WO2012129736A1 - Volant de robinet amélioré pour appareil respiratoire autonome - Google Patents

Volant de robinet amélioré pour appareil respiratoire autonome Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012129736A1
WO2012129736A1 PCT/CN2011/000571 CN2011000571W WO2012129736A1 WO 2012129736 A1 WO2012129736 A1 WO 2012129736A1 CN 2011000571 W CN2011000571 W CN 2011000571W WO 2012129736 A1 WO2012129736 A1 WO 2012129736A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
hand
wheel
button
cylinder valve
buttons
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CN2011/000571
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Minhua QI
Ruimin LIU
Original Assignee
Shanghai Eagle Safety Equipment Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Shanghai Eagle Safety Equipment Ltd. filed Critical Shanghai Eagle Safety Equipment Ltd.
Priority to CN201180069722.7A priority Critical patent/CN103442769B/zh
Priority to PCT/CN2011/000571 priority patent/WO2012129736A1/fr
Publication of WO2012129736A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012129736A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
    • A62B—DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING
    • A62B9/00—Component parts for respiratory or breathing apparatus
    • A62B9/02—Valves
    • 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
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K31/00—Actuating devices; Operating means; Releasing devices
    • F16K31/44—Mechanical actuating means
    • F16K31/60—Handles
    • 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
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K35/00—Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation
    • F16K35/02—Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation to be locked or disconnected by means of a pushing or pulling action
    • F16K35/022—Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation to be locked or disconnected by means of a pushing or pulling action the locking mechanism being actuated by a separate actuating element
    • F16K35/025—Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation to be locked or disconnected by means of a pushing or pulling action the locking mechanism being actuated by a separate actuating element said actuating element being operated manually (e.g. a push-button located in the valve actuator)
    • 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
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K35/00—Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation
    • F16K35/04—Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation yieldingly resisting the actuation

Definitions

  • the disclosure is generally related to the field of self contained breathing apparatuses, and more particularly to an improved valve hand-wheel for use with self-contained breathing apparatuses.
  • SCBA's Self-contained breathing apparatuses
  • Conventional SCBA's generally include a facepiece, one or more pressurized cylinder or tank, and a hose.
  • the facepiece which covers the wearer's nose, mouth and eyes and includes a lens for external viewing, is supplied with air from the tanks via the hose.
  • the tanks are secured to the wearer's body by a harness.
  • Each tank has a rated capacity that is typically a standard value, such as 2216 psig or 4500 psig, meaning that the pressure in the tank, when full, is approximately the rated capacity.
  • a cylinder valve is attached to each tank to permit pressurized air to be released from the tank when desired.
  • An outlet of the cylinder valve is connected to a first stage pressure reducer which typically reduces the pressure of the air from the then-current pressure (which will be the same or lower than the rated capacity) to a lower level, such as 100 psig, and from there through the hose to a second stage pressure reducer, often referred to as a breathing regulator, where the pressure is further reduced to a breathable level.
  • SCBA's are commonly worn by individuals carrying out activities in hazardous environments, and as such it is important that -a constant supply of breathable air be provided to the user in such situations.
  • the tank Due to the rather bulky nature of the air tank, and the fact that it is typically worn on the user's back, the tank may be bumped into or brushed against objects contained in the hazardous environment. With prior cylinder valve designs, such bumping or brushing can undesirably result in operation of the valve hand-wheel. In the worst case, such operation can close the cylinder valve, cutting off air flow to the user.
  • the cylinder valve hand-wheel may include a pair of buttons disposed on opposite sides of the hand-wheel to enable rotation of the hand-wheel to close the cylinder valve.
  • the buttons may have a series of ratchet teeth that engage corresponding ratchet teeth on an inner surface of the hand- wheel.
  • the buttons can be spring-biased outward so that in the ratchet teeth of the buttons and the inner surface of the hand-wheel are engaged, locking the hand-wheel rotationally and preventing operation of the cylinder valve.
  • a user can simply press down on the buttons to disengage the ratchet teeth, allowing the hand-wheel to be rotated. This arrangement prevents inadvertent closing of the cylinder valve, such as can occur when a user bumps against an object during use.
  • a cylinder valve hand-wheel may include a hand-wheel portion for coupling to a valve stem, and a button at least partially disposed within the hand-wheel portion.
  • the button can have inner and outer lips disposed on opposite sides of an inner flange portion of the hand-wheel portion.
  • One of the inner lip of the button and the inner flange portion has a ratchet member, and the other of the inner lip and the inner flange portion has a receiving surface for engaging the ratchet member.
  • a spring is disposed between the button and the hand-wheel portion for biasing the button radially outwardly with respect to the hand- wheel portion.
  • the hand-wheel has a first position in which the spring biases the ratchet member and the receiving surface into engagement with each other to prevent rotation of the handwheel portion.
  • the hand-wheel has a second position in which the button is moved radially inwardly with respect to the hand-wheel portion to overcome the bias of the spring and to disengage the ratchet member and the receiving surface, thereby enabling rotation of the hand-wheel portion.
  • a cylinder valve hand-wheel may include a hand-wheel portion for coupling to a valve stem, and a button at least partially disposed within the hand-wheel portion.
  • the button may have inner and outer lips disposed on opposite sides of an inner flange portion of the hand-wheel portion.
  • the inner lip of the button may include a ratchet tooth and the inner flange portion may include a ratchet tooth for engaging the ratchet tooth of the button.
  • a spring may be disposed between the button and the hand-wheel portion for biasing the button radially outwardly with respect to the hand-wheel portion.
  • the hand-wheel has a first position in which the spring biases the ratchet tooth of the button into engagement of the ratchet tooth of the inner flange portion to prevent rotation of the hand-wheel portion.
  • the hand-wheel has a second position in which the button is moved radially inwardly with respect to the hand-wheel portion to overcome the bias of the spring and to disengage the ratchet tooth of the button from the ratchet tooth of the inner flange portion, thereby allowing rotation of the hand- wheel portion.
  • a cylinder valve hand-wheel may include a hand-wheel portion for coupling to a valve stem, and first and second buttons at least partially disposed within the hand-wheel portion.
  • the first and second buttons each may have inner and outer lips disposed on opposite sides of an inner flange portion of the hand- wheel portion.
  • First and second springs can be disposed between respective ones of the first and second buttons and the hand-wheel portion for biasing the first and second buttons radially outwardly with respect to the hand-wheel portion.
  • the inner lip of each of the first and second buttons is engageable with the inner flange portion via a ratchet connection.
  • the hand-wheel portion has a first position in which the first and second springs bias the first and second buttons into engagement with the inner flange portion to prevent rotation of the hand-wheel portion.
  • the hand-wheel portion has a second position in which the first and second buttons are moved radially inwardly with respect to the hand-wheel portion to overcome the bias of the first and second springs and to disengage the ratchet connection between the inner lips and the inner flange, thereby allowing rotation of the hand-wheel portion.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a self-contained breathing apparatus having a cylinder valve incorporating the disclosed hand-wheel;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cylinder valve of FIG. 1 , shown in isolation;
  • FIG. 3 is a rear cross-sectional view of the cylinder valve of FIG. 3, taken along line 3-3;
  • FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the disclosed valve hand- wheel
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of the valve hand-wheel of FIG. 4 taken alone line 5-5;
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the valve hand-wheel of FIG. 4 taken alone line 7-7.
  • the disclosed hand-wheel design effectively prevents inadvertent operation of an associated SCBA cylinder valve via an internal ratchet mechanism.
  • the ratchet mechanism can be unlocked by operation one or more buttons spaced about the circumference of the hand-wheel.
  • the ratchet mechanism prevents movement of the hand- wheel unless the one or more buttons are pressed. In this manner, inadvertent closing of the valve during operation is prevented (e.g., where the user brushes against an object). Only when the buttons are pressed, and the valve hand-wheel is simultaneously rotated, can the valve be closed. No other actions are required to operate the valve, and the design effectively prevents inadvertent closing of an open valve.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary self-contained breathing apparatus ("SCBA") 10 carried by firefighters or other emergency services workers.
  • the SCBA 10 includes at least one pressure vessel 12, a pressure reducer 24, a cylinder valve 22, a second stage pressure reduction assembly or regulator 14, a facepiece 16 and a hose assembly 18.
  • the pressure vessel 12 is a pressurized cylinder or tank that provides a supply of breathing gas to the wearer.
  • the cylinder valve 22 can be operated to admit air from the pressure vessel 12 during operation.
  • the pressure reducer 24 connected to the cylinder valve 22 and receives a supply of pressurized air therefrom.
  • the hose assembly 18 is connected between the pressure reducer 24 and the facepiece 16 via the second stage regulator 14.
  • the pressure reducer 24 and second stage regulator 14 function to reduce the pressure of the air in the pressure vessel 12 to a level that can be safely provided to the user via the facepiece 16.
  • the facepiece 16 covers the wearer's nose and mouth in airtight connection, and preferably covers the wearer's eyes with a transparent shield 15 for external viewing.
  • the tank 12, cylinder valve 22, pressure reducer 24 and other equipment are typically loaded on the user's back using a backpack, harness and the like, and the facepiece 16 is placed over the user's face such that it covers the user's mouth, nose or both, in conventional fashion.
  • the hose assembly 18 is arranged to extend comfortably between the pressure reducer 24 and the facepiece 16, without interfering with the user's natural movements.
  • the cylinder valve 22 may be opened by manually turning the hand-wheel 49, thereby permitting breathing gas to flow through the cylinder valve 22 and through the other components to the facepiece 16.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 show an exemplary cylinder valve 22.
  • the cylinder valve 22 includes a valve body 26, a cylinder connection 28, a valve assembly 32, a pressure gauge assembly 34, a bumper guard assembly 36, and a safety valve assembly 38.
  • the cylinder connection 28 includes a drain tube 42 disposed within, and extending from, a threaded male fitting 41, which may be integrally formed with the valve body 26.
  • the cylinder connection 28 is preferably of a conventional design and size that may be attached to the pressure vessel or tank 12 or other standard tanks by inserting the drain tube 42 into the end of the tank 12 and screwing the male fitting 41 into a corresponding female threaded female fitting in the tank 12.
  • a packing 43 is included around the threaded fitting 41 in order to ensure a tight seal.
  • the threaded fitting 41, drain tube 42 and packing 43 may each be of conventional design.
  • the valve assembly 32 may include a hand-wheel 49, valve plug and assembly 50, nylon lock nut 56, stem valve 58, and bonnet 62.
  • the valve plug and assembly 50 may be disposed within a bore in the valve body 26, and can control the passage of gas through the valve body 26 when rotated using the hand-wheel 49.
  • the disclosed hand- wheel 49 will be described in greater detail.
  • he hand- wheel 49 may be used to open and close the cylinder valve 22 of FIG. 1 to allow air to be provided to a user, or to close off the air supply when the cylinder is not in use.
  • the hand-wheel 49 may be rotated in a first direction to open the valve 22 and may be rotated in a second, opposite, direction to close the valve.
  • the hand-wheel may have an outer gripping surface 68 with a plurality of raised features 70 to facilitate easy grasping of the hand-wheel 49.
  • the raised features 70 comprise a plurality of longitudinal ridges. It will be appreciated that raised features 70 of a variety of different geometries can be employed.
  • the hand-wheel 49 may also include first and second buttons 72A, 72B spaced apart on opposite sides of the hand-wheel 49.
  • the first and second buttons 72A, 72B can be received within corresponding recesses 74A, 74B in the hand- wheel 49 so that outer surfaces 76 A, 76B of the first and second buttons 72 A, 72B are positioned adjacent to the gripping surface 68 of the hand-wheel 49.
  • Each of the buttons 72 A, 72B may have an inner lip 78A, 78B and an outer lip 80A, 80B which are positioned on opposite sides of an inner flange portion 82 of the hand-wheel 49 to retain the buttons 72A, B within the hand- wheel 49.
  • the first and second buttons 72A, 72B may each also have a recess 84A, 84B within which a spring 86A, 86B is disposed.
  • a first end of each spring 86A, 86B may engage an end surface 88A, 88B of the associated recess, while a second end of the spring 86A, B may engage an inner surface 90 of the hand-wheel 49.
  • the spring 86 A, B may bias the associated button 72A, 72B radially outward with respect to the hand-wheel 49.
  • the first and second springs 86A, B are illustrated as being coil springs, any of a variety of other spring types can also be used.
  • the inner and outer lips 78 A, B; 80A, B of the buttons 72A, 72B may be spaced apart by a distance that is greater than the thickness of the flange portion 82 of the hand-wheel 49 so that the buttons 72A, B are movable radially inward/outward with respect to the hand- wheel 49. Under the bias of spring 86A, 86B, the buttons 72A, B are forced outward until the inner lips 78A, B engage the inner flange portion 82.
  • buttons 72A, B can overcome the spring bias, moving the buttons 72 A, B raidally inward until the outer lips 80 A, B engage the inner flange portion 82.
  • the inner lips 78A, B may include a plurality of ratchet teeth 92 configured to engage a corresponding plurality of ratchet teeth 94 in the inner flange portion 82 of the hand-wheel 49 when the two pieces are pressed together.
  • a "pressed together" configuration is shown in FIG. 6, and is caused by the action of the springs 86A, B which bias the inner lips 78A, B of the buttons 72A, B outward against the inner flange portion 82.
  • the interlocking of the inner lips 78A, B with the inner flange portion 82 of the hand-wheel 49 prevents the hand-wheel 49 from being rotated.
  • buttons 72A, B To enable operation of the hand-wheel 49 (e.g., to close the cylinder valve 22), a user simply applies external hand pressure to the outer surfaces 76A, B of the buttons 72A, B to overcome the bias of the springs 86 A, B. This causes the buttons 72 A, B to move radially inward until the ratchet teeth 92 of the inner lips 78A, B disengage from the ratchet teeth 94 of the flange portion 82. Once the ratchets are disengaged from each other, the hand-wheel 49 can then be rotated to close the valve.
  • the disclosed ratchet arrangement can also be used to prevent inadvertent opening of a cylinder valve.
  • the disclosed hand- wheel arrangement described an embodiment including a pair of buttons 72A, B, it will be appreciated that greater or fewer buttons could be provided. Thus, in one embodiment, a single button could be provided.
  • the disclosed ratchet teeth 92, 94 can comprise any of a variety of ratchet designs.
  • the ratchet teeth 92, 94 may be configured to enable relative movement in a first direction, but to prevent relative movement in a second direction.
  • the ratchet teeth 92, 94 may be configured to prevent relative movement in both the first and second directions.
  • only the inner lips 78A, B may include ratchet teeth, while the inner flange portion 82 of the hand-wheel 49 may include recesses or other receiving surfaces to engage the ratchet teeth of the inner lips.
  • only the inner flange portion may include ratchet teeth, while the inner lips may include recesses or other receiving surfaces to engage the ratchet teeth of the inner flange portion.
  • the disclosed hand-wheel design prevents inadvertent closing of an open valve through the use of a pair of ratchet-buttons which lock the valve open. In this manner, accidental grazing of the hand-wheel will not cause the valve to close as can occur with conventional designs.
  • the user grips the hand-wheel and pushes a pair of ratchet-buttons. Pressing the buttons disengages the ratchet buttons from associated internal ratchet locks within the hand-wheel, thus enabling the hand-wheel to be rotated.
  • the ratchet buttons are released, they once again engage the internal ratchet locks within the hand-wheel, preventing further movement of the hand-wheel.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Emergency Management (AREA)
  • Mechanically-Actuated Valves (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne la conception d'un volant de robinet de bouteille de gaz. Le volant de robinet de bouteille de gaz peut comprendre une paire de boutons placés sur des côtés opposés du volant afin de permettre la rotation du volant pour fermer le robinet de la bouteille. Les boutons peuvent comprendre une série de dents triangulaires qui s'engagent sur les dents triangulaires d'une surface intérieure du volant. Les boutons peuvent être sollicités vers l'extérieur par un ressort de façon à engager les dents triangulaires des boutons et de la surface intérieure du volant, ce qui verrouille en rotation le volant et empêche l'actionnement du robinet de bouteille. Pour actionner le robinet de bouteille, l'utilisateur peut simplement appuyer sur les boutons pour dégager les dents triangulaires, ce qui permet la rotation du volant. Cette structure évite la fermeture par mégarde du robinet de bouteille, comme lorsque l'utilisateur heurte un objet lors de l'utilisation. L'invention peut aussi décrire et concerner d'autres modes de réalisation.
PCT/CN2011/000571 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 Volant de robinet amélioré pour appareil respiratoire autonome WO2012129736A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN201180069722.7A CN103442769B (zh) 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 用于自携式呼吸设备的改进的阀手轮
PCT/CN2011/000571 WO2012129736A1 (fr) 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 Volant de robinet amélioré pour appareil respiratoire autonome

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/CN2011/000571 WO2012129736A1 (fr) 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 Volant de robinet amélioré pour appareil respiratoire autonome

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012129736A1 true WO2012129736A1 (fr) 2012-10-04

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ID=46929294

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CN2011/000571 WO2012129736A1 (fr) 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 Volant de robinet amélioré pour appareil respiratoire autonome

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Country Link
CN (1) CN103442769B (fr)
WO (1) WO2012129736A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11185723B2 (en) * 2018-12-19 2021-11-30 Msa Technology, Llc Bypass knob for breathing apparatus pressure regulator

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1547655A (en) * 1975-11-18 1979-06-27 Draegerwerk Ag Closure valves of transportable containers for gas under pressure
US4498471A (en) * 1982-09-28 1985-02-12 U.S.D. Corp. First and second stage regulator system for breathing gas
DE3642489A1 (de) * 1986-12-12 1988-06-23 Hoechst Ag Schliessautomat fuer klappen in rohrleitungen
US20030150496A1 (en) * 2002-01-11 2003-08-14 Guy Rousselin Closing device for use in a valve device for a pressurised gas cylinder
CN201139881Y (zh) * 2007-12-28 2008-10-29 重庆华渝电气仪表总厂 空气呼吸器减压阀

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1547655A (en) * 1975-11-18 1979-06-27 Draegerwerk Ag Closure valves of transportable containers for gas under pressure
US4498471A (en) * 1982-09-28 1985-02-12 U.S.D. Corp. First and second stage regulator system for breathing gas
DE3642489A1 (de) * 1986-12-12 1988-06-23 Hoechst Ag Schliessautomat fuer klappen in rohrleitungen
US20030150496A1 (en) * 2002-01-11 2003-08-14 Guy Rousselin Closing device for use in a valve device for a pressurised gas cylinder
CN201139881Y (zh) * 2007-12-28 2008-10-29 重庆华渝电气仪表总厂 空气呼吸器减压阀

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN103442769B (zh) 2015-12-09
CN103442769A (zh) 2013-12-11

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