FR3012202A1 - PRESSURE FLUID VALVE - Google Patents

Abstract

Pressurized fluid tap comprising a body (1) housing a fluid circuit (6) having an upstream end (13) intended to be put in relation with a reserve of fluid under pressure and a downstream end (11) intended to be placed in connection with a user apparatus, the circuit (6) comprising an isolation valve (5) for selectively closing the circuit, the valve further comprising at least one vent port (4) for discharging pressurized gas from the circuit in case of failure, the valve comprising a lever (8) rotatably mounted on the body (1) for controlling a functional member of the valve, in particular the valve (5) insulation, the lever (8) being movable between a first rest position and a second so-called active position, the valve comprising a hooking member (2, 22) for holding the lever (8) in at least a stable position between its first and second positions, the valve further comprising a cache (3) at least one vent orifice (4), characterized in that the hooking member (2, 22) and the cover (3) are integral with one and the same piece (23) mounted on the body (2). , 22) of the faucet.

Description

The present invention relates to a valve for pressurized fluid. The invention more particularly relates to a valve for a pressurized fluid comprising a body housing a fluid circuit having an upstream end intended to be put in relation with a reserve of fluid under pressure and a downstream end intended to be connected to a device. user, the circuit comprising an isolation valve to selectively close the circuit, the valve further comprising at least one vent port for discharging pressurized gas from the circuit in case of failure, the valve comprising a pivotally mounted operating lever on the body for controlling a functional member of the valve, in particular the isolation valve, the lever being movable between a first rest position and a second so-called active position, the valve comprising a hooking member for holding the lever in at less a stable position between its first and second positions, the valve further comprising a cache of the at least one vent hole.

The invention is advantageously applicable to integrated expansion valves for pressurized fluid cylinders. The valves for controlling the withdrawal of high-pressure fluids are provided with a safety valve releasing the gas under pressure by one or more vents in the event of a dangerous situation. The safety valve can release high-pressure gas under excessive pressure, for example in the event of a valve or regulator failure. This or these vents must have sufficient dimensions to evacuate a flow of gas at a predetermined pressure. The vent of a chamber, in particular a chamber accommodating a spring of a regulator mechanism, must limit the risk of ignition in the event of adiabatic compression or rapid opening of the safety valve. The vent must generally be partially closed to allow a slight flow of air to pass to allow a small volume variation of the chamber when it accommodates an oscillating member (such as a detent piston). The vent must also prevent the entry of pollution or dust and the breeding of insects. The use of materials compatible with oxygen under pressure is one of the various known solutions for limiting the risk of ignition in the event of adiabatic compression for systems using oxygen under pressure.

However, in some cases it is not possible to satisfy this rule. For example, the need for miniaturization (sometimes combined with the increase in operating pressures) is sometimes such that the compatible materials do not have sufficient mechanical performance to withstand the expected mechanical stresses. It is then possible to bypass these rules by setting the vent rate of the chamber so that the latter is sufficient to minimize the residual pressure in said chamber (for example less than about two bar for steel stainless).

The major disadvantage of this solution is to have to provide a vent so large that insects and external pollution (water dust, etc. ..) can be stored up to affect the performance of devices hosted in this room (potential seizure moving part or partial or total closing of the vent).

Thus, the vent must respond to two opposite constraints: i) be provided with a substantial section to allow a large gas flow to pass in certain cases (in the event of opening of the safety valve for example) so as to limit the residual pressure of the chamber in the extreme situation, ii) must have a limited diameter to ensure very low flows (such as may require a relaxation in normal operation for example) while limiting the intrusion of external pollution. To solve these problems a known solution consists in providing relatively large diameter vents but with removable covers or covers capable of "breathing" the chamber for the vast majority of the life of the device while fading in case of large flow to evacuate in case of dangerous situation. Removable cache solutions include, for example; a pierced cap sealing a hole (such as devices used on some pressure gauge housings). Other known solutions use a perforated adhesive tape or a valve or foil. In addition, in the case where the valve comprises an operating member such as a control lever for controlling a functional member, it may be necessary to provide a stable holding member of the actuating member in at least one of its members. positions. Document FR2828922A1 describes a system for holding a lever against the body of a tap using a clip.

Another known solution is to use a removable part such as a latch giving access to the actuator. This solution thus requires a double manual action. In addition, this solution, in addition to being somewhat ergonomic, is not always compatible with the available volume. In addition, this solution can generate jams / seizures of the parts of the mechanism over time. All these constraints and necessary mechanisms are also obstacles to the will to miniaturize and simplify the valves of fluid bottles. 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, furthermore in accordance with the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that the fastening member and the cover are integral with the same part. bracket mounted on the valve body. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: - the support part is removably mounted on the body of the valve, - the support part is fixed on the valve body by the at least one of: elastic deformation, latching, screwing, riveting, welding, the support part has a central portion mounted around a projecting part of the valve body and in that the hooking and the cover are located respectively on either side of said central portion, - the cover comprises at least one hinged flap along a hinge line relative to the rest of the support piece, - the at least one hinged flap comprises at least one protrusion 30 forming a detachable latching system in a vent orifice; the flap is movable relative to the rest of the support piece between a first raised position in which the flap is separated; of the vent orifice and a second so-called lowered position in which the flap at least partially covers the vent orifice, the protrusion or projections forming a snap-fastening system hold the flap in the second position in the absence of a determined pressure escaping through the vent orifice, - by default and in the absence of mechanical stress, the flap (s) are resiliently returned to their first position, - the fluid circuit comprises an opening safety valve an evacuation passage for the fluid towards the at least one vent when it is subjected to a determined pressure and / or threshold temperature (s), - the valve comprises a chamber housing at least a portion of an expander mechanism of pressure located in the circuit, said chamber communicating with the outside of the valve via the at least one vent, in the open position, the piston safety valve discharging the fluid from the circuit through the vent via said chamber - The attachment member comprises a housing defined by two walls spaced apart from the support member, the housing being intended to accommodate a portion of the lever, the spacing between the two walls being less than or equal to the corresponding dimension of the lever, the fastening member comprises at least one recessed or protruding zone intended to cooperate by snapping with a conjoined zone in the form of a protrusion, respectively recessed, of the lever; the lever controls the isolation valve and is movable between a first rest position in which the isolation valve is held in a closed position of the circuit and a second active position in which the lever moves the isolation valve in an open position of the circuit. The invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the above or below features. Other features and advantages will appear on reading the description below, with reference to the figures in which: - Figure 1 shows a perspective view, schematic and partial, illustrating an embodiment of a valve that can put FIG. 2 represents a view similar to that of FIG. 1, but according to another point of view, FIG. 3 represents a schematic and partial view illustrating a detail of an exemplary structure of the circuit. 4 is a perspective view of a detail of the tap of FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating a support piece; FIG. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a vent cover mechanism; FIGS. 6 and 7 show perspective views illustrating a detail of the valve according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. The valve for pressurized fluid represented in FIGS. 1 to 3 comprises a body 1 housing a fluid circuit 6 having an upstream end 13 intended to be put in relation with a reserve of fluid under pressure (for example a bottle) and an end 11 downstream (output connection) intended to be connected to a user device. The valve may also include a separate fill connector 12 connected to the circuit 6. The circuit 6 may include an isolation valve 5 for selectively closing the flow of fluid in the circuit.

The valve may include two vent ports 4 for discharging pressurized gas from the circuit in case of failure. For example, the fluid circuit 6 comprises a safety valve 9 opening a discharge passage for the fluid towards the at least one vent 4 when it is subjected to a determined pressure and / or threshold temperature (s).

For example, the valve may comprise a pressure regulator 14 and a chamber 10 of the valve houses at least a portion of the mechanism of the pressure regulator 14. Without being limiting, in a possible configuration, said chamber 10 can communicate with the outside of the valve via the at least one vent 4 and the safety valve 9 can discharge the evacuated gas into said chamber 10. The valve can comprise an actuating lever 8 pivotally mounted on the body 1. The valve may comprise a separate 15 member for manually controlling the flow rate or the pressure delivered by the valve. The lever 8 controls a functional member, for example the valve 5 insulation. Thus the lever 8 can be movable between a first rest position (shown in Figures 1 and 2) and a so-called active position (not shown but in which the lever 8 is spaced apart from the valve body. hooking for maintaining the lever 8 in at least one stable position between its first and second positions.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the fastening member 2 can maintain the lever 8 in its first position against (or vertically along) the body 1 of the valve. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the fastening member 2 comprises at least two hollow zones 2 integral with the body 1 of the valve and intended to receive respectively the two ends of pins or pins secured to the lever 8. For example , or the axes of the lever 8 can snap into the recessed areas 2. This holding system makes it possible to limit the vibrations of the lever 8 with respect to the bodies and the shocks that may affect the lever 8. The valve also comprises a removable cover 3 for the vent openings 4. According to an advantageous feature, the fastening member 2 and the cover 3 are integral with the same support part 23 mounted on the body 1 of the valve (see also Figure 4).

The support piece 23 is for example made of plastic or any other suitable material (metal ...) and is preferably distinct from the body 1 before assembly. This support piece 23 can in particular be molded. The support part 23 thus integrates several different functions of the valve. As illustrated in particular in Figure 4, the support part 23 may comprise a central portion mounted around a projecting portion of the body 1 of the valve, the fastening member 2 and the cover 3 being located respectively on either side said central portion. Preferably, the support part 23 is removably mounted on the valve body 1, for example by snap-fitting (elastic deformation).

Of course, the support member 23 may be fixed to the body 2 1 of the valve by other means, in particular by screwing, riveting or welding. The cover may comprise two flaps 3 articulated each along a hinge line 7 (hinge) respectively relative to the rest of the support part 23 Each flap 3 may be movable relative to the rest of the support part 23 between a first raised position in which the flap 3 is spaced from the vent orifice 4 (so as not to impede a flow of gas, see FIGS. 1 and 2) and a second so-called lowered position in which the flap covers at least in part the orifice 4 Vent (in standard situation, see Figure 5).

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the shutters 3 may comprise on the face intended to cover the vent 4, at least one protrusion 33 forming a detachable snap-fastening system in a vent orifice 4. Thus the protrusions 33 form a latching system holding the flap 3 in the second position in the absence of a determined pressure escaping through the vent port 4 In the first lowered position the passage of insects is avoided while by controlling the flow of gas escaping through the vent 4. In case of overpressure at the outlet of the vent or excessive flow rate increase, the flaps 3 open to increase the passage section. This makes it possible to decrease the pressure and / or to increase the flow rate that escapes from the vent 4. This makes it possible to reduce or avoid an inflammation in the event of adiabatic compression, or the breakage of the device. Preferably, by default and in the absence of mechanical stress, the flaps 3 are resiliently returned to their first position (for example by the configuration of their hinge 7). In the variant embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the lever attachment member comprises a housing 122 delimited by two walls 22 spaced apart from the support member 23. The housing 122 is intended to accommodate a portion of the lever 8. For this purpose the spacing between the two walls 22 is less than or equal to the corresponding dimension of the lever 8 to ensure clamping or holding elastic deformation. As for the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the member 2, 22 of attachment can form a damper when closing the lever 8. This reduces shocks and noise when moving the lever to its first position . This limits the risk of degradation of the valve and its lever 8. This damping characteristic also reduces the risk of injury in the event of the presence of a finger of the user when closing the lever 8. Thus, the valve according to the invention allows to structurally combine several functions without increasing the volume and complexity of the valve structure.

Claims (12)

REVENDICATIONS1. Pressurized fluid tap comprising a body (1) housing a fluid circuit (6) having an upstream end (13) intended to be put in relation with a reserve of fluid under pressure and a downstream end (11) intended to be placed in connection with a user apparatus, the circuit (6) comprising an isolation valve (5) for selectively closing the circuit, the valve further comprising at least one vent port (4) for discharging pressurized gas from the circuit in case of failure, the valve comprising a lever (8) pivotally mounted on the body (1) for controlling a functional member of the valve, in particular the valve (5) insulation, the lever (8) being movable between a first rest position and a second so-called active position, the valve comprising a hooking member (2, 22) for holding the lever (8) in at least a stable position between its first and second positions, the valve further comprising a cache (3) at least one vent orifice (4), characterized in that the hooking member (2, 22) and the cover (3) are integral with one and the same piece (23) mounted on the body (2). , 22) of the faucet. 2. Tap according to claim 1, characterized in that the piece (23) support is removably mounted on the body (1) of the valve. 3. Tap according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the piece (23) support is fixed on the body (1) of the valve by at least one of: an elastic deformation, a snap, a screwing, riveting , a welding. 4. Tap according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the piece (23) support comprises a central portion mounted around a projecting portion of the body (1) of the valve and in that the body ( 2, 22) and the cover (3) are located respectively on either side of said central portion. 5. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cover comprises at least one flap (3) articulated along a line (7) of articulation relative to the rest of the part (23) support. 6. Tap according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one hinged flap (3) comprises at least one protrusion (33) forming a detachable latching system in a vent orifice (4). . 7. Tap according to claim 6, characterized in that the flap (3) is movable relative to the rest of the part (23) support between a first raised position in which the flap (3) is spaced from the orifice Venting (4) and a second so-called lowered position in which the flap at least partially covers the vent orifice (4) and in that the one or more protuberances (33) forming a snap-fastening system hold the flap ( 3) in the second position in the absence of a determined pressure escaping through the vent port (4). 8. Tap according to claim 7, characterized in that, by default and in the absence of mechanical stress, or the shutters (3) are resiliently returned to their first position. 9. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the fluid circuit (6) comprises a safety valve (9) opening a discharge passage for the fluid towards the at least one vent (4). ) when subjected to a specified pressure and / or threshold temperature (s). 10. Tap according to claim 9, characterized in that the valve comprises a chamber (10) housing at least a portion of a pressure reducing mechanism located in the circuit (6), said chamber (10) communicating with the external valve via the at least one vent (4) and in that in the open position, the piston safety valve (9) discharges the fluid from the circuit through the vent (4) via said chamber (10). 11. Tap according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the fastening member comprises a housing (122) defined by two walls (22) spaced from the part (23) support, the housing (122). ) being intended to accommodate a portion of the lever (8), the spacing between the two walls (22) being less than or equal to the corresponding dimension of the lever (8). 12. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the member (2, 22) for hooking comprises at least one zone (2) recessed or respectively projecting, intended to cooperate by snapping with a conjugate zone in groove, respectively recessed, of the lever (8).