure device 34 and the actuating rod 30.
  • the anti-refill device 44 comprises essentially a shutter 46, a seat 48 and a spring 50 urging the shutter 46 towards the seat 48. More specifically, the closing sliding movement of the shutter 46 is in the refill flow direction, i.e. from the (not represented) refill port connected with the refill portion 22 3 of the passage towards the upstream portion 22 1 of said passage 22. During normal use of the tap assembly, the refill portion is closed and the anti-refill device remains closed by virtue of the spring 50. If the refill port would be opened, the anti-refill device 44 remains closed. Indeed, the shutter 46 forms with the plug 52 a gas tight cavity housing the spring 50. It comprises also a gas channel interconnecting the cavity with the downstream side of shutter (relative to the refill flow direction).
  • the cavity housing the spring 50 has a cross-sectional surface that is larger than the cross-sectional surface of the front face of shutter downstream (relative to the refill flow direction) the seat 48. This means that even if the pressure at in the refill portion 22 3 of the passage drops down, the pressure at the inlet and in the upstream section 22 1 of the passage generates a resulting force on the shutter 46 that is towards the seat 48.
  • a refill pressure is applied to the refill port, i.e. a pressure that is higher than the pressure inside the cylinder and at the inlet, the anti-refill device 44 remains also closed, thereby preventing unauthorized refilling of the cylinder.
  • a bushing 54 is inserted into a bore formed in the corresponding end of the transversal portion 14 2 of the body 14.
  • the seat 48 of the anti-refilling device 44 is housed in a circular recess formed in the bottom wall of the bore.
  • the seat 48 is held in said recess by the front wall of the bushing 54.
  • This latter houses the shutter 46.
  • the plug 52 is in contact with rear of the bushing 54, so as to keep the bushing 54 and the seat 48 in place in the bore.
  • a trunnion 56 is attached to the body portion 14 2 and supports in free rotation around the axis 19 the arm 8 3 of the lid.
  • the shutter 28 of the shut-off device 24 is in contact with the seat 26 so that the gas passage from the section 22 1 toward the section 22 2 is shut-off.
  • the shutter 28 comprises a front portion 28 1 that protrudes downstream through the seat 26.
  • the corresponding end of the actuating rod 30 is distant from the front portion 28 1 of the shutter 28, so as not to interfere with the shut-off device.
  • the closed state of figure 5 can correspond to the position of the lid 8 as illustrated in figure 2.
  • Figure 6 illustrates the tap of figure 5 in an open state.
  • the arms or levers 8 2 and 8 3 have pivoted having for effect to rotate the trunnion 32 and to move the actuating rod 30 by virtue of movement of the sloped contact surface 32 2 .
  • the actuating rod 30 contacts the front portion 28 1 of the shutter 28 and moves it off the seat 26.
  • the shut-off device 24 is then open and allows a delivery flow of gas from the inlet towards the outlet(s).
  • the pressure at the inlet is applied to the shutter 36 of the residual pressure device 34 and moves it off its seat 38 so as to open the passage.
  • the rear portion 28 2 of the shutter 28 of the shut-off device remains distant from the anti-refill device 44. This latter remains closed as in the closed state of the tap described in relation with figure 5.
  • the open state of figure 6 can correspond to the position of the lid 8 as illustrated in figure 1.
  • Figure 7 illustrates the tap in a refill state.
  • the arms 8 2 and 8 3 have pivoted further to that the trunnion 32 is rotated further and its sloped contact surface 32 2 moves further the actuating rod 30.
  • the shutter 28 of the shut-off device is moved further in the open position to such an extent that its rear portion 28 2 contacts the shutter 46 of the anti-refill device 44 so as to open it.
  • a refill flow of gas can be applied from the refill section 22 3 of the passage towards the upstream portion 22 1 through the anti-refill device forced in an open position.
  • the shut-off device 24 is open. This is therefore necessary to shut-off the passage 22 downstream of the shut-off device.
  • the actuating rod 30 can comprise a shoulder portion 30 1 is adjusted to rest on the shutter 36 of the residual pressure device 34 in the refill state as illustrated in figure 7. This corresponds to a position of the shoulder portion that is to the right of the shoulder portion 30 1 as illustrated in figure 7.
  • the tap can comprise a further shut-off means downstream in section 22 2 of the passage.
  • the refill state as illustrated in figure 7 can be normally blocked for normal users by limiting the pivoting movement of the arms 8 2 and 8 3 between the positions corresponding to the closed and opened states as illustrated in figures 5 and 6.
  • a mechanical element can be provided for normally blocking a further pivoting movement of the arms 8 2 and 8 3 from the open state as illustrated in figure 6 towards a refill state as illustrated in figure 7.
  • This mechanical element can be designed to be deactivated by a special tool that would be provided to authorised persons for refilling the gas cylinder.

Abstract

The invention is directed to a tap (12) for gas cylinder, comprising a body (14) with a threaded gas inlet extending along a longitudinal axis (16) and adapted to be connected to a collar of the gas cylinder, a gas outlet (10) and a gas delivery passage interconnecting said inlet and outlet; a shut-off device of the passage, said device comprising a seat in the delivery passage and a shutter extending through and cooperating with said seat; and a lever (82) adapted for moving the shutter against a delivery flow direction in the delivery passage from the inlet towards the outlet, in order to open the shut-off device. The lever (82) is rotatable around a transversal axis (19) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (16) or that forms an angle with said perpendicular that is less than 30°, preferably less than 20°, more preferably less than 10°.

Description

Description
TAP ASSEMBLY FOR GAS CYLINDER WITH OPERATING LEVER AND COVER
Technical field
[0001] The invention is directed to the field of taps for gas cylinder, more particularly to taps for compressed industrial and/or medical gases.
Background art
[0002] Prior art patent document published FR 2 865 263 A1 discloses a cover for a tap mounted on a gas cylinder. The cover comprises a general ball- shaped shell housing the cylinder tap. The shell comprises an opening for an outlet connector, and a lever for actuating a lid that closes and opens said opening. The main goal of this lid is to protect the connector from dust pollution by the ambient air. The opening of the tap is made by pre-setting the pressure reducer. This construction fails to provide a reliable and ergonomic shut-off device.
[0003] Prior art patent document published FR 2 502 290 A1 discloses a tap for a gas cylinder that provides a reserve position. The tap comprises a shutter that is urged by a spring towards a seat in a direction opposite to the normal gas flow, i.e. when being delivered from the cylinder to a user. When the pressure inside the cylinder decreases down to a level that is predetermined by the shutter and its spring, the pressure of the gas is not able anymore to move the shutter against the spring force. The tap remains therefore closed. A lever mounted on the tap body can be actuated for moving the shutter in an open position and thereby allowing the reserve amount of gas to be used. The function of this tap is limited to providing a reserve of gas.
[0004] Prior art patent document published WO 2015/132092 A2 discloses a cover for a gas cylinder tap. The cover comprises a shell for housing the tap and a hook pivotally mounted on the shell, the hook being configured for securing the gas cylinder to a horizontal bar, like a bar of a hospital bed. The shell comprises reservations on its external surface configured for receiving the hook in a folded position so as to generally conform to said external surface. The invention is also directed to a gas storage assembly comprising a gas cylinder, a tap and a cover. The shell comprises an upper half-shell and a lower half-shell joined together. The tap comprises a rotatable wheel for actuating a flow selector, said wheel being on the upper half-shell. The tap fails to provide a shut-off device distinct from the flow selector.
[0005] Prior art patent document published FR 2 244 123 A1 discloses a tap for gas cylinder with a rotating lever that permits to purge the outlet and the circuit connected thereto. To that end, the rotating lever comprises a slope contact surface that slides on the stems of two shutters cooperating with corresponding seats in the tap body. That gas cylinder tap addresses a particular problem and fails to be particularly compatible with a protective cover that becomes nowadays a standard for reasons of ergonomics, security and aesthetic. This is particularly true when the cover comprises a gripping handle at the top which prevents a convenient operation of the operating lever.
Summary of invention
Technical Problem
[0006] The invention has for technical problem to provide a tap for gas cylinder with a shut-off valve whose operation is convenient and reliable. More particularly, the invention has for technical problem to provide a tap with a shut-off valve whose operation is compatible with a protective cover for said tap.
Technical solution
[0007] The invention is directed to a tap for gas cylinder, comprising: a body with a threaded gas inlet extending along a longitudinal axis and adapted to be connected to a collar of the gas cylinder, a gas outlet and a passage interconnecting said inlet and outlet; a shut-off device of the passage, said device comprising a seat in the passage and a shutter extending through and cooperating with said seat; a lever adapted for moving the shutter against a delivery flow direction in the passage from the inlet towards the outlet, in order to open the shut-off device; wherein the lever is rotatable around a transversal axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis or that forms an angle with said perpendicular that is less than 30°, preferably less than 20°, more preferably less than 10°.
[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the shutter of the shut-off valve is slidably movable along a transversal direction that is parallel to the rotation axis of the lever or that forms an angle with said axis that is less than 30°, preferably less than 20°, more preferably less than 10°.
[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the shutter of the shut-off valve is urged towards the seat of said device by a spring in the delivery flow direction.
[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, said the lever comprises a contact surface that is sloped relative to plane perpendicular to the rotation axis, said sloped surface contacting an actuating rod slidably mounted in the body and contacting the shutter.
[001 1] According to a preferred embodiment, the actuating rod extends through the passage downstream of the seat in the delivery flow direction.
[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, said tap comprises a residual pressure device arranged in the passage downstream of the seat in the delivery flow direction, and preferably wherein said device comprises a shutter urged by a spring towards a seat in a direction opposite to the delivery flow direction, the actuating rod extending through said shutter.
[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, said tap comprises an anti-refill device arranged in a refill passage interconnecting a refill port and the inlet, said passage intersecting the passage upstream, in the delivery flow direction, of the shut-off device.
[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the anti-refill device comprises a shutter urged by a spring towards a seat in the refill passage in refill flow direction from the refill port to the inlet, the shutter of the shut-off device being adapted, in a refill position, for contacting and moving said shutter of the anti-refill device off said seat of the anti-refill device in order to open the refill passage.
[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the shutter of the anti-refill device is slidable along a direction that is aligned with the sliding direction of the shutter of the shut-off device, said shutter preferably comprising a protruding portion extending through the seat of the anti-refill device for contacting said shutter of the anti-refill device.
[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, wherein the lever comprises a first position where the shut-off device is closed, a second position where the shut-off device is opened, and third position where the shut-off device is further opened and the anti-refill device is opened.
[0017] Advantageously, the actuating rod can comprise a shoulder that abuts against the shutter of the residual pressure device when passing from the second position to the third position so as to keep the residual pressure device in a closed position.
[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, said tap comprises blocking means that prevent rotation of the lever to the third position, said means being releasable.
[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the body comprises a longitudinal portion comprising the gas inlet, and a transversal portion extending transversally on each side of the longitudinal portion and housing the shut- off device, the residual pressure device and the anti-refill device.
[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the lever comprises two side arms rotatably mounted on both sides of the body, and a handle interconnecting said arms.
[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, one of the two arms is adapted for converting the pivoting movement of the lever into a movement the shutter of the shut-off device and the other of said two arms is freely rotatably mounted on the body.
[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the two side arms are mounted on the transversal portion of the body.
[0023] The invention is also directed to a tap assembly comprising: a tap for gas cylinder; and a cover housing the tap; wherein the tap is according to the invention, and the tap assembly further comprises a lid fixed with the lever of said tap, said lid covering or uncovering a front area of the cover when actuating said lever.
[0024] According to a preferred embodiment, the lid uncovers the front area comprising an indicator and/or a hand-wheel for adjusting the delivery outlet pressure and/or flow rate when the lever is actuated for opening the shut-off device.
[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the tap comprises a flow selector, and the front area of the cover comprises a hand-wheel for actuating said selector, said hand-wheel comprising at its periphery a flattened portion that allows movement of the lever in a closing direction of the shut-off valve only when the hand-wheel is in an angular position that corresponds to a null flow rate.
Advantages of the invention
[0026] The invention is particularly interesting in that it provides a reliable and convenient operation of the shut-off device, in particular in relation with a tap assembly that comprises a cover housing the tap.
Brief description of the drawings
[0027] Figure 1 is front perspective view of a tap assembly in accordance with the invention, the tap being in an open position.
[0028] Figure 2 is a view of the tap assembly of figure 1 in a close position.
[0029] Figure 3 is a front view of the tap of the tap assembly of figures 1 and 2.
[0030] Figure 4 is a side view of the tap of figure 3.
[0031] Figure 5 is a sectional view of the central portion of the tap of figures 3 and
4, the tap being in a close position.
[0032] Figure 6 corresponds to figure 5 where the tap is in an open position.
[0033] Figure 7 correspond to figures 4 and 5 where the tap is in a refill position. Description of an embodiment
[0034] In the following description of the invention, the concepts of "upstream" and "downstream" are expressed with reference to the flow direction when gas is delivered from the cylinder to a user. A reverse gas flow can indeed take place for refilling the cylinder but this flow direction is not referred to with these concepts, unless expressly mentioned.
[0035] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a tap assembly in accordance with the invention.
The tap assembly 2 comprises a cover 4 housing a tap (not visible in figures 1 and 2). The cover 4 comprises, essentially, a shell 41 that can be generally ball-shaped, a handle 42 extending generally horizontally above the shell 41, and two side arms connecting the handle 42 to the shell 41. The tap (not visible) and the shell can be attached to each other so as to form an assembly that can be mounted as a unit on a gas cylinder.
[0036] The tap assembly 2 comprises also a hand-wheel 6 that actuates a flow selector provided in the tap. The hand-wheel is located on a front area of the shell 41. The tap assembly 2 comprises a lid 8 that is pivotally mounted on the tap around a transversal axis, i.e. an axis that is at least generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the assembly. The longitudinal axis is vertical when the assembly is oriented as in figures 1 and 2, i.e. oriented as when mounted on an upright cylinder gas.
[0037] Still with reference to figures 1 and 2, the tap assembly can comprise two outlets 10, one being a barbed connector for a hose and the other one being a quick connector. These outlets are advantageously positioned on the front area of the shell 41 , below the hand-wheel 6.
[0038] With reference to figure 2 illustrating the tap assembly in a closed position, the lid 8 is pivoted downwardly so as to cover the hand-wheel. The pivoting movement of the lid 8 interacts with the tap so as to open or close a shut-off device in said tap, as this will be explained further in relation with figures 5 to 7.
[0039] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the tap of the tap assembly of figures 1 and 2.
The tap 12 comprises a body 14 with a first longitudinal portion 141 extending along the longitudinal axis 16, and a second transversal portion 142 extending along the transversal axis 18 that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 16. The transversal portion 142 of the body 14 supports the two lateral arms 82 and 83 of the pivoting lid 8. These two arms are interconnected by a gripping and covering portion 81. As is best visible in figure 4, this portion 81 is indeed generally curved so as to travel around the tap, more particularly the hand-wheel 6. It comprises also a gripping portion for facilitating its manoeuvring by a user.
[0040] The hand-wheel 6 can comprise at its periphery a flattened portion 61 that cooperates with one of the arms 82 and 83, for instance with the arm 82 such that this flattened portion 61 needs to be positioned towards said arm to allow its pivoting movement down to a position as illustrated in figure 2. This position of the flattened portion 61 can correspond to an angular position of the hand-wheel that sets a null flow rate. Such measures provide the effect that the lid can only be moved back to the position as illustrated in figure 2 when the flow selector is set to a flow rate of zero. This provides an enhanced security and also ergonomics of the tap assembly since it requires from the user who wants to stop the delivery of gas and use of the assembly to first sets the flow rate to zero and second to move the lid over the hand-wheel to close the shut-off device.
[0041] Still with reference to figures 3 and 4, the body 14 comprises a gas inlet at the lower end of the longitudinal portion 141 and a gas passage (not visible) that interconnects the inlet with the outlet(s) 10. A shut-off device is provided in the body 14 for shutting-off the passage. A pressure reducer 20 and a flow selector operated by the hand-wheel 6 are also provided downstream of said shut-off device. The pressure reducer and the flow selector are as such well known to the skilled person and do not need to be further detailed.
[0042] Figures 5 to 7 are sectional views of the tap 12, more particularly of the transversal portion of the body 14 of the tap, illustrating the interaction between the arms of the lid 8 and the shut-off device. Figure 5 corresponds to a closed state, figure 6 to an open state and figure 7 to a refill state of the tap.
[0043] With reference to figure 5, the transversal portion 142 of the body comprises a gas passage 22 interconnecting the inlet (not represented) with the outlet(s) (also not represented). A shut-off device 24 is provided in the passage 22. More specifically, the passage 22 comprises a portion 221 that is in direct connection with the inlet (not represented) and upstream of the shut-off device. The passage 22 comprises also a portion 222 that is downstream of the shut-off device 24 and in direction connection with the above mentioned pressure reducer (20 in figure 4) towards the outlet(s) (10 in figures 1 and 3).
[0044] The shut-off device 24 comprises a seat 26 in the passage 22, a shutter 28, also in the passage and upstream of the seat 26, and a spring 29 urging the shutter 28 against the set 26. In the absence of additional external forces, the shutter 28 is in a gas tight contact with the seat 26 so as to shut-off the passage 22 between the portions 221 and 222 of said passage. The high pressure present in the cylinder and in the portion 221 of the passage 22 further urges the shutter 28 against the seat 26.
[0045] An actuating rod 30 is provided between the lever 82 and the shutter 28.
More specifically, one end of the rod 30 is in contact with a trunnion 32 that is rotatably attached to the lever 82 by means of its end portion 321. This latter can comprise a flattened portion for providing a secure torque transmission between the lever 82 and the trunnion 32. The trunnion 32 comprises a contact surface 322 that is sloped relative to a plane perpendicular to the transversal axis 18. The axis of rotation 19 of the trunnion is parallel and offset to the transversal axis 18. The rotation of the trunnion 32 can therefore move the actuating rod 30 towards the shutter 28 so as to move it to an open position and vice versa.
[0046] Still with reference to figure 5, the tap can comprise residual pressure device 34 adapted for maintaining a residual pressure in the gas cylinder, e.g. comprises between 10 and 1 bars. The purpose of such a device is to avoid a direct contact between the interior of the cylinder and the ambient environment of the cylinder in the absence of gas flow because such a direct contact could contaminate the interior of the cylinder. The residual pressure opens when gas is delivered to a user as long as the pressure inside the cylinder is high enough to open the device. When the pressure in the cylinder is below the critical pressure of the device, this latter remains closed, thereby preventing contamination of the cylinder when the shut-off device remains open.
[0047] The residual pressure device 34 is arranged downstream of the shut-off device 24. It comprises essentially a shutter 36, a seat 38 and a spring 40. The spring 40 urges the shutter 36 in the reverse direction of the delivery flow of the gas towards the seat 38. As soon as the pressure difference on the shutter 36 is high enough, this latter is moved against the resilient force of the spring off the seat 38 so as to open the passage. The actuating rod 30 extends in a gas thigh fashion through the spring 40 and the shutter 36 of the residual pressure device 34. This construction prevents the rod 30 from disturbing the functioning of the residual pressure device and vice versa.
[0048] In the present embodiment, the seat 38 of the residual pressure device 34 is formed on a bushing that is inserted into a bore of the body portion 142. This bushing forms a cavity that houses the shutter 36. Its front portion comprises a deepening that houses the seat 26 of the shut-off device 24. Its rear portion is in contact with plug 42 that closes the bore cavity and through which the actuating rod 30 extends in a gas tight fashion.
[0049] Still with reference to figure 5, the tap can comprise an anti-refill device 44 adapted to prevent a refill of the cylinder by an unauthorized person. Such an uncontrolled refilling could indeed change the composition of the gas contained in the cylinder and could also contaminate it. The anti-refill device 44 is arranged in a portion 223 of the passage that branches off the upstream portion 221 of the passage to a refill port (not represented). As is visible in the figure, the anti-refill device is arrange along the transversal axis 18 at the opposite of the residual pressure device 34 and the actuating rod 30.
[0050] The anti-refill device 44 comprises essentially a shutter 46, a seat 48 and a spring 50 urging the shutter 46 towards the seat 48. More specifically, the closing sliding movement of the shutter 46 is in the refill flow direction, i.e. from the (not represented) refill port connected with the refill portion 223 of the passage towards the upstream portion 221 of said passage 22. During normal use of the tap assembly, the refill portion is closed and the anti-refill device remains closed by virtue of the spring 50. If the refill port would be opened, the anti-refill device 44 remains closed. Indeed, the shutter 46 forms with the plug 52 a gas tight cavity housing the spring 50. It comprises also a gas channel interconnecting the cavity with the downstream side of shutter (relative to the refill flow direction). The cavity housing the spring 50 has a cross-sectional surface that is larger than the cross-sectional surface of the front face of shutter downstream (relative to the refill flow direction) the seat 48. This means that even if the pressure at in the refill portion 223 of the passage drops down, the pressure at the inlet and in the upstream section 221 of the passage generates a resulting force on the shutter 46 that is towards the seat 48. When a refill pressure is applied to the refill port, i.e. a pressure that is higher than the pressure inside the cylinder and at the inlet, the anti-refill device 44 remains also closed, thereby preventing unauthorized refilling of the cylinder.
[0051] In the present particular embodiment, a bushing 54 is inserted into a bore formed in the corresponding end of the transversal portion 142 of the body 14. The seat 48 of the anti-refilling device 44 is housed in a circular recess formed in the bottom wall of the bore. The seat 48 is held in said recess by the front wall of the bushing 54. This latter houses the shutter 46. The plug 52 is in contact with rear of the bushing 54, so as to keep the bushing 54 and the seat 48 in place in the bore. A trunnion 56 is attached to the body portion 142 and supports in free rotation around the axis 19 the arm 83 of the lid.
[0052] In the state of the tap as illustrated in figure 5, the shutter 28 of the shut-off device 24 is in contact with the seat 26 so that the gas passage from the section 221 toward the section 222 is shut-off. The shutter 28 comprises a front portion 281 that protrudes downstream through the seat 26. The corresponding end of the actuating rod 30 is distant from the front portion 281 of the shutter 28, so as not to interfere with the shut-off device. The closed state of figure 5 can correspond to the position of the lid 8 as illustrated in figure 2.
[0053] Figure 6 illustrates the tap of figure 5 in an open state. The arms or levers 82 and 83 have pivoted having for effect to rotate the trunnion 32 and to move the actuating rod 30 by virtue of movement of the sloped contact surface 322. The actuating rod 30 contacts the front portion 281 of the shutter 28 and moves it off the seat 26. The shut-off device 24 is then open and allows a delivery flow of gas from the inlet towards the outlet(s). The pressure at the inlet is applied to the shutter 36 of the residual pressure device 34 and moves it off its seat 38 so as to open the passage. The rear portion 282 of the shutter 28 of the shut-off device remains distant from the anti-refill device 44. This latter remains closed as in the closed state of the tap described in relation with figure 5. [0054] The open state of figure 6 can correspond to the position of the lid 8 as illustrated in figure 1.
[0055] Figure 7 illustrates the tap in a refill state. Compared with the state of figure 6, the arms 82 and 83 have pivoted further to that the trunnion 32 is rotated further and its sloped contact surface 322 moves further the actuating rod 30. The shutter 28 of the shut-off device is moved further in the open position to such an extent that its rear portion 282 contacts the shutter 46 of the anti-refill device 44 so as to open it. In that state, a refill flow of gas can be applied from the refill section 223 of the passage towards the upstream portion 221 through the anti-refill device forced in an open position. In that state, the shut-off device 24 is open. This is therefore necessary to shut-off the passage 22 downstream of the shut-off device. This can be achieved with the residual pressure device which can be held in a closed position. The actuating rod 30 can comprise a shoulder portion 301 is adjusted to rest on the shutter 36 of the residual pressure device 34 in the refill state as illustrated in figure 7. This corresponds to a position of the shoulder portion that is to the right of the shoulder portion 301 as illustrated in figure 7. Alternatively, the tap can comprise a further shut-off means downstream in section 222 of the passage.
[0056] The refill state as illustrated in figure 7 can be normally blocked for normal users by limiting the pivoting movement of the arms 82 and 83 between the positions corresponding to the closed and opened states as illustrated in figures 5 and 6. A mechanical element can be provided for normally blocking a further pivoting movement of the arms 82 and 83 from the open state as illustrated in figure 6 towards a refill state as illustrated in figure 7. This mechanical element can be designed to be deactivated by a special tool that would be provided to authorised persons for refilling the gas cylinder.

Claims

Claims
1. Tap (12) for gas cylinder, comprising:
- a body (14) with a threaded gas inlet extending along a longitudinal axis (16) and adapted to be connected to a collar of the gas cylinder, a gas outlet (10) and a passage (22) interconnecting said inlet and outlet;
- a shut-off device (24) of the passage (22), said device comprising a seat (26) in the passage (22) and a shutter (28) extending through and cooperating with said seat (26);
- a lever (81, 82, 83, 32) adapted for moving the shutter (28) against a delivery flow direction in the passage (22) from the inlet towards the outlet, in order to open the shut-off device (24);
characterized in that
the lever (81, 82, 83, 32) is rotatable around a transversal axis (19) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (16) or that forms an angle with said perpendicular that is less than 30°, preferably less than 20°, more preferably less than 10°.
2. Tap (12) according to claim 1 , wherein the shutter (28) of the shut-off device (24) is slidably movable along a transversal direction (18) that is parallel to the rotation axis (19) of the lever (82) or that forms an angle with said axis that is less than 30°, preferably less than 20°, more preferably less than 10°.
3. Tap (12) according to claim 2, wherein the shutter (28) of the shut-off device (24) is urged towards the seat (26) of said device (24) by a spring (29) in the delivery flow direction.
4. Tap (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said the lever (81, 82, 83, 32) comprises a contact surface (322) that is sloped relative to plane perpendicular to the rotation axis (19), said sloped surface (322) contacting an actuating rod (30) slidably mounted in the body (14) and adapted for contacting the shutter (28).
5. Tap (12) according to claim 4, wherein the actuating rod (30) extends through the passage (22) downstream of the seat (26) in the delivery flow direction.
6. Tap (12) according to one of claims 4 and 5, wherein said tap (12) comprises a residual pressure device (34) arranged in the passage (222) downstream of the seat (26) in the delivery flow direction, and preferably wherein said device (34) comprises a shutter (36) urged by a spring (40) towards a seat (38) in a direction opposite to the delivery flow direction, the actuating rod (30) extending through said shutter (36).
7. Tap (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said tap (12) comprises an anti-refill device (44) arranged in a refill passage (223) interconnecting a refill port and the inlet, said passage (223) intersecting the passage (221) upstream, in the delivery flow direction, of the shut-off device (24).
8. Tap (12) according to claim 7, wherein the anti-refill device (44) comprises a shutter (46) urged by a spring (50) towards a seat (48) in the refill passage (223) in refill flow direction from the refill port to the inlet, the shutter (28) of the shut-off device (24) being adapted, in a refill position, for contacting and moving said shutter (46) of the anti-refill device (44) off said seat (48) of the anti-refill device (44) in order to open said refill passage (223).
9. Tap (12) according to claim 8, wherein the shutter (46) of the anti-refill device (44) is slidable along a direction that is aligned with the sliding direction of the shutter (28) of the shut-off device (24), said shutter (28) preferably comprising a protruding portion (282) extending through the seat (48) of the anti-refill device (44) for contacting the shutter (46) of said anti-refill device (44).
10. Tap (12) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the lever (81, 82, 83, 32) comprises a first position where the shut-off device (24) is closed, a second position where the shut-off device (24) is opened, and a third position where the shut-off device (24) is further opened and the anti-refill device (44) is opened.
1 1. Tap (12) according to claim 10, wherein said tap (12) comprises blocking means that prevent rotation of the lever (81, 82, 83, 32) to the third position, said means being releasable.
12. Tap (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1 and according to claims 6 and 7, wherein the body (14) comprises a longitudinal portion (141) comprising the gas inlet, and a transversal portion (142) extending transversally on each side of the longitudinal portion (141) and housing the shut-off device (24), the residual pressure device (34) and the anti-refill device (44).
13. Tap (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the lever (81, 82, 83, 32) comprises two side arms (82, 83) rotatably mounted on both sides of the body (14), and a handle (81) interconnecting said arms (82, 83).
14. Tap (12) according to claim 13, wherein one (82) of the two arms (82, 83) is adapted for converting the pivoting movement of the lever into a movement the shutter (28) of the shut-off device (24) and the other (83) of said two arms (82, 83) is freely rotatably mounted on the body (14).
15. Tap (12) according to claim 12 and one of claims 13 and 14, wherein the two side arms (82, 83) are mounted on the transversal portion (142) of the body (14).
16. Tap assembly (2) comprising:
- a tap (12) for gas cylinder; and
- a cover (4) housing the tap (12);
characterized in that
the tap (12) is according to any one of claims 1 to 15, and the tap assembly (2) further comprises a lid (81) fixed with the lever (81, 82, 83, 32) of said tap, said lid (81) covering or uncovering a front area of the cover (4) when actuating said lever.
17. Tap assembly (2) according to claim 16, wherein the lid (81) uncovers the front area comprising an indicator and/or a hand-wheel (6) for adjusting the delivery outlet pressure and/or flow rate when the lever is actuated for opening the shut-off device.
18. Tap assembly (2) according to one of claims 16 and 17, wherein the tap comprises a flow selector, and the front area of the cover (4) comprises a hand-wheel (6) for actuating said selector, said hand-wheel (6) comprising at its periphery a flattened portion (61) that allows movement of the lever (81, 82, 83, 32) in a closing direction of the shut-off valve (24) only when the hand- wheel (6) is in an angular position that corresponds to a null flow rate.
EP16809440.7A 2015-12-31 2016-12-15 Tap assembly for gas cylinder with operating lever and cover Withdrawn EP3397893A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
LU92937A LU92937B1 (en) 2015-12-31 2015-12-31 Tap assembly for gas cylinder with operating lever and cover
PCT/EP2016/081201 WO2017114663A1 (en) 2015-12-31 2016-12-15 Tap assembly for gas cylinder with operating lever and cover

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3397893A1 true EP3397893A1 (en) 2018-11-07

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EP16809440.7A Withdrawn EP3397893A1 (en) 2015-12-31 2016-12-15 Tap assembly for gas cylinder with operating lever and cover

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LU (1) LU92937B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2017114663A1 (en)

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