GB2562527A

GB2562527A - A venting valve assembly for a fluid storage vessel

Info

Publication number: GB2562527A
Application number: GB1707997.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Earnest Hilton Derrick; John Cowles Christopher; Haden Colin; Kandziora Christine
Original assignee: Linde GmbH
Current assignee: Linde GmbH
Priority date: 2017-05-18
Filing date: 2017-05-18
Publication date: 2018-11-21
Also published as: GB201707997D0

Abstract

A system comprising a plurality of valve assemblies (100), each for use on a fluid storage vessel (10) containing pressurised fluid. Each valve assembly (100) comprises one or more valve elements (511, 512) operable such that the valve assembly (100) assumes one of at least: an open configuration, a venting configuration and a closed configuration, wherein in the open configuration fluid can leave the fluid storage vessel (10) at a higher rate than in the venting configuration. A processor (104) is operable to move the valve elements (511, 512) from the closed position to the venting configuration in response to one or more parameters sensed by one or more sensor(s (106) on the valve assembly (100) and/or the processor (104) of each valve assembly (100) is operable to move the valve element (511, 512) from the closed configuration to the venting configuration in response to a wireless signal that 25 is received by the wireless signal receiver (110). The sensors may be temperature or pressure sensors, a microphone or a gas detector. Each valve element may be associated to a respective outlet.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Linde Aktiengesellschaft (Incorporated in the Federal Republic of Germany) Klosterhofstrasse 1, Munich 80331, Germany (72) Inventor(s):

Derrick Earnest Hilton

Christopher John Cowles

Colin Haden

Christine Kandziora (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

The Linde Group Limited

The Priestley Centre, 10 Priestley Road,

The Surrey Research Park, Guildford, Surrey, GU12 7XY, United Kingdom (51) INT CL:

F17C 13/04 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:

CN 206001267 U CN 002535649 Y

US 20130305745 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL F17C

Other: EPODOC, WPI (54) Title of the Invention: A venting valve assembly for a fluid storage vessel Abstract Title: A venting valve assembly for a fluid storage vessel (57) A system comprising a plurality of valve assemblies (100), each for use on a fluid storage vessel (10) containing pressurised fluid. Each valve assembly (100) comprises one or more valve elements (511, 512) operable such that the valve assembly (100) assumes one of at least: an open configuration, a venting configuration and a closed configuration, wherein in the open configuration fluid can leave the fluid storage vessel (10) at a higher rate than in the venting configuration. A processor (104) is operable to move the valve elements (511,512) from the closed position to the venting configuration in response to one or more parameters sensed by one or more sensor(s (106) on the valve assembly (100) and/or the processor (104) of each valve assembly (100) is operable to move the valve element (511, 512) from the closed configuration to the venting configuration in response to a wireless signal that 25 is received by the wireless signal receiver (110). The sensors may be temperature or pressure sensors, a microphone or a gas detector. Each valve element may be associated to a respective outlet.

100

106

FIG. 2

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

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102

- 1 A VENTING VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR A FLUID STORAGE VESSEL

The present invention relates to a venting valve, in particular a venting valve for use on a fluid storage vessel containing pressurised fluid.

Typically, fluid storage vessels are referred to as cylinders, although it is understood that the invention is applicable broadly to all portable pressurised fluid containers whether they are strictly in the form of a cylinder or not.

Such cylinders are used to supply gas for a range of applications including welding and cutting hoses and torches, gas packaging machines and laboratory equipment.

There currently exist valves for use on cylinders containing pressurised fluid which can close a cylinder under certain prescribed or predetermined conditions. An example of such a valve is disclosed in US 6,328,053, which comprises a valve which will close automatically on detection of a leak therein.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a system comprising a plurality of valve assemblies, each for use on a fluid storage vessel containing pressurised fluid, each valve assembly comprising: one or more valve elements operable to assume one of at least: an open configuration; a venting configuration; and a closed configuration, wherein in the open configuration fluid can leave the fluid storage vessel at a higher rate than in the venting configuration; and a

-2processor, wherein: each processor is operable to move the valve element(s) from the closed position to the venting configuration in response to one or more parameter(s) sensed by one or more sensor(s) on the valve assembly; and/or each processor is operable to move the valve element(s) from the closed configuration to the venting configuration in response to a wireless signal that is received by the wireless signal receiver.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a valve assembly for use on a fluid storage device containing pressurised fluid, the valve assembly comprising: a valve element movable between a closed position and a venting position; a processor; a sensor for measuring a parameter and/or a receiver for receiving a wireless control signal; and wherein the processor is operable to move the valve element from the closed position to the venting position in response to a predetermined signal from the sensor; wherein: a) the sensor is a temperature sensor, and the predetermined signal is generated in response to the temperature recorded by the temperature sensor being outside a predetermined range; b) the sensor is a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure within the fluid storage device when in use, and the predetermined signal is generated in response to the pressure recorded by the pressure sensor being outside a predetermined range; c) the sensor is a microphone, and the predetermined signal is generated in response to a predetermined audio command received by the microphone; or d) the sensor is a gas detector for monitoring levels of one or more type of gas.

-3According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a valve assembly for attachment to a fluid storage vessel arranged for venting stored fluid in response to an emergency, the valve assembly comprising: an inlet for communicating with the interior of a fluid storage vessel; a first outlet for attachment to tubing and/or other equipment; a first valve arranged to control the flow of fluid between the inlet and the first outlet; a second outlet; a second valve arranged to control the flow of fluid between the inlet and the second outlet; a processor arranged to move the second valve from a closed position to an open position in response to an emergency signal.

The controller may, for example, comprise a valve actuator such as a solenoid or motor for moving the valve member.

The control panel may be actuatable by a push button. This push button may be for instance, an emergency stop button, located for instance on a wall of a facility containing the venting valves.

The control panel may be actuatable based on a signal from at least one of a fire alarm and/or a smoke alarm so that the cylinders can vent in the case of fire.

The control panel or sensor(s) may comprise a microphone, and be acutatable based on a predetermined audio command received by the microphone (for example, a voice command). In this way, the venting valve(s) can be conveniently actuated by voice or by some other audio command.

-4The sensor(s) may comprise a temperature or pressure sensor (the pressure sensor may be arranged to sense pressure within the fluid storage vessel). Either can provide an indication of risk of rupture of the fluid storage vessel.

The sensor(s) may comprise a gas detector for monitoring levels of one or more type of gas for example, products of combustion.

There is therefore provided a valve which can automatically open depending on its surroundings to vent stored pressurised fluid in the event of an emergency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a system; and Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a preferred fluid storage assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to Figure 1, there is shown a fluid storage assembly 10 comprising a valve assembly 100 connectable to a cylinder body 102 for a pressurised fluid. The valve assembly 100 comprises a valve element 511, 512 movable between a closed position in which the fluid is retained within the cylinder and an open position in which fluid can escape the cylinder. A system may comprise a plurality of such valve assemblies 100.

-5For each valve assembly 100, the one or more valve elements 511, 512 are operable so that the valve assembly 100 assumes one of at least: an open configuration; a venting configuration; and a closed configuration, wherein, in the open configuration, fluid can leave the cylinder body 102 fluid storage vessel at a higher rate than in the venting configuration. In various embodiments, a single valve element 511, 512 may be able to assume each configuration and/or multiple valve elements 511, 512 may collectively be able to assume each configuration.

The open configuration may be used when supplying stored fluid to external equipment, for example via tubing that connects to an outlet in communication with the one or more valve elements.

The venting configuration is designed for use in emergency for allowing fluid to leave the cylinder body 102 in a controlled manner.

For example, during an emergency event such as a fire (or other high temperature situation such as a hot day) it can be dangerous to store a pressurised fluid, because the heat may increase the pressure in the cylinder body 102 and potentially cause rupture. Similarly, it can be dangerous to provide a large release of compressed fluid from the cylinder body 102, because, for example in the event of a fire, this could promote or redirect the fire. Therefore, it is preferred to provide a controlled release of the pressure within the cylinder body 102.

-6Electrically connected to the valve assembly 100 and preferably forming part thereof are a processor 104 and one or more sensor(s) 106 for monitoring a parameter of either the valve, fluid in fluid communication with the valve, a fluid in the cylinder, and/or the environment around the cylinder 102. The parameter monitored by the sensor 106 may be, for instance, ambient temperature and/or pressure in the cylinder. The sensor 106 may alternatively be a microphone. The processor 104 and sensor 106 may be powered by any appropriate power source 108. Dependent on the value of the parameter measured by the sensor 106, signals from the sensor 106 may be communicated via the processor 104 to control the operation of the valve element.

The valve assembly 100 alternatively, or in addition, comprises a wireless signal receiver 110 for receiving an electronic signal from a remote location as will be described. The wireless signal receiver 110 may be configured to receive signals over any conventional wireless transmission method, for instance Bluetooth, UHF and GSM. The wireless receiver 110 may additionally allow for nonwireless communication signals to be received, for instance by being provided with a USB port. Each receiver 110 could alternatively be a transceiver to allow signals to be emitted, as well as received, from the fluid storage ass e mb1y 10.

A controller 300 is located remotely from the fluid storage assembly 10. The controller 300 is connected to a wireless signal emitter 302 (which alternatively may be a transceiver), and may be connected to an input device 304 and/or a computer network 306.

-7Optionally, a relay station 400 may be provided to relay signals between the valve assembly 100 and the controller 300. The relay station comprises at least one wireless transceiver for communicating signals to and from the valve assembly 100 and the controller 300.

Signals between the controller 300, the relay station 400, and the valve assembly 100 may be communicated and/or stored in the cloud 200.

The purpose of the controller 300 is to allow remote operation of the fluid storage assembly 10 and any other valve assembly (for instance fluid storage assembly 10' as shown in Figure 1) to which the controller 300 can send a wireless signal.

In one embodiment, a wireless signal may be sent from the controller 300 to one or all of the valve assemblies 10;10' for instructing the valve assembly 100;100' of these assemblies to open.

The wireless signal from the controller 300 is transmitted via the emitter 302 to each of the valve assemblies 10;10' either directly, via the cloud 200, or via the relay station 400 .

Sending of the wireless signal may be triggered by the input device 304, which may be for instance an emergency vent button. Such an input device 304 may be provided in addition to a further, separate controller for controlling the normal

-8operation of the valve assembly 100 (i.e., non-emergency use) .

For example, each valve assembly 100 of a plurality of valve assemblies 100 may each be provided with a first controller for normal operation, whilst a single input device 304 may be provided for emergency venting of all of the plurality of valve assemblies 100.

The signal may alternatively be triggered by a device that is arranged to sense a parameter indicative of a risk that the pressure in the fluid storage assembly 10 will increase, such as a fire alarm, a temperature sensor and/or a smoke detector. The signal may also be triggered based on a command from the computer network 306 which is connected to the control panel 300.

The signal may alternatively be triggered in response to a voice command from an operator next to the control panel, or in response to a measured parameter of the conditions surrounding one/all of the valves. This measured condition may be the temperature around the monitored valve(s); the pressure around the monitored valve(s); and/or the chemical composition of the environment around the monitored valve (s) .

As can be seen from the above, the signal may be generated in response to a sensed parameter exceeding a predetermined threshold (or being outside a predetermined range) to cause a valve assembly 100 to vent stored fluids to avoid rupture due to too much pressure. Similarly, when the sensed parameter no longer exceeds a predetermined threshold (or

-9returns to the predetermined range), the signal may cease, and/or a close signal may be generated in response to a sensed parameter to cause a valve assembly 100 to stop venting stored fluids by moving a valve member back to the closed position.

Whilst it is possible that a single valve element is provided that is operable to assume each of the open configuration, the venting configuration, and the closed configuration, there is the possibility that the fluid storage assembly 10 may be attached to equipment during the emergency. Therefore, it is preferred that a second valve element, independent from the valve element used to supply equipment with fluid, is provided for the purpose of venting fluid in an emergency.

Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a valve assembly 100 for use in such a system.

The valve assembly 100 of this embodiment is shown attachment to a fluid storage vessel 102. The valve assembly 100 is arranged for venting stored fluid in response to an emergency

The valve assembly 100 comprises an inlet 503 and two outlets 501, 502.

The inlet 503 communicates with the interior of a fluid storage vessel 102.

The first outlet 501 is for attachment to tubing and/or other external equipment and so may include a connector

- 10(such as a tube with an external screw thread) to which tubing and/or external equipment may be connected.

The inlet 503 communicates with the first outlet 501 via a first valve 511, which may be used to control the flow of a fluid between the inlet 503 and the first outlet 501.

In some embodiments, the first valve 511 may be a variable valve (i.e. have a variable opening degree). Alternatively, it may be a bistable valve, with metering of the expelled fluid possibly provided by a separate regulator.

A second outlet 502 is provided. This may be provided without a connector. The second outlet 502 communicates with the inlet 501 via a second valve 512, which may be used to control the flow of a fluid between the inlet 503 and the second outlet 502.

In some embodiments, the second valve 512 may be a bistable valve (i.e. one which may be actuated to provide an open or closed passage without the ability to vary the opening degree between these two extremes).

A processor 520 is provided in communication with at least the second valve 512 for opening the second valve 512 in response to an emergency signal.

Preferably, the processor 520 is further operable to move the second valve from the closed configuration to the open configuration in response to a wireless emergency signal that is received by a wireless signal receiver 110 located on the valve 100.

-11 Alternatively, or in addition, the emergency signal may be generated by one or more sensor(s) 106 as described above.

Claims

1. A system comprising a plurality of valve assemblies (100), each for use on a fluid storage vessel (10) containing pressurised fluid, each valve assembly (100) comprising:

one or more valve elements (511, 512) operable such that the valve assembly (100) assumes one of at least: an open configuration; a venting configuration; and a closed configuration, wherein in the open configuration fluid can leave the fluid storage vessel (10) at a higher rate than in the venting configuration; and a processor (104), wherein:

the processor (104) of each valve assembly (100) is operable to move the valve element(s) (511, 512) from the closed position to the venting configuration in response to one or more parameter(s) sensed by one or more sensor(s) (106) on the valve assembly (100); and/or the processor (104) of each valve assembly (100) is operable to move the valve element(s) (511, 512) from the closed configuration to the venting configuration in response to a wireless signal that is received by the wireless signal receiver (110).

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein:

each processor (104) is operable to move the valve element (511, 512) from the closed configuration to the venting configuration in response to a wireless signal that is received by the wireless signal receiver (110);

- 13the system further comprises a controller (300) located remotely from the plurality of the valve assemblies (100) and comprising a signal emitter (302), the controller (300) is operable to transmit the signal, via the signal emitter (302), to the wireless signal receivers (110) of the valve assemblies (100) to thereby instruct the processors (104) to move the valve elements (511, 512) of the plurality of valve assemblies (100) to the venting configuration.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein the controller (300) comprises a push button for triggering the transmission of the signal.

4. A system according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the controller (300) is arranged to be triggered to transmit the signal by a signal from at least one of a fire alarm and/or a smoke alarm.

5. A system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the controller (300) comprises a microphone, and is arranged to be triggered to transmit the signal by a predetermined audio command received by the microphone.

6. A system according to any preceding claim, in which each processor (104) is operable to move the valve element(s) (511, 512) from the closed configuration to the venting configuration in response to one or more parameter(s) sensed by one or more sensor(s) (106) on the valve assembly (100); wherein the one or more sensor(s) (106) comprise one or more of:

a) a temperature sensor;

b) a pressure sensor;

c) a microphone; or

d) a gas detector for monitoring levels of one or more type of gas.

7. A valve assembly (100) for use on a fluid storage device (10) containing pressurised fluid, the valve assembly comprising:

a valve element (511, 512) movable between a closed position and a venting position;

a processor (102);

one or more sensor(s) (511, 512) for measuring a parameter and/or a receiver for receiving a wireless control signal; and wherein the processor (102) is operable to move the valve element (511, 512) from the closed position to the venting position in response to a predetermined signal from the sensor (106);

wherein:

a) the one or more sensor(s) (106) include a temperature sensor, and the predetermined signal is generated in response to the temperature recorded by the temperature sensor being outside a predetermined range;

b) the one or more sensor(s) (106) include a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure within the fluid storage device (10) when in use, and the predetermined signal is generated in response to the pressure recorded by the pressure sensor being outside a predetermined range;

c) the one or more sensor(s) (106) include a microphone, and the predetermined signal is generated in response to a predetermined audio command received by the microphone; or

d) the one or more sensor(s) (106) include a gas detector for monitoring levels of one or more type of gas.

8. The valve assembly (100) of claim 7, wherein each processor is operable to move the valve element(s) (511,

512) from the venting configuration to the closed configuration in response to one or more parameter(s) sensed by one or more sensor(s) (106) on the valve assembly (100) .

9. The valve assembly (100) of claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the processor (106) is operable to move the valve element (511, 512) from the closed position to the venting position in response to a wireless signal that is received by a wireless signal receiver (110) located on the valve assembly (100) .

10. A valve assembly (100) for attachment to a fluid storage vessel (10) arranged for venting stored fluid in response to an emergency, the valve assembly (100) comprising:

an inlet (503) for communicating with the interior of a fluid storage vessel (102);

a first outlet (501) for attachment to tubing and/or other equipment;

a first valve (511) arranged to control the flow of fluid between the inlet and the first outlet;

a second outlet (502);

a second valve (512) arranged to control the flow of fluid between the inlet (503) and the second outlet (502);

a processor (520) arranged to move the second valve (512) from a closed position to an open position in response to an emergency signal.

- fo-

11. The valve assembly (100) of claim 10, further comprising a wireless signal receiver (110) , wherein the emergency signal is detectable by the wireless signal

5 receiver (110) .

12. The valve assembly (100) of claim 10 or claim 11, further comprising one or more sensor(s) (106) wherein the emergency signal is generated by the sensor(s) (106).

Intellectual

Property Office

Application No: GB 1707997.1