WO2008059479A2

WO2008059479A2 - Protected regulator

Info

Publication number: WO2008059479A2
Application number: PCT/IL2007/001347
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Shahaf
Original assignee: Air For Life Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-11-14
Filing date: 2007-11-06
Publication date: 2008-05-22
Also published as: WO2008059479A3

Abstract

A compressed gas regulating system comprises: a compressed gas tank configured to contain a compressed gas, and a gas-releasing regulator substantially contained within the compressed gas tank, and having a gas release valve communicating with the environment around the tank, the gas-releasing regulator configured to release the compressed gas at at least one of a continuous rate, and on demand.

Description

Protected Regulator

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of US Provision Application

60/858,714 filed November 14, 2006 and US Continuation In Part Patent

Application 11/769,848 of PCT/IL05/001384, filed December 27, 2005, the disclosure of both of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a regulator valve and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to valves that regulate the rate that gas is released from a high-pressure gas tank. Regulator valves are designed to provide gas from a high-pressure tank at a continuous rate once opened, and/or on demand when controlled by a user. Additionally regulator valves may be adjusted to provide gas at a one or more constant rates.

Regulator valves are used in conjunction with high-pressure tanks containing, inter alia, compressed hydrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, acetylene, nitrogen, and oxygen and dry oxygen wherein small changes, or disruption, in flow rate can result in serious consequences.

For example, industrial welding applications use high-pressure tanks of acetylene in combination with high-pressure tanks of oxygen; with variation in flow rate of either gas resulting in life-threatening consequences, including an explosion. Proper function of regulator valve requires protecting the sensitive components from knocks and bangs during operation and/or storage. A majority of regulator valves, however, are not designed to withstand even low impact knocks and bangs. Consequently, many regulator valves are prone to failure with the above-noted serious consequence.

US Patents 7,140,591, and 6,997,348 (Droppleman), the entirety of which are incorporated herein by reference, teach vulnerable O₂ regulators, which during storage or during use, may be knocked or banged, causing malfunction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention successfully addresses at least some of the shortcomings of the prior art with a high pressure tank regulator that is fully contained within the high pressure tank, thereby protecting the regulator from knocks and bangs during storage or use, and substantially preventing malfunction.

In additional embodiments, the tank comprises a wall that protects the contents against impact and/or heat buildup.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a compressed gas regulating system, comprising: a compressed gas tank configured to contain a compressed gas, and a gas-releasing regulator substantially contained within the compressed gas tank, and having a gas release valve communicating with the environment around the tank, the gas-releasing regulator configured to release the compressed gas at at least one of a continuous rate and on demand.

In embodiments, the tank comprises a substantially monotonous configuration. In embodiments, the tank comprises a wall configured to protect the gas-releasing regulator against at least one of: impact, and heat buildup.

In embodiments, the tank comprises a wall configured to protect the gas-releasing regulator against corrosion.

In embodiments, the tank is configured to contain at least one of: dry oxygen, and compressed oxygen, compressed argon, compressed hydrogen, compressed carbon dioxide, compressed acetylene, and compressed nitrogen.

In embodiments, the regulator comprises a pressure chamber providing unvaried pressure to components contained in the chamber.

In embodiments, the regulator is directly connected to the tank.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a compressed gas regulating system, comprising: a compressed gas tank configured to contain a compressed gas, and a gas-releasing regulator contained within the compressed gas tank and directly connected to the tank, the gas-releasing regulator configured to release the compressed gas at at least one of a continuous rate and on demand.

In embodiments, the tank comprises a substantially monotonous configuration.

In embodiments, the tank comprises a wall configured to protect the gas-releasing regulator against at least one of: impact, and heat buildup.

In embodiments, the tank is configured to contain at least one of: dry oxygen, compressed oxygen, compressed argon, compressed hydrogen, compressed carbon dioxide., compressed acetylene, and compressed nitrogen. In embodiments, the regulator comprises a pressure chamber providing unvaried pressure to components contained in the chamber.

In embodiments, the regulator is directly connected to the tank.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a compressed gas regulating system, comprising: a compressed gas tank configured to contain a compressed gas, the tank comprising a substantially monotonous configuration, and a gas-releasing regulator configured to release the compressed gas at at least one of a continuous rate and on demand.

In embodiments, the tank is configured to contain at least one of: dry oxygen, compressed oxygen, compressed argon, compressed hydrogen, compressed carbon dioxide, compressed acetylene, and compressed nitrogen.

In embodiments, the gas-releasing regulator is substantially contained within the compressed gas tank, and having a gas release valve communicating with the environment around the tank,

In embodiments, the regulator is directly connected to the tank.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a compressed gas tank including a recessed pressure regulator, according to embodiments of the invention;

Figures 2-8 show cross-sectional views of the pressure tank and pressure regulator of Figure 1, according to embodiments of the invention; and Figure 9 shows an exploded view of the pressure tank and pressure regulator of Figure 1, according to embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a regulator valve and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to valves that regulate the rate that gas is released from a high-pressure gas tank.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Figure 1 shows a compressed gas assembly 100, comprising a tank

110 having a protective wall 111 and a pressure regulator 120 recessed within tank 110; thereby protecting pressure regulator 120 from damage due to impact.

In embodiments, tank 110 has a monotonous configuration, which allows a substantially robust configuration thereby substantially increasing strength of wall 111 that further prevents damage to pressure regulator 120 from impact. The term monotonous, as used herein, refers to tank 110 comprising a cylinder having substantially the same cross sectional diameter from at least mid cylinder to regulator 120. Additionally, the thickness of wall 111 aids in protecting pressure regulator 120 from damage due to heat buildup as, in embodiments, wall

111 can dissipate heat that builds up in one area of wall 111 to another area of wall 111 that is cooler.

In further embodiments, wall 111 protects regulator 120 against corrosive processes for example oxidation that may contribute to malfunction of regulator 120.

As shown, regulator 120 is flush-mounted with respect to an edge

112 of pressure tank 110, thereby reducing development of mechanical stress at interfaces between pressure tank 110 and regulator 120. Referring to figures 2-8, which show cross sectional views of regulator 120. Pressure regulator 12O₅ may be any regulator known in the art and optionally includes pistons 121a and 121b, and shafts 122a and 122b. Regulator 120 releases a stream of gas at a rate of about approximately 1.2 - 1.5 liters of gas per minute although other rates of release and/or "on demand flow" may be incorporated into regulator 120, as explained below. Due to the submerged configuration of regulator 120, parts within a tank body 124 are protected from pressure differences.

For example, a high pressure 142 around piston 121a is constant in all directions. Were piston 121a mounted in regulator 120 outside tank 110, a portion of piston 121a would be subject to high pressure 142 while another portion of piston 121a would be subject to a low pressure 143. The difference between high pressure 142 and low pressure 143 would, in embodiments, contribute to damage and/or failure of piston 121a over the many years that tank assembly 100 may be in use.

Additionally, since body 124 does not have to withstand large pressure differences between the pressure internal to tank 110 and the atmospheric pressure external to tank 110, pressure tank 110, may include materials 2, 5, 10, or even 50 times thinner than material of pressure bodies mounted outside a pressure tank as is known in the art.

Consequently, materials used for body 124 and/or pressure tank 110 may have a Young-modulus that is substantially lower than Young- moduli and/or shear moduli of materials used for externally mounted regulators 120. For example, Young-modulus and/or shear modulus of body 124 and/or pressure tank 110 may be 2, 5, 10, 50 times lower than a Young modulus and/or a shear modulus of materials implemented on bodies mounted outside of pressure tank 110. Such material may be, for example, composite materials, plastic^ stainless steel or any other suitable material. In further embodiments, recessed regulator 120 may enable pipeless, herein direct, coupling between regulator 120 and pressure tank 110, thereby substantially reducing mechanical stress that may otherwise exist in such a pipe. It is to be understood that in some embodiments of the invention, the design of the material used for movable or static parts of pressure regulator 120 may be substantially simplified.

For example, while regulator 120 is shown with two pistons 121a and 121b, an alternative number of pistons may be used in conjunction with the present invention. For example, a pressure regulator, such as pressure regulator 120, may include one piston 121a, three pistons or any other suitable number of pistons.

Additionally, it is also understood that instead of pistons 121a and 121b, it is possible to use different concepts to release the gas via the regulator. For example, a lever, a membrane and the like may be used.

Piston 121a and piston 121b are mechanically associated with springs 126a and 126b, respectively. Springs 126a and 126b are mechanically associated with body 124. It is to be understood that springs 126a and 126b may refer to any type of springy means such as, for example, a diaphragm. It is to be understood that the number of springs is not limited to what is specified in the specification but is for exemplary purposes only.

Regulator 120 may be configured to release gas continuously at a constant rate once opened; referred to herein as a continuous rate of release.

Additionally or alternatively, regulator 120 includes a rapid release post 125 that functions to release a rapid burst of gas from tank 110 on demand by a user. For example, when post 125 is moved in directions 152 a rapid burst of gas is released from tank 110 of at least about 5.0 liters of gas per minute, optionally in addition to the constant release of gas by regulator 120. As used herein, the release of gas by a user from tank 110 in response to manipulation of post 125, or control of gas release from tank 110 with a controller (not shown), is referred to as an "on demand" release of gas.

In general, the limits of gas release depend on the size and pressure of tank 110. For example if tank 110 contains 0.5 liters and the pressure of the gas is 220 Bar, tank 110 can be configure to release between about 40 and 100 liters of gas per minute.

Alternatively, a 0.5 liter tank 110 with a gas pressure of 220 Bar can be configured to release between about 10 and 200 liters of gas per minute.

Larger tanks with greater pressure can be configured at great ranges of release rates as is well-know to those familiar with the art.

It is to be understood that other means than post 125 may be employed in order to release gas from pressure tank 110, for example a rotatable spigot and/or an electronically activate controller (not shown).

Upon moving post 125 in directions 152, pressure within pressure tank 110 is released due to the upward movement of piston 121a caused by spring 126a. As a result, thereof, gas flows from pressure tank 110 into shaft 122a until the pressure in pressure tank 110 substantially corresponds to the spring constant of spring 126a.

The gas continues to flow from shaft 122a to shaft 122b until the pressure in pressure tank 110 substantially corresponds to the spring constant of spring 126b. Spring constant of spring 126a may be higher than spring constant of spring 126b. The gas trapped within shaft 122b is then released by movement of post 125.

Since pistons 121a and 121b are embedded in body 124, which is recessed in pressure tank 110, any leaking gas flows back into pressure tank 110 instead of being released to the environment outside of pressure tank 110. Therefore, safety for persons operating pressure regulator 120 may be substantially improved.

According to some embodiments of the invention, pressure regulator 120 includes 0-rings 127 that insulate pistons 121a and 121b as well as springs 126a and 126b from the pressure of pressure tank 110.

Non-limiting examples of pressure values within pressure tank 110 may be 100 Bar, 150 Bar, 200 Bar, 300 Bar, 400 Bar, 1000 Bar, 1200

Bar. Accordingly, pressure in pressure tank 110 may be, for example,

100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 1000 or 1200 times higher than atmospheric pressure.

According to some embodiments of the invention, pressure tank 110 is adapted to store compressed gas including, inter alia, for example, oxygen, argon, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen, under pressure that is substantially higher than atmospheric pressure. Further, any reference to a gas contained within pressure tank 110, herein, refers to any compressed gas and/or dry chemical gas, for example dry oxygen, which may be held in tank 110 using any of all known technologies or technologies developed in the future.

Figure 9 shows an exploded view of pressure regulator 120 and pressure tank 110.

It is expected that during the life of a patent maturing from this application many relevant regulator valves will be developed and the scope of the term regulator valve is intended to include all such new technologies a priori.

As used herein the term "about" refers to ± 10 %. The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "having" and their conjugates mean "including but not limited to". This term encompasses the terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of".

The phrase "consisting essentially of" means that the composition or method may include additional ingredients and/or steps, but only if the additional ingredients and/or steps do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition or method.

As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term "a compound" or "at least one compound" may include a plurality of compounds, including mixtures thereof.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well as individual numerical values within that range. For example, description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numbers within that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This applies regardless of the breadth of the range. Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to include any cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range. The phrases "ranging/ranges between" a first indicate number and a second indicate number and "ranging/ranges from" a first indicate number "to" a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and are meant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all the fractional and integral numerals therebetween.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used, they should not be construed as necessarily limiting.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A compressed gas regulating system, comprising: i) a compressed gas tank configured to contain a compressed gas; and ii) a gas-releasing regulator substantially contained within said compressed gas tank, and having a gas release valve communicating with the environment around said tank, said gas-releasing regulator configured to release said compressed gas at at least one of: a continuous rate; and on demand.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said tank comprises a substantially monotonous configuration.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said tank comprises a wall configured to protect said gas-releasing regulator against at least one of: impact; and heat buildup.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said tank comprises a wall configured to protect said gas-releasing regulator against corrosion.

5. The system according to claim I₅ wherein said tank is configured to contain at least one of: dry oxygen; compressed oxygen; compressed argon: compressed hydrogen; compressed carbon dioxide; compressed acetylene; and compressed nitrogen.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said regulator comprises a pressure chamber providing unvaried pressure to components contained in said chamber.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said regulator is directly connected to said tank.

8. A compressed gas regulating system, comprising: i) a compressed gas tank configured to contain a compressed gas; and ii) a gas-releasing regulator substantially contained within said compressed gas tank, and having a gas release valve communicating with the environment around said tank, said gas-releasing regulator directly connected to said tank and configured to release said compressed gas at at least one of: a continuous rate; and on demand.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein said tank comprises a substantially monotonous configuration.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein said tank comprises a wall configured to protect said gas-releasing regulator against at least one of: impact; and heat buildup.

11. The system according to claim 8, wherein said tank comprises a wall configured to protect said gas-releasing regulator against corrosion.

12. The system according to claim 8, wherein said tank is configured to contain at least one of: dry oxygen;

compressed argon: compressed hydrogen; compressed carbon dioxide; compressed acetylene; and compressed nitrogen.

13. The system according to claim 8, wherein said regulator comprises a pressure chamber providing unvaried pressure to components contained in said chamber.

14. The system according to claim 8, wherein said regulator is directly connected to said tank.

15. A compressed gas regulating system, comprising: i) a compressed gas tank configured to contain a compressed gas, said tank comprising a substantially monotonous configuration; and ii) a gas-releasing regulator connected to said gas tank and configured to release said compressed gas at at least one of: a continuous rate; and on demand.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein said tank comprises a wall configured to protect said gas-releasing regulator against at least one of: impact; and heat buildup.

17. The system according to claim 15, wherein said tank comprises a wall configured to protect said gas-releasing regulator against corrosion.

18. The system according to claim 15, wherein said tank is configured to contain at least one of: dry oxygen; compressed oxygen; compressed argon: compressed hydrogen; compressed carbon dioxide; compressed acetylene; and compressed nitrogen.

19. The system according to claim 15, wherein said regulator is contained within and includes having a gas release valve communicating with the environment around said tank.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein said regulator comprises a pressure chamber providing unvaried pressure to components contained in said chamber.

1. The system according to claim 19, wherein said regulator is directly connected to said tank.