WO2015132495A1

WO2015132495A1 - Gas distribution tap with fixed based and mobile cap

Info

Publication number: WO2015132495A1
Application number: PCT/FR2015/050324
Authority: WO
Inventors: Glenn VAN INGELGEM
Original assignee: Air Liquide Sante Services
Priority date: 2014-03-07
Filing date: 2015-02-10
Publication date: 2015-09-11
Also published as: FR3018330A1; EP3114390B1; EP3114390A1; FR3018330B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a gas distribution tap (1) comprising a base (2) and an internal gas pressure regulating system (20, 21, 22). A cap (12) surmounts the base (2), said cap (12) being movable with respect to the base (2) between at least a closed position in which the cap (12) pushes the pressure regulating valve (20) of the internal gas pressure regulating system (20, 21, 22) back against the valve seat (21) so as to completely shut off the pressure regulating orifice (22) and prevent any regulation of the gas, and a pressure regulating position in which the cap (12) allows the pressure regulating valve (20) to move away from the valve seat (21) by a given distance so as to uncover the pressure regulating orifice (22) and allow a reduction in pressure of the gas between the valve (20) and the valve seat (21). An elastic element (13) pushes elastically on the cap (12) in a direction that tends to move it away from the base (2) in order to cause it to switch from the closed position to the pressure regulating position. Gas container (30) equipped with such a tap (1) and use thereof for distributing the gas, notably oxygen.

Description

Gas valve with fixed flange and movable cap

The invention relates to a gas distribution valve comprising an integrated gas expansion system, and a gas container, such as a gas cylinder, equipped with such a valve, and their use for dispensing oxygen. medical.

When an individual is suffering from a malaise or an accident outside and / or away from a health care facility, such as a hospital or the like, it may be administered continuously by inhalation of oxygen gas while waiting for the arrival of emergency services or emergency services, such as ambulance, fireman, emergency doctor ...

To do this, it is conventional to use a gaseous oxygen cylinder, in which oxygen is stored at a pressure of up to several hundred bar.

The pressure of the oxygen delivered to the victim can be reduced to a low pressure, for example of the order of 3 to 5 bar, within an integrated pressure regulator valve block, commonly called "RDI block" or more simply "RDI", arranged on the gas bottle. The gas outlet of the RDI block is fluidly connected to a respiratory interface, such as a mask or respiratory goggles, via a flexible conduit for example that conveys low pressure oxygen to the respiratory interface.

However, existing gas distribution assemblies comprising a gas cylinder equipped with an integrated expansion valve and possibly accessories, such as an insufflator and a mask, are not suitable for use in this type of victims.

Indeed, they require prior training to be used, while those present during a discomfort are very rarely trained and able to use such a set. Thus, the assembly and connection between them of different equipment and materials can be problematic because of too great complexity, and in particular the implementation of the RDI itself.

US-A-2,199,040 teaches a gas distribution valve comprising a base and an internal gas expansion system. A movable cap overcomes the base. In a closed position, the valve seat completely closes the expansion hole and prevents any expansion of gas. In a detent position, the relief valve moves away from a given distance from the valve seat so as to release the expansion orifice and allow a reduction in gas pressure. To push back the cap and move it from the closed position to the relaxed position, the user acts on a pivoting lever that will push a spring and act on a diaphragm that will push the cap and then release the trigger hole. Such an architecture is complex. In addition, with such an arrangement, the opening of the valve, after its actuation by the user, is not irreversible and depends on the operation of the lever, which is not practical in the case of use in an emergency medical situation for example.

In view of this, the problem is to propose a gas dispensing valve, in particular medical oxygen, and a gas container equipped with such a tap that is easy to use, even for a person not formed or having no knowledge or experience in the handling of such a gas valve, and which can be used quickly to assist an individual suffering from a malaise or an accident, outside and / or away from a hospital or similar type of care establishment, for example in a public place or in a small medical or medical office type medical facility.

The solution of the invention is based on a gas distribution valve, in particular for a medical oxygen bottle, comprising a base and an internal gas expansion system, in which:

the internal gas expansion system comprises a relief valve cooperating with a valve seat at the level of which an expansion orifice opens, and

the base comprises a high pressure gas inlet orifice and is crossed by a high pressure gas passage fluidly connecting said high pressure gas inlet port to the expansion orifice of the valve seat;

said valve further comprising:

- A cap surmounting the base and having a low pressure gas passage opening at a gas outlet orifice, said cap being movable relative to the base between at least:

. a closed position in which the cap pushes the relief valve against the valve seat so as to completely close the expansion orifice and prevent any expansion of gas, and

. a detent position in which the cap allows the expansion valve to move away from a given distance from the valve seat so as to release the expansion orifice and to allow a reduction in gas pressure between the valve and the seat of valve, and a circulation of low pressure gas in the gas passage at low pressure of the cap, at least one elastic element elastically pushing the cap in a direction tending to move it away from the base to move it from the closed position to the detent position, and

- A locking device cooperating with the base and the cap to hold the cap in the closed position, the locking device comprising at least one locking pin and a gripping member that can be manually gripped by a user, characterized in that the locking rod of the locking device passes through a passage of the cap and cooperates with a housing of the base to maintain the cap in the closed position.

Depending on the case, the gas distribution valve of the invention may comprise one or more of the following technical characteristics:

- The cap is movable in translation relative to the base.

- The locking rod of the locking device is secured to the gripping member.

- The gripping member is a handle.

- The cap is guided during its movement between the closed position and the detent position, preferably it is guided by one or more pins, abutments, guide rails or the like.

the elastic element is arranged between the base and the cap.

- The rod is removed from the housing and the passageway in the cap, when the user operates a pull on the handle.

- Extracting or removing the rod from the housing and the passage in the cap, releases the cap, releases the spring and allows said spring to push the cap to the detent position.

- Extraction or withdrawal of the rod out of the housing and the passageway in the cap is irreversible.

- The locking rod of the locking device passes through a passage of the cap and cooperates with a housing of the base to maintain the cap in the closed position. Conversely, a withdrawal of the rod from the housing of the base allows movement of the cap from the closed position to the detent position due to the action of the elastic member.

- The cap forms a sleeve sliding around a portion of the base.

- The cap acts on the expansion valve via at least one actuator element, preferably the actuator element is arranged between the cap and the base. - The elastic element acts on the actuator element to elastically push the cap in a direction tending to move away from the base.

the elastic element comprises at least one spring.

the cap comprises an outlet connection through which the gas passage passes at low pressure and carrying the gas outlet orifice.

- The outlet fitting projects vertically and coaxially to the axis (AA) of the valve.

- The base further comprises a fixing end shaped to allow attachment of the valve on a gas container.

- The fixing end carries a thread for fixing by screwing the valve on a gas container.

- The actuator element comprises an elongate tubular portion comprising an internal passage for the low pressure gas and carrying at one of its ends, a flange integral with the tubular portion.

- The actuator element acts on the expansion valve via its other end or free end.

- The elastic element acts on the actuator element to elastically push the cap in a direction tending to move away from the base.

the elastic element acts on the flange of the actuator element.

- The internal passage of the elongated tubular portion of the actuator element is in fluid communication with the low pressure gas passage of the cap.

- It further comprises a sleeve part comprising an internal passage in which the actuator element slides during the transition from the closed position to the detent position.

the sleeve part comprises a peripheral shoulder on which the elastic element acts.

- The base, the cap, the sleeve part and the actuator element are formed of at least one material selected from copper alloys, including brass, steels and stainless steels.

the base comprises a filling port.

the base comprises a needle or electronic pressure gauge.

The invention further relates to a gas container, such as a gas bottle, comprising a container body adapted to and adapted to contain pressurized gas and a valve according to the invention attached to said container body, preferably the gas is oxygen. The invention further relates to a use of a gas container, such as a gas cylinder, as described above equipped with a valve according to the invention for storing and dispensing a gas, in particular oxygen medical quality.

The invention will now be better understood thanks to the following detailed description, given by way of illustration but without limitation, with reference to the appended figures among which:

FIG. 1 represents an embodiment of a gas distribution valve according to the invention,

- Figure 2 shows the valve of Figure 1 attached to a gas cylinder,

3 and 4 are views in longitudinal section of the tap of FIGS. 1 and 2,

and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the valve expansion system of FIG. 3. FIGS. 1 to 5 show an embodiment of a gas distribution valve 1, in particular of medical oxygen, according to FIG. invention intended to equip a gas container 30, preferably a gas bottle, typically a small gas bottle having for example a water capacity of less than 4 liters, typically of the order of 2 to 2.9 liters.

This valve 1 is of the integrated pressure reducer type, that is to say it incorporates an internal gas expansion system 20, 21, 22 comprising, in a conventional manner, an expansion valve 20 cooperating with a valve seat 21 at which opens an expansion orifice 22.

This expansion system 20, 21, 22 reduces the pressure of the gas, that is to say, to relax the gas at high pressure, that is to say at a high pressure of up to several hundred bar, for example 130 to 200 bar, in low pressure gas, that is to say at a pressure compatible with its administration by inhalation to a patient, typically at a low pressure of the order of a few bar.

This reduction in pressure takes place between the valve 20 and the valve seat 21, the high-pressure gas arriving via the expansion orifice 22 located at the valve seat 21.

The particular design of the valve 1 according to the invention makes its use very intuitive and easy, including by people not previously trained in the handling of medical gases bottled.

It is therefore perfectly suited to implementation in emergency situations, in particular to a victim of discomfort or an accident when it is outside and / or far from any healthcare establishment, such as a hospital. or the like. An oxygen cylinder equipped with a tap 1 according to the invention is capable of supplying medical oxygen for at least 30 minutes at a predetermined constant flow rate of 9 NL / min (ie NL = quantity in liter of 0 ₂ measured at 20 ° C and atmospheric pressure), for an oxygen cylinder about 15 cm in diameter and 60 cm in height.

This valve 1 is also gas-tight, compact, lightweight, easy to open but impossible to close after opening / release of the gas, as explained below.

The valve 1 of the invention is formed of several parts cooperating with each other as explained below.

In particular, it comprises a base 2 forming the lower part of the valve 1 and a movable cap 12 which overcomes the base 2 and forms the upper part of the valve 1.

The base 2 comprises an attachment end 6 shaped to allow attachment of the valve 1 on the neck of a gas bottle 30. Typically, this fixing end 6 is cylindrical, conical or frustoconical and has an external thread 8 allowing a fixing by screwing the valve 1 to the threaded neck of a gas container 30, that is to say at the outlet of the hollow cylindrical body 31 containing the gas.

A high-pressure gas inlet 3 is provided on said fixing end 6 and makes it possible to put in fluid communication the internal volume of the gas container 30 and a high-pressure gas passage 5 passing through the base 2.

The high pressure gas passage 5 is an internal conduit that fluidly connects said high pressure gas inlet port 3 to the expansion port 22 of the aforementioned gas expansion system 20, 21, 22. It enables the high pressure gas, for example oxygen at a pressure between 150 and 200 bar, to be conveyed from the gas container to said gas expansion system 20, 21, 22 where it can undergo a reduction. pressure as explained above.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the base 2 is surmounted by a cap 12 having the shape of a cup, a bell or the like, which comprises a passage of low-pressure gas opening out at an outlet orifice. of gas 4, such as a calibrated orifice delivering a given flow rate of gas, carried here by a gas outlet connector 7, for example olive type, which has just connected a flexible conduit for feeding a respiratory interface, such as a mask or analog, serving to supply the patient with oxygen.

The gas outlet connection 7 is carried by the upper end 12a of the cap 12 and protrudes upwards, that is to say vertically and coaxially with the axis AA of the valve, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, so as to allow easy connection of the flexible conduit by the user.

The lower end 12b of the cap 12 forms a skirt or sleeve movable around a portion of the base 1, that is to say the upper part of the base 2. More specifically, the cap 12 is mobile in translation relative to the base 2 between at least one so-called "closing" position and a so-called "relaxation" position.

The cap 2 is retained on the base 2 to prevent it separates by two pins or abutments 41, 42 (see Figure 4). They also guide the cap 2 during its passage from the closed position to that of relaxation. Of course, any other holding and / or guiding system can be used.

In the closed position, the cap 12 acts directly or indirectly on the expansion valve 20 to push said expansion valve 20 against the valve seat 21 so as to completely close the expansion orifice 22 and thus to prevent any expansion of gas within the expansion system 20, 21, 22. Since the gas can not escape through the expansion orifice 22, no pressure reduction of the gas can take place and it is then kept confined in the 2, in particular in the high pressure gas passage 5 passing through the base 2. Figures 3 to 5 illustrate the closed position.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, it can be seen that the cap 12 acts indirectly on the expansion valve 20 since it acts on it by means of an actuator element 16, arranged between the cap 12 and the base 2.

The actuator element 16 comprises an elongated tubular portion 24 with an internal passage 25 for the low-pressure gas and carrying, at one of its ends 24b, a ring or flange 23 integral with the tubular portion 24.

As best seen in Figure 5, the outer face of the flange 23 is in contact (in 26) with the inner wall of the cap 12 and the elastic member 13 comes to exert an elastic force on the inner face of the flange 23 so as to push the flange 23 towards the cap 12. Moreover, the free end 24a of the elongated tubular portion 24 itself acts mechanically on the valve 20 relaxation.

Conversely, in the relaxed position, the cap 12 is slightly upwardly shifted under the effect of the restoring force exerted by the elastic element 13 which pushes back the actuator element 16 and the cap 12, which allows the expansion valve 20 to move away from a given distance, preferably prefixed, of the valve seat 21 so as to release the expansion orifice 22 and thus to allow a reduction in pressure of the gas by passing it between the valve 20 and the valve seat 21. The low pressure gas thus obtained, by oxygen at a pressure of the order of 4 to 5 bar is discharged through the passage of low pressure gas 15 of the cap 12 and delivered by the low pressure gas outlet port 4 carried by the connector 7 .

As already said, the elastic element (s) 13, such as a spring, arranged between the cap 12 and the base 2, exerts a force tending to elastically push the cap 12 away from the base 2 for the move from the closed position to the relaxed position.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, the elastic element 13 bears, at its upper end 13b, on the flange 23 of the actuating element 16 and, at its lower end 13a, on a sleeve part 19, which comprises a peripheral shoulder 27. More specifically, the lower end 13a of the elastic element 13 presses on the upper face of said peripheral shoulder 27, while the lower face of the peripheral shoulder 27 comes to bear (in 28 ) on the base 2.

The sleeve part 19 comprises a cylindrical internal passage in which the actuating element 16 slides and, more specifically, the free end 24a of the tubular part 24 of said actuator element 16, when the cap 12 moves in translation relative to the base 2 between the closed position and the expansion position, under the effect of the elastic force resulting from the elastic element 13. Here, the expansion valve 20 is also arranged in the cylindrical internal passage of the sleeve part 19.

It will be understood that the high-pressure gas exiting the gas cylinder 30 is first conveyed through the high-pressure gas passage 5, then is expanded to the desired low-pressure value between the valve 20 and the seat The low-pressure gas thus obtained then passes through the inner conduit 25 of the actuator element 16 and finally the passage of low-pressure gas 15 from the cap 12, before emerging at the outlet orifice. of gas 4.

The fluidic sealing of all the internal elements of the valve is provided by seals 18 or the like, for example O-rings, located in particular between the actuator element 16 and, on the one hand, the cap 12 and, on the other hand, the sleeve part 19, and also between said sleeve part 19 and the base 2.

Thus, it can be seen in FIG. 5, seals 18 arranged in grooves or the like carried by the flange 16 and the elongate tubular portion 24 of the actuator element 16, and also by the shoulder 27 of the sleeve part 19 . The valve 1 of the invention ensures a leak rate of about 10 ^{~ 5} , therefore 100 times lower than the value recommended by ISO 10524-3.

Furthermore, it can be seen in FIG. 3 that the valve 1 also comprises a manometer 9 fluidly connected, via a pressure taking duct 10, to the passage of high-pressure gas 5 from the base 2.

Preferably, the base 2, the cap 2 and the other elements, such as the sleeve part 19 and the actuator element 16, are advantageously made of materials that do not react with oxygen to avoid any risk of combustion, for example copper alloy, such as brass, steel, ceramic or other.

In addition, the valve 1 also comprises, at the base 2, a filling port 35, visible in Figure 4, which can be connected a tool type "filling pliers". The filling port 35 is in fluid communication with the high pressure gas passage 5 passing through the base 2. It is used to introduce gas into the container 30 when it is empty.

Typically, the filling port 35 comprises a filling orifice 36, a filling spring 37 acting on a ball 38 and an internal passage 39 fluidly connecting the filling orifice 36 to the high-pressure gas passage 5. A plug 40 closing condemns access to the housing comprising the ball 38 and the spring 37.

Furthermore, an actuating handle 11 allows a quick and irreversible opening of the valve after its actuation by the user, and therefore a release of oxygen. The fact that the gas distribution is irreversible is particularly important in the present case because a gas cylinder thus equipped can be used easily in emergency situations, including by users who are not trained to use this gas. type of bottle.

More specifically, the handle 11 carries one (or more) rod 14 acting as a pin.

In the closed position, this (or these) rod 14 (see FIGS. 3 and 5) passes through an orifice or passage formed in the cap 12 and engages in a housing 42 arranged in the base 2 so as to prevent that the spring 13 can not push the cap 12 upwards. In other words, the rod 14 is integral with the handle 11 and serves to block the action of the spring 13 and prevent it from pushing the cap 12 to the detent position. The closure of the valve is thus ensured by a locking of the expansion valve 20 on the seat 21 high pressure. Blocking is performed during the installation of the cap 12 and its holding in the closed position using the rod 14.

By cons, when the user pulls on the handle 11, the rod 14 is then extracted from the housing 42 and the orifice or passage arranged in the cap 12, which releases the cap 12, unlocks the spring 13 and allows it to push the cap 12 towards the position of relaxation. We then witness an opening of the tap and a release of the gas. The pressure of the gas within the valve 1 makes it impossible to close and repositioning of the rod 14 is not possible. It follows that once the gas is released, the valve 1 delivers gas until the bottle 30 is completely empty.

Preferably, the surface of the rod 14 is chemically treated to reduce the frictional forces, thus minimizing the force required for its extraction from the housing 42, and thus facilitate its sliding through the orifice or passage in the cover 12 in particular, and its extraction.

Although the faucet of the invention has been shown and explained in association with a medical oxygen cylinder, it can also be used with another kind of container and / or with other gases whether medical or not, for example, air, a mixture of N _2/0 ₂ or He / 0 _2.

Claims

claims

A gas distribution valve (1) comprising a base (2) and an internal gas expansion system (20, 21, 22), wherein:

the internal gas expansion system (20, 21, 22) comprises an expansion valve (20) cooperating with a valve seat (21) at the level of which an expansion orifice (22) opens, and

the base (2) comprises a high-pressure gas inlet (3) and is traversed by a high-pressure gas passage (5) fluidly connecting said high-pressure gas inlet (3) at the expansion orifice (22) of the valve seat (21), said valve (1) further comprising:

- a cap (12) surmounting the base (2) and having a low pressure gas passage (15) opening at a gas outlet port (4), said cap (12) being movable relative to the base (2) between at least:

. a closing position in which the cap (12) pushes the expansion valve (20) against the valve seat (21) so as to completely close the expansion orifice (22) and prevent any expansion of gas, and

. a detent position in which the cap (12) allows the expansion valve (20) to move away from a given distance from the valve seat (21) so as to release the expansion orifice (22) and allow a pressure reduction of the gas between the valve (20) and the valve seat (21), and a circulation of the low pressure gas in the low pressure gas passage (15) of the cap (12),

- at least one resilient element (13) elastically pushing the cap (12) in a direction tending to move away from the base (2) to move it from the closed position to the detent position,

a locking device (11, 14) cooperating with the base (2) and the cap (12) to hold the cap (12) in the closed position, the locking device (1 1, 14) comprising at least one locking rod (14) and a gripping member (11) which can be manually grasped by a user,

characterized in that the locking rod (14) of the locking device (11, 14) passes through a passage of the cap (12) and cooperates with a housing (42) of the base (2) to hold the cap (12). ) in the closed position.

2. Tap according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cap (12) is movable in translation relative to the base (2).

3. Tap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic element (13) is arranged between the base (2) and the cap (12).

4. Tap according to claim 2, characterized in that the gripping member (11) is a handle.

5. Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rod (14) is extracted from the housing (42) and the passage arranged in the cap (12), when the user operates a pull on the handle ( 11).

6. Tap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the extraction of the rod (14) out of the housing (42) and the passage arranged in the cap (12), releases the cap (12), unblocks the spring (13) and allows said spring (13) to push the cap (12) towards the detent position

7. Tap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cap (12) acts on the expansion valve (20) via at least one actuator element (16) arranged between the cap (12) and the base (2).

8. Valve according to claim 7, characterized in that the actuator element (16) comprises an elongated tubular portion (24) comprising an internal passage (25) of gas and carrying, at one of its ends (24b), a flange (23) integral with the tubular portion (24).

9. Tap according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the elastic element (13) acts on the actuator element (16) to elastically push the cap (12) in a direction tending to move away from the base (2), preferably the elastic element (13) acts on the flange (23) of the actuator element (16).

10. Tap according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises a sleeve part (19) comprising an internal passage in which slides the actuator element (16) during the transition from the closed position to the detent position.

11. Tap according to claim 10, characterized in that the sleeve part (19) comprises a peripheral shoulder (27) on which acts the elastic element

(13).

Valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that:

- The base (2) further comprises a fixing end (6) shaped to allow attachment of the valve (1) on a gas container, preferably the fixing end (6) carries a thread (8) allowing a fixing by screwing the valve (1) on a gas container, and / or

the cap (12) has an outlet connection (7) through which the low-pressure gas passage (15) passes and carries the gas outlet (4), preferably the outlet connection (7) projects vertically and coaxially to the axis (AA) of the valve (1).

A gas container (30) comprising a container body (31) adapted to and adapted to contain pressurized gas and a valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims attached to said container body (31).

14. Use of a gas container (30) according to claim 13 for storing and dispensing a gas, in particular oxygen.