WO2014174071A2 - Lockable valve assembly - Google Patents

Lockable valve assembly Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2014174071A2
WO2014174071A2 PCT/EP2014/058446 EP2014058446W WO2014174071A2 WO 2014174071 A2 WO2014174071 A2 WO 2014174071A2 EP 2014058446 W EP2014058446 W EP 2014058446W WO 2014174071 A2 WO2014174071 A2 WO 2014174071A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
opening
valve assembly
valve
lever
stalk
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP2014/058446
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2014174071A3 (en
Inventor
Stefan Freitag
Tullney HEIKO
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Linde GmbH
Original Assignee
Linde GmbH
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 Linde GmbH filed Critical Linde GmbH
Publication of WO2014174071A2 publication Critical patent/WO2014174071A2/en
Publication of WO2014174071A3 publication Critical patent/WO2014174071A3/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K35/00—Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation
    • F16K35/06—Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation using a removable actuating or locking member, e.g. a key
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/08—Mounting arrangements for vessels
    • F17C13/084—Mounting arrangements for vessels for small-sized storage vessels, e.g. compressed gas cylinders or bottles, disposable gas vessels, vessels adapted for automotive use
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/03—Orientation
    • F17C2201/032—Orientation with substantially vertical main axis
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/058—Size portable (<30 l)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0153—Details of mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0173—Details of mounting arrangements lockable
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0308—Protective caps
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/07—Applications for household use
    • F17C2270/0745—Gas bottles

Definitions

  • This invention relates to valve assembly capable of being locked to prevent unauthorised or accidental use of the valve assembly.
  • the present invention relates to a lockable lever operated valve assembly.
  • Cylinders containing compressed or cryogenic gasses are common in the home, in medical settings and in industry. Such cylinders are often employed to contain noxious, explosive and/or expensive gases. It may be desirable to prevent unauthorised or accidental use of a gas cylinder to prevent accident, theft or tampering.
  • FR 2774452 discloses a lever operated valve located within a substantially enclosed valve guard.
  • the lever controlling operation of the valve may be locked to or within the valve guard.
  • the present invention provides a valve assembly comprising a valve body having a first fastening point comprising a first opening; and a lever for operating the valve, the lever having a second fastening point comprising a second opening, wherein the valve assembly is arranged so that, in use, when the lever is in a closed position, the second opening may be locked to the first opening by means of a locking member.
  • the valve assembly of the present invention may be locked in the closed position whether located within a valve guard or not.
  • the valve provides a suitable location for a tamper evidence device which may be readily inserted at the site of cylinder filling.
  • the first and/or second fastening points may preferably be lugs and the first opening may preferably be an elongate opening. This provides flexible manufacturing options.
  • the first opening is an opening in the valve body or valve body casework.
  • the second opening may preferably be an opening in the lever. In these cases the valve assembly may benefit from being more compact and neat.
  • a tamper evidence device may preferably be provided and arranged, in use, to be at least partially located in the first and second openings.
  • the tamper evidence device may preferably comprise a stalk arranged to be inserted, in use, in the first and second openings, wherein the stalk is arranged so that the tamper evidence device may not be removed from the first and second openings without breaking the stalk.
  • the tamper evidence device may preferably comprise a finger pull.
  • the present invention also provides a tamper evidence device for use with the valve comprising a stalk arranged to be inserted, in use, in the first and second openings, wherein the stalk is arranged so that the tamper evidence device may not be removed from the first and second openings without breaking the stalk.
  • the tamper evidence device comprises a finger pull for ease of removal by the end user.
  • Figure 1 shows a lever operated valve suitable for use with gas and/or liquid containing cylinders
  • Figure 2 shows the valve of Figure 1 further comprising a tamper evidence device.
  • Figure 1 shows a lever operated valve assembly 10 attached to the top of a cylinder 100.
  • the valve assembly 10 comprises a valve body 2 and a lever 20 for operating the valve.
  • the valve body is substantially covered by plastic casework 3.
  • the casework 3 protects the valve body 2 and provides a neater overall appearance.
  • the lever 20 is pivotally connected to the top of the body 2 and is arranged in use to pivot upwardly to open the valve seat (not shown) and to allow the contents of the cylinder to exit through outlet 1 1 .
  • the valve body 2 comprises an elongate lug 4 which protrudes through the casework 3.
  • the elongate lug 4 comprises an elongate opening 7.
  • the lever 20 similarly comprises a lug 6 having an opening 8 formed therein.
  • the elongate lug 4 and the lug 6 lie in substantially the same plane and proximate to one another.
  • the opening 8 in the lug 6 overlies the upper portion of the elongate opening 7 in the elongate lug 4.
  • a padlock 5, or other suitable locking device may be placed through the opening 8 and the elongate opening 7 so that the lever 20 may not be pivoted upwardly to open the valve.
  • the padlock When it is desired to actuate the lever 20 to open the valve, the padlock may be removed and safely stored on the lower portion of the elongate opening 7 as shown in Figure 1 .
  • a taper evidence device 30 may be used with the valve assembly 10 of the present invention.
  • the tamper evidence device 30 comprises a frangible stalk 32 and a finger pull opening 36.
  • the frangible stalk 32 terminates in a widened portion 34 comprising a split (not shown) at its centre.
  • the frangible stalk is arranged so that it may be pushed through the opening 8 in the lug 6 and the opening 7 in the lug 4 without damaging the stalk. This is achieved by the split portions of the widened portion 34 moving towards one another as the stalk 32 is pushed through the openings 7, 8, and then springing apart from one another when the widened portion 34 has passed fully through the openings 7, 8.
  • the proximal end of the widened portion 34 comprises a shoulder which abuts the rear of the elongate lug 4 in use.
  • the strength of the stalk 32 residing, in use, in the openings 7, 8 is not sufficient to allow the tamper evidence device 30 to be pulled from the lugs 4, 6 without breaking the stalk 32. Thus, a broken or missing tamper evidence device 30 indicates that tampering may have occurred.
  • the finger pull opening 36 is provided for ease of removal by the end user.
  • lever 20 be locked to the body 2 by means of lugs 4, 6.
  • an opening may be provided in the body of the lever 20 which may be locked to a lug, or other fastening point on the body 2.
  • a hole or lug, or other suitable fastening point may be provided in the casework 3.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Preventing Unauthorised Actuation Of Valves (AREA)

Abstract

A lockable valve assembly comprising a valve body and a lever for opening the valve, The valve body having a first fastening point comprising a first opening and the lever comprising a second fastening point having a second opening. The openings are arranged so that when the valve is closed the second fastening point may be locked to the first fastening point by means of a locking member. A tamper evidence device for use with the valve assembly is also disclosed.

Description

Lockable Valve Assembly
This invention relates to valve assembly capable of being locked to prevent unauthorised or accidental use of the valve assembly. Specifically, the present invention relates to a lockable lever operated valve assembly.
Cylinders containing compressed or cryogenic gasses are common in the home, in medical settings and in industry. Such cylinders are often employed to contain noxious, explosive and/or expensive gases. It may be desirable to prevent unauthorised or accidental use of a gas cylinder to prevent accident, theft or tampering.
FR 2774452 discloses a lever operated valve located within a substantially enclosed valve guard. The lever controlling operation of the valve may be locked to or within the valve guard.
The present invention provides a valve assembly comprising a valve body having a first fastening point comprising a first opening; and a lever for operating the valve, the lever having a second fastening point comprising a second opening, wherein the valve assembly is arranged so that, in use, when the lever is in a closed position, the second opening may be locked to the first opening by means of a locking member. The valve assembly of the present invention may be locked in the closed position whether located within a valve guard or not. In addition the valve provides a suitable location for a tamper evidence device which may be readily inserted at the site of cylinder filling.
The first and/or second fastening points may preferably be lugs and the first opening may preferably be an elongate opening. This provides flexible manufacturing options. In one example, the first opening is an opening in the valve body or valve body casework. Similarly, the second opening may preferably be an opening in the lever. In these cases the valve assembly may benefit from being more compact and neat. A tamper evidence device may preferably be provided and arranged, in use, to be at least partially located in the first and second openings. The tamper evidence device may preferably comprise a stalk arranged to be inserted, in use, in the first and second openings, wherein the stalk is arranged so that the tamper evidence device may not be removed from the first and second openings without breaking the stalk. The tamper evidence device may preferably comprise a finger pull.
The present invention also provides a tamper evidence device for use with the valve comprising a stalk arranged to be inserted, in use, in the first and second openings, wherein the stalk is arranged so that the tamper evidence device may not be removed from the first and second openings without breaking the stalk.
Preferably the tamper evidence device comprises a finger pull for ease of removal by the end user.
An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:
Figure 1 shows a lever operated valve suitable for use with gas and/or liquid containing cylinders; and
Figure 2 shows the valve of Figure 1 further comprising a tamper evidence device. Figure 1 shows a lever operated valve assembly 10 attached to the top of a cylinder 100. The valve assembly 10 comprises a valve body 2 and a lever 20 for operating the valve. The valve body is substantially covered by plastic casework 3. The casework 3 protects the valve body 2 and provides a neater overall appearance. The lever 20 is pivotally connected to the top of the body 2 and is arranged in use to pivot upwardly to open the valve seat (not shown) and to allow the contents of the cylinder to exit through outlet 1 1 . The valve body 2 comprises an elongate lug 4 which protrudes through the casework 3. The elongate lug 4 comprises an elongate opening 7. The lever 20 similarly comprises a lug 6 having an opening 8 formed therein. When the lever is in the downward/closed position, such that the valve seat is closed, the elongate lug 4 and the lug 6 lie in substantially the same plane and proximate to one another. In this position, the opening 8 in the lug 6 overlies the upper portion of the elongate opening 7 in the elongate lug 4. In use, in order to lock the lever 20 to the valve body 2, a padlock 5, or other suitable locking device, may be placed through the opening 8 and the elongate opening 7 so that the lever 20 may not be pivoted upwardly to open the valve.
When it is desired to actuate the lever 20 to open the valve, the padlock may be removed and safely stored on the lower portion of the elongate opening 7 as shown in Figure 1 .
It is often desirable to provide evidence to demonstrate to an end user that the contents of a cylinder has not been used or tampered with during transit from the filling location. Such tamper evidence is often provided in the form of a shrink wrap sleeve which encloses the valve assembly 10. Such shrink wrap is time consuming to apply.
As shown in Figure 2, a taper evidence device 30 may be used with the valve assembly 10 of the present invention. The tamper evidence device 30 comprises a frangible stalk 32 and a finger pull opening 36. The frangible stalk 32 terminates in a widened portion 34 comprising a split (not shown) at its centre. The frangible stalk is arranged so that it may be pushed through the opening 8 in the lug 6 and the opening 7 in the lug 4 without damaging the stalk. This is achieved by the split portions of the widened portion 34 moving towards one another as the stalk 32 is pushed through the openings 7, 8, and then springing apart from one another when the widened portion 34 has passed fully through the openings 7, 8. The proximal end of the widened portion 34 comprises a shoulder which abuts the rear of the elongate lug 4 in use. The strength of the stalk 32 residing, in use, in the openings 7, 8 is not sufficient to allow the tamper evidence device 30 to be pulled from the lugs 4, 6 without breaking the stalk 32. Thus, a broken or missing tamper evidence device 30 indicates that tampering may have occurred. The finger pull opening 36 is provided for ease of removal by the end user.
It is not necessary that the lever 20 be locked to the body 2 by means of lugs 4, 6. In an alternative example, an opening may be provided in the body of the lever 20 which may be locked to a lug, or other fastening point on the body 2. Alternatively a hole or lug, or other suitable fastening point, may be provided in the casework 3.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1 . A valve assembly comprising: a valve body having a first fastening point comprising a first opening; and a lever for operating the valve, the lever having a second fastening point comprising a second opening, wherein the valve assembly is arranged so that, in use, when the lever is in a closed position, the second opening may be locked to the first opening by means of a locking member.
2. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first fastening point is a lug.
3. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the second fastening point is a lug.
4. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the first opening is an elongate opening.
5. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first opening is an opening in the valve body.
6 A valve assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first opening is an opening in a casework of the valve body.
7. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second opening is an opening in the lever.
8. A valve assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a tamper evidence device arranged, in use, to be at least partially located in the first and second openings.
9. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tamper evidence device comprises a stalk arranged to be inserted, in use, in the first and second openings, wherein the stalk is arranged so that the tamper evidence device may not be removed from the first and second openings without breaking the stalk.
10. A valve assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the tamper evidence device comprises a finger pull.
1 1 . A tamper evidence device for use with the valve of any preceding claim, comprising a stalk arranged to be inserted, in use, in the first and second openings, wherein the stalk is arranged so that the tamper evidence device may not be removed from the first and second openings without breaking the stalk.
12. A tamper evidence device as clamed in claim 1 1 comprising a finger pull.
PCT/EP2014/058446 2013-04-25 2014-04-25 Lockable valve assembly Ceased WO2014174071A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB201307472A GB201307472D0 (en) 2013-04-25 2013-04-25 Valve lock
GB1307472.9 2013-04-25

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2014174071A2 true WO2014174071A2 (en) 2014-10-30
WO2014174071A3 WO2014174071A3 (en) 2014-12-24

Family

ID=48626813

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2014/058446 Ceased WO2014174071A2 (en) 2013-04-25 2014-04-25 Lockable valve assembly

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB201307472D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2014174071A2 (en)

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS56116971A (en) * 1980-02-19 1981-09-14 Hiroshi Imanishi Cock device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201307472D0 (en) 2013-06-12
WO2014174071A3 (en) 2014-12-24

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