GB2473335A

GB2473335A - Air hose suppressor valve

Info

Publication number: GB2473335A
Application number: GB201014565A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donald Gamble
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-09-02
Filing date: 2010-09-02
Publication date: 2011-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 2030-09-02
Also published as: GB2473335B; GB201014565D0

Abstract

An air hose suppressor valve 10 is described designed to be placed between the main air supply feed 85 and an air hose 90 feeding any pneumatic operated device 95. The valve 10 incorporates an inlet and outlet connections for fitting to standard air hose connected to pneumatic tools which can include, but not limited to, torque wrenches, impact wrenches and needle guns used in the Oil and Gas industry, or, again not limited to pneumatic wrenches used in engineering industry, garages and workshops. The valve operates to restrict air flow in the event of a downstream failure so preventing uncontrollable movement of the hose.

Description

AIR HOSE SUPPRESSOR VALVE

This invention relates to an air hose suppressor valve for use in an air hose feeding a pneumatic devce.

BACKGROUND

Pneumatic too's and equipment are constantly used in various industries, particularly in the Oil and Gas sector. Many incidents have occurred where pressurised air hoses on Pneumatic tools fed from any main compressed air supply have failed causing uncontrollable high velocity hose movement and injury to personnel or damage to equipment. This type of failure enab'es the hose to move uncontrollably until the main air supply has been iso'ated, potentially causing injury to the operator or any persons in the vicinity of the failure.

In order to overcome this prob'em it has previously been proposed to provide a pneumatic air suppressor valve fitted between the main air supply and the hose to prevent uncontrolled movement of the hose by reducing the ve'ocity of air flowing through the failed hose end.

One such proposal is contained in Canadian patent No. CA2559878 entitled Pneumatic Safety Valve was issued to Wif red Huet on March. 18, 2008. In this device the pneumatic safety valve has an internal air conduit in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet ports. The air conduit cooperates with a pivota' flap that selectively closes to pevent a sudden discharge of air in the event of a hose rupture or an accidental decoupling of the pneumatic tool from the hose. By containing the highly pressurized air and preventing the air from rapid discharge, the valve prevents the air hose from flailing or whipping vio'ently, thus eliminating the physical dangers to operators and other personnel in the vicinity of the rupture.

Another proposal is outlined in US Patent No. 5215113 which comprises a spring loaded piston valve which closes against spring pressure on the occurrence of a downstream pressure drop.

Each of these solutions has the disadvantage that in closing the supply completely upstream pressure remains high until independent steps are taken to reduce it thus leaving a potential hazard.

US 6199583 seeks to overcome this disadvantage by ncorporating a bypass passage to allow upstream pressure to bleed away slowly. However the solution proposed is not without its own shortcomings. In particular there is no means to mitigate against the possibility of contaminants in the air supply jamming the valve and the exposed nature of the return spring means that, particularly n applications where the air supply is not dried, the spring can suffer from corrosion effects over time.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an air hose suppressor valve that seeks to overcome these disadvantages of the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an air hose suppressor valve comprising a valve body having inlet and outlet means for an air supply and a valve member within the valve body movable between an open position in which full air flow through the valve body is allowed and a closed position in which air flow through the valve body is restricted, the valve member being normally biased towards the open position by spring means and arranged such that increased air flow through the valve means resulting from a sudden downstream pressure drop acts to move the valve means towards the closed position, wherein the valve member has a tubular body section and the spring means is a coil spring which fits around the body section in an annular chamber between an inside wall of the valve body and an outside wall of the tubular body section and acts between shoulders on the valve body and valve member.

Preferably the valve member has a conical section having a flow passages therein which se&s against a corresponding section of the valve body in the closed position such that air flow through the air flow passages is restricted.

Preferably also the valve member has additional ar flow passages which are not restricted n the closed position so allowing reduced air flow.

Preferably also filter means are provided in the valve body to restrict debris in the air flow from passing through the valve member.

More preferably said filter means is removable for cleaning.

Preferably also the va've member is formed of a corrosion resistant material for example stainless steel, brass, aluminium, polycarbonate or other plastics material.

Preferably also the spring means is of corrosion resistant material.

Alternatively the spring means may be provided with a protective coating.

Preferably the inlet and outlet means are arranged to receive threaded connections from an air supply and pneumatic tool apparatus respectively

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a crosssectional side view of an air hose suppressor valve in accordance with the present invention in an operating (open) position; Figure 2 is a cross sectiona' side view of the air suppressor valve of Figure I in a sealing (closed) position; Figure 3 is a cross sectiona' side view of the air hose suppressor valve of Figure 1 unassembled; Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the air hose suppressor valve of Figure 1 in use wherein the inlet port is coupled to an air supp'y / compressor and the out'et port is coupled to a hose connected to pneumatic equipment; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the internal cone of the air hose suppressor valve of Figure I.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 shows an air suppressor valve body, generally designated 10, in an operationa' position allowing fu'l interna' cross sectional area flow through the valve. The valve body 10 incorporates at one end a downstream connection generally designated 15, which incorporates a threaded connection generally designated 75, for attachment of an air line and at the opposite end an upstream end connection generally designated 45, which incorporates a threaded connection generally designated for attachment to a main air supply.

In addition, HG. 1 shows an internal slotted or perforated cone, generally designated 30, an internal compression spring, gene'aUy designated 35 and an optional internal in-line filter, generaliy designated 40, During normal operation, the internal slotted or perforated cone 30 would be sitting high off an internal sealing face 70, and the internal compression spring 35 fully released of tension. If a downstream hose or equipment failure occurred air velocity across the internal s'otted or perforated cone 30 would increase forcing the internal slotted or perforated cone 30 to move down until fully mated against the internal seal face 70. The internal compression spring 35 would become compressed and remain so until air flow velocity reduces. This wi'l occur when the main air supply feed 100, see Figure 4, is iso'ated by the operator.

If the internal compression spring 35 were ever to fail, the function of the suppressor valve would not be compromised, the internal s'otted or perforated cone 30 would travel to the sealing shoulder 70 during a downstream hose failure and would remain in this position until the pressure equilibrates, the internal compression spring can then be rep'aced, providing a fail-safe mechanism for ensuring that the air hose does not move uncontrollably in the event of a downstream fai'ure.

The air hose suppressor valve 10 can be seen in the no-operational (closed) position with reference to Figure 2. As described above the internal slotted or perforated cone 30, is bottomed out on the internal sealing face 70 thus reducing air flow through the air suppressor valve and so preventing uncontrollable downstream hose movement.

A better understanding of the construction of an air hose suppressor valve is provided by Figure 3 which is an unassembled view of the air hose suppressor valve, showing A, The internal slotted or perforated cone 30, B, The downstream threaded connection 15.

C, The main body of the air hose suppressor valve 10.

D, The internal compression spring 35.

E, A removable top sub 20.

F, The in-'ine filter (optional) 40.

G, Securing screws 25 (optional) for the in-line filter.

H, The upstream threaded connection 45.

Figure 4 provides a schematic side elevation view of the air hose suppressor valve in use wherein the inlet port is coupled to an air supply or compressor 85 and the out'et port is coup'ed to an air hose 90 in turn connected to pneumatic equipment 95.

The air hose suppressor valve is designed to be placed between the main air supply feed 85 and the air hose 90 feeding any pneumatic operated device 95. As described above the valve incorporates inlet 80 and outlet 75 connections for fitting to a standard air hose 90 for connection to pneumatic tools 95 which can include, but are not limited to, torque wrenches, impact wrenches and needle guns as used in the Oil and Gas industry, or, again not limited to, pneumatic wrenches used in the engineering industry, garages and workshops.

As described above the air hose suppressor valve has an internal slotted or perforated cone 30 which enables air flow through the valve during normal operation of air tool equipment. A fuller understanding of the cone 30 can be had with reference to Figure which is a perspective view of the cone 30 removed from the valve to illustrate air flow slots 110 and holes 111. As described during a downstream failure, the velocity air flow across the internal slotted or perforated cone 30 increases, forcing the cone 30 to move onto the metal to metal seat 70, in doing so, compressing the internal compression spring 35. This has the effect of dramatically reducing the air flow through the failed hose by a large percentage as the slots 110 in the cone 30 do not allow air flow in this condition and preventing uncontrollable movement of the hose as described, eliminating injury to the operator or persons in the vicinity of the fai'ure. The size of the truncated end of the cone and the area of the holes 111 thereon is arranged to allow only a substantially reduced airflow.

The cone 30, when in the sealed position, only seals on the internal seal face 70 allowing greatly reduced air flow through the holes lii in the bottom of the cone 30 to continue until the main air supply valve 100 has been isolated by the operator. The reduction in flow is sufficient to prevent an uncontrollable movement of the hose during a downstream failure but will prevent trapped pressure between the main supply valve 100 and the air hose suppressor valve 10. This feature will prevent injury to the operator and will still al'ow all pressure downstream of the supply feed isolation valve 100 to disperse allowing removal of the air hose suppressor valve or failed air hose / equipment for repair.

When the main air supply valve 100 has been isolated, air continues to flow through the cone 30 until zero pressure is present. When the air flow through the cone 30 abates, the cone 30 will move back to the operating position with assistance from the internal compression spring 35 allowing the operator to continue when the air hose / equipment has been repaired.

As shown the main body of the air suppressor valve 10 has threaded connections but other means can be used both downstream 15 and upstream 45 which enables alternative connection to the main air supply valve 100 and to the air hose 90. The upstream portion of the air suppressor valve 45 is itself threaded into the main body 10; this allows the upper portion to be removed to enable the internals to be cleaned or the replacement of either the internal compression spring 35 or the cone 30. The hose suppressor valve also can incorporate an optional internal filter 40 connected to the cone 30 by screws 25. The filter 40 prevents debris from the main air supply from fouling the mechanics of the hose suppressor valve Some air supply systems fail to incorporate a drying or water trap facility; this would be detrimental to the air suppressor va've as internal rust would prevent the suppressor valve from operating correctly. To overcome this air suppressor valve is preferably manufactured from stainless steel, preventing the hose suppressor valve from rusting both internally and externally due to ambient conditions or sub-standard air supply. This is without prejudice to the use of other non ferrous materials being applied to the design of the conical suppressor which may include titanium, p'astics polymers or copoymers and the like. A further anti corrosion measure is provided by virtue of the compression spring 35 being shie'ded from the air flow by fitting between the external body of the cone 30 and the valve body 10.

The hose suppressor valve nternal slotted or perforated cone 30 ncorporates a removable top sub 20 as can be seen n Agure 3 to enable strippuig the hose suppressor valve down for repair or to replace nternal parts.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and cIams of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers and characteristics described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An air hose suppressor valve comprising a valve body having nlet and out'et means for an ar supply and a valve member within the valve body movable between an open position in which full air flow through the valve body is allowed and a closed position in which air flow through the valve body is restricted, the valve member being normally biased towards the open position by spring means and arranged such that ncreased air flow through the valve means resulting from a sudden downstream pressure drop acts to move the valve means towards the closed position, wherein the valve member has a tubular body section and the spring means is a coil spring which fits around the body section in an annular chamber between an inside wall of the valve body and an outside waU of the tubular body section and acts between shou'ders on the valve body and valve member.
2. An air hose suppressor valve as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the valve member has a conical section having air flow passages therein which seals against a corresponding section of the valve body in the closed position such that air flow through the air flow passages is restricted.
3. An air hose suppressor valve as claimed in Claim br 2 wherein the valve member has additional air flow passages which are not restricted in the closed position so allowing reduced ar flow.
4. An air hose suppressor valve as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein fifter means are provided in the valve body to restrict debns in the air flow from passing through the valve member.An ar hose suppressor valve as claimed in Claim 4 wherein said filter means is removable for cleaning.
5. An a hose suppressor valve as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the valve member is formed of a corrosion resistant material for example stainless steel, brass, aluminium, polycarbonate or other plastics material.
6. An air hose suppressor valve as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the spring means is formed of a corrosion resistant material.
7. An air hose suppressor valve as claimed in any one of claims 1-6 wherein the spring means has a corrosion resistant coating.
8. An air hose suppressor valve as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the inlet and outlet means are. arranged to receive threaded connections from an air supply and pneumatic tool apparatus respective'y.