WO2020254361A1

WO2020254361A1 - Valve with integrated temperature sensor for compressed gas cylinder

Info

Publication number: WO2020254361A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/066698
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephan Sellen; Frank Heser; Philippe SCHMITZ
Original assignee: Luxembourg Patent Company S.A.
Priority date: 2019-06-18
Filing date: 2020-06-17
Publication date: 2020-12-24
Also published as: LU101271B1

Abstract

The invention is directed to a device (2) for being mounted on a compressed gas cylinder, comprising a body (4) with a longitudinally protruding threaded portion (4.2) for engaging with a neck of the compressed gas cylinder, and a through-hole (12) extending longitudinally along the body (4) and the longitudinally protruding threaded portion (4.2); a tube (10) extending through the through-hole (12) in the body and housing, at a closed distal end (10.1) of said tube, a temperature sensor for the compressed gas; wherein the tube (10) comprises a proximal end (10.2) forming a shoulder (10.2.1) resting on a bottom (4.1.2) of a bore (4.1.1) formed in the body (4).

Description

VALVE WITH INTEGRATED TEMPERATURE SENSOR FOR COMPRESSED

GAS CYLINDER

Technical field

[0001 ] The invention is directed to the field of devices to be mounted on compressed gas cylinders, more particularly for such devices with a temperature measurement function and optionally with one or several valve functions.

Background art

[0002] For certain types of compressed gas and/or for certain applications it is desirable to measure the temperature of the gas in the gas cylinder. For a proper measurement, it is necessary to measure the temperature at a certain depth in the gas cylinder, i.e. in contact with the liquefied gas when the latter is at a certain level in said cylinder.

[0003] Prior art patent document published US 2009/0277531 A1 discloses a method for filling a gas cylinder using a connector mounted on the neck of the gas cylinder where the connector comprises a body and an extension extending through the body and supporting a temperature sensor located deep inside the gas cylinder. That document does not however provide any details as to how the temperature sensor and its supporting extension are mounted on the body.

[0004] Prior art patent document published US 4,772,132 discloses a sensor device for fluidic applications. The device comprises a body with a fitting of the union nut type for a fluidic connection to a fluidic installation. A pipe extends along a through-hole formed in the body and houses in a closed distal end thereof a temperature sensor. The tube is adjustably in position and fixed to the body in a sealed manner by means of a packing box threadably engaged with the body. Such a sealing is however not appropriate for high pressure application as in compressed gas cylinder, e.g. above 50 bars.

Summary of invention

Technical Problem [0005] The invention has for technical problem to overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the above cited prior art. More particularly, the invention has for technical problem to provide a device for sensing temperature in a compressed gas cylinder that is reliable and easy to assemble.

Technical solution

[0006] The invention is directed to a device for being mounted on a compressed gas cylinder, comprising a body with a longitudinally protruding threaded portion for engaging with a neck of the compressed gas cylinder, and a through-hole extending longitudinally along the body and the protruding threaded portion; a tube extending through the through-hole in the body and housing, at a closed distal end of said tube, a temperature sensor for the compressed gas; wherein the tube comprises a proximal end forming a shoulder resting on a bottom of a bore formed in the body.

[0007] According to a preferred embodiment, a gasket is provided around the proximal end of the tube, adjacent to the shoulder and forming with the body a gas tight barrier for the compressed gas.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment, the proximal end of the tube forms a disk, and the body comprises a plug closing the bore and pressing said proximal end against the bottom of said bore. The plug can show an outer thread engaging an inner thread formed in the bore.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment, the proximal end of the tube has a recess on a face opposed to the rest of the tube, said recess housing an electrical connector connected to wires of the sensor, said wires extending through and along the tube.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the proximal end of the tube is welded to the rest of said tube.

[001 1 ] According to a preferred embodiment, the through-hole forms, around the tube, an annular gas passage from the distal end to the proximal end of the tube.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a cylindrical filter extending around the tube at a radial distance from said tube and said through-hole. [0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the through-hole forms, around the tube and adjacent to the proximal end of said tube, a chamber fluidly downstream of the cylindrical filter, where said cylindrical filter is mounted such that the gas for reaching said chamber necessarily traverses said filter.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the cylindrical filter comprises a distal end fitted on the tube and a proximal end fitted on the through-hole

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the proximal end of the cylindrical filter comprises an annular rib resting on an inner shoulder formed in the through-hole and held, on a face of said annular rib that is opposite to the shoulder, by a spacer around the tube, said spacer being pressed by the proximal end of the tube.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the longitudinally protruding threaded portion of the body comprises a distal end circumferentially contacting the tube and with at least one hole inclined relative to the longitudinal axis fluidly connecting the annular passage with the outside.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the distal end of the longitudinally protruding threaded portion of the body is a separate part attached to a remaining part of the longitudinally protruding threaded portion.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment, the remaining part of the longitudinally protruding threaded portion comprises a recessed front face crossed by the through-hole and engaged by a protruding portion of the separate part, said part being held in the engaged position by a screw extending longitudinally and off-set.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the longitudinally protruding threaded portion of the body comprises an intermediate sub-portion with the thread and a gasket in a circular groove between said intermediate sub-portion and the distal end.

Advantages of the invention

[0020] The invention is particularly interesting in that the construction of the device is rendered more simple and reliable, and its assembly is thereby rendered easier and safer. Indeed, various tubes of different lengths can be mounted into the body in a gas tight fashion, thereby providing a safe and versatile device. This is particularly advantageous for hydrogen applications where the tanks walls show a large thickness, meaning that the protruding threaded portion of the device body is longer while showing a limited diameter. Under these circumstances, the space available, i.e. radially, is limited. The device can comprise various valve functions, like a pressure relief valve, shut-off valve, a pressure reducer, and any combination thereof.

Brief description of the drawings

[0021 ] Figure 1 is a plan view of a device according to the invention.

[0022] Figure 2 is a sectional view of the device of figure 1 , with detailed views of two areas.

Description of an embodiment

[0023] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 is a plan view of a device for being mounted on a compressed gas cylinder, according to the invention, and figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device of figure 1 .

[0024] With reference to figure 1 , the device 2 comprises a body 4 which itself essentially comprises an outer and upper portion 4.1 and a longitudinally protruding threaded portion 4.2. That latter portion 4.2 is intended to be inserted and screwed into a neck of a gas tank or cylinder. In the present embodiment, that longitudinally protruding threaded portion 4.2 is particularly long for it is designed for composite hydrogen tanks showing thick walls. For instance, the longitudinally protruding threaded portion 4.2 comprises a proximal sub-portion 4.2.1 , an intermediate threaded sub portion 4.2.2, a distal sub-portion 4.2.3 and a distal end 4.2.4. The proximal, intermediate and distal sub-portions 4.2.1 , 4.2.2 and 4.2.3 are unitary, i.e. made of the same material and forming a single continuous part whereas the distal end 4.2.4 is advantageously attached to the rest of the longitudinally protruding threaded portion 4.2, for instance specifically to the distal sub-portion 4.2.3.

[0025] The distal sub-portion 4.2.3 shows an external circular groove receiving a gasket 6, for instance an O-ring, for forming a gas tight barrier with the neck of the gas tank. The thread of the longitudinally protruding threaded portion 4.2 is for instance an outer thread that is specifically provided on the intermediate sub-portion 4.2.2. The sub-portion, more particularly its outer thread shows a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the rest of the longitudinally protruding threaded portion 4.2.

[0026] The distal end 4.2.4 of the longitudinally protruding threaded portion 4.2 is a separate part mounted and attached to the rest of the longitudinally protruding threaded portion 4.2 by means of the screws 8.

[0027] As this this is apparent in figure 1 , a tube 10 protrudes longitudinally out of the longitudinally protruding threaded portion 4.2, through the distal end 4.2.4 of that body portion 4.2. This tube 10 shows a closed distal end 10.1 that houses a temperature sensor.

[0028] Figure 2 illustrates the interior and construction of the device 2 shown in figure 1. As this is apparent, the tube 10 extends longitudinally through the whole body 4, along a through-hole 12 formed therein. The tube 10 shows, in addition to the distal end 10.1 , a proximal end 10.2 located in the outer and upper portion 4.1 of the body 4. The proximal end 10.2 forms a shoulder 10.2.1 that rests on a bottom 4.1.2 of a bore 4.1.1 formed in the upper and outer portion 4.1 of the body 4. Advantageously, the proximal end 10.2 comprises a disk 10.2.2 forming the shoulder 10.2.1. The disk 10.2.2 can show a recess 10.2.3 on a face thereof that is opposed to the shoulder. That recess forms a cavity that can house an electrical connector and/or a printed circuit board PCB or any kind of electronics useful for receiving and treating the signal provided by the sensor. The tube 10 is inserted into the through- hole 12 formed in the body 4, where the distal end 10.1 is inserted into the through-hole 12 via the bore 4.1.1 until it exits the distal end 4.2.4 of the longitudinally protruding threaded portion 4.2 of the body 4 and the shoulder 10.2.1 rests on the bottom 4.1.2. A plug 4.1.3 is then mounted so as to close the cavity of the bore 4.1.1 and press or at least hold the proximal portion 10.2 of the tube in position in the cavity of the bore 4.1.1. For instance, the plug 4.1.3 shows an outer thread that engages an inner thread formed in the bore 4.1.1. Other mounting solutions can be considered, e.g. with fastening screws.

[0029] A gasket 14, for instance an O-ring, is mounted around the tube 10, in contact with the shoulder 10.2.1 for contacting a sub-bore 4.1.4 of the upper and outer portion 4.1 of the body 4, and thereby forming a gas tight barrier. [0030] As this is apparent in figure 2, the through-hole 12 shows an inner diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the tube 10 so as to form an annular longitudinal passage 15 for the compressed gas.

[0031 ] The distal end part 4.2.4 of the longitudinally protruding threaded portion 4.2 of the body 4 shows a central hole 4.2.4.1 receiving and contacting the tube 10, and at least one hole 4.2.4.2 connecting the annular passage 15 with the outside (i.e. the inner of the gas tank when the device is mounted thereon). That at least one hole 4.2.4.2 has an axis inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the device (corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinally protruding threaded portion 4.2 of the body 4).

[0032] The compressed gas can then flow through the at least one hole 4.2.4.2 and along the annular passage 15 until the upper portion of said passage where various further passages and fluid connection can be provided.

[0033] A filter 16 can be provided around the tube 10, adjacent to the proximal end 10.2 of the tube 10. More specifically, the filter 16 shows a cylindrical filtering wall 16.1 , e.g. made of sintered metallic material, a distal end 16.2 that is fitted around the tube 10 and a proximal end 16.3 fitted on the through-hole 12. Even more specifically, the distal end 16.2 forms a ring attached to the filtering wall 16.1 and provided with an inner circular groove housing a gasket that contacts the outer surface of the tube 10 in a gas tight fashion. The proximal end 16.3 is a circular rib around the filtering wall 16.1 , attached thereto and received in a corresponding inner shoulder 4.1 .5 formed in the upper and outer portion 4.1 of the body 4. An annular spacer 18 can be provided in an annular chamber 20 located between the filter 16 and the proximal end 10.2 of the tube 10. The spacer 18 has a first side that rests against the proximal end 16.3 of the filter 16 and a second opposed side that rests against the proximal end 10.2 of the tube 10, preferably against an auxiliary shoulder thereof formed by an intermediate annular portion 10.2.4 adjacent to the shoulder 10.2.1 .

[0034] The chamber 20 can communicate, e.g. via drill-holes formed in the body 4, with one or several valve or valve functions provided on the device, which are not represented. During gas take-out, the compressed gas in the tank flows along the passage 15 via the at least one hole 4.2.4.2, for eventually reaching the filter 16. The gas then flows essentially radially through the filtering wall 16.1 towards the tube 10 and thereafter flows along the tube 10 to the chamber 20. Whole of the gas that flows to the chamber 20 passes through the filter 16 and is thereby filtered.

[0035] The assembly of the tube 10 and filter 16 is particularly easy in that the spacer 18 and the filter 16 are beforehand slid and fitted around the tube 10, in abutment against the intermediate annular portion 10.2.4 of the proximal end 10.2 of the tube 10. That assembly in then inserted into the through-hole 12 from the upper and outer portion 4.1 of the body 4 towards the distal end 4.2.4 of the longitudinally protruding threaded portion 4.2 of the body 4. The distal end 10.1 of the tube is inserted through the central hole 4.2.4.1 of the distal end 4.2.4 of the longitudinally protruding threaded portion 4.2 of the body 4, until the proximal end 10.2 of the tube 10 reaches the bore 4.1.1 in the upper and outer portion 4.1 of the body 4. The proximal end 10.2 of the tube 10 is centred so as to properly insert the filter 16 into the chamber 20 and the upper part of the through-hole 12, until the circular rib of the proximal end 16.3 of the filter 16 engages with the inner shoulder 4.1.5 formed in the upper and outer portion 4.1 of the body 4. At that moment, the gasket 14 engages with the sub-bore 4.1.4 of the upper and outer portion 4.1 of the body 4 and the shoulder 10.2.1 of the proximal end 10.2 of the tube 10 rests on the bottom 4.1.2 of the bore 4.1.1. The plug 4.1.3 can then be mounted in order to hold the proximal end 10.2 of the tube 10 in that position.

[0036] To avoid rotation of the tube 10, a pin 22 can be inserted longitudinally into a corresponding hole in the upper and outer portion 4.1 of the body 4, and engage with a corresponding hole or recess 10.2.5 formed in the proximal end 10.2 of the tube 10.

[0037] The tube can be manufactured out of a longer portion of tube for forming the central portion thereof, a machined plug for forming the distal end 10.1 and an upper part with a shorter portion of tube with the shoulder, machined out of a round bar, for forming the proximal end 10.2. The longer portion of tube can be arranged end to end against the shorter portion of tube of the upper part, as visible in the corresponding enlarged view in figure 2, and welded together.

Claims

1. Device (2) for being mounted on a compressed gas cylinder, comprising:

- a body (4) with a longitudinally protruding threaded portion (4.2) for engaging with a neck of the compressed gas cylinder, and a through-hole (12) extending longitudinally along the body (4) and the longitudinally protruding threaded portion (4.2);

- a tube (10) extending through the through-hole (12) in the body and housing, at a closed distal end (10.1 ) of said tube, a temperature sensor for the compressed gas;

characterized in that

the tube (10) comprises a proximal end (10.2) forming a shoulder (10.2.1 ) resting on a bottom (4.1.2) of a bore (4.1.1 ) formed in the body (4).

2. Device (2) according to claim 1 , wherein a gasket (14) is provided around the proximal end (10.2) of the tube (10), adjacent to the shoulder (10.2.1 ) and forming with the body (4) a gas tight barrier for the compressed gas.

3. Device (2) according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the proximal end (10.2) of the tube (10) forms a disk (10.2.2), and the body (4) comprises a plug (4.1.3) closing the bore (4.1.1 ) and pressing said proximal end (10.2) against the bottom (4.1.2) of said bore (4.1.1 ).

4. Device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the proximal end (10.2) of the tube (10) has a recess (10.2.3) on a face opposed to the rest of the tube, said recess housing an electrical connector connected to wires of the sensor, said wires extending through and along the tube (10).

5. Device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the proximal end (10.2) of the tube (10) is welded to the rest of said tube (10).

6. Device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the through-hole (12) forms, around the tube, an annular gas passage (15) along the longitudinally protruding threaded portion (4.2) of the body until the proximal end (10.2) of the tube (10).

7. Device (2) according to claim 6, further comprising a cylindrical filter (16) extending around the tube (10) at a radial distance from said tube and the through-hole (12).

8. Device (2) according to claim 7, wherein the through-hole (12) forms, around the tube (10) and adjacent to the proximal end (10.2) of said tube (10), a chamber (20) fluidly downstream of the cylindrical filter (16), where said cylindrical filter is mounted such that the gas for reaching said chamber (20) necessarily traverses said filter.

9. Device (2) according to one of claims 7 and 8, wherein the cylindrical filter (16) comprises a distal end (16.2) fitted on the tube (10) and a proximal end (16.3) fitted on the through-hole (12).

10. Device (2) according to claim 9, wherein the proximal end (16.3) of the cylindrical filter (16) comprises an annular rib resting on an inner shoulder (4.1.5) formed in the through-hole (12) and held, on a face of said annular rib that is opposite to the shoulder, by a spacer (18) around the tube (10), said spacer being pressed by the proximal end (10.2) of the tube (10).

1 1 . Device (2) according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the longitudinally protruding threaded portion (4.2) of the body (4) comprises a distal end (4.2.4) circumferentially contacting the tube (10) and with at least one hole (4.2.4.2) inclined relative to the longitudinal axis, fluidly connecting the annular passage (15) with the outside.

12. Device (2) according to claim 1 1 , wherein the distal end (4.2.4) of the longitudinally protruding threaded portion (4.2) of the body (4) is a separate part attached to a remaining part (4.2.3) of the longitudinally protruding threaded portion (4.2).

13. Device (2) according to claim 12, wherein the remaining part (4.2.3) of the longitudinally protruding threaded portion (4.2) comprises a recessed front face crossed by the through-hole (12) and engaged by a protruding portion of the separate part (4.2.4), said part being held in the engaged position by at least one screw (8) extending longitudinally and off-set.

14. Device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the longitudinally protruding threaded portion (4.2) of the body (4) comprises an intermediate sub portion (4.2.2) with the thread, and a gasket (6) in a circular groove between said intermediate sub-portion (4.2.2) and the distal end (4.2.4).