FR2865263A1 - Gas e.g. ethylene, distribution control device for pressurized gas cylinder, has cap that protects outlet connection by forming shield in front of connection and allows access to connection, when in closed and open positions, respectively - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a cap (4) integrated on the body (1) and movable between closed and open positions. The cap protects an outlet connection by forming a shield in front of the connection, in the closed position. The cap allows access to the connection, in the open position. The cap is formed of a movable wall comprising an aperture through which the connection is accessed when the cap is in open position. An independent claim is also included for a pressurized gas cylinder equipped with a gas distribution control device.

Description

2865263 1

  The present invention relates to a gas cylinder connection protection device.

  The connection that connects a gas cylinder to a pipe for the purpose of filling the cylinder or extracting the gas contained therein, is a key element of the ease and safety of use, as well as the quality of the gas collected or delivered.

  It therefore appears necessary to protect it against dirt, shocks and insect intrusions, for example.

  The problem arises particularly acute when sophisticated connections are used such as quick-closing double-ended couplings, that is to say shutting off the upstream part and the downstream part at disconnection, because, on the one hand, , their precise mechanics are ill adapted to the ill-treatment and their high cost makes their replacement expensive and, on the other hand, the damage by a shock or by an excessive effort would destroy the function of shutter and thus expose to pollution the circuits and components downstream and / or unexpectedly release gas contained in these circuits.

  A known solution is to screw a cap on the fitting. However, this effective solution in terms of protection leads to provide a storage position of the cap, when the connector is connected, possibly a chain or a flexible link preventing its loss. This solution also implies the presence of a thread which can be the functional thread of the connection in the case of screwed connections or a thread dedicated to the plug in the case of smooth connections. It is also necessary to provide means or a screwing procedure to prevent loosening and unscrewing of the cap that can cause vibrations, especially during transport, otherwise the protection is no longer ensured.

  It is also possible to use a nested plug. At the threading, the stresses are the same as for the screwed cap and the seal is generally less good, except to provide a relatively complex stopper 2865263 2 as a plugged fitting, similar to that of the pipe, or better modified for do not cause the opening of the closing of the connection on the bottle side.

  Moreover, it has already been proposed a breakable cap, screwed or fitted, which must be broken to allow access to the connector. This offers the advantage of "tracing" the opening but has the disadvantage of destroying the protection after opening.

  In addition, all the known plugs have the disadvantage with the fluids of being able to be subjected to pressure in the event of opening of the circuit which controls the supply of the connection. When the fitting is double-sealed, leakage is limited but not completely eliminated, as standard double-shutoff fittings do not provide a perfect seal. When a plug placed on an unclosed fitting (by a double plugging) is subjected to pressure, it is likely to be damaged by pressure and / or even to be ejected or to contain the pressure and to present then a risk when removed from the fitting it protects.

  A particular arrangement described in US-A-5,566,713 prohibits the connection to the connector in the "closed" position, but it does not allow the closure of the flow, when the connector is in place. This arrangement is suitable for particular applications such as respiratory assistance but is not suitable for all applications. In the field of welding gases, analysis and energy production, for example, it is common that the bottle remains connected to the gas utilization pipe, when the flow is interrupted.

  The problem that arises is therefore to propose a device, not having the above disadvantages, for effectively protecting the gas outlet fitting of a fluid container, such as a gas cylinder, or a pipe conveying a gas.

  The solution of the invention is a device for controlling the distribution of fluid, in particular gas, comprising: a main body comprising at least one internal passage of fluid gas connecting an inlet orifice to an outlet orifice arranged in an outlet coupling, and 2865263 3 - opening / closing means for controlling the passage of the fluid in said internal passage and its outlet by said outlet fitting, characterized in that it further comprises a cap arranged integrally on said body and movable between at least a first position in which the cap protects the connector coming to form a screen in front of said connector and a second position in which the cap protects the connector coming to form screen in front of said connector and a second position in which the cap allows access to said fitting.

  Depending on the case, the device of the invention comprises one or more of the following characteristics: the cap is rotatable and / or is pivotable; - The cap is formed of a movable wall comprising at least one opening through which access to the connection when the cap is in the second position; the outlet connection is arranged in a recess of the main body; - Release means cooperates with the cap so as to allow the pivoting and / or rotation of the cap from the first position to the second position; the release means is a button with digital action that can be activated by the operator; the opening / closing means comprise a lever or a control stirrup; a portion of the main body is of generally spherical shape, the connection being located in an obviously arranged in the spherical portion of the invention solution therefore consists in protecting the connection of the body of the device with a flap having the following advantages: robust and watertight protection of the fitting, the latter being completely wrapped in the "closed" position (protected connection), blocking the opening of the circuit which feeds the connection thus preventing the accumulation of gases in the protected zone.

  - In the "open" position (accessible connection), the connection supply circuit can be either open or closed, which allows the supply of the circuit connected to the bottle to be closed without disconnecting the bottle.

  - Alternatively, the shutter closes itself if the connection is disconnected.

  - Alternatively, closing the shutter causes the closing of the gas circuit supplying the connection.

  as a variant, disconnection of the connection is only possible when the supply circuit is closed.

  - Alternatively, the flap control can be "double action" that is to say require two different simultaneous actions to be done, which limits the risk of accidental opening.

  The invention will be better understood thanks to the detailed description which follows, made with reference to the appended figures.

  FIG. 1 represents a gas bottle 100, equipped with a connection protection device according to the invention, consisting of a body 1, a control stirrup 2, a gas outlet fitting 3, a a pivoting cap 4 with an unlocking button 5, a pressure gauge 6, a protective cap 7, connection means inside the bottle, means for fixing the bottle, control means, flow control means and safety accessories, such as overpressure relief valve, thermal fuse, etc.

  A horizontal opening 71 formed in the cap facilitates gripping and transport, an oblique cutout 72 releases access to the open / closed control yoke 2 and the visibility of the manometer 6 as shown in Figure 2. A single manometer is used here, but a second manometer or a gauge or any other means of measurement (flowmeter for example) could complete the equipment.

  In the rest position, the connector 3 (of the type described in ISO 7289 for example) located in a well 31 dug in the body 1, is completely hidden and protected by the cap 4. The passage 41 cut in the cap 4 is obstructed by the button 5. For this purpose, the button 5 housed in a well 51 hollowed out in the body 1, can translate along the axis XX '. It is pushed out of the well 51 by a spring 54 and its stroke is limited by a pin 53 secured to the body 1 and abutting in an oblong slot 52 formed in the button 5. The obstruction of the passage 41 by the button 5 prevents the entry of dirt, dust or water etc ... under the cap and thus protects the connector 3.

  To access the connector, press the button 5 for example with the thumb of the left hand, which translates the button 5 to come to a stop (light 52 and pin 53) in its most retracted position to the the interior of the well 51 and free the passage 41. The button being pressed with the left thumb, it is possible with the right hand to rotate around the axis YY 'the cap 4 of the few degrees necessary to cover it partially the button and keep it in the depressed position. It is then possible to release the button 5 and finish the pivoting movement of the cap 4 until the passage 41 is in front of the well 31 and allows access to the connector 3, for connecting the pipe fitting (Figure 4).

  On the outer surface 42 of the cap 4 are formed borrows that prevents slipping in the hand, without risking to make unexpected attachment points to tools or pipes or gloves or clothing that can come into contact with the bottle head. The treatment of the surface 42 combines comfort of use and safety.

  A screw 43 integral with the cap 4 slides freely in a groove 11 of rectangular section and forming a circular arc centered on the pivot axis YY '. The ends of this arc constitute the abutments of the pivoting of the cap 4. Alternatively, the screw 43 may be replaced by a small ball piston and the bottom of the groove receives a counterbore at its end corresponding to the position of access to the connection and the piston ball rolls on the bottom of the groove between the two extreme positions and is housed in the counterbore in the access position to the connection which provides a fixed position and a hard point in the maneuver indicating that the position is reached.

  Alternatively, by means of a spring (not shown) connecting the cap 4 and the body 1, the cap is permanently recalled to the rest position and 2865263 6 is maintained in the access position by the connection to the connection of the head, the pipe fitting, the latter making stop.

  Alternatively, if the valve comprises an expansion valve, the rotation of the cap to the open position (access to the connector) compresses (at least partially) the expansion spring of the integrated holder in the valve. This has the effect of relaxing the spring in the rest position so reduce the pressure setpoint and extend the life of the spring and the seal of its valve. This force used with an ad hoc cam or inclined pan system, can be the means of return of the cap in the rest position (described above).

  In a variant, the well 31 is preferably of conical shape, flared outwards in order to facilitate the evacuation of the dust and especially water (condensation, for example in the case of gases that strongly cool with the expansion, such as CO2, ethylene).

  The control yoke 2 (open / closed) acts on a flapper valve (or a ball valve, etc.) to allow or prevent the flow of gas through the fitting. This yoke 2 pivots around the axis W 'with two pins 21 and 22. A cam (or two) equips a trunnion (or both).

  When the cap 4 is in the rest position, this cam comes into abutment against a support zone formed in the lower part of the cap 4. The cam meeting the support zone of the cap 4 prohibits the operation of the caliper and therefore the opening of the gas.

  When the cap 4 is in the access position to the connection 3, the support zone displaced by the pivoting escapes the cam which can then freely pass and thus allows the pivoting of the stirrup 2 control. In this access position, the valve can at will be placed in the On position or in the Off position.

  In a variant, the system (cam on trunnion I bearing zone on cap) is replaced by a gear system between an intermediate ring rotating about the axis W ', and the cap 4. This intermediate ring has a degree of angular freedom with respect to the control stirrup, equal to the pivoting angle of the stirrup 2 so that when the cap 4 is in the rest position the intermediate ring is in abutment against the trunnion 21 or 22 of the caliper and prevents it from being maneuvered to the "open" position and as the cap 4 pivots to the position of access to the connector, the pin 21 or 22 is released. In the access position to the connector 3, the pin 21 or 22 can rotate sufficiently to reach the "open" position. When the cap 4 is returned to the rest position, while the pin is in the "open" position, the cap meshing with the intermediate ring, pushes it against the pin and forces it to return to the "closed" position. When the trunnion is in the "closed" position, the operations of the cap in the direction of opening or closing have no effect on the trunnion (and therefore on the caliper).

  Another application of the present invention is a common protective flap to the fill connector and the bleed connection. For this purpose, the flap which always has only one opening, can occupy two positions each discovering only one of the two connections. The position "filling" can be locked so that its access is restricted to authorized persons.

Claims (9)

  A device for controlling the distribution of fluid, in particular gas, comprising: a main body (1) comprising at least one internal passage of fluid gas connecting an inlet orifice to an outlet orifice arranged in a coupling ( 3), and - opening / closing means for controlling the passage of the fluid in said internal passage and its outlet by said outlet connector (3), characterized in that it further comprises a cap (4) arranged integrally on said body (1) and movable between at least a first position in which the cap (4) protects the connector (3) coming to form screen in front of said connector (3) and a second position in which the cap (4) allows access to said fitting (3).   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap (4) is movable in rotation and / or is pivotable.   3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cap (4) is formed of a movable wall comprising at least one opening (41) through which the connection (3) is accessed when the cap ( 4) is in the second position.   4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outlet connector (3) is arranged in a recess of the main body (1).   5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it further comprises a release means (5) cooperating with the cap (4) so as to allow the pivoting and / or rotation of the cap (4) from the first position to the second position.   6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the releasing means is a digital action button activatable by the operator.   7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the opening / closing means comprise a lever or a stirrup (2) control.   2865263 9 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least a portion of the main body (1) is generally spherical shape, the connector (3) being located in a recess arranged in the shaped part spherical.   9. Bottle of pressurized gas equipped with a device according to one of claims 1 to 8.