EP4698818A1 - Valve for pressurized fluids with a security device for closing it - Google Patents

Valve for pressurized fluids with a security device for closing it

Info

Publication number
EP4698818A1
EP4698818A1 EP24725011.1A EP24725011A EP4698818A1 EP 4698818 A1 EP4698818 A1 EP 4698818A1 EP 24725011 A EP24725011 A EP 24725011A EP 4698818 A1 EP4698818 A1 EP 4698818A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
valve
lever
coupling member
push
button
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP24725011.1A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Giancarlo Nicolini
Vanni Zacche'
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.)
Cavagna Group SpA
Original Assignee
Cavagna Group SpA
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 Cavagna Group SpA filed Critical Cavagna Group SpA
Priority to DE24725011.1T priority Critical patent/DE24725011T1/en
Publication of EP4698818A1 publication Critical patent/EP4698818A1/en
Pending 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
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/056—Small (<1 m3)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/058—Size portable (<30 l)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0308—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
    • F17C2205/0382—Constructional details of valves, 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
    • F17C2205/0388—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
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/011—Oxygen
    • 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
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2223/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
    • 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
    • F17C2223/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
    • 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)

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Preventing Unauthorised Actuation Of Valves (AREA)
  • Mechanically-Actuated Valves (AREA)

Abstract

Valve (10) for pressurized fluids of the type comprising a valve member (11) which receives an outflow pipe (14), an interception device (15) which is received in the valve member (11) in order to intercept and selectively open the fluid passage into the outflow pipe (14), a lever (16) which is hinged on the valve member (11) and which is intended for actuating the interception device (15), a security device (17) for closing the valve (10) which is mounted on the lever (16) and which can be rotated therewith. The security device (17) comprises a coupling member (19) which is rotatably mounted on the lever (16) in order to move from a disengagement arrangement to an engagement arrangement with a recess (20) formed on the wall of the valve member (11) by being inserted in a snap-fitting manner with a coupling end (21) into the recess (20) in order to maintain the lever (16) adjacent to the valve member (11); the coupling member (19) being mounted on the lever (16) so as to move from the engagement arrangement to the disengagement arrangement by rotation in accordance with the opening rotation of the lever (16).

Description

Valve for pressurized fluids with a security device for closing it
DESCRIPTION
Technical field
The present invention relates to a valve for pressurized fluids with a security device for closing it. The valve is of the type to be applied to containers which are intended to contain compressed or liquified gases having pressures greater than atmospheric pressure.
Technological background
There are known in the prior art valves of the "soft open" type, that is to say, ones with progressive opening, to be associated with containers, such as, for example, bottles, which are suitable for containing technical gases or medical gases at high pressure, for example, oxygen.
These valves allow the supply of the gas by controlling the flow rate and the discharge pressure thereof or connect the content of a pressurized bottle to external accessories or to the atmosphere.
Among these valves, there are known valves which comprise a main member which receives an outflow pipe for supplying the pressurized fluid and which has an inlet for the gas in the region of a lower end of the valve member, a lateral outlet for the gas, a seat for an interception device which is received in the valve member and which is provided to intercept and to open the gas passage. These valves are typically also provided with a closure device for a lever which is provided for actuating the interception device.
An example of such a valve with a closure device is described in the document of the prior art WO2020216897. In this case, the lever is hinged to the main member, in the region of the upper end thereof, and there is also present a security device which comprises a hook which is rotatably mounted on the lever in order to be engaged with a counter-shape which is present on the member and therefore to retain the lever in a position near the member, which represents a closure position of the valve. The counter-shape is constituted by an upper edge of a cylindrical portion of the main member and the hook has an end which is directed towards the bottom (with respect to the closure position) in order to engage with this edge.
The Applicant has noted that, in the document cited above, the hook has a centre of instantaneous rotation on the lever, with respect to the hinging location of the lever, so as to define an arm for applying the force which is different from the force of the lever itself. However, the centre of rotation for the engaging body is relatively close to the centre of rotation of the lever and this may promote the opening of the valve at times at which this opening is not desirable. Furthermore, in order to open the valve, the rotation of the lever is brought about in one rotational direction while the rotation of the hook on the lever is in the opposite direction, therefore, if the security hook is not correctly engaged with the main member, if the lever is accidentally urged so as to open, the rotation thereof promotes the opposite rotation of the hook. This disadvantage is even more relevant if the valve is not closed with the security hook. Again, the Applicant has also noted that the spring which is interposed between the external wall of the main member and the internal wall of the engaging body, which is suitable for promoting the return and the maintenance of the engaging body in a closed position, is not protected and therefore readily exposed to breakage. In the event of this spring breaking, the engaging body is not maintained in the closed position.
The valves of the known type can therefore be subjected to accidental opening actions or a failure to engage so as to close the security device. Without this engagement, the lever can still be more readily raised accidentally, bringing about the opening of the valve.
Another document of the prior art is constituted by GB2528920 which describes a valve where, unlike the preceding document, there is present a hook with an upwardly directed end (with respect to the closed position) so as to bring about a recess with which it engages with a horizontal portion flush with a spring. The spring constitutes an engaging element which is suitable for giving way in order to allow the lever to be raised and the valve to be opened.
In relation to this last solution, the Applicant has noted that the spring, while applying against the internal surface of the recess at the end of the hook a force which is suitable for preventing the rotation thereof, is also provided to give way resiliently under the disengaging force which is applied to the lever. The system described in this document is therefore not capable of preventing accidental opening actions of the valve because it can be opened when an opening force is applied to the lever, whether this is intended or inadvertent.
Another disadvantage with reference to the prior art is that the form of the levers is shaped to be quite long with respect to the dimensions of the valve member and at times so as to project downwards and/or outwards in order to make it easier for the operator to grip the lever with a single hand. However, the retention member of the hook is often arranged relatively close to the fulcrum of the lever. The combination of forces applied during the opening generates in the lever compound stresses which can lead to the breakage thereof.
Furthermore, with both the lever and the body of the opening hook being formed so as to project outwards in order to assist the operator during disengaging operations, they are exposed to breakages or to being accidentally engaged with external bodies, promoting the potential undesirable opening of the valve.
Therefore, there remains the need, in the technical field being referred to, to provide a security device for closing a valve for pressurized fluids which is improved in terms of construction and the actuation thereof, in order to ensure secure use and at the same time ease of opening for the responsible person.
Other valves provided with security systems are described in EP3177857, WO2020/216897, US 2016/153616 and EP 3296612.
Description of the invention
The object of the present invention is to provide a valve for pressurized fluids which is provided with a security device and which is structurally and functionally configured to at least partially overcome one or more of the disadvantages set out above with reference to the cited prior art.
In the context of this object, an objective of the present invention is to provide a valve with a security device which is capable of maintaining the closure of the valve and which is at the same time capable of preventing accidental opening actions of the valve on which it is mounted.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a security device with limited risk of breakage.
Another objective of the invention is to provide such a security device that, in particular cases of damage to the same device, it is capable of nevertheless ensuring the closure of the valve in a secure manner.
This object is achieved and one or more of these objective are at least partially achieved by a valve for pressurized fluids of the type comprising :
- a valve member which has an inlet and an outlet for a fluid and which receives an outflow pipe which connects the inlet to the outlet in fluid terms,
- an interception device which is received in the valve member and which is provided to intercept and selectively open the fluid passage into the outflow pipe,
- a lever which is hinged on the valve member in the region of a hinging axis and which is intended for actuating the interception device, - a security device for closing the valve which is mounted on the lever and which can be rotated therewith about the hinging axis.
The interception device preferably comprises a flexible element which is suitable for moving in the valve member along an axis at least between an open position, so as to bring about a flow of the pressurized fluid being discharged from the valve, and a closed position, so as to prevent the flow of the fluid through the outflow pipe. Preferably, the interception device comprises a valve head which is suitable for moving into sealing abutment against a sealing surface of a respective valve seat which is present in the region of the outflow pipe.
Preferably, the security device in turn comprises a coupling member which is preferably rotatably mounted on the lever on a rotation axis in order to move from a disengagement arrangement to an engagement arrangement with a recess formed on the wall of the valve member.
The coupling member is preferably inserted in a snap-fitting manner with a coupling end into the recess in order to maintain the lever preferably adjacent to the valve member. Preferably, the coupling member is mounted on the lever so as to move from the engagement arrangement to the disengagement arrangement by rotation in accordance with the opening rotation of the lever.
The Applicant has observed that a rotation of the coupling member in accordance with the opening rotation of the lever improves the overall ergonomics of the lever, making the opening operation of the valve easier and that, conversely to the closure of the valve, the same rotation imparted to the lever, in a direction towards the wall of the valve member, moves the coupling member into the engagement arrangement with the recess. The lever carries with it in closing rotation the coupling member and not only by movement imparted by an operator but also with the weight thereof by rotating, it is lowered and also carries downwards the engaging member and therefore promotes the rotation thereof with snap-fitting of the engaging end in the recess.
The security device preferably also comprises a resilient return element which is configured to urge the coupling member into the engagement arrangement.
It will be appreciated that the resilient return element promotes the maintenance of the coupling member in the engagement arrangement.
Preferably, the security device comprises a push-button which is accessible from the external side of the lever. This external side is opposite an internal side which is directed towards the valve member.
The push-button is operationally connected to the coupling member in such manner that by means of pressure of the push-button a rotation is imparted to the coupling member by overcoming the resilient force of the resilient return element so as to move it from the engagement arrangement to the disengagement arrangement.
The coupling member is thereby protected at the external side from the push-button. In the event of impacts and the push-button breaking, the coupling member can remain integral and therefore capable of ensuring the engagement with the recess in the valve member.
Additional preferred though non-exclusive features of the invention are further defined below and in the dependent claims.
On the basis of one aspect of the invention, the security device is installed on the lever in such a manner that at least the coupling end of the coupling member projects from the lever towards the valve member.
Preferably, the push-button is made from plastics material and the coupling member is made from metal material. It is thereby possible to contain the weight of the device, using plastics material, and at the same time to ensure the necessary rigidity for the coupling member because it does not break during use and does not bend over time with use.
On the basis of another aspect of the invention, the push-button and the coupling member are secured to the lever preferably about a single rotation axis.
This rotation axis is preferably parallel with the hinging axis.
Preferably, the push-button is able to return from an operating position, in which it presses the coupling member in rotation in the disengagement arrangement, to a rest position.
When changing position, the push-button moves in rotation about the rotation axis. Preferably, the push-button has an internal side in the region of which it can interact with the coupling member at least during the movement from the rest position to the operating position.
The term "internal side" with reference to the push-button or more generally the security device also indicates in this case the side directed towards the valve member. On the basis of another aspect of the invention, the resilient return element comprises a double-torsion spring with a winding axis of the turns thereof coincident with the rotation axis, along which it is secured, and having a U-shaped portion between a pair of the turns, with an intermediate rectilinear portion which is preferably parallel with the rotation axis and with ends which are blocked at the lever. The intermediate rectilinear portion is intended to bring back and to retain the coupling member into the engagement arrangement.
Preferably, the double-torsion spring is secured along the rotation axis together with the push-button and the coupling member so as to bring them back with a single rotation into the rest position and into the engagement arrangement, respectively. The intermediate rectilinear portion of the spring is in fact intended to urge the pushbutton and the coupling member at the internal side of the lever and towards the external side as a result of the resilient return of the spring following torsion.
In some embodiments, the coupling member has a substantially L-shaped formation and is secured to the lever in the region of an angular portion thereof, from which there extend : a first portion which is able to be urged by the push-button in order to move into the disengagement arrangement and counter-urged by the intermediate rectilinear portion into the engagement arrangement and a second portion which carries the coupling end.
The coupling member is preferably rotatably secured to the lever in the region of the angular portion and about the rotation axis.
The two portions of the coupling member are positioned with respect to each other preferably in accordance with a right-angle.
In the region of the internal side, the push-button preferably has a groove, in which there is received the first portion of the coupling member which acts as an arm on which the push-button is capable of urging so as to impart a rotation to the coupling member. In this manner, the two components can interact at least during the movement of the push-button from the rest position to the operating position or of the coupling member from the engagement arrangement with the recess present in the wall of the valve member to the disengagement arrangement.
Preferably, the intermediate rectilinear portion of the spring is in contact both with the first portion of the coupling member and with the flanks of the push-button which define the groove in which this portion is received.
Preferably, the security device is installed in a through-opening which is present on the lever.
Preferably, the push-button has an abutment frame on the internal side of the lever around the opening. In this manner, the spring maintains the frame of the push- button in abutment against the lever in the rest position and at the same time the push-button is prevented from leaving at the external side of the lever.
In a preferred embodiment, the security device is secured to the lever about the rotation axis by means of a pin which intercepts it with the end portions thereof and with an intermediate portion thereof in the region of a pair of parallel walls of the lever.
Preferably, the coupling member has a through-hole in the angular portion thereof in the region of which it is fitted on the pin between the pair of walls. Preferably, the push-button has a pair of bracket elements which straddle the pin.
Preferably, the double-torsion spring is installed with the pair of turns each to partially wrap around the pin between one of the bracket elements and a respective wall.
In some embodiments, there is provided on the external side of the lever a receiving recess for the application of a thrust force of the push-button and which is defined by adjacent inclined surface portions of the lever, preferably near the opening, and the push-button.
Preferably, the push-button also has a portion in relief which defines an edge for the above-mentioned recess.
In this manner, when an operator has to open the valve, he/she can move at least one finger in the region of the recess and push against the edge in order to bring about the rotation of the push-button.
The push-button is preferably in relief with respect to the body of the lever at the external side.
In some embodiments, the recess has an opening, for insertion of the coupling end, which is directed substantially downwards with respect to the use arrangement of the valve.
Preferably, the recess extends about an axis which is orthogonal to the second portion of the coupling member when it is in the engagement arrangement and parallel with the first portion.
Even more preferably, the recess extends about an axis which is inclined with respect to the vertical in the use arrangement of the valve.
Brief description of the drawings
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be better appreciated from the description of a preferred though non-exclusive embodiment of the valve for pressurized fluids according to the invention which is illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the appended drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of the valve according to the invention;
- Figure 2 is a perspective, sectioned view of the valve according to the invention;
- Figure 3 is a perspective, exploded view of the lever and the security device as a view substantially from the external side;
- Figure 4 is a perspective view of the lever with a security device and views from the internal side.
Preferred embodiment of the invention
With reference to the cited Figures, there is generally designated 10 a valve for pressurized fluids according to the present invention.
The valve 10 comprises a valve member 11 with an inlet 12 and an outlet 13 for a fluid. There is received in the valve member 11 an outflow pipe 14 which connects the inlet 12 to the outlet 13 in fluid terms.
The valve further includes an interception device 15 which is received in the valve member 11 and which is provided to intercept and to selectively open the fluid passage in the outflow pipe 14.
There is further provided a lever 16 which is hinged on the valve member 11 in the region of a hinging axis X and which is intended for actuating the interception device 15.
In preferred embodiments, the valve 10 comprises a security device 17 which is provided to close the valve 10 and which is mounted on the lever 16 and is rotatable therewith about the same hinging axis X.
The interception device 15 is shown with the sectional view of Figure 2 in a preferred embodiment thereof. It substantially comprises a resilient element which can move in the valve member 11 along an axis Y at least between an open position so as to bring about a flow of the pressurized fluid being discharged from the valve 10 and a closed position so as to prevent the flow of the fluid through the outflow pipe 14.
In particular, it comprises in a manner known per se a valve head 18a which is suitable for moving into sealing abutment against a sealing surface of a respective valve seat 18b which is present in the region of the outflow pipe 14.
The security device 17 is shown in a state installed on the valve 10 in Figures 1 and 2 and is shown only with the lever 16 in the subsequent Figures 3 and 4. It comprises a coupling member 19 which is rotatably mounted on the lever 16 on a rotation axis Z in order to move from a disengagement arrangement to an engagement arrangement with a recess 20 formed on the wall of the valve member 11. This engagement arrangement is the one shown in Figure 2. The coupling member 19 is preferably inserted in a snap-fitting manner with a coupling end 21 in the recess 20 in order to maintain the lever 16 preferably adjacent to the valve member 11.
The coupling member 19 is mounted on the lever 16 so as to move from the engagement arrangement to the disengagement arrangement by means of a rotation in accordance with the opening rotation of the lever 16.
Advantageously, the security device 17 also comprises a resilient return element 22 which is configured to urge the coupling member 19 into the coupling arrangement shown in Figure 2.
The resilient return element 22 therefore promotes the maintenance of the coupling member 19 in the coupling arrangement with the coupling end inside the recess 20. The security device 17 comprises a push-button 23 which is accessible from the external side of the lever 16, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. This external side is opposite an internal side which is directed towards the valve member 11.
The push-button 23 is operatively connected to the coupling member 19 in such a manner that a rotation is imparted, by means of pressure of the push-button 23, to the coupling member 19 by overcoming the resilient force of the resilient return element 22 so as to make it change from the engagement arrangement to the disengagement arrangement.
The coupling member 19 is thereby protected at the external side by the push-button 23. In fact, the security device 17 is installed on the lever 16 in such a manner that the coupling end 21 of the coupling member 19 projects from the lever 16 towards the valve member 11.
Preferably, the push-button 23 is made from plastics material while the coupling member 19 is made from metal material.
The push-button 23 and the coupling member 19 are secured to the lever 16 preferably about a single rotation axis Z. This rotation axis Z is parallel with the hinging axis X of the lever 16 on the valve member 11.
The push-button 23 is capable of returning from an operating position, in which it presses in rotation the coupling member 19 in a disengagement arrangement, to a rest position.
During the change of position, the push-button 23 preferably moves in rotation about the rotation axis Z.
Figure 4 shows the security device 17 installed on the lever 16 and in a view from the internal side of the lever itself. As may be noted, the push-button 23 has an internal side which is again the side directed towards the valve member 11, in the region of which it can interact with the coupling member 19 at least during the movement from the rest position to the operating position in a manner which will become clearer below.
In the embodiment described and illustrated, the resilient return element 22 comprises a double-torsion spring 122 with a winding axis of the turns 122a thereof being coincident with the rotation axis Z, along which it is secured, and having a U- shaped portion 122b between a pair of those turns 122a, with an intermediate rectilinear portion 122c which is parallel with the rotation axis Z and with ends 122d blocked on the lever 16. In particular, the blocking of the ends 122d is preferably brought about by the ends being inserted in corresponding openings which are present in the body of the lever 16. The intermediate rectilinear portion 122c is intended to move back and to retain the coupling member 19 in the engagement arrangement, as explained below.
The double-torsion spring 122 is secured along the rotation axis Z together with the push-button 23 and the coupling member 19 so as to bring them back with a single rotation into the rest position and into the engagement arrangement, respectively. The intermediate rectilinear portion 122c of the spring 122 is in fact intended to urge, as a result of the resilient return of the same spring following torsion, the push-button 23 and the coupling member 19 by the internal side of the lever 16 and towards the external side.
In particular, the coupling member 19 has a substantially L-shaped formation and is secured to the lever 16 in the region of an angular portion 19c thereof, from which there extend : a first portion 19a which is able to be urged by the push-button 23 in order to move into the disengagement arrangement and counter-urged by the intermediate rectilinear portion 122c into the engagement arrangement and a second portion 19b which carries the coupling end 21.
The two portions 19a and 19b of the coupling member 19 are preferably positioned in accordance with a right-angle with respect to each other.
The intermediate rectilinear portion 122c of the spring 122 is positioned transversely in front of the first portion 19a of the coupling member 19, thereby maintaining it near the push-button 23 and promoting the engagement arrangement thereof when the push-button 23 is in a rest position.
In the region of the internal side, the push-button 23 has a groove 24, in a central position, in which there is received the first portion 19a of the coupling member 19 which acts as an arm on which the push-button 23 is capable of urging so as to impart a rotation to the coupling member 19. In this manner, the two components can interact at least during the movement of the push-button 23 from the rest position to the operating position or of the coupling member 19 from the engagement arrangement with the recess 20 present in the wall of the valve member 11 to the disengagement arrangement.
As again shown in Figure 4, the intermediate rectilinear portion 122c of the spring is in contact both with the first portion 19a of the coupling member 19 and with the flanks of the push-button 23 defining the groove 24 in which this portion is received. The spring 122 thereby maintains the position of the first portion 19a inside the groove 24 and promotes the return of the coupling member 19 into an engagement arrangement and at the same time the return of the push-button 23 to the rest position.
Preferably, the security device 17 is installed in a through-opening 25 which is present on the lever 16 and which is shown with the exploded view of Figure 3.
The push-button 23 has an abutment frame 23a on the internal side of the lever 16 around the opening 25. The spring 122 thereby maintains the frame 23a of the pushbutton 23 in abutment against the lever 16 in the rest position and at the same time the push-button is prevented from leaving at the external side of the lever 16.
The security device 17 is secured to the lever 16 about the rotation axis Z by means of a pin 26 which intercepts it with the end portions 26a thereof and with an intermediate portion 26b with which it is arranged in the region of a pair of parallel walls 27 of the lever 16.
The coupling member 19 is installed with the first portion 19a between the two sides which define the groove 24 and with the second portion 19b between the two walls 27.
The coupling member 19 advantageously has a through-hole 19d in the angular portion 19c thereof in the region of which it is fitted on the pin 26 between the pair of walls 27.
The push-button 23 has a pair of bracket elements 28 with which the push-button is installed so as to straddle the pin 26 and to be able to rotate about the rotation axis Z. The double-torsion spring is installed with the pair of turns 122a so as to each partially wrap around the pin 26 between one of the bracket elements 28 and a respective wall 27. In a preferred embodiment, there is provided on the external side of the lever 16 a receiving recess 29 for the application of a thrust force of the push-button 23 and which is defined by adjacent inclined surface portions of the lever 16, near the opening 25, and the push-button 23.
The push-button 23 also has a portion 30 in relief which defines an edge for the above-mentioned recess.
In this manner, when an operator has to open the valve 10, he/she can bring at least one finger in the region of the recess 29 and push against the edge in order to bring about the rotation of the push-button 23 so as to partially re-enter towards the internal side through the opening.
The push-button 23 is in relief with respect to the body of the lever 16 at the external side.
The recess 20 has an opening, for inserting the coupling end 21, which is directed substantially downwards with respect to the use arrangement of the valve 10.
Preferably, the recess 20 extends about an axis which is orthogonal to the second portion 19b of the coupling member 19 and parallel with the first portion 19a, even more preferably in accordance with an axis which is inclined with respect to the vertical, in the use arrangement of the valve 10.
Preferably, as shown in the example, the lever 16 has such geometry and dimensions as to only partially cover a pressure gauge 31 which is recessed in the valve member, improving the visibility thereof with respect to other valves of the known type.
It may be noted that, as a result of the intended configuration of the security device, the arm for applying the force in order to unblock the hook is different from the arm for opening the lever and the efficiency during unblocking or maintaining the engagement is independent of the position of the centre of rotation with respect to the hinging location and rotation location of the lever.
These advantages are achieved particularly as a result of the fact that the disengagement rotation has to occur in the direction opposite the rotation direction of the lever and the fact that an accidental rotation of the hook is prevented by the presence of the resilient return element and, if this were to be damaged, by the weight of the lever itself which moves it into a closed state.
If the lever is accidentally forced to open, the rotation thereof is prevented by the hook.
Furthermore, it may be noted that the coupling member is protected by the pushbutton and that, in the event of breakage thereof, the coupling member can in any case remain operative. The resilient return element is also protected by the pushbutton.
The push-button has an advantageous formation for manoeuvring the security device while the coupling member has the characteristics of shape which are advantageous for generating a connection with respect to the valve member.
In the event of the resilient return element breaking, the coupling member also tends to maintain the closed position, preventing the accidental lifting of the lever and therefore the opening of the valve.
The resilient element is not installed to resiliency give way under the force applied to the lever, but instead to prevent the disengagement which may instead occur as a result of a force which is applied in a localized manner and knowingly above the push-button.
The combination of forces to be applied during the opening are the force for compressing the push-button in order to activate the disengaging rotation of the coupling member and the lifting force for the lever, which can be readily carried out with a single hand. This combination of forces does not generate in the lever compound stresses which can lead to the breakage thereof.
Again, it may be noted that it is advantageous that the coupling member does not project outwardly so as not to be exposed to breakages or being accidentally engaged with external bodies. The coupling member is positioned substantially in bas-relief with respect to a main plane which is defined by the external surface of the lever.
In practice, it has been found that the valve with a security device is capable of ensuring secure use, maintaining the closed state of the valve and preventing accidental opening actions and, at the same time, it is capable of ensuring easy, desired opening for the responsible person.

Claims

1. A valve (10) for pressurized fluids comprising :
- a valve member (11) which has an inlet (12) and an outlet (13) for a fluid and which receives an outflow pipe (14) which connects the inlet (12) to the outlet (13) in a fluidic manner,
- an interception device (15) received in the valve member (11) and provided to intercept and selectively open the fluid passage into the outflow pipe (14),
- a lever (16) hinged on the valve member (11) in the region of a hinging axis (X) and configured to actuate the interception device (15),
- a security device (17) for closing the valve (10), the security device being mounted on the lever (16) and being configured to be rotated therewith about the hinging axis (X), the security device (17) comprising:
- a coupling member (19) rotatably mounted on the lever (16) on a rotation axis (Z) in order to move from a disengagement arrangement to an engagement arrangement with a recess (20) formed on the wall of the valve member (11) by inserting in a snap-fitting manner a respective coupling end (21) into the recess (20) in order to maintain the lever (16) adjacent to the valve member (11), the coupling member (19) being mounted on the lever (16) so as to move from the engagement arrangement to the disengagement arrangement by rotation in accordance with the opening rotation of the lever (16),
- a resilient return element (22) configured to urge the coupling member (19) into the engagement arrangement,
- a push-button (23) which is accessible from the external side of the lever (16), the external side being opposite an internal side which is directed towards the valve member (11), the push-button being operationally connected to the coupling member (19) in such manner that by pressing the push-button (23) a rotation is imparted to the coupling member (19), overcoming the resilient force of the resilient return element (22) so as to move it from the engagement arrangement to the disengagement arrangement.
2. A valve (10) according to claim 1, wherein the security device (17) is installed on the lever (16) in such a manner that at least the coupling end (21) of the coupling member (19) projects from the lever (16) towards the valve member (19).
3. A valve (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the pushbutton (23) is made from plastics material and the coupling member (19) is made from metal material.
4. A valve (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the pushbutton (23) and the coupling member (19) are secured to the lever (16) about a single axis which is defined by the rotation axis (Z).
5. A valve (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pushbutton (23) is able to return from an operating position to a rest position, the push-button (23) urging in rotation the coupling member (19) in the disengagement arrangement in said operating position.
6. A valve (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient return element (22) comprises a double-torsion spring (122) with a winding axis of the turns (122a) of said double-torsion spring (122) coincident with the rotation axis (Z), along which it is secured.
7. A valve (10) according to claim 6, wherein the double-torsion spring has a U- shaped portion (122b) between a pair of the turns (122a), with an intermediate rectilinear portion (122c) which is parallel with the rotation axis (Z) and with ends (122d) blocked to the lever (16), the intermediate rectilinear portion (122c) being intended to bring back and retain the coupling member (19) into the engagement arrangement.
8. A valve (10) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the double-torsion spring is secured along the rotation axis (Z) together with the push-button (23) and the coupling member (19) so as to bring them back with a single rotation into the rest position and into the engagement arrangement, respectively.
9. A valve (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the intermediate rectilinear portion (122c) is intended to urge the push-button (23) and the coupling member (19) at the internal side of the lever (16) towards the external side.
10. A valve (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling member (19) is substantially L-shaped and is secured to the lever (16) in the region of an angular portion (19c) thereof, from which there extend a first portion (19a) capable to be urged by the push-button (23) in order to move into the disengagement arrangement and counter-urged by the intermediate rectilinear portion (122c) into the engagement arrangement and a second portion (19b) which carries the coupling end (21).
11. A valve (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the security device (17) is installed in a through-opening which is formed on the lever (16) and the push-button (23) has an abutment frame (23a) on the internal side of the lever (16) around the opening.
12. A valve (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the security device (17) is secured to the lever (16) about the rotation axis (Z) by a pin (26) which intercepts it with the end portions (26a) thereof and with an intermediate portion (26b) in the region of a pair of parallel walls (27) of the lever (16).
13. A valve (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the coupling member (19) has a through-hole in the angular portion (19c) thereof in the region of which it is fitted on the pin (26) between the pair of walls (27).
14. A valve (10) according to claim 12 or 13 when dependent on claim 6, wherein the push-button (23) has a pair of bracket elements (28) which straddle the pin (26), the double-torsion spring being installed with the pair of turns (122a) each to partially wrap around the pin (26) between one of the bracket elements (28) and a respective wall (27).
15. A valve (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein there is provided on the external side of the lever a receiving recess for the application of a thrust force of the push-button and which is defined by adjacent inclined surface portions of the lever (16) and the push-button (23).
16. A valve (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the pushbutton (23) is in relief with respect to the body of the lever (16) at said external side.
17. A valve (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess (20) has an opening which is directed substantially downwards with respect to the use arrangement of the valve (10).
EP24725011.1A 2023-04-19 2024-04-18 Valve for pressurized fluids with a security device for closing it Pending EP4698818A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE24725011.1T DE24725011T1 (en) 2023-04-19 2024-04-18 VALVE FOR PRESSURIZED LIQUIDS WITH A SAFETY DEVICE FOR CLOSING THE VALVE

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102023000007698A IT202300007698A1 (en) 2023-04-19 2023-04-19 Valve for pressurized fluids with safety device for its closing
PCT/IB2024/053790 WO2024218705A1 (en) 2023-04-19 2024-04-18 Valve for pressurized fluids with a security device for closing it

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4698818A1 true EP4698818A1 (en) 2026-02-25

Family

ID=87036367

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP24725011.1A Pending EP4698818A1 (en) 2023-04-19 2024-04-18 Valve for pressurized fluids with a security device for closing it

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4698818A1 (en)
KR (1) KR20250173512A (en)
CN (1) CN120958271A (en)
DE (1) DE24725011T1 (en)
DK (1) DK4698818T1 (en)
IT (1) IT202300007698A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2024218705A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB201309046D0 (en) * 2013-05-20 2013-07-03 Linde Ag A pressurised fluid container
GB2528918B (en) * 2014-08-05 2020-08-19 Linde Ag Lever actuated cylinder valve assembly
GB2528920A (en) 2014-08-05 2016-02-10 Linde Ag A pressurised fluid container
FR3056277B1 (en) * 2016-09-20 2019-06-28 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude PRESSURE FLUID VALVE
LU101208B1 (en) 2019-04-26 2020-10-26 Luxembourg Patent Co Lever valve with securing hook

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN120958271A (en) 2025-11-14
IT202300007698A1 (en) 2024-10-19
WO2024218705A1 (en) 2024-10-24
KR20250173512A (en) 2025-12-10
DE24725011T1 (en) 2026-05-07
DK4698818T1 (en) 2026-03-23

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