FR2958006A1 - Valve i.e. gas valve, for use on pressurized gas container i.e. bottle, has connector including part integrated to body in removable manner, where connector is fixed in modifiable position with respect to body among preset positions - Google Patents

Abstract

The valve (1) has a body (2) defining a gas filling/decanting channel comprising an upstream end in relation with pressurized gas and a downstream end (5) emerging outside the valve at a level of an outlet connector (10). A maintaining element (6) emerges outside the connector. The maintaining element is assembled in the body of the valve in a determined fixed position via fixing elements. The connector includes a part integrated to the body in a removable manner, and is fixed in a modifiable position with respect to the body among preset positions. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing a valve of a pressurized gas container.

Description

The present invention relates to a valve for a pressurized gas container and a method of manufacturing such a valve. The invention more particularly relates to a valve for a pressurized gas container comprising a body defining a gas withdrawal / filling channel comprising an upstream end intended to be put in contact with pressurized gas and a downstream end opening outwardly. of the valve at an outlet connection, the valve body housing a residual pressure holding member disposed in the withdrawal / filling channel, said member for maintaining a residual pressure opening into the outlet connection.

The geometry of the faucet outlet fitting is standardized in most countries to avoid dangerous connections. These standards of outlet connections generally define threads or tappings as well as geometries intended to co-operate in sealing with the filling tool and / or the extraction tool.

However, these standards are very varied from one country to another and even within a continent such as Europe. In addition, residual pressure maintaining members are commonly integrated in valves to maintain a determined positive pressure in the containers equipped with said valves. These bodies generally comprise a residual pressure valve which closes the gas outlet when the stored pressure becomes insufficient to overcome the force of a spring which forces the valve towards its seat. These residual pressure valves are provided in particular to prevent pollution inside the container. Some residual pressure valves comprise a mechanically actuable end by a filling tool, to allow the opening of said valve to fill the container and to avoid unwanted valve openings by the user of the bottle, which can cause a risk in security term. That is, the residual pressure valve opens into the outlet fitting.

When filling, the valve is actuated by a push rod valve of the filling tool. The geometry of these assemblies varies greatly according to the standards relating to the outlet connections. Typical dimensions relating to these valve assemblies are given below: a reference zone for sealing with a filling tool (Zref), this reference zone Zref is specific to the standard of the outlet fitting; closing position (Zc) of the valve determined with respect to the outlet connection (10), - an opening stroke (Zc-Zo) between the closed position (Zc) of the valve and an open position (Zo) of the valve when actuated by a filling tool. These different dimensions are rarely standardized. Only two cases are known: DIN 477 200bar and EIGA's NEVOC recommendation based on ISO 5145 300bar. To meet the different geometric constraints related to compliance with the specific standards for outlet fittings, the requirements for the design of Residual Pressure Valve (RPV) assemblies, where they exist, as well as the functional constraints of the valve assemblies, the manufacturers of Valves define on the valve body a reference position for the residual pressure valve. The valve and the valve are then adapted geometrically according to the requirements of the country concerned. In particular, the length of the downstream end of the valve intended to be actuated mechanically by the filling tool is adapted from one model of valve to the other, according to these standards. For the same valve model, we can see variations of the order of 20mm for these valve lengths.

This multiplication of geometries and references increases the risk of malfunction (risk of poor connections, different technical behavior depending on the geometries of residual pressure valves, damage ...). In addition, all these adaptations increase the number of part references and associated manufacturing costs.

An object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art noted above. To this end, the valve according to the invention, moreover in accordance with the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that the member for maintaining a residual pressure is mounted in the body of the valve in a determined fixed position via fastening elements allowing the choice of said fixed position among a plurality of predefined positions relative to the body and in that the outlet fitting comprises at least one piece secured to the body removably and / or fixed in a position changeable relative to the body among a plurality of predefined positions.

Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: the residual pressure holding member comprises a valve movable in translation along a longitudinal axis, the movable valve being biased towards a seat by a return element to maintain a determined residual pressure upstream of said valve, the downstream end of the mobile valve opening into the outlet fitting to allow the opening of the movable valve by a mechanical action against the force of the return element, the fixed and determined position of the holding member relative to the body along the longitudinal axis being configurable relative to the body among a plurality of predefined longitudinal positions, the fixing elements comprise at least one of one of: a threading and tapping system, a nut, a locknut, a crimping, a welding, a pin, - the holding member of a residual pressure is blocked in its fixed position determined via a system of nut and lock nut screwed on a thread formed on said member, the nut and lock nut system forming a mechanical stop cooperating with the body of the tap, the member for maintaining a residual pressure is locked in its fixed position determined by a hooking, such as a screwing, between the residual pressure holding member and the outlet connection, - the holding member a residual pressure is housed in a casing secured to the valve body in a fixed position via fastening elements, - the housing is arranged in a longitudinal bore of the valve body, - the outlet fitting comprises a tubular insert part in or on an orifice of the body, said tubular member being locked in rotation relative to the body, the seat of the movable valve is formed on a part of the outlet fitting which is removable or displaceable relatively to the body; the housing houses the movable valve and the return element; the return element comprises a compression spring; the casing comprises a passage for the gas connecting the channel with the valve, - the channel is provided to ensure both the filling and filling of gas, - the valve comprises an isolation valve disposed in the channel upstream of the residual pressure maintaining member.

The invention also relates to a pressurized gas container equipped with a valve according to any one of the above characteristics or below.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing at least one valve for a pressurized gas container, the valve comprising a body defining a gas withdrawal / filling channel having an upstream end intended to be put in relation with the gas under stored pressure and a downstream end opening out of the valve at an outlet connection, a residual pressure holding member disposed in the draw / fill channel, said residual pressure holding member comprising a valve movable in translation along a longitudinal axis, the movable valve being biased towards a closed position against a seat by a return element, the downstream end of the mobile valve opening into the outlet fitting to allow the opening of the movable valve during a filling operation by a mechanical action against the force of the biasing element, in which the outlet coupling e comprises a so-called "reference" zone designed to cooperate in sealing with a filling tool intended to be connected to the outlet fitting, and in which, in the closed position of the movable valve, the downstream end of the movable valve that opens into the the outlet fitting defines a so-called "closing" position with respect to the outlet fitting, characterized in that the residual pressure holding member is mounted in the valve body in a determined fixed position relative to the body via fixing elements, said fixed position being selected from a plurality of predefined positions and in that the outlet fitting is attached to the body in a fixed position determined with respect to the residual pressure holding member. According to other possible features: the determined fixed position of the residual pressure holding member is chosen to define a closure position of the determined valve with respect to the outlet connection, the outlet connection being fixed in a position determined on the body to define a reference zone determined with respect to the closing position of the valve, - for the manufacture of several separate valves respectively satisfying different geometric standards with respect to the reference zone and the closed position, the valves use the same standard valve body, the respective outlet fittings of said valves and the respective fixed fixed positions of said residual pressure holding member of said valves being adapted to meet respectively said standards; the method uses, for the manufacture of different faucets, holding devices of a standard pressure having, in the closed position, an identical length in the longitudinal direction, the distance between the reference zone and the reference zone is kept constant for the different valves. The invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the above or below features.

The invention also relates to a pressurized gas container provided with such a valve. Other features and advantages will appear on reading the following description, with reference to the figures in which: - Figure 1 shows a schematic and partial schematic view of an example of a faucet which the invention can FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic and partial sectional view of an example of a gas valve mounted on a container, illustrating a structure and an operating principle according to the invention, FIG. sectional, schematic and partial, of an example of a gas valve illustrating the structure and the operating principle of a possible embodiment according to the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the invention can be applied to a pressurized gas valve 1 intended to be fixed on the opening of a pressurized gas container (see also FIG. 2).

The valve 1 comprises a body 2 defining a circulation channel 3 for the gas between an upstream end 4 intended to be put in contact with pressurized gas and a downstream end 5 opening out of the tap at a connection 10 out. The channel 3 ensures, for example, both gas filling (downstream upstream) and gas offtake (upstream to downstream).

The channel 3 comprises a member 6 for maintaining a residual pressure, such as a residual pressure valve. For the sake of simplification, the member 6 for maintaining a residual pressure is designated solely by the term "residual pressure valve" in the following description. The body 2 preferably also comprises a valve 12 of isolation 30 disposed upstream of the residual pressure valve 6 and operable for example via a steering wheel or a pivoting lever. Of course, the invention is independent of the technology used for the isolation of the fluid in the bottle, upstream of the device for maintaining residual pressure (external sealing by stuffing, by O-rings, by membrane, shutdown, regulation ...). Thus, the invention can be applied to any other type of valve, including lever actuated taps, rotary valve, or valves provided with other members such as pressure regulators (valve system and spring to relax the pressure between the upstream and the downstream at a determined value), one or more manometers, one or more filters, ... Moreover, the invention can also be applied to a valve architecture in which the channel 3 of filling is at least partly distinct from a filling channel.

Referring to FIG. 2, the residual pressure valve 6 conventionally comprises a downstream end 116 which opens into the outlet connection in order to be mechanically actuable by the end 113 of a filling tool 13 in order to its opening. According to an advantageous feature, the residual pressure valve 6 is mounted in the body 2 of the valve in a determined fixed position via fixing elements 7, 8, 9 allowing the choice of said fixed position among a plurality of predefined positions relative to the body. 2. That is to say that the position of the residual pressure valve 6 in the finished valve can be chosen beforehand from a range P6 of possible positions. The structure of the body 2 and / or the valve 6 may be provided to allow to define the longitudinal position of the residual pressure valve 6 relative to the outlet connector 10. By the term "longitudinal" designates the direction A according to the valve 6 is movable relative to the outlet fitting 10. In addition, preferably, the geometry and / or the position of the outlet connector 10 relative to the body 2 (and thus relative to the residual pressure valve 6) and also parameterizable. That is, the position and / or geometry of the finished tap outlet connector can be selected from among a plurality of possible P10 configurations. Preferably, the outlet fitting 10 comprises at least one piece which is removably mounted on the body 2, i.e. the shape and / or dimensions of this outlet fitting 10 can be adapted by choosing the adapted output connector. This makes it possible to maintain a standard or relatively standard body 2 and to adapt the relative geometries and dimensions: of the outlet connector, of the residual pressure valve, to the particular conditions of the several distinct standards. This makes it possible in particular to avoid the use of excessively long residual pressure valves (end 116 of the axis intended to open into the outlet connection to reach a closed position Zc). This also makes it possible to simplify the manufacture of the corresponding valves. As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2, the residual pressure valve 6 conventionally comprises a valve 16 movable in translation along a longitudinal axis A. This valve 16 is biased towards a seat by a return element 26 to maintain a predetermined residual pressure upstream. said valve. The return element comprises, for example, a compression spring 26.

The spring 26 tends to close the valve 16 while the pressurized gas coming from upstream (the reservoir 122) tends to open the valve 16. The downstream end 116 of the valve 16 has for example the shape of an axis. This downstream end opens into the outlet connector and defines the closed position Zc.

The outlet connector 10 may in turn define the reference zone Zref to seal with a filling tool. Figure 3 illustrates a possible but non-limiting embodiment. The body 2 of the valve 1 comprises a housing such as a bore 22 in which is disposed the valve 6 residual pressure. The movable valve 16 and its spring 26 are for example housed in a casing 46 which is sealingly placed in the bore 22 (via one or more O-rings 56 for example). For example, the valve 16 slides in a blind bore 66 of the casing 46, the spring 26 bearing on the bottom of the blind bore 66. The stroke C of the valve may be limited towards the opening via a shoulder 76 for example. As shown, the casing 46 may comprise a passage 11 for the gas connecting the filling / withdrawal channel 3 with the movable valve 16. That is, the high upstream pressure is related to the movable valve 16 (if applicable when an upstream valve 12 is open).

The casing 46 is locked in a fixed predetermined position via fastening elements comprising, for example, a system with a nut 7 and a counter nut 8. For example, the nut and the lock nut 8 are screwed onto a thread of the casing 46, so as to form a longitudinal locking of the housing 46 in the body 2 of the valve (for example an inward locking).

The downstream end of the movable valve 16 has a conjugate form of a seat 36 for selectively closing the passage to the outlet fitting. For example, the downstream end of the movable valve 16 has a frustoconical portion and a seal 86 (for example, a ring) cooperating with a conjugate geometry of the seat 36.

The downstream end 116 of the valve (16) opens or is flush in the outlet connector 10 to be pushed by a suitable tool. As shown, preferably, the outlet connector 1 comprises a piece removably attached in or on the body 2.

In the nonlimiting example of Figure 3, the outlet fitting is defined by a tubular piece (or ring-shaped). This interchangeable part 10 thus defines the reference zone Zref for sealing. This part 10 also defines the attachment zone 100 (thread and / or tapping and / or other) provided to cooperate with the filling or withdrawal tool that comes to connect selectively (according to the standard in particular). The removable outlet connector 10 is sealingly attached to the body 2, for example via one or more seals 101. According to an advantageous advantageous feature, the casing 46 of the residual pressure valve 6 is locked in its fixed position determined by a hooking. 9, such as a screwing, between the outlet connector 10 and the housing 46. For this purpose, the housing 6 may include an impression 96 for a screwdriver. The removable connector 10 is for example locked in rotation relative to the body 2 via a suitable shape 102 cooperating with its housing in the body 2 (form with one or more flat surfaces, such as a hexagon or other suitable means). The geometry and removable connector 10 and in particular its length in the longitudinal direction A can be chosen according to the normative constraints. In addition, as shown, the seat 36 of the movable flap 16 may be defined by an inner portion of this removable outlet fitting. It can be seen that the invention makes it possible to simplify the structure of valves which must satisfy different geometrical standards, while optimizing the operating qualities of said valves. In particular, in the preferred case where the residual pressure valve 6.36 is housed in a simple standard bore 22 of the valve body 2, it avoids fine and expensive machining on said body 22. More precisely, the machining is postponed ( threadings, threads) on adaptation parts (on the residual pressure valve and in particular on its housing 46 in particular) rather than on the body 2. Similarly, the removable outlet fitting 10 can be housed in one end of this bore 22 and the machining of a thread / tapping is preferably performed not on the body 2 but on the connector 10 to cooperate with a tapped thread / conjugate on the housing 46 of the residual pressure valve. Unlike the prior art, the invention also makes it possible to use standard or quasi-standard residual pressure valves in particular in terms of length and / or opening stroke and / or in terms of geometry intended to cooperate with a seat. This makes it possible, in particular, to standardize the sealing and gas circulation conditions for valves whose outlet connection standards are different.

The bore 22 of the body 2 standard faucet can accommodate alternatively or in addition to other bodies (eg a pressure measuring member, a flow meter, a pressure regulator ...). Alternatively, this housing defined by the bore 22 may even, depending on the application of the valve, be devoid of residual pressure valve (in this case the housing is preferably closed at its end.

Claims (15)

REVENDICATIONS1. Valve (1) for a pressurized gas container comprising a body (2) defining a gas withdrawal / filling channel (3) comprising an upstream end (4) intended to be put into contact with gas under pressure and a downstream end (5) opening out of the valve at an outlet connection (10), the body (2) of the valve housing a member (6) for maintaining a residual pressure disposed in the channel (3) of withdrawal / filling, said member (6) for maintaining a residual pressure opening into the outlet connection (10), characterized in that the member (6) for maintaining a residual pressure is mounted in the body (2). ) of the valve in a determined fixed position via fixing elements (7, 8, 9) allowing the choice of said fixed position from among a plurality of predefined positions relative to the body (2) and in that the outlet connection (10) comprises at least one piece secured to the body (2) removably and / or fixed in an editable position relative to the body (2) among a plurality of predefined positions. 2. Tap according to claim 1, characterized in that the member (6) for maintaining a residual pressure comprises a valve (16) movable in translation along a longitudinal axis (A), the valve (16) being biased to a seat (36) by a return element (26) for maintaining a determined residual pressure upstream of said valve (16), the downstream end (116) of the movable valve (16) opening into the outlet connection (10) to allow the opening of the movable valve (16) by a mechanical action against the force of the element (26) of return, and in that the fixed and determined position of the member (6) of holding relative to the body (2) along the longitudinal axis (A) is configurable relative to the body (2) out of a plurality of predefined longitudinal positions. 3. Valve according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the elements (7, 8, 9) for fixing comprise at least one of: a system (9) threading and tapping, a nut ( 7), lock nut (8), crimping, welding, pin. 4. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the member (6) for maintaining a residual pressure is locked in its fixed position determined via a nut system (8) and against nut (9) screwed on a thread formed on said member (6), the nut system (8) and against-nut (9) forming a mechanical stop cooperating with the body (2) of the valve. 5. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the member (6) for maintaining a residual pressure is locked in its fixed position determined by a hooking, such as a screwing, between l residual pressure holding member (6) and the outlet fitting (10). 6. Tap according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the member (6) for maintaining a residual pressure is housed in a housing (46) secured to the body (2) of the valve in a fixed position via fastening elements (7, 8, 9). 7. Tap according to claim 6, characterized in that the housing (46) is disposed in a bore (22) longitudinal body (2) of the valve. 8. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the outlet fitting comprises a tubular piece (10) attached in or on an orifice of the body (2), said tubular member being locked in rotation relative to the body (2). 9. Tap according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the seat (36) of the movable valve (16) is formed on a part of the outlet connector (10) which is removable or displaceable relative to the body ( 2). Container (122) of pressurized gas equipped with a valve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9. 11. A method of manufacturing at least one valve (1) for a pressurized gas container, the valve comprising a body (2) defining a gas withdrawal / filling channel (3) having an upstream end (4) for be put into contact with stored pressurized gas and a downstream end (5) opening out of the tap at an outlet connection (10), a residual pressure holding member (6) disposed in the channel (3) of withdrawal / filling, said member (6) for maintaining a residual pressure comprising a valve (16) movable in translation along a longitudinal axis (A), the valve (16) movable being biased towards a position closing against a seat (36) by a return element (26), the downstream end (116) of the movable valve (16) opening into the outlet connector (10) to allow the opening of the movable valve (16) during a filling operation by a mechanical action against the effort of the the return element (26), in which the outlet connection (10) comprises a so-called "reference" zone (Zref) designed to cooperate in sealing with a filling tool intended to be connected to the outlet connection (10), and wherein, in the closed position of the movable valve (16), the downstream end (116) of the movable valve (16) which opens into the outlet fitting (10) defines a "closing" position (Zc) with respect to the outlet coupling (10), characterized in that the residual pressure holding member (6) is mounted in the valve body (2) in a fixed position relative to the body (2) via elements (7). 8, 9), said fixed position being selected from a plurality of predefined positions and in that the outlet fitting (10) is attached to the body (2) in a fixed position relative to the member ( 6) maintaining a residual pressure. 12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the determined fixed position of the member (6) for maintaining a residual pressure is chosen to define a closed position (Zc) of the valve determined relative to the coupling (10). ) and that the outlet connector (10) is fixed in a determined position on the body (2) to define a reference zone (Zref) determined with respect to the closing position (Zc) of the valve. 13. A method according to any one of claims 11 or 12 for the manufacture of several different valves respectively satisfying different geometric standards with respect to the reference zone (Zref) and the closed position (Zc), characterized in that the valves use the same standard valve body (2) and in that the respective outlet fittings (10) of said valves and the respective fixed fixed positions of said residual pressure holding member (6) of said valves are adapted to satisfy respectively to said standards. 14. The method of claim 13 characterized in that it uses, for the manufacture of various valves, standard pressure holding members (6) having, in the closed position, an identical length (L) in the longitudinal direction. (AT). 15. Method according to any one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the distance between the reference zone (Zref) and the reference zone (Zref) is kept constant (Zref-Zc = constant) for the various valves.