FR2757111A1 - Safety toric tank for liquefied petroleum gas for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The safety toric tank for liquefied petroleum gas is for vehicles with dual-fuel carburation. It is located in the spare wheel compartment. Its structure comprises two shells (1,2) and a widened (4) central part (17,19) with coupling tabs (7). It has several single-piece oval male flanges which can be situated outside the vehicle. The flanges have two orifices for the operating multiple valve and pressure control valve respectively. The central part consists of two steel conical washers with smooth middle parts (19). A hole (18) reinforced by a tube (20) enables the passage of the spare wheel fixing rod.

Description

Toric tanks for liquefied petroleum gas for bi-fueled vehicles
The object of the present invention is the toroidal or cylindrical tank or any other form capable of being inscribed in available spaces of the chassis, for liquefied petroleum gas called LPG for the supply of dual-fuel automobile engines, where in particular, the O-ring is intended in most cases to be installed in the location of the spare tire.

The usual tanks for LPG, are provided with a service valve known as "polyvanne" containing the non return valves for the filling of the tank and those of engine supply and level indicator and rarely of a pressure relief valve seen the small space available, which makes it difficult to achieve both at the level of the manufacturer and the installer. Indeed all these elements are welded separately at a certain distance from each other, because of the peripheral welds on each. Same difficulty for the realization of the corresponding orifices on these tanks, because they reduce the resistance of the tank, also when adopting the bulky and heavy conventional plates contrary to the spirit of the progress of lightening to save energy and save the environment.

The purpose of our patent application, is the construction of a toric tank or any other form able to fit into available spaces of the chassis and which is truly safe, allowing the installation of a polyvane and a safety valve in the immediate vicinity. Goal achieved by a single multiple outlet nozzle forming a flange, simultaneously carrying the orifice of a polyvane and that of a safety valve offering little resistance to gas and which can be mounted by a single small orifice. Elliptical in shape around the circumferences of different diameter of the two aforementioned valves (10 and II) and with flared walls (42 fig. 7 or 44 fig 8), allowing it:
I - a), b) - either in the male version fig 3, 4 and 5 (8 = a, 8 '= b, 47 = c) to leave as an appendage going beyond the tank towards outside and to have (47) its base (62), predisposed to receive the polyvane (10) and the pressure relief valve.

(11) also directed outwards fig 8.

II - c) - or in the female version fig 7 (47 = c), to enter towards the interior of the same tank in a single cutout from which this assembly would be positioned and welded around its hollow and oval border (42), this as for the two previous versions (a and b). In this type of female assembly, the plate or base
(43) would be arranged on the internal bottom, which is slightly raised around the large
orifice 10 of the polyvalve (47) so that it can easily be installed there with its
fittings.

So this set in the male version, will have the circumference of its oval edge
44) lower than that (22) of the female version and whose interior bottom (41
containing the plate (61/62) will be identical (44 = 41).

Fig. 5 shows the multiple male flange b) composed of two welded parts, the
flange (47) and the plate (61), while fig. 3 shows version a) in one
single piece. All of which can be obtained by stamping, casting or mixed.

In all cases the edges will follow the cutting of the shape dictated by its position
on the tank or its conformation itself.

On the other hand, the re-entrant female assembly version c), can form a chamber
waterproof thanks to the fixing on its external edge (42 and 15 ') of an oval cover and
cut according to the cutout of the tank (15 ') with seals, in
polycarbonate transparent or not, in two parts, the (50) smaller and on the
tip of the ove above the pressure relief valve and comprising two
end pieces (53) for the ventilation pipes intended for indirect communication
the sealed chamber with the outside of the passenger compartment and the open air and also when passing
their interior filling pipes and LPG supply. This cover (50
) is fixed by two screws (52) also provided with small gaskets and once installed
will normally remain permanently.

On the wider side of the ove, a recess (51) allows the cover (49) to
fit under the half cover (50) to fix it with the opposite screw
(52). The half cover (49) will thus be easily removable and will in particular be
transparent polycarbonate and always fitted with a sealing cover, it
will allow to visually monitor from the outside the proper functioning and
filling by the polyvane, or manually intervene removing it by unscrewing
the screw (s) (52) or other quick release lever which will fix it with
the recess (51), the latter also provided with a seal.

In the event that this male or female set, although in this position
normally we will find the male version (44), either located at the bottom of the tank,
the safety valve is extended by a bent pipe (14) directed upwards
called "breather" to be located at the end, at the phase zone
gas located above the liquid phase of the LPG fuel, which represents around 15% of the total volume for this gas phase.

When this assembly is positioned at the top of the tank, the valve opening
pressure relief (11) will not normally need (and in most cases
the breather pipe (14) already located and communicating directly in the
gas phase of 15% of the LPG fuel used as shock absorber and propellant of the
Liquid LPG (normally 85%) through the polyvane which has a
angled pipe to fish at the bottom of the tank.

The nozzle seen from the outer face or from its inner face therefore has a shape
set of ove and narrows around the smaller diameter surface of the
safety valve. The anterior flush surface (15) of the end fitting entering
the tank that we call "multiple flange with sealed chamber", side view
exterior, has a convex shape (15 ') curved corresponding to the
tank curve seen from the outside. The resulting tank is thus easy, safe
and economical to build by making a single cut in it. In
effect then just a single peripheral weld around the whole
multiple monobloc. This makes it possible to use the pressure relief valve as well
placed immediately next to the polyvalve, all in a space and a weight
very limited. Very important thing since we operate in the very limited space of
the location of the spare tire on a vehicle. The mounting of the tank is
greatly facilitated and safer since the valves can easily be installed
either outside the passenger compartment, or when it is fitted with the "multiple flange to
waterproof chamber "inside, but which communicates with the open air thanks to
end caps (53) of its waterproof cover.

In the present invention we therefore have 3 different models of flanges including
two males (a and b) and a female c); the two males designed for mounting
notably external (called internal / external), or fig. 4 and 8 which show them seen at
front view, figs 5 and 6 in axial section along AA in fig. 4 and 8 also varying
depending on the curvature of the tank, forming a sealed chamber with its
removable two-part flap cover (49/50) fig.1 1. All are suitable for
be produced by stamping as well as casting or mixed.

This female flange assembly, like the males that we will see next, lends itself very well to application on its sealing cover, at its part (50) fig. He of
the plug assembly, more precisely of its female part (9), provided for
couple tightly with the male plug connector (9 ') Fig. 6
corresponding.

These two removable connectors are designed to allow
quickly disconnect and remove the LPG tank from the car, or
reconnect, for any need with great ease and for greater
security. This thanks to these fittings and their ring / guide (56) whose shape of ov
excludes the possibility of reconnecting them inverted and comprising a ventilation duct
(12) and two pipes fitted with gaskets for the passage of LPG, that
supply and filling (13), thanks to the tight seals under
pressure (13,54 and 57), to the locks (43) ensuring their holding coupled and
tightness of fluids as well as connection by an electrical outlet
appropriate, pressure gauges on the dashboard. Handles and
lateral support supports adjustable in height and width (63), are provided
to be adapted to the tank and they can also help this operation in addition to
its fixation
For the other multiple male flanges (beyond the tank), we have designed
the cover in the shape of a truncated oval cone as in FIG. 2 shows from the front from above and the
Fig. 5 in intended section to be superimposed on the flange in place and hung on the
tank by the locks (58) Fig 2 spring, lever or screw. This hood (42)
Fig. 2, can be applied to the tank with a tight seal like (54) Fig. 9,
but not necessarily as in the case where the strap is external. In his
external oval surface it is provided with the female transmission assembly (9)
fluids already described above, designed to couple quickly and
watertight thanks to the seal (57) located around the ring / oval guide (56) when taken or
corresponding male connector (9 ') which connects to the fixed and rigid installation of the
car by a sheath and flexible hoses performance.

The reservoirs which are the subject of the present invention are illustrated in FIG. 1 presenting the
O-ring for LPG on its section along the vertical axis and by the
fig. 12,13,14,15 and 16, composed by two half-shells (1 and 2) or two whole
(30/31 and 34135), supplemented by one of our new multiple flanges and central parts which also introduce, like the flanges, a technical novelty
compared to other existing toric tanks thanks to the flexibility that they
by their shapes (4,17,19) to the tanks, giving them in addition the
possibility of being lightened like the coupling tabs (7) and also thanks to
the facility we offer to generalize the use of the pressure relief valve.

This contributes decisively to the safety of the following reservoirs,
designed to be deformable enough to better withstand large pressures and
allow, if necessary, the expansions provided for by international standards;
their high security is accentuated by the fact that their mounting on cars, can
easily be with the valves in the open air, directly or indirectly, depending on the chosen flange assembly and its position:
A - This tank is formed by a lower half-shell (2) welded to a half
upper shell (1) and to the central part (25) of reinforcement connection and
closing. This central part can be obtained from a deep-drawn tube to form the flared ends (4) which can optionally be provided with tongues (7) for coupling to the half shells and the curve or relaxation wave (25 ′) fig. 12, carrying inside its fixing lug (6), drilled to receive the existing fixing rod in the spare tire housing and which will complete and close the two half-shells 1 and 2, making up the tank A) with the choice of one of our new flanges, male if the use will be internal to the outside, the valves coming out of the passenger compartment, or female if the valves cannot go out. Its fixing, as for the others, could also be ensured , by peripheral nuts (22 and 36) with curves.

B - C) - Safety tanks composed of two half-shells (1,2) and central parts (19 and 17) formed from two sheet metal washers pressed into two identical cones flared at the outer edges (4) possibly fitted coupling tabs (7), with the middle parts (19 ') fig. 13 and (17 ') fig. 14 which gradually shrink like cones with truncated tips, but closed by their circular surfaces (16) welded together peripherally, whose walls (19') are smooth on B) fig 13 and stamped in waves or rounded and decreasing circumferential steps (17 ') on C) fig. 14,
The whole taking on the shape of an hourglass. In the middle of the aforementioned circles, an orifice (18) is made, reinforced by a tube (20) allowing the passage of the existing fixing rod in the spare tire housing as well as the supply and ventilation pipes. Normally, on the lower half-shell, a cutout is made or one of the new multiple flanges is welded, provided with an orifice (10) for the polyvane and a smaller orifice (11) for the safety valve which, thanks to the breather (14 ) directed upwards will communicate with the gas phase which is 15% of the volume of the fuel contained. This gas phase forming propellant and damper of the liquid phase contained in LPG. Additional anchoring means are available as the nuts (22 or 36 if necessary) are provided on the base or on the sides peripherally to the curves.

D, E and F - The central parts of the tanks, toric or not, fig. 12, 13 and 14, which precede, can be pierced and closed by two discs welded to the more external parts of the upper and lower flares (4), which increase the capacity of the LPG tank and have a hose running through them in the middle, in order to allow the passage in particular of the ventilation duct with the LPG pipes and the spare tire fixing rod .

G - Safety tank, toroidal or other form consisting of two curved whole curved and flared shells with concavities oriented in the same direction upwards (30,31) fig. 15 and the two partial concavities (33), carrying welded the nuts for fixing and anchoring the reservoir (22) and for fixing the spare tire (32) downwardly welded juxtaposed. In the same direction. Consolidated also by a tie rod or large-head pin (55) for special cases not allowing the use of the pressure relief valve with a constriction in its precalculated medium (65) to gradually release at a certain pressure. It is completed by one of our new flanges.

H - Innovative safety tank made up of two whole shells (34 and 35) fig. 16, welded together with curved and flared connecting parts. With concavities (34 and 35) oriented in the same direction downward and inversely upward for the concavities (34 and 37), this increases the reactivity of the entire tank by the contrasting play of the curves with respect to the gas. .

Crossed in the middle by a tightly welded pipe (60) reinforcing it as in C), D) and F), allowing, among other things, the passage of the usual fixing rod of the tire; can optionally also be provided with nuts (22 and 36) placed on the periphery of internal or external curves.

Claims (10)

 1 - Safety tank for G.P.L. for bi-fueled cars of any shape or in particular toric, intended to collect overpressures and to be positioned often at the location of the spare tire, composed of two shells (let 2) or (34/35 or 30/31) and d '' a central part (17,19 or 25) flared (4) and which can be provided with coupling tabs (7), characterized by being provided with one of the multiple flanges (8 a and b) male can be located outside the passenger compartment, or (c) female assembly entering the tank and can communicate with the outside, simultaneously comprising an orifice (10) for a valve called "polyvane" and an orifice (11) for a pressure relief valve in the immediate vicinity, these flanges having a general shape of an ove narrowing around the surface of smaller diameter of the safety valve and in that the reservoir comprises a single cutout intended to receive one of these multiple flanges and that these flanges can be obtained enues by casting, by stamping, mixed or other. 2 2 - Tank according to claim 1, characterized in that a rear surface (15) of the two male flanges is of concave shape and that the front (15 '), flush with the female flange re-entering the tank, will be convex ( 15 '), in order to correspond to that of the reservoir and in that these have a curved shape corresponding to the shape of the surface of the reservoir.  3 3 - Tank according to claim 2, characterized in that, if the flanges are arranged in the lower part of the tank, the pressure relief valve is extended internally by a pipe (14) oriented towards the top of the tank up to the level of the gas phase located at the top of that liquid.  4 - Reservoir according to claim 2, characterized in that the female flange assembly (c) is provided with a leaktight cover flap in two removable parts (49 and 50) communicating indirectively with the open air by the nozzles (53) provided for mounting inside the vehicle.  5 - Reservoir according to claim 4, characterized by its removable nature thanks to our plug-in assembly (9) applied: to the cover (49/50) of the female assembly or to the cover (42) with its locks (58) for the male flanges and the shape of an ove, also of its ring (56) excluding any inversion and ensuring sealing by the seal (57) also containing a sheath or ventilation duct (12) and the two pipes or ducts of LPG provided with seals (13) allowing the holding, Quick coupling or uncoupling to its plug or male socket (9 ') which connects to it, by locking itself there by blockings (43), to the fixed and rigid installation of the car by a sheath or conduit ventilation and flexible pipes and that these operations are facilitated by handles or lateral supports (63) of support adaptable in height and width.  6 - Safety tank (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a central part (25) of steel tube, stamped in one piece, flared at the ends (4) which can be handled by tongues d 'coupling (7) and with a diverging curve in the middle, or rebound wave (25') and with a fixing lug (6) provided with a hole (3) for the existing fixing rod in the tire housing help or possibility of nuts (22 and 36).  7 - Safety tanks (B and C) according to claim 1, characterized in that they comprise a central part composed of two steel washers stamped identically in cones, flared at the outer edges (4) which can be provided coupling tabs (7) and with the corrugated middle parts (17 ') in (C) and smooth (19') in (B), which gradually narrow towards the truncated tips of the cones, including the circular surfaces (16 ) welded in opposition and closing it, have an orifice (18) reinforced by a tube (20), allowing in particular the passage of the spare tire fixing rod or possibility of anchoring by nuts (22 and 36). The whole taking on the shape of an hourglass.  8 - Safety tanks (D, E and F) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that their central parts are closed by two discs welded to the more external parts of the upper and lower flares (4 or 7), drilled to increase the capacity and crossed in the middle by a pipe to allow the passage of the ventilation, the LPG pipes and the tire fixing rod.  9 - Safety tank (G) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is constituted by two domed shells (30 and 31) whole, with curved and flared connecting parts with concavities oriented in the same direction upwards and the two partial concavities (33), also carrying the tank anchoring nuts (22 and 32), welded juxtaposed. Its upper concave face, which can accommodate and by the nut (32) blocking the spare tire; also consolidated by a broad-headed tie-rod (55) strangled in its middle (65) and calculated to drop beyond a certain pressure.  10 - Safety tank (H) according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists of two whole shells (34 and 35) welded opposite, with curved and flared connecting parts and that the concavities (34 and 35) are oriented in the same direction downward and inversely upward for the concavities (34 and 37), and that it is traversed in the middle by a pipe (60), provided inter alia for its fixing by the tire rod, or can be fitted with peripheral nuts with curves (22 and 36).