Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L37/00—Couplings of the quick-acting type
  • F16L37/28—Couplings of the quick-acting type with fluid cut-off means
  • F16L37/30—Couplings of the quick-acting type with fluid cut-off means with fluid cut-off means in each of two pipe-end fittings
  • F16L37/32—Couplings of the quick-acting type with fluid cut-off means with fluid cut-off means in each of two pipe-end fittings at least one of two lift valves being opened automatically when the coupling is applied

Definitions

• the carbonation apparatus is provided with the male part of the connector which is in the form of a hollow cylindrical member and within which a valve actuator is positioned for axial movement.
• the gas supply cylinder or vessel has the female part of the connector. Seal means are provided to form a gas seal between the male part and a cylindrical surface of the female part.
• the gas cylinder or vessel includes a valve which is normally closed but can be moved to the opening position by operation of the valve actuator. A positive stop, acting between the male part of the connector and the female part, accurately positions the valve actuator so that the valve may be reliably operated.
• a locking device is also provided for locking the male and female parts together.
• the invention provides a novel arrangement in which an improved seal is provided by the valve in the vessel.
• an improved valve and actuator is provided permitting opening of the valve, even against high pressures within the gas cylinder, by means of a relatively low powered drive mechanism, such as a solenoid.
• Figure 1 diagrammatically represents a carbonation apparatus in which the invention is embodied
• Figure 2 shows a portion of the apparatus of Figure 1, including a two-part connector according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, partly in section, with the parts connected together;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of part of the connector of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 illustrates part of the connector shown in Figure 2 on an enlarged scale for the purpose of showing certain of the dimensions
• Figure 5 illustrates a modification to the apparatus of Figure 2.
• the carbonation apparatus for home use, is adapted for carbonating relatively small quantities of water such as sufficient to form one or two drinks, and comprises a carbonation chamber
• a water supply means 102 for supplying water to be carbonated, and which has a discharge valve arrangement 104 for discharging carbonated water into a vessel such as a glass 106.
• a carbon dioxide supply means 108 is connected to the chamber 100 by a conduit 110 for supplying carbon dioxide thereto.
• a concentrate supply arrangement 112 is connected to the discharge arrangement 104 by one or more conduits 114 for supplying flavouring to the carbonated water.
• a conduit 111 connected between the carbon dioxide supply means 108 and the concentrate supply arrangement 112 supplies carbon dioxide to the latter to cause it to supply concentrate, such carbon dioxide being obtained from the carbonation chamber 100 after completion of a carbonation operation as will be more fully understood from the description of Figure 2.
• the chamber 100 contains a carbonating device which may be of conventional form, such as a nozzle for injecting carbon dioxide into the water, or is preferably as described in our published British Patent Application 2,161,089.
• a carbonating device which may be of conventional form, such as a nozzle for injecting carbon dioxide into the water, or is preferably as described in our published British Patent Application 2,161,089.
• the water supply arrangement and concentrate supply arrangement may also be as described in that published British patent application.
• the carbon dioxide supply means 108 comprises a gas cylinder 200 containing carbon dioxide having a connector 202 secured thereto at the top by conventional means which need not be described.
• the connector 202 comprises a body 204 having a hollow interior portion 206 in which a solid polypropylene valve element 208 is mounted for vertical axial movement.
• the polypropylene has a Rockwell Hardness in the range R85-110.
• a compression spring 210 whose lower end is supported by a ring 212 fixed in the body 204 urges the valve element into engagement with a valve seat 214 so that the valve is normally closed thus preventing the escape of carbon dioxide gas from the cylinder 200.
• the pressure inside the cylinder 200 may vary widely dependent upon ambient temperature and for example may range from 600 psi to around 2000 pis.
• valve seat 214 is formed on the lower surface of a downwardly directed cylindrical projection 216 dimensioned carefully to achieve these results.
• a cylindrical recess 218 is formed at the top of the body 204 and includes smooth cylindrical walls 220, a radially extending bottom surface 222 and a countersink or flustoconical recess 224 in the centre of the bottom surface 222 and communicating through a cylindrical passage 226 with the interior of projection 216.
• the carbon dioxide supply means 108 also comprises a body 230 which may be moulded of synthetic plastics material and which is secured to the carbonation apparatus.
• a cylindrical male member 232 is integrally formed with the body 230 and projects from the bottom thereof for insertion into the female cylindrical recess 218 when the connector parts 108 and 202 are connected together.
• An external groove 234 in the male member 232 contains an O-ring 236 which forms a gas tight seal with the smooth internal surface 220 of recess 218.
• the lower end of male member 232 engages the bottom surface 222 of the recess 218 to form a positive stop defining precisely the position of the male member 232 in the recess 218 when the two parts are fully connected together.
• the provision of the sealing surface 220 inside the female connector minimises the risk of damage to that surface if the carbon dioxide supply vessel should be accidentally dropped.
• a split ring 240 (shown in perspective in Fig. 3) is mounted arround the lower portion of housing 230 and is integrally formed with locking fingers 242 and lever portions 244, these parts being a unitary moulding of resilient synthetic plastics material. Outward projections (not shown) on the body 230 retain the ring 240 against upwards and downwards movement relative to the body 230.
• the ring 240 is surrounded by a vertically slidable ring 246 which, when slid upwardly engages the lever portions 244 so as to pivot the fingers 242 outwardly to a non-locking position and, when slid downwardly (the position shown in Fig.
• a cylindrical passageway 252 which is coaxial with the male member 233, extends vertically through the body and includes a lower portion 254 of large diameter, a mid-portion 256 of intermediate diameter and an upper portion 258 of a small diameter.
• a multipart slide 260 is provided in the passage 252 for vertical movement.
• a lower element 262 of the slide 260 comprises a main body portion 264 located in the large diameter portion 254 of passage 252 and has an outwardly directed flange 266 which is a relatively loose fit in the portion 254 so that gas may pass the flange 262.
• a valve actuating rod 268 integrally formed at the lower end of body 264 projects through passage 226 for engagement with the top surface of valve element 208.
• the element 262 includes an upper extension 270 which is located in the portion 256 of intermediate diameter of passage 252 and carries an O-ring seal 272 in an external groove 274.
• the O-ring 272 forms a gas tight seal and due to friction with the wall of portion 256 of passage 252, prevents the element 262 from falling out of the body 230 when the connector part 204 is taken away.
• a passage 276 is formed through the extension 270 and its upper end is closed by a valve 280 which forms a centre element of slide 260.
• An upper element 282 of slide 260 includes an enlarged portion 284 located in portion 256 of passage 252 and a narrower portion 286 projecting out of the top of the body 230 via narrow portion 258 of passage 252.
• An O-ring 288 carried by enlarged portion 284 of element 282 forms a gas tight seal with the inside surface of portion 256 of passage 252.
• a compression spring 290 urges element 282 upwardly.
• a solenoid 300 (which will be described in more detail below) is connected to a lever 302 which is pivoted at
• solenoid 300 is de-energised which permits lever 302 to pivot upwardly. The pressure of the carbon dioxide in chamber 100 is transmitted via conduit 110 into passages 252 and 276 and causes valve element 280 to be raised.
• the carbon dioxide in the carbonation chamber 100 may be supplied to the concentrate supply device 112 via conduit 111 which is connected to passage 252 at a point above the O-ring 272.
• the multipart slides serves the dual function of an actuator for the valve 208 and the valve means for automatically connecting the carbonation chamber to the concentrate supply means following completion of a carbonation operation.
• Such arrangement is particularly compact and economi to manufacture.
• Such apparatus utilises a vaned horizontal rotor which is driven at high speed and achieves carbonation within a few seconds utilising an atmosphere of carbon dioxide gas formed in a space above the water in the carbonation chamber which, accordingly, in operation is only partially filled with water.
• a means is necessary to control the carbonation pressure in the carbonation chamber so as to terminate the supply of carbon dioxide thereto when the required pressure is reached and to permit additional carbon dioxide to be supplied to the chamber as carbon dioxide gas is used up during the carbonation process.
• the solenoid 300 comprises a coil 320 indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 2 fixed in a housing 322.
• a link 324 connects the housing 322 to the arm 302.
• An armature 326 of the solenoid 300 has its upper end extending into the coil 320 and its lower end fixed to a diaphragm 328 whose periphery is fixed in a housing 330 which is secured to the body of the machine by means not shown.
• a compression spring 332 acting between the housing 330 and the armature 326 urges the armature downwardly.
• a pressure chamber 334 provided in the housing 330 below the diaphragm 328 is connected to the carbonation chamber 100 via conduit 336 and the conduit 110.
• the housing 322 is drawn downwardly, thereby pivoting the lever 302 as previously described, the strength of spring 332 being selected to ensure that at this time the housing moves downwardly rather than the armature being drawn upwardly.
• the diaphragm 328 is caused to move upwardly against the force of spring 332 so that the armature 326 and housing 322 both move upwardly thereby permitting the entire multipart slide 260 also to move upwardly so that the valve element 208 closes.
• the upper end of element 286 remains in contact with lever 308 ensuring that the valve element 280 remains closed.
• valve 280 is opened.
• a gasket 250 is provided on body 264 to catch any water which may be drawn into passage 252 from carbonation chamber 100 when the valve 280 is opened. Any such water which does enter passage 252 will largely be returned to chamber 100 when gas is supplied thereto for the next carbonation operation.
• an electrical control system (not shown) is included, for example as described in our UK Patent Application No. 2,160,089, for performing a carbonation cycle in which, automatically and in response to actuation of a start button, water is introduced into the carbonation chamber to the required level, thereafter the carbonation chamber is pressurised by energising the solenoid 300, the carbonating device is then energised to effect carbonation, and, after completion of carbonation, the solenoid 300 is deenergised and carbon dioxide is supplied from the carbonation chamber to the concentrate supply means.
• an important aspect of the present invention concerns the need for ensuring that the valve 208 provides a reliable gas tight seal but is nevertheless openable by a relatively light force.
• one of the objects of the present invention is to provide improvements in this respect relative to the corresponding arrangement shown in our published European Application 0238312.
• One feature of the invention which particularly contributes to an improved seal is the use of a solid valve element of resilient material such as polypropylene as described, rather than a valve element which comprises a body and a separate sealing element carried thereby as illustrated in the above-mentioned European patent application.
• valve actuator rod 268 A further particularly important improvement provided by the present invention compared to the arrangement shown in the above-mentioned European application is the arrangement of the valve actuator rod 268 so that, in operation, it projects into the passageway 226 which, during operation acts as a guide holding the actuating rod 268 in general (but not precise) axial alignment with the valve element 208.
• actuating rod 268 is displaceable radially but as indicated, the arrangement whereby this projects into the passageway 226 ensures that despite the radial freedom resulting from the loose fit of element 262 in passage 254, the correct operational relationship between valve element 208 and actuating rod 268 is maintained.
• the relatively large countersink 224 provides a guide for the lower end of rod 268 which ensures that the rod 268 is properly guided into the passage 226 when the two parts of the connector are being interconnected.
• the size of the countersink 224 should be related to the radial freedom of element 262 within passage portion 254.
• Figures 5 shows a modification in which, an annular upward projection 222a is provided on the surface 222 to act as a positive stop defining the position of male element 230 within female element 218.
• the projection 222a should be positioned and dimensioned so as to be engaged by the end of element 230. Preferred dimensions are shown on Figure 5.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
• Organic Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds And Preparation Thereof (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=10637004

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Cited By (15)

Families Citing this family (6)

Citations (5)

• 1988
  • 1988-05-17 GB GB8811605A patent/GB2218767A/en not_active Withdrawn
• 1989
  • 1989-05-04 IN IN346MA1989 patent/IN173924B/en unknown
  • 1989-05-05 WO PCT/GB1989/000485 patent/WO1989011443A2/en unknown
  • 1989-05-05 AU AU35592/89A patent/AU3559289A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1989-05-10 ZA ZA893485A patent/ZA893485B/xx unknown
  • 1989-05-17 ES ES8901664A patent/ES2014110A6/es not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1989-05-17 CN CN89103480A patent/CN1038508A/zh active Pending

Patent Citations (5)

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