FR3056277A1 - PRESSURE FLUID VALVE - Google Patents

Abstract

Pressurized fluid valve comprising a body (2) housing a fluid circuit (3) having an upstream end (4) and a downstream end (5) provided with an outlet connection (8), the circuit (3) comprising a flow control member in the circuit (3), the flow control member (6) being controlled by a control mechanism (7, 14) comprising a manually operable movable control member (7), the (7) being movably mounted on the body (2) of the valve (1) between a rest position and an active position, the valve (1) comprising a connection detector (9) located at the connection ( 8) or adjacent to the outlet connector (8) and configured to detect a connection at the outlet connector (8), the valve (1) further comprising a mechanism disabling device (10) (7). , 14) connected to the connecting detector member (9) and configured to prevent the passage of the organ e (6) controlling the flow from its first to its second state until the connection detector (9) detects a connection at the outlet connection (8).

Description

Holder (s): AIR LIQUIDE, ANONYMOUS COMPANY FOR THE STUDY AND EXPLOITATION OF GEORGES CLAUDE PROCESSES Société anonyme.

Extension request (s)

Agent (s): AIR LIQUIDE.

154) TAP FOR PRESSURE FLUID.

FR 3 056 277 - A1 tü /) Tap for pressurized fluid comprising a body (2) housing a fluid circuit (3) having an upstream end (4) and a downstream end (5) provided with a connector (8) outlet, the circuit (3) comprising a flow control member in the circuit (3), the flow control member (6) being controlled by a control mechanism (7, 14) comprising a member (7) manually operable mobile control member, the control member (7) being and movably mounted on the body (2) of the valve (1) between a rest position and an active position, the valve (1) comprising a member (9) connection detector located at the outlet fitting (8) or adjacent to the outlet fitting (8) and configured to detect a connection at the outlet fitting (8), the tap (1) further comprising a device (10) for neutralizing the control mechanism (7, 14) connected to the connection detector member (9) and configured to prevent her the passage of the member (6) controlling the flow from its first to its second state as long as the member (9) connection detector does not detect a connection at the outlet connector (8).

The invention relates to a valve for pressurized fluid.

The invention relates more particularly to a valve for pressurized fluid, with or without an integrated pressure reducer, comprising a body housing a fluid circuit having an upstream end intended to be put in contact with a reserve of pressurized fluid and a downstream end intended to be linked with a user device at an outlet connection, the circuit comprising a flow control member in the circuit such as a valve or valve, the flow control member being controlled by a mechanism control comprising a movable control member operable manually, the control member being and movably mounted on the valve body between a rest position in which the flow control member is maintained in a first state corresponding to a first value flow in the circuit and a second active position in which the control member moves the control member the flow in a second state corresponding to a second flow rate value in the circuit,

The invention relates in particular to a bottle of pressurized fluid (for example pressurized gas) or a set of bottles of pressurized fluid (for example bottle frame) connected to such a valve.

The tap can also be a pipe tap.

Lever taps for pressurized fluids have a major ergonomic advantage through the speed and convenience of opening-closing (see for example documents EP747796A1 or EP1421305A1

However, this practicality increases the risk of exposure of the user to the pressurized fluid either by accidental opening, or by voluntary opening without a connected installation, in particular a regulator.

To solve this problem, the document FR2793297A1 describes a double action lever structure which makes it possible to limit the risk of inadvertent or untimely opening.

However, this solution does not completely solve the problems of risk situations.

An object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art noted above.

To this end, the valve according to the invention, moreover conforms to the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that it comprises a connection detection member located at the outlet connection or adjacent to the outlet fitting and configured to detect a connection at the outlet fitting, the valve further comprising a device for neutralizing the control mechanism connected to the connection detecting member and configured to prevent the passage of the flow control member from its first to its second state as long as the connection detecting member does not detect a connection at the outlet connection.

This structure makes it possible to prevent the manual opening of the valve in the absence of installation at the outlet of the tap and therefore to limit the risks of exposure of the user to high pressures.

Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following characteristics:

- the neutralization device is deactivated when a connection is detected at the outlet connection by a connection detector member, that is to say that the connection detector member triggers deactivation of the neutralization device allowing the passage of the flow control member from its first to its second,

- the neutralization device comprises a locking axis of the control member mounted to move in or on the valve body between a first position and a second position, in its first position the locking axis preventing movement of the member control from its rest position to its active position, in its second position the locking axis allowing the displacement of the control member from its rest position to its active position, the connection detector member cooperating with the locking pin to move the latter from its first position to its second position when a connection is detected at the outlet connection,

- the locking pin has a hook-shaped portion which forms a blocking stop for the control member when the locking pin is in its first position,

- the locking pin comprises a stop portion which is received in a complementary housing of the control member when the locking pin is in its first position,

- the connection detector member includes an upstream end of the locking pin,

- the locking pin is movable in translation, the upstream end of the locking pin projecting in or adjacent to the outlet fitting (8) to be pushed by a user device coming to be connected at the outlet fitting and thus move the locking pin from its first position to its second position,

- the valve comprises a return member urging the locking pin towards its first position,

- the control mechanism comprises at least one moving part for transmitting movement or force interposed between the control member and the flow control member,

the locking pin comprises a stop portion which is received in a complementary housing of the at least one movable part for transmitting movement or force when the locking pin is in its first position,

the connection detector member comprises at least one of: a mechanical detector, a magnetic detector, a pneumatic detector, an electronic detector,

- the tap has an anti-theft device or a frangible guarantee seal located on the control mechanism,

- the anti-theft device or guarantee seal is located on at least one mobile movement transmission part,

- the anti-theft device is located the locking pin to lock the latter in its first position,

- the control member comprises a lever pivotally mounted on the body,

- the hook-shaped portion cooperates with a gripping region of the control member located outside the valve body,

- the outlet connector is a female or male type connector, the connection detecting member being located inside the connector or on the outer periphery of the connector,

- the anti-theft device is located on at least one movable intermediate piece of motion transmission,

- the anti-theft device is located on the axis of rotation of the lever.

The invention may also relate to any alternative device or process comprising any combination of the above or below characteristics.

Other particularities and advantages will appear on reading the description below, made with reference to the figures in which:

- Figures 1 to 4 show side views, schematic and partial, respectively illustrating four examples of structure and operation of a valve according to the invention,

FIGS. 5 to 7 represent perspective, schematic and partial views, respectively illustrating three configurations of use of another exemplary embodiment of a valve according to the invention,

FIGS. 8 and 9 show perspective, schematic and partial views, of a detail of another embodiment of a valve according to the invention, illustrating respectively two configurations of use,

FIGS. 10 and 11 show perspective, schematic and partial views illustrating a detail of another embodiment of a valve according to the invention according to two configurations of use,

FIGS. 12 and 13 show sectional, schematic and partial views, illustrating a detail of another embodiment of a valve according to the invention according to two configurations of use,

FIGS. 14 and 15 represent perspective, schematic and partial views illustrating a detail respectively of the examples of FIGS. 12 and 13,

FIG. 16 represents a schematic and partial perspective view illustrating a detail of another embodiment of a tap according to the invention,

FIGS. 17 and 18 represent perspective, schematic and partial views, illustrating a detail of the device of FIG. 16 according to two configurations of use,

- Figure 19 shows a sectional view, schematic and partial, illustrating a structural detail of an exemplary embodiment of a valve according to the invention.

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate schematically and simplified a valve 1 for pressurized fluid, with or without integrated pressure relief valve, comprising a body 2 housing a fluid circuit 3 having an upstream end 4 intended to be put in relation with a reserve of pressurized fluid.

The end of the upstream valve is for example threaded to be connected to an orifice of a bottle 20 of pressurized fluid (cf. FIG. 4) or a gas circuit of a set of gas bottles (frame).

The circuit 3 of the tap 1 comprises a downstream end 5 intended to be put in contact with an appliance 21 user at the level of an outlet connector 8 (cf. FIGS. 6 and 7). The user device can be connected to outlet connector 8 via a hose, a pressure regulator, a flow regulator or any other suitable device.

The outlet connector 8 can be of the male or female type, threaded, tapped or can comprise any type of appropriate mechanical and fluidic connector (for example a quick connection link).

Circuit 3 comprises at least one member 6 for controlling the flow in circuit 3 such as a valve or valve, in particular an isolation valve (for example self-sealing).

The flow control member 6 is controlled by a control mechanism comprising a mobile control member 7 operable manually and / or automatically.

The control member 7 is mounted movably on the body 2 of the valve 1 (rotation and / or translation for example) between a rest position in which the flow control member 6 is maintained in a first state corresponding to a first flow value in circuit 3 (for example a zero flow corresponding to a closed circuit) and a second active position in which the control member 7 moves the flow control member 6 to a second state corresponding to a second value flow in circuit 3 (for example maximum flow corresponding to an open circuit 3).

According to an advantageous feature, the tap 1 comprises a connection detection member 9 located at the outlet fitting 8 or adjacent to the outlet fitting 8 and configured to detect a connection, in particular mechanical and / or fluidic at the fitting 8 Release. The tap 1 further comprises a device 10 for neutralizing the control mechanism 7, 14 connected to the connection detection member 9 and configured to prevent the passage of the flow control member 6 from its first to its second state as long as that the connection detector member 9 does not detect a connection (for example mechanical) at the outlet connector 8.

This means that opening of the valve 6 is automatically prohibited if a connection is not detected at the outlet connector 8. Similarly, the opening of the valve 6 is automatically authorized if a connection is detected at the outlet connector 8.

Thus, in the absence of connection to the outlet connector 8, the system is in a stable position preventing the valve 6 from opening. The connection of an installation at the outlet connector 8 of the valve 1 unblocks or makes operational the tap 1 to allow the release of pressurized fluid. The position allowing the opening of the gas flow may or may not be stable.

The connection detector member 9 can comprise at least one of: a mechanical detector, a magnetic detector (RFID, NFC or other), a pneumatic detector, an electronic detector.

Likewise, the neutralization device 10 (blocking for example) can be of the mechanical and / or magnetic and / or pneumatic and / or electronic type.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the neutralization device 10 can act directly or indirectly on the control member 7.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the neutralization device 10 can act directly or indirectly on the control mechanism 14, that is to say on at least one movement or force transmission part interposed between the control member 7 and valve 6.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the neutralization device 10 can act directly or indirectly on the valve 6.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the connection detector member 9 is located on the periphery of the outlet connector 8.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the connection detector member 9 is located in the outlet connector 8, for example outside of circuit 3 (or in the circuit in which the fluid circulates, see FIG. 19).

In the embodiment of Figures 5 to 7, the control member is a lever 7 articulated on the body 2 and movable between a first position (for example lowered (along the body 2 see Figures 5 and 6) and a second position (for example raised and separated from the body 2 see Figure 7).

The neutralization device in this example comprises a pin 10 for locking the lever 7. The pin 10 for locking is movably mounted in the body 2 of the valve 1 between a first position (FIG. 5) and a second position (FIGS. 6 and 7 ). For example, the locking pin 10 is movable in translation transversely to the vertical axis of the valve body 1.

In its first position, the locking pin 10 prevents movement of the control lever 7 from its rest position (Figure 5) to its active position (Figure 7). For example, a hook-shaped portion 11 of the locking pin 10 forms a blocking stop for the control member 7 when the locking pin 10 is in its first position (cf. FIG. 5).

In its second position, the locking pin 10 on the contrary authorizes the movement of the lever 7 between its rest and active positions. For example, the connection detector member 9 cooperates with the locking pin 10 to move the latter from its first position to its second position when a connection 21 is detected at the outlet connector 8.

For example, an upstream end of the locking pin 10 may comprise or constitute the connection detector member 9. This end of the locking pin 10 can protrude into or adjacent to the connector 8 so that this end is pushed by a user device 21 which is connected at the level of the connector 8. This automatically moves the locking pin 10 from its first position to its second position.

As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 5, the tap preferably comprises a return member 15 urging the locking pin 10 towards its first position.

In the variant embodiments of FIGS. 8 to 11, the locking pin 10 comprises a stop portion 101 which is received (FIG. 8 or 10) or not (FIG. 9 or 11) in a housing 17 complementary to the lever 7.

In its first position, the locking pin 10, for example, fits into the lever 7 to block its rotation. In its second position, the lever 7 is however free to pivot. To this end, the locking pin 10 has at least one shoulder or cutout performing this mechanical locking or release function depending on its position relative to the lever 7.

As shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lever 7 may comprise a cam intended to cooperate with a motion transmission axis 14 actuating the valve directly or indirectly 6. That is to say that the rotational movement of the lever 7 is transformed into translational movement of the transmission axis 14.

The variant embodiment of FIGS. 12 to 15 differs from that of FIGS. 8 to 11 in that the locking pin 10 has a stop portion 101 which is received (FIGS. 12 and 14) or not (FIGS. 13 and 15) in a housing 140 complementary to the axis 14 of transmission. This also makes it possible to block (Figures 12 and 14) or to unlock the control mechanism.

Of course, other variant embodiments can be provided. For example, the locking pin 10 can cooperate with any other mobile movement or force transmission part of the control mechanism.

Similarly, the locking pin 10 could be replaced by a pusher which would actuate an intermediate wheelhouse (especially with a spring).

As illustrated in FIG. 16, the valve may include an anti-theft device 16 or a frangible guarantee seal located on the control mechanism 7, 14 (in combination or alternatively to the characteristics above).

This anti-theft device 16 or guarantee seal can be removably mounted for example and can be replaced if necessary.

For example, the anti-theft device 16 comprises a movable bolt lock 19 actuated by a key 18 or the like. For example, depending on the position of the key 18, the bolt 19 may or may not cooperate with a housing of the locking pin 10.

In an alternative embodiment, the connector and the detection member 9 may form only one. For example, the detection member 9 is integrated into the fitting or defined by the structure of the fitting itself.

Claims (15)

1. Tap for pressurized fluid, with or without integrated pressure reducer, comprising a body (2) housing a fluid circuit (3) having an upstream end (4) intended to be put in contact with a reserve of pressurized fluid and a downstream end (5) intended to be connected to a user device at an outlet fitting (8), the circuit (3) comprising a member for controlling the flow in the circuit (3) such as a valve or valve, the flow control member (6) being controlled by a control mechanism (7, 14) comprising a movable control member (7) operable manually, the control member (7) being and mounted movable on the valve body (2) (1) between a rest position in which the flow control member (6) is maintained in a first state corresponding to a first flow value in the circuit (3) and a active position in which the control member (7) moves l flow control member (6) in a second state corresponding to a second flow value in the circuit (3), the tap (1) comprising a connection detector member (9) located at the outlet fitting (8) or adjacent to the outlet fitting (8) and configured to detect a connection at the outlet fitting (8), the tap (1) further comprising a device (10) for neutralizing the mechanism (7, 14) control connected to the member (9) connection detector and configured to prevent the passage of the member (6) controlling the flow from its first to its second state as long as the member (9) connection detector does not detect a connection at the outlet fitting (8). 2. Tap according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (10) for neutralization is deactivated upon detection of a connection at the level of the outlet connector (8) by member (9) connection detector, that is that is to say that the connection detector member (9) triggers deactivation of the neutralization device (10) allowing the passage of the member (6) for controlling the flow rate from its first to its second. 3. Tap according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the neutralization device comprises an axis (10) for locking the control member (7) mounted movably in or on the body (2) of the tap (1) between a first position and a second position, in its first position the locking pin (10) preventing movement of the control member (7) from its rest position to its active position, in its second position the pin (10) locking allowing the movement of the control member (7) from its rest position to its active position, and in that the connection detector member (9) cooperates with the locking pin (10) to move the latter from its first position to its second position when a connection is detected at the outlet fitting (8). 4. Tap according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking pin (10) comprises a hook-shaped portion (11) which forms a blocking stop for the control member (7) when the axis ( 10) Lock is in its first position. 5. Tap according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the axis (10) of locking comprises a portion (101) of stop which is received in a housing (17) complementary to the member (7 ) control when the locking pin (10) is in its first position. 6. Tap according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the member (9) connection detector comprises an upstream end of the axis (10) of locking. 7. Tap according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking pin (10) is movable in translation, the upstream end of the locking pin (10) protruding in or adjacent to the fitting (8) outlet to be pushed by a user device coming to be connected to the outlet fitting (8) and thus moving the locking pin (10) from its first position to its second position. 8. Tap according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a return member (15) urging the pin (10) to lock towards its first position. 9. Tap according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the control mechanism (7, 14) comprises at least one movable part (14) of movement or force transmission interposed between the member ( 7) control and the flow control member (6). 10. Tap according to claim 9 combined and any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the axis (10) of locking comprises a portion (101) of stop which is received in a housing (140) complementary to the at least one movable part (14) for transmitting movement or force when the locking pin (10) is in its first position. 11. Tap according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the member (9) connection detector comprises at least one of: a mechanical detector, a magnetic detector, a pneumatic detector, an electronic detector . 12. Tap according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises an anti-theft device (16) or a frangible guarantee seal located on the control mechanism (7, 14). 13. Tap according to claim 12, characterized in that the anti-theft device or guarantee seal is located on at least one moving part (14) of motion transmission. 14. Tap according to claim 12 combined with any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the anti-theft device (16) is located the pin (10) for locking to lock the latter in its first position. 15. Tap according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the control member comprises a lever (7) pivotally mounted on the body (2). 1/4