This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. ยง 119 (a) and (b) to French Patent Application No. 1901333, filed Feb. 11, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The invention relates to a device for supplying pressurized fluid and to an assembly for storing pressurized fluid comprising such a device.
The invention relates more particularly to a device for supplying pressurized fluid, in particular pressurized gas, comprising a first valve accommodating an internal fluid circuit, the device having a second valve comprising an internal circuit, the second valve forming a separate physical entity from the first valve, the first valve and the second valve comprising respective coupling members that form a male/female quick-connection system for removably connecting the second valve to the first valve, the internal circuits comprising a set of valves for allowing or preventing the flow of the fluid towards an outlet of the device when the second valve is coupled to the first valve via the quick-connection system, the device comprising at least one manually actuable movable control member for controlling the set of control valves, the control member being movable between a first, rest position, in which the flow of fluid towards the outlet is prevented, and a second, active position, in which the flow of fluid towards the outlet is allowed, the quick-connection system comprising a member for locking/unlocking the second valve on/from the first valve, the locking/unlocking member being movable between a first, unlocking position, when the quick connection between the second valve and the first valve has not been established, or allowing separation of the second valve and the first valve when the quick connection has been established between the second valve and the first valve, and a second, locking position preventing separation of the second valve and the first valve when the quick connection has been established between these latter.
The invention relates in particular to a modular device for supplying pressurized gas, comprising a fluid regulating member such as an exchangeable valve, which is connected removably to a base such as a first valve secured to a pressurized gas cylinder.
The invention may relate in particular to an architecture as described for example in the document FR3054290A1 or FR3054291A1.
In known devices, it may in certain situations be possible to attempt to separate the two coupled elements (typically, the two valves) when the gas circuit is open.
In such a situation, if the assembly is under high pressure this may damage the device and give rise to leaks and possible ejection of the second valve. If the assembly is under relatively low pressure, this may give rise to gas leaks during disconnection. Solutions are known for solving this problem: cf., for example, FR2970313 A1.
These solutions are satisfactory in ergonomic terms but may generate very high stresses at the control member (lever) or allow disconnection without really guaranteeing that the circuit is closed.
An object of the present invention is to palliate all or some of the above-mentioned prior-art disadvantages.
To that end, the device according to the invention, which, furthermore, complies with the generic definition given in the above preamble, is characterized essentially in that, in its second, active position, the control member blocks the locking/unlocking member in its second position, so as to prevent the second valve and the first valve from being separated, and in that, in its first, rest position, the control member does not block the locking/unlocking member in its second position, so as to allow it to move towards its first position and thus to allow the second valve and the first valve to be separated.
Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may comprise one or more of the following features:
The invention also relates to an assembly for storing pressurized fluid, comprising a device according to any one of the features above or below.
The invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the features above or below within the scope of the claims.
For a further understanding of the nature and objects for the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers and wherein:
The first valve 3 accommodates an internal fluid circuit 13 provided with at least one isolation member 4 for opening or closing the internal circuit 13. The isolation member 4 is an isolation valve, for example.
The device 1 comprises a second valve 5 forming a distinct (separable) physical entity from the first valve 3 (in a disconnected position in
The second valve 5 is provided with an internal fluid circuit 15 comprising a first, upstream end intended to be fluidically connected to a downstream end 12 of the internal circuit 13 of the first valve 3. The two valves 3, 5 are configured to put their internal circuits 13, 15 into communication when the second valve 5 has been correctly coupled to the first valve 3 via the quick-connection system.
The internal circuit 13 of the second valve 5 may comprise, for example, at least one member 9 for controlling the fluid flow (for example a control valve and/or a fixed or variable pressure reducer and/or a flow rate regulator). The second valve 5 preferably also comprises a movable member 16 for actuating the isolation member 4 of the first valve 3 in order to open or close the latter. For example, the movable actuating member 16 comprises a movable valve driver, the movement (for example, the translational movement) of which is controlled by a manual control member 11 carried by the second valve 5. The control member 11 comprises a lever 11 in this example, but could comprise a push-button, a handwheel or any other appropriate member. The lever 11 can, if necessary, control the member 9 for controlling the flow of fluid.
The first valve 3 and the second valve 5 comprise respective coupling members 6, 7 that form a male/female quick-connection/coupling system for removably connecting/coupling the second valve 5 to the first valve 3.
For example, the first valve 3 comprises a cylindrical terminal end extending along a central longitudinal axis A, to which the second valve 5 is connected. The quick-connection system may comprise at least one groove 7 or rib formed on the cylindrical end of the first valve 3 and a system of claws 6 or balls (or any appropriate equivalent coupling element) secured to the second valve 5.
The coupling element(s) 6 of the second valve 5 are preferably movable and can be locked/unlocked by, for example, a movable locking/unlocking member 14 on the second valve 5 (cf.
The lever 11 is movable between a first, rest position, in which the flow of fluid towards the outlet 25 is prevented (cf. for example the low position of the lever 11 in
The locking/unlocking member 14 is movable between a first position, in which the quick connection between the second valve 5 and the first valve has not been established (cf.
For example, this locking/unlocking member 14, depending on the position thereof, allows or does not allow the movement of the movable coupling members 6 (and thus a mechanical connection/disconnection). In particular, in its second position, the locking/unlocking member 14 does not allow the movement of the movable coupling members 6 (blocking/locking in a mechanically connected position).
This locking/unlocking member 14 is thus an indicator between a correct (for example locked) connection, for the one part, and a lack of connection or incorrect or incomplete connection (no mechanical connection or incomplete, non-locked connection), for the other part.
According to an advantageous particular feature, in the second, active position the control lever 11 blocks the locking/unlocking member 14 in the second position thereof, so as to prevent separation of the second valve 5 and the first valve 3 (cf. closed padlock and struck-through arrow in
Moreover, in its first, rest position the lever 11 does not block the locking/unlocking member 14 in the second position thereof, so as to allow the movement thereof towards its first position and thus to permit the separation of the second valve 5 and the first valve 3 (cf. open padlock and arrow not struck-through in
Thus, this architecture prevents disconnection of the second valve 5 from the first valve 3 if the lever 11 is in its position that commands the opening of the one or more internal circuits. This blocking is preferably achieved via the locking/unlocking member 14.
This blocking of the locking/unlocking member 14 by the control level 11 may be direct or indirect and preferably mechanical, but could be magnetic and/or pneumatic or otherwise.
In the example of
In the coupled and locked position (locking/unlocking member 14 in the low position, for example), if the lever 11 is in its second, active position (for example, raised) a portion 18 of the locking/unlocking member 14 abuts against the protuberance 19 of the shaft of the lever 11 (cf.
If the lever 11 is in its first, rest position (for example, lowered), the protuberance 19 of the rotation shaft of the lever 11 is offset by rotation, for example, upwards, and releases the locking/unlocking member 14. This allows the movement of the locking/unlocking member 14 towards its first position (for example, upwards) and thus allows the separation of the two modules 3, 5.
In the example in
In the coupled and locked position (locking/unlocking member 14 in the low position, for example), if the lever 11 is in its second, active position (for example, raised) the locking/unlocking member 14 abuts against the protuberance 20 of the shaft of the lever 11 (cf.
If the lever 11 is moved into its first, rest position (for example, lowered), the protuberance 20 of the lever 11 is offset by rotation and releases the locking/unlocking member 14. This allows the movement of the locking/unlocking member 14 towards its first position (for example, upwards) and thus allows the separation of the two modules 3, 5.
In the example of
In the coupled and locked position (locking/unlocking member 14 in the low position, for example), if the lever 11 is in it second, active position (for example, high, raised position) a face of the lever 11 (a face of a cam of the lever 11, for example) pushes a pin 21 that may be free in terms of translation in its support.
This pin 21 is positioned, for example, on a bottom part of the active zone 18 of the locking/unlocking member 14 (cf.
If the lever 11 is moved into its first, rest position (for example, lowered), the cam of the lever 11 no longer pushes the pin 21 that is free in terms of translation in its housing. In the event of translational movement of the locking/unlocking member 14 towards its first, unlocking position, the active zone 18 is able to push the pin 21 (opposite direction) without constraint. The locking/unlocking member 14 is thus able to move so as to allow the separation of the two modules 3, 5. In an alternative, the pin 21 (or stud) may be constrained by a return member, such as a spring, towards a retracted position, thereby releasing the locking/unlocking member 14.
In the above examples, the retractable blocking mechanism acts on the locking/unlocking member 14. Naturally, in a variant or in combination, it could act on one of the coupling members 6, 7 of the quick connection.
Furthermore, the same principle and all or some of the above examples may be used in a similar fashion to prevent the connection of the second valve 5 on the first valve 3 if the lever 11 is in its second, active position. That is to say, the lever 11 blocks, in this case, the locking/unlocking member 14 and prevents it from moving into the second, locking position if the lever 11 is in the active position. The locked mechanical coupling of two valves 3, 5 is not possible whilst the lever 11 is not in the rest position.
Similarly, the device may have the following particular feature: when the locking/unlocking member 14 is in its (first) position of not locking the quick connection between the two valves (quick connection not established or not locked), this locking/unlocking member 14 (directly or indirectly) blocks the lever 11 in its first, rest position so as to prevent the movement thereof towards its second, active position of opening the circuit. Moreover, in its (second) position of locking the quick connection between the two valves (quick connection established and locked), this locking/unlocking member 14 does not in this case block the lever 11 in its first, rest position so as to allow the movement thereof towards its second, active position of opening the circuit. This affords additional security: it is impossible to open the circuits whilst the two valves are not correctly coupled mechanically.
It will be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangement of parts, which have been herein described in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments in the examples given above
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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19 01333 | Feb 2019 | FR | national |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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20190368661 | Paoli | Dec 2019 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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2 892 799 | May 2007 | FR |
2 970 313 | Jul 2012 | FR |
2 991 750 | Dec 2013 | FR |
3 033 388 | Sep 2016 | FR |
3 054 290 | Jan 2018 | FR |
3 054 291 | Jan 2018 | FR |
3 056 278 | Mar 2018 | FR |
Entry |
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French Search Report for corresponding FR 1901333, dated Oct. 15, 2019. |
French Search Report for related FR 1901331, dated Oct. 15, 2019. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20200256517 A1 | Aug 2020 | US |