Patent Application
20110088794
Exemplary embodiments herein relate to pressure-sensing and indicating devices for gas systems and, more particularly, to a removable indicator/alarm device for a gas regulator for at least one pressurized gas source such as an L.P. gas tank.
Gas regulators are widely known and used to provide gas at a stepped-down pressure. One type of gas regulator is an automatic changeover two-stage LP gas regulator, such as those made by Cavagna of Italy, as well as other manufacturers. Automatic changeover gas regulators typically comprise a high-pressure changeover regulator and a low-pressure regulator. The high-pressure changeover regulator includes two inlets for receiving gas from two separate pressurized containers, reduces the gas pressure to a first predetermined level, and transmits that gas to the low-pressure regulator. The low-pressure regulator further reduces the gas pressure to a predetermined level prior to conveying the gas through an outlet to, for example, a selected appliance.
In many applications, and particularly in the recreational vehicle field, at least two gas source containers (a “supply” container and a “reserve” container) are connected to at least two corresponding inlets of the high-pressure changeover regulator. Each inlet receives gas from a different gas source container. During use of the connected appliance, when the supply container becomes depleted of gas, the regulator automatically changes over to the reserve container such that the reserve container becomes the “new supply” container for providing gas to the regulator. After the changeover, the original supply container can be disconnected from the corresponding inlet of the regulator and be replaced or refilled.
To notify the user of a changeover to the reserve container, known regulators of this type have a mechanical gauge, such as a full/empty indicator, attached to the high-pressure regulator for visually indicating a pressure of the gas received through the inlet associated with the supply container. This full/empty indicator typically includes a pressure-sensitive member, for example, a diaphragm, that is responsive to the gas pressure. The full/empty indicator also typically includes a bi-colored or similar indicator member that is mounted and displayed in a transparent capsule attached adjacent to the high-pressure changeover regulator. The indicator member abuts or is coupled to the diaphragm. As the diaphragm moves (i.e., deflects) in response to changes in pressure, the diaphragm exerts a force on the bi-colored indicator member. As a result, the diaphragm causes movement of the indicator member to display a portion of the indicator member having a color indicative of the “full/empty” status of the supply container. For example, when the supply container is generally depleted of gas after extensive use, the low gas pressure sensed by the diaphragm causes the diaphragm to deflect accordingly and thus cause corresponding movement of the bi-colored or other indicator member to display a portion of such indicator member which shows that the supply container is empty and should be disconnected.
A shortcoming of such mechanical full/empty indicators is that the gas regulator and gas containers are typically stored at a remote location, or are hidden from view. Since the supply system is usually placed out of the way, the gauge or full/empty indicator is not ordinarily visible. As such, the user has to go out of his way to inspect the gas cylinders, including the gas regulator and indicator attached thereto, to determine whether the automatic changeover has been triggered. Since the changeover is automatic and only occurs at spaced intervals and on an irregular basis, and may occur at night, the condition may go undetected for some time, leading to unexpected depletion of the reserve container.
Therefore, an indicator/alarm device is needed that conveniently notifies the user that the supply container is at or near empty, such that the user does not have to continuously and unnecessarily check the full/empty status of the gas container(s) at their remote location.
According to one aspect, a gas pressure sensor assembly for a gas regulator is provided. The gas regulator includes a plurality of selectable inlets, an outlet and a gauge. Each inlet is configured to receive pressurized gas from a different one of a plurality of associated pressurized gas storage containers. The outlet supplies gas to an associated appliance. The gauge senses a gas pressure in a selected inlet corresponding to the associated pressurized gas storage container from which the inlet receives pressurized gas and visually indicates a pressure of that associated gas storage container. The gas pressure sensor assembly comprises a cooperating member and a sensing device. The cooperating member is at least partially housed within the gauge and includes a disc member rotatably responsive to a gas pressure in the selected inlet. The sensing device is releasably connected to the gauge. The sensing device is selectively actuated by movement of the disc member. The sensing device is configured to provide an audible signal to a user indicative of a generally empty status of the associated gas storage container connected to the selected inlet. The sensing device can be easily removed from a gauge of one gas regulator and releasably connected to a gauge of another gas regulator.
According to another aspect, a gas regulator comprises a first regulation portion and a second regulation portion. The first regulation portion includes two selectable inlets. Each inlet is configured to receive pressurized gas from a different one of two associated pressurized gas storage containers. The second regulation portion has an outlet for supplying gas to an associated appliance. A gauge is operatively connected to the first regulation portion. The gauge has a biased member responsive to gas pressure changes at a selected one of said inlets for indicating whether the associated gas container connected to it is generally empty. A gas pressure sensor assembly includes a cooperating member and a sensing device releasably connected to the cooperating member. The cooperating member includes a rotatable disc member which is operatively connected to the biased member such that movement of the biased member causes the disc member to rotate. The sensing device includes a sound producing device and a switch for activating the sound producing device. The switch is selectively actuated by the rotational movement of the disc member. The sound producing device provides an audible signal to a user indicative of the generally empty status of the associated gas container connected to the selected one inlet.
According to yet another aspect, a two-stage gas regulator assembly comprises a high pressure changeover regulator and a low pressure regulator. The high pressure changeover regulator has first and second selectable inlets. Each of the first and second inlets is configured to receive pressurized gas from respective first and second associated pressurized gas storage containers. The low pressure regulator has an outlet for supplying gas to an associated appliance. A first indicator is operatively connected to the high pressure regulator for visually indicating a pressure status of a selected associated container. The first indicator includes a housing, a diaphragm, a pin and a rotatable disc member. The diaphragm is located within the housing and is responsive to a gas pressure in one of the first and second inlets. The pin is located within the housing and is movable along a first axis by the diaphragm. The disc member is located within the housing and is operatively connected to the pin such that an axial movement of the pin along the first axis causes a rotational movement of the disc member about the first axis. A second indicator is releasably connected to the housing of the first indicator. The second indicator includes a sound producing device which is selectively actuated by the rotational movement of the disc member. The sound producing device provides an audible signal to a user indicative of a low gas pressure within one of the first and second selectable inlets.
It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the present disclosure. All references to direction and position, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the orientation of the gas regulator illustrated in the drawings and should not be construed as limiting the claims appended hereto.
Referring now to drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views,
More particularly, the exemplary gas regulator 102 includes a first regulation portion 120 having a high-pressure changeover regulator 122 and a second regulation portion 124 having a low-pressure regulator 126. The first regulation portion includes the inlets 104, 106, each of which receives gas from one of the separate gas storage containers 112, 114. The first regulation portion 120 also includes a selector device 144 or hand wheel for selecting which inlet 104, 106 supplies the gas to high-pressure regulator 122. The low-pressure regulator 126 includes the outlet 108 for transmitting the gas to the appliance (not shown). A first bracket 150 is connected to the gas regulator 102. As shown in
In operation, the selector device 144 selects one of the inlets 104, 106 and the corresponding gas storage container 112, 114 is to be used first (e.g., the “supply” container), thus making the gas storage container connected to the other inlet the “reserve” container. Thereafter, a main control valve on each of the gas storage containers 114, 116 is opened such that gas is supplied to both inlets 104, 106. Although both inlets 104, 106 receive gas from their respective gas storage containers 112, 114, the selector device 144 operates a known internal valve mechanism (not shown) which selectively couples gas received through only one of the inlets to the gas regulator 102. After opening the main control valves on the gas storage containers, the gauge 110, which is attached to the high-pressure regulator 122, senses the pressure of the gas supplied by the selected storage container and, based on the sensed pressure, indicates the pressure or full/empty status of that container. As described in more detail below, the gauge 110 can provide a visual signal to a user that corresponds to the gas pressure in the supply container.
The high-pressure changeover regulator 122 processes gas input from one of inlets 104, 106 connected to the supply container by reducing the pressure of the received gas to a predetermined lower level. The lower-pressure gas is then transmitted to low-pressure regulator 126 for further reducing the gas pressure to a level that is suitable for use in, for example, an appliance. The low-pressure regulator then transmits the gas to the appliance. During use of the connected appliance, when the supply container becomes depleted of gas, the gas regulator automatically changes over to the reserve container such that the reserve container becomes the “new supply” container for providing gas to the gas regulator. The gauge 110 continues to indicate the gas pressure of the depleted storage container until the selector device 144 is moved towards the “new supply” container. After the changeover, the original supply container can be disconnected from the corresponding inlet of the regulator and be either replaced or refilled.
To notify the user of a changeover to the reserve container, the gauge 110, visually indicates a pressure of the gas received through the inlet associated with the supply container. As indicated previously, a shortcoming of the visual gauge 110 is that the gas regulator 102 and gas containers 112, 114 are typically stored at a remote location, for example, in a storage area 160 located outside the cab or occupied interior space of the recreational vehicle (
With reference to
The gauge 110 further comprises a lid assembly 200 that connects to the housing assembly 170. The lid assembly includes a first lid part 202, a second lid part 204 and a third lid part 206. Each lid part is generally cup shaped. The second lid part 204 has spaced apart cutouts or openings 208. The first lid part 202 is secured to the first housing part 172, the third lid part 206 is secured to the third housing part 176 and the second lid part 204 is positioned or trapped between the first and third lid parts. Particularly, as shown in
With continued reference to
The gas pressure sensor assembly 100 comprises a cooperating member 280 at least partially housed within the gauge 110 and a sensing device 282 releasably connected to the gauge. In one embodiment, the cooperating member 280 includes a disc member 284 rotatably responsive to a gas pressure in the selected inlet 104, 106. Similar to the second lid part 204, the disc member 284 is generally cup shaped and includes arms 286 spaced apart by openings or cutouts 290. As shown in
In operation, the pin 180, as connected to the diaphragm 190, is responsive to gas pressure changes at a selected one of the inlets 104, 106. The disc member 284 is operatively connected to the pin such that axial movement of the pin along a second axis causes the disc member to rotate about the second axis. Particularly, the sloped surface 258 of the lever 250 is engaged by the axial movement of the pin 180 along the second axis, which is generally perpendicular to the first axis. As the pin 180 pushes on the sloped surface 258, it rotates the lever about the first axis. Rotation of the lever slidingly moves the flange 310 within the grooved member 256 and along an arcuate wall of the opening 270. This, in turn, causes the disc member to rotate about the second axis. Thus, the lever transforms a longitudinal movement of the pin into the rotational movement of the disc member.
To visually indicate the pressure status of the supply container, the first lid part 202 is at least partially transparent, the second lid part 204 can be of a first color (e.g., white), the third lid part 206 can be of a second color (e.g., red), and the disc member 284 can be of a third color (e.g., green). In a generally full status, the cutouts 290 of the disc member 284 are generally aligned with the cutouts 208 of the second lid part 204. Thus, the second color of the third lid part 206 is visible through the first lid part 202. As pressure decreases, the disc member 284 rotates within the housing assembly 170. As the disc member rotates, the cutouts move out of alignment such that the arms 286 of the disc member at least partially cover the third lid part 206. The third color of the disc member is now visible through the first lid part. Therefore, when the supply container is generally depleted of gas after extensive use, the low gas pressure sensed by the diaphragm 190 causes the diaphragm to deflect accordingly and thus causes corresponding movement of the pin 180, the lever 250 and the disc member 284 to display the arms 286 of the disc member and indicate that the supply container should be disconnected and replaced with a standby container.
With reference to
The sensing device 282 is selectively actuated by movement of the disc member 284 and is configured to provide an audible signal to a user indicative of a generally empty status of the gas storage container 112, 114 connected to the selected inlet 104, 106. Particularly, housed within the housing 320 of the sensing device 282 is a switch 340 selectively actuated by the disc member 284, a sound producing or acoustic alarm device 342 operatively connected to the switch, and a battery 344 for providing power to the alarm device. The sensing device can further include a testing device 350 for testing a power status of the battery. In the exemplary embodiment, the switch 340 is a magnetic switch such as a known flexible blade circuit breaker or a known Hall-effect type circuit breaker. Rotation of the magnet 292 connected to the disc member 284 selectively actuates the switch. In use, as the gas pressure of the supply container decreases, the disc member 284 begins to rotate. At a predetermined rotational position, the magnet actuates the switch. This, in turn, activates the acoustic alarm device 342, which can be a buzzer or the like. When this occurs, the user will turn the selector device or hand wheel 144 towards the “new supply” container to turn off the alarm device. The gauge 110 will now read the gas pressure in the “new supply” container. The switch 340 of the sensing device 282 overrides the alarm device 342 so that actuation if the alarm device is controlled by the switch. It would also be possible to install a circuit that operates the acoustic alarm device 342 only during a given period, and at spaced intervals, such as, for example, one minute every hour. In accordance with another embodiment, the sensing device 282 can include a transmitter 360 (
The acoustic alarm device 342 disclosed herein provides an audible signal to a user indicative of a low gas pressure condition within one of the first and second inlets 104, 106. Therefore, the gas pressure sensor assembly 100 conveniently notifies the user that the supply container is at or near empty, such that the user does not have to continuously and unnecessarily check the full/empty status of the gas container(s) at their remote location.
It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art. It is intended that all of these, or equivalents thereof, are encompassed by the following claims.
