This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (a) and (b) to French patent application No. 2311289, filed Oct. 19, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The invention relates to a pressurised fluid container, preferably a gas container, in particular a pressurised gas cylinder, fitted with a fluid dispensing valve fitted with an electronic device that is not fastened to the fluid dispensing valve.
Medical fluids or gases, such as oxygen, NO/N2, N2O/O2, He/O2 mixtures, medical air or the like, are packaged in pressurised gas containers, in particular gas cylinders or canisters, which are fitted with a dispensing tap, which is also referred to as a valve, with or without an integrated pressure regulation system (IPR), that is used to provide an adjustable gas flow rate.
The dispensing valve can be fitted with an electronic device with a digital display for displaying, in particular during gas withdrawal, the residual gas pressure in the container or the gas autonomy, i.e., the operating duration before the container is (almost) empty, as taught in EP-A-2918892, EP-A-3421866, US-A-2015/048955, US-A-6085598, EP-A-3067665 or DE-A-3809142.
In order to protect the dispensing valve and its fragile equipment from impacts, droppages, dirt, etc., in particular the electronic device with a digital display, a rigid protective cover, which is also referred to as a “cap”, is normally arranged around the dispensing valve fitted to the gas cylinder.
The electronic device generally comprises a casing containing one or more (micro) processors supported by an electronic board and a display screen for computing and/or displaying one or more parameters useful to the user, such as the gas flow rate, the gas pressure, the autonomy, the gas volume or any other parameter. Pressure measurement means are also provided, in particular a pressure sensor or a combined pressure and temperature sensor, which are connected to the electronic board, in particular to the (micro) processor, in order to send it the pressure measurements that are computationally processed therein.
In order to be able carry out the pressure measurements, the pressure sensor of the electronic device is fluidly connected to the internal gas circuit of the valve, which is fluidly connected to the internal volume of the container and which conveys the gas requiring pressure and temperature measurements, typically via an internal channel or “branch” passing through the connection end fitting that is used to fasten the electronic device to the valve, as described in EP-A-3421866.
In other words, the electronic device is generally securely fastened to the valve body by screwing its threaded end fitting into a tapped recess of the valve body, or using a key or pin inserted into a housing provided in the valve body and in the side wall of the end fitting of the electronic device, or using any other fastening system for securing these elements together, by retaining the electronic device firmly in position on the valve despite the pressure stresses it experiences, given that its end fitting experiences the high pressure conveyed by the internal gas circuit of the valve. Examples of the fastening of such valves are provided in EP 3421866 and EP 3377811.
Once the electronic device is fastened to the valve body via the end fitting of the casing, the protective cover is arranged around the valve and the casing of the electronic device is positioned in an opening provided in the cover so that it can be seen from the outside, i.e., so that the user can read the information it provides on its display screen. Examples of valves with such electronic devices housed in an opening of their cover include EP 3002498, EP 4027051, EP 4056962, EP 4071399, EP 4071400, FR 3018580 and WO 2023/156960.
However, in practice it has been found that fastening the electronic device to the valve body by screwing its threaded end fitting into a tapped recess of the valve body, or using a key or a pin inserted into a housing provided in the valve body and in the side wall of the end fitting of the electronic device, or the like, has its disadvantages.
Firstly, these types of fastener require additional machining of the valve body and of the end fitting of the electronic device, for example, tapping the housing and threading the end fitting, or even require additional perforation of the valve body and of the end fitting in order to accommodate a key or a pin, or the like.
Secondly, disassembling the electronic device from the valve body, notably for maintenance or replacement operations, can be complicated.
In view of this, a problem therefore involves being able to simply install an electronic device and a protective cover on the body of a fluid dispensing valve, without using any additional machining of the end fitting of the electronic device and/or of the housing accommodating it in the valve body, while ensuring correct positioning of the cover/electronic device assembly on the valve body, and allowing easy disassembly thereof, notably during maintenance or replacement operations, i.e., in order to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages.
A solution according to the invention then relates to a pressurised fluid container, in particular a pressurised gas cylinder or canister, comprising a container body having an internal volume for conserving, i.e., storing, a pressurised fluid, typically a gas or a gaseous mixture, and fitted with a fluid dispensing valve comprising:
Furthermore, at least part of the peripheral wall of the casing of the electronic device is shaped so as to cooperate with at least part of the peripheral edge of the opening of the protective cover in order to keep the electronic device secured to the protective cover, when the end fitting of the casing is housed in the end fitting housing of the valve body.
In addition, the peripheral wall of the casing of the electronic device and the peripheral edge of the opening of the protective cover are shaped so as to have matching shapes enabling the electronic device to be secured to the protective cover, i.e., the peripheral edge of the opening of the cover conforms to the peripheral wall of the casing of the electronic device, i.e., its peripheral contour.
In particular, the peripheral wall of the casing of the electronic device comprises at least one peripheral groove and the peripheral edge of the opening of the protective cover comprises at least one shoulder, or vice versa, i.e., according to another embodiment, the peripheral wall of the casing of the electronic device comprises at least one shoulder and the peripheral edge of the opening of the protective cover comprises at least one peripheral groove.
However, in all cases, said at least one shoulder is then inserted into said peripheral groove in order to secure the electronic device to the protective cover, i.e., to retain it in on the cover and on the valve body.
In other words, according to the invention, it is the peripheral edge of the opening of the cover, or at least part of it, that retains the electronic device in position on the valve body, or vice versa, and not a threading/tapping, key or pin or the like.
According to the considered embodiment, the pressurised fluid container of the invention can comprise one or more of the following features:
The invention also relates to the use of a container according to the invention for storing or supplying a pressurized gas, in particular a medical gas selected from among oxygen or a gaseous mixture of N2O/O2, NO/N2, He/O2, medical air or another medical gas.
The invention will now be better understood from the following detailed description, which is provided by way of a non-limiting illustration, with reference to the appended figures, in which:
The pressurised gas cylinder (partially shown) conventionally comprises a cylindrical body 31 delimiting an internal volume receiving the pressurised fluid, typically a pressurised gas, such as medical oxygen, at a pressure (i.e., filled container) of more than 100 bar abs, typically at least 150 bar abs, or even more than 200 bar abs, for example, a maximum pressure ranging from 130 to 300 bar abs. The container body 31 is generally made of metal or a metal alloy, such as steel or an aluminium alloy, or of composite materials.
The container 30 supports a fluid dispensing valve 10, preferably an IPR, i.e., a valve with an integrated pressure reducer, through which an internal fluid circuit passes that is fluidly connected to the internal volume of the container.
The valve body 11, which is more clearly shown in
The fluid inlet orifice 13 is supported by the threaded fastening end fitting 11.1 of the valve body 11, typically a tapered threaded end fitting 11.1.
The fluid circuit 14 conveys the fluid, namely, gas in this case, originating from the container 30 through the valve body 11 for dispensing gas to the fluid dispensing end fitting 12, to which a flexible gas duct (not shown) is normally fluidly connected for conveying the gas to another device (not shown) using the gas, i.e., a medical appliance or device using the gas supplied by the valve 10, for example, a breathing mask dispensing gas to a patient at a flow rate prescribed by a doctor or the like corresponding to a treatment to be followed.
The container body 31 has a generally cylindrical shape comprising a neck, at its upper end, to which the valve 10 is fastened, i.e., it is ogive-shaped. The neck comprises the fluid outlet orifice, which is typically tapped, communicating with the internal volume of the container 30 and allowing gas to be withdrawn from the internal volume or, conversely, allowing it to be filled when it is empty. The dispensing valve 10 is mounted, typically screwed, in the vicinity of the orifice in the neck of the container 30, via the threaded fastening end fitting 11.1 of the valve body 11, which comprises a thread matching a tapping provided in the orifice in the neck of the container 30.
The fluid stored in the container 30, i.e., in its internal volume, is typically a gas or a gaseous mixture, for example, of medical-grade or a medical gas, such as oxygen, air, a mixture of NO/N2, Ar/O2, O2/N2O or He/O2, or any other gas or gaseous mixture, preferably oxygen or an O2/N2O gaseous mixture.
The gas dispensing valve 10 comprises pressure measurement means for measuring (at least) the pressure of the gas within the internal circuit 14 of the valve body 11. They typically comprise a pressure sensor with a pressure tap, i.e., a branch, fluidly connected to the internal circuit of the valve body 11. Advantageously, a combined pressure and temperature sensor is used to measure both the pressure and the temperature of the gas within the internal gas circuit conveying the gas originating from the internal volume of the container 30.
The pressure and preferably the temperature measurement means are configured to supply the pressure and preferably the temperature measurements (i.e., measurement signals or values) to microprocessor-based data processing means comprising one or more microprocessors implementing one or more algorithms, for example, a main electronic board supporting one (or more) microprocessors implementing one or more computation or analogue algorithms, preferably a microcontroller.
More specifically, the pressure measurements or data, and optionally the temperature measurements, performed by the sensor are processed by on-board electronics within the sensor, for example, a secondary electronic board with one or more microprocessors or the like.
These measurements (i.e., signals or values) or data are then sent to microprocessor-based data processing means in order to be used in said means, i.e., computationally processed, notably in order to determine, compute or deduce a pressure or a gas autonomy therefrom. A time counter inside the data processing means also can be provided.
The data processing means are arranged in the casing 21 of the electronic device 20, for example, a digital manometer, fastened to the body 11 of the fluid dispensing valve 10, for example, a rigid casing 21 made of polymer or metal. The casing 21 of the electronic device 20 in this case assumes a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape.
One or more buttons 23 or selection keys, which can be activated by digital pressure from the user in order to make selections, also can be provided on the casing 21 in order to scroll through one or more menus, to acknowledge a warning or the like.
The electronic device also comprises display means 22, such as a digital display or screen, for example, an LCD screen or the like, used to display various items of information, such as the volume or the pressure of the gas in the container 1 or even the gas autonomy (in hours and minutes, for example), which are notably obtained by processing pressure and/or temperature measurements using the data processing means, or even to display a warning message. For example, the digital display 22 comprises a screen ranging between approximately 29 and 37 mm high and, for example, ranging between approximately 39 and 43 mm wide.
The casing 21 comprises an end fitting 24 on its lower face, i.e., the face opposite the upper face supporting the screen 22. This end fitting 24 is housed in an end fitting housing 15 in the valve body 11, which is shaped and designed to accommodate the end fitting 24, as described below. Preferably, the end fitting housing 15 has a closed base.
The internal volume of the container 30 (by water equivalent) is a known value that can be stored by storage means, such as an EEPROM-type computer memory, in the electronic device 20. For example, the gas cylinders used to dispense medical oxygen (i.e., medical-grade) have volumes that are between 1 L and 20 L (by water equivalent), typically between 2 L and 15 L, for example, depending on the considered cylinder, the volume can be of the order of 2 L, 3.5 L, 4.6 L, 5 L, 7 L, 10 L, 11 L or 15 L.
The storage means can also store other data, such as, for example, the duration that has elapsed between successive times, the pressure and/or temperature measurements, or other parameters, such as the position of the selector, the configuration of the cylinder, the filling pressure, warnings, etc.
More generally, the electronic device 20, for example, a digital manometer, which comprises the microprocessor-based data processing means, such as an electronic board, is housed in an opening 42, i.e., a window or the like, provided in the body 41 of the protective cover 40 that is arranged around the fluid dispensing valve 10 and that is used to protect it from impacts or other possible damage, for example, a rigid cover made of polymer and/or of metal, as illustrated in
The body 41 of the cover 40 defines an internal volume designed to house the gas dispensing valve 10. It also comprises, in the proposed embodiment, a carrying handle 48 arranged so as to surmount the cover 40 while being connected to the body 41, in this case using two support posts. Optionally, the cover 40 can further comprise an attachment system 49 (partially visible), preferably a pivoting attachment, designed to allow it to be attached to a support, in particular to a hospital bed rail or to a patient transport stretcher or the like.
The electronic device 20 is electrically powered by an electrical energy source 46, for example, one or more batteries or cells arranged in a battery compartment 47, as illustrated in
The data processing means are also configured to control audible warning means and/or visual warning means, preferably both, so as to trigger at least one audible warning and/or one visual warning, preferably both, if a malfunction is detected, in particular a clamping malfunction, or an excessively low amount of gas or autonomy.
As illustrated in
The flow rate selection device 50 also cooperates with a flow rate adjustment device (not shown) arranged in the valve body 11 in order to adjust the flow rate to the desired gas flow rate value, for example, the flow rate adjustment device can be a calibrated orifice disc arranged in the path of the gas in the valve body 11. Such an arrangement is known per se.
Once the desired gas flow rate has been selected, the position of the flow rate selection device 50, for example, the angular position of the rotary handwheel, can be determined by means of a position sensor 51 (or several position sensors) visible in
In the embodiment of
Preferably, gas outlet control means are also provided, typically an axially movable valve in the connector 12 and cooperating with a valve seat, sealing means, such as one or more O-rings, and a resilient means, such as a spring or the like, normally urging the valve against the seat in order to provide a gas-tight seal when gas is not withdrawn, i.e., dispensed.
According to the invention, in order to be able to quickly and simply couple the electronic device 20 to the body 11 of the fluid dispensing valve 10 without having to machine the end fitting 25 of the electronic device 20 or the end fitting housing 15 of the valve body 11 where it is housed, and then to be able to disassemble them easily, notably during maintenance or replacement operations, i.e., to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages, provision is made for at least part of the peripheral wall 21.1 of the casing 21 of the electronic device 20 to be shaped so as to cooperate with at least part of the peripheral edge 43 of the opening 42, i.e., a window or the like, of the protective cover 40 in order to secure the electronic device 20 to the valve body 11 and the protective cover 40, when the end fitting 25 of the casing 21 is housed, i.e., positioned, in the end fitting housing 15 of the valve body 11, as illustrated in
The end fitting 25 of the casing 21 of the electronic device 20 therefore merely forms a type of centring stud that is inserted into the end fitting housing 15 of the valve body 11 in order to ensure that the electronic device 20 is correctly positioned on the body 11 of the fluid dispensing valve 10. In other words, according to the invention, the end fitting 25 is no longer involved in actually fastening the casing 21 to the valve body 11 since it is not retained by screwing, pinning or the like, in the end fitting housing 15 of the valve body 11. It is simply inserted therein, i.e., positioned therein.
The casing 21 of the electronic device 20 is retained in place solely by the cover 40, which constrains it as described below.
More specifically, as shown in
The opening 42 of the cover 40, i.e., a window or the like, has a substantially rectangular or square periphery.
According to the invention, the peripheral edge or the periphery 43 of the opening 42 of the cover, or at least part of it, retains the electronic device 20 in position on the valve body 11, and not a thread/tapping, a key or a pin or the like, as in the valves of the prior art.
The electronic device 20 is secured by at least one peripheral groove 24 supported by the peripheral wall of the casing 21 of the electronic device 20 and by at least one shoulder 44 arranged in the vicinity of the peripheral edge 43 of the opening 42 of the protective cover 1 that cooperate together.
In another embodiment, the one or more peripheral grooves 24 could be arranged in the vicinity of the peripheral edge 43 of the opening 42 of the cover, and the one or more shoulders 44 could be arranged on the periphery of the casing.
In all cases, the shoulder 44 is inserted into the peripheral groove 24 to ensure that the electronic device 20 is secured, i.e., fastened and retained, to the protective cover 40.
The peripheral groove 24 can be continuously arranged around the entire periphery or outer perimeter of the casing 21 of the electronic device 20 or can be discontinuous, as shown in
For example, the groove 24 can be mainly arranged (continuous walls 24.1) on two opposite faces of the casing 21 when it is a rectangular parallelepiped shape (i.e., with an approximately rectangular or square cross-section), and can extend slightly, i.e., over a short distance (i.e., discontinuous wall 24.2), over the other two faces, as illustrated in
More specifically, according to the invention, the one or more grooves 24 can be formed:
However, it should be noted that the casing 21 can assume various shapes, for example, with a circular cross-section or another cross-section. The same applies to the opening 42 of the cover 40, which assumes a shape that matches that of the casing 21 that is inserted therein, i.e., the external contours of the casing 21 conform to the shape of the opening 42 of the cover 40.
In order to facilitate the installation of the assembly, notably the insertion of the shoulder 44 located in the vicinity of the peripheral edge 43 of the opening 42 of the protective cover 1, within the peripheral groove 24 of the casing 21 of the electronic device 20, the protective cover 40 is preferably formed by at least two half-shells, i.e., a right-hand half-shell and a left-hand half-shell, which are coupled together along a junction plane preferably passing through the opening 42, for example, through the centre of the opening 42, as illustrated in
When the casing 21 of the electronic device 20 is secured to the protective cover 40, by virtue of the cooperation between the shoulder 44 supported by the peripheral edge 43 of the opening 42 of the cover 1 and the peripheral groove 24 of the casing 21 of the electronic device 20, the end fitting 25 of the casing 21 acts as a centring stud to ensure correct positioning of the cover 40/electronic device 20 assembly on the valve 10, when it is installed by an operator, given that the end fitting 25 of the casing 21 is positioned in the end fitting housing 15 machined in the valve body 11, typically a housing or a hole with a closed base. The cover 40 then can be firmly fastened, for example, by screwing or the like, either to the body 11 of the valve 10 or to the neck of the gas container 30.
Preferably, the end fitting 25 of the housing 21 assumes a substantially cylindrical general shape. It has a smooth peripheral wall, i.e., devoid of an external thread or other fastening means. Similarly, the end fitting housing 15 of the valve body 11 also has a substantially cylindrical overall shape and a smooth internal wall, i.e., devoid of internal tapping. Advantageously, their shapes substantially match each other, i.e., they are designed to ensure stable, i.e., non-floating, retention of the end fitting 25 of the housing 21 in the end fitting housing 15 of the valve body 11.
For example, the height of the end fitting housing 15 can be of the order of 6 to 8 mm and the diameter of the end fitting housing 15 can be of the order of 7 to 9 mm, and the end fitting 25 of the casing 21 can have corresponding dimensions, i.e., of the order of 6 to 8 mm long and with a diameter of the order of 7 to 9 mm. Of course, other dimensions can be suitable.
In general, according to the invention, the end fitting 25 of the casing 21 therefore acts as a centring stud, the function of which is to ensure correct positioning of the cover 40/electronic device 20 assembly on the body 11 of the valve 10, and to do so easily and without screwing or the like, while the electronic device 20 is kept secured to the cover 40, and not to the valve body 11, by virtue of the cooperation between one or more shoulders 44 and one or more grooves 24.
The container according to the invention is particularly well suited to be used for storing a medical gas selected from among oxygen, an N2O/O2, NO/N2 or He/O2 gaseous mixture, or medical air, advantageously medical-grade oxygen.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. The present invention may suitably comprise, consist or consist essentially of the elements disclosed and may be practiced in the absence of an element not disclosed. Furthermore, if there is language referring to order, such as first and second, it should be understood in an exemplary sense and not in a limiting sense. For example, it can be recognized by those skilled in the art that certain steps can be combined into a single step.
The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
“Comprising” in a claim is an open transitional term which means the subsequently identified claim elements are a nonexclusive listing i.e. anything else may be additionally included and remain within the scope of “comprising.” “Comprising” is defined herein as necessarily encompassing the more limited transitional terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of”; “comprising” may therefore be replaced by “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” and remain within the expressly defined scope of “comprising”.
“Providing” in a claim is defined to mean furnishing, supplying, making available, or preparing something. The step may be performed by any actor in the absence of express language in the claim to the contrary.
Optional or optionally means that the subsequently described event or circumstances may or may not occur. The description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not occur.
Ranges may be expressed herein as from about one particular value, and/or to about another particular value. When such a range is expressed, it is to be understood that another embodiment is from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value, along with all combinations within said range.
All references identified herein are each hereby incorporated by reference into this application in their entireties, as well as for the specific information for which each is cited.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2311289 | Oct 2023 | FR | national |