Inlet fill connection protector

Abstract

An apparatus that is usable with an inlet port to a storage system includes a cover and a locking mechanism. The cover is adapted to, in a first state, engage the inlet port to prevent access to the inlet port and in a second state, be disengaged to release the cover from the inlet port. The locking mechanism is adapted to secure the cover in the first state.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0002] The invention generally relates to an inlet fill connection protector.

[0003] Cryogenic gas tanks typically are used for purposes of transporting and storing liquid gas for large facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and food and beverage production plants. Each tank typically has an inlet fill connection, a port through which gas may be introduced to fill the gas tank. In this manner, the inlet fill connection typically includes a conduit, or pipe, that has an open end for receiving the gas. The open end of the pipe typically receives a dust cap that is threadably connected to the end of the pipe to close the open end when the tank is not being filled. Typically, no special tools are required to remove the dust cap, as the cap may be simply removed in most cases by hand.

[0004] A difficulty with the above-described arrangement is that contaminants, such as biological or chemical contaminants, may be easily introduced into the inlet fill connection without detection or any indication of unauthorized entry. In this manner, if the dust cap is removed and these biological or chemical contaminants are placed in the inlet fill connection, a driver filling the tank may be unaware of their presence. Thus, the driver filling the tank may unknowingly pump the contaminants into the tank. Therefore, the ease at which one may access the inlet fill connection may present a direct health and/or safety risk. Furthermore, the entire gas piping system at an affected facility may be condemned due to the introduction of such contaminants through the inlet fill connection.

[0005] Thus, there is a continuing need for an arrangement that addresses one or more of the problems that are stated above.

SUMMARY

[0006] In an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus that is usable with an inlet port to a storage system includes a cover and a locking mechanism. The cover is adapted to, in a first state, engage the inlet port to prevent access to the inlet port and in a second state, be disengaged to release the cover from the inlet port. The locking mechanism is adapted to secure the cover in the first state.

[0007] Advantages and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description, drawing and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an inlet fill connection protector and a gas supply system according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0009] FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the protector of FIG. 1 in a closed state according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0010] FIG. 4 is an end view of the protector in an open state according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the protector in a closed state according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an inlet fill connection protector 20 in accordance with the invention is adapted to be locked to an inlet port, or inlet fill connection, of a gas supply storage and/or supply system 10 for purposes of preventing unauthorized access to the inlet fill connection. As examples, the system 10 may store and/or supply one of more of the following gases: oxygen, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide.

[0013] The advantages that are associated with the protector 20 may include one or more of the following. The protector 20 prevents the introduction of contaminants into the gas storage and supply system. The protector 20 is not easily removed without the application of extreme force. Therefore, the destruction of or an attempt to destroy the protector 20 would easily be detected and flag system fillers of a potential problem. The protector 20 is easily installed onto the inlet fill connection and removed from the fill connection by authorized personnel. The protector 20 is a low cost alternative to reduce potential health risks associated with an easily accessible inlet fill connection. The protector 20 is relatively easy to manufacture.

[0014] In general, the protector 20 may be useful to prevent unfettered access to the inlet fill connection so that gas is not introduced into the system 10 at the wrong time. In this regard, the inlet fill connection may be used to fill a storage tank of the system 10, and this storage tank, in turn, may be used to fill various gas bottles inside a particular facility. The storage tank should not be filled while bottles are being filled with gas from the tank. Therefore, the use of the protector 20 on the inlet fill connection may prevent the filling of the storage tank at an inappropriate time.

[0015] Other and different advantages may be possible.

[0016] In some embodiments of the invention, in its closed state (depicted in FIG. 1), the protector 20 is constructed to extend around and be secured to features of the inlet fill connection. More specifically, these features may include, for example, an inlet conduit 12 that extends to the gas supply system 10 and a dust cap 14 that is threaded onto an otherwise open access end of the inlet conduit 12. As described below, in its closed state the protector 20 includes an open end 50 through which the conduit 12 extends. The access end of the conduit 12 and the dust cap 14 extend inside of the protector 20, and as described below, the open end 50 is sized to prevent the dust cap 14 from passing through the opening 50 when the protector 20 is in the closed state should someone attempt to pull the protector 20 off of the conduit 12. With the protector 20 in its closed state, access to the dust cap 14 is prevented, as the protector 20 fully encloses the access end of the conduit 12.

[0017] In some embodiments of the invention, a lock 30 (a padlock or a combination lock, as examples) secures the protector 20 so that the protector 20 remains in its closed state, a state in which the lock 30 prevents the protector 20 from being removed (and thus, prevents access to the inlet fill connection). When the lock 30 is unlocked, the protector 20 may be transitioned to its open state, a state in which the protector 20 may be removed from the inlet fill connection.

[0018] Referring also to FIG. 2, in some embodiments of the invention, the protector 20 includes two shells 40 and 42. Each shell 40, 42 has a C-shaped cross-section. When the protector 20 is closed about the conduit of the inlet fill connection, the protector 20 forms a generally circularly cylindrical cover, or collar, that circumscribes the conduit 23 and the dust cap 14. Thus, each shell 40, 42 forms one half of a generally circularly cylindrical collar that circumscribes the dust cap 14 and the access end of the conduit 12. For purposes of locking the protector 20 closed, the shell 40 includes a tab 54 that extends in a radially outward direction, and the shell 42 includes a tab 56 that extends in a radially outward direction. In this manner, the tabs 54 and 56 are slightly offset from each other when the shells 40 and 42 are united in the protector's 20 closed state so that in this closed state an opening 73 in the tab 54 aligns with an opening 75 in the tab 56. A locking bar of the lock 30 (see FIG. 1) may be inserted through these aligned openings 73 and 75 to secure the shells 40 and 42 together and lock the protector 20 in its closed state. In other embodiments, the tabs 54 and 56 may be replaced by a variety of other locking tabs, hardware or devices.

[0019] In the protector's closed state, the shells 40 and 42 form an annular obstruction that defines the size of the opening 50. Referring also to FIG. 5, in this manner, near the end of the protector 20 closest to the gas storage and supply system 10, the shell 40 extends in a radially inward direction to form a half ring 80 that forms one half of the obstruction 82, and the shell 42 extends in a radially inward direction to form an opposing half ring 82 that forms the other half of the obstruction 82. The diameter of the opening 50 is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the conduit 12 but less than the outer diameter of the dust cap 14. Therefore, when the shells 40 and 42 unite in the protector's closed state, the protector 20 cannot be pulled away from the inlet fill connection, as the inner annular shoulder 15 of the dust cap 14 abuts the annular obstruction that is formed from the half rings 80 and 82. As depicted in FIG. 5, the inner diameter of the collar formed from the shells 40 and 42 is sufficient to accommodate the outer diameter of the dust cap 14.

[0020] As depicted in FIG. 5, the protector 20 includes a closed end 52 that prevents access to the dust cap 14 from the protector's far end (i.e., the end of the protector 20 farthest from the gas supply system 10). The closed end 52 also prevents an unauthorized person from sliding the protector 20 along the conduit 12 toward the gas supply system 10 and over the dust cap 14 for purposes of gaining access to the inlet fill connection. In some embodiments of the invention, the closed end 52 is formed from a circular end cap of the shell 40. In this manner, this circular end cap has approximately the same diameter as the outer diameter of the circularly cylindrical collar that is formed from the united shells 40 and 42. The end cap extends from the shell 40 near the outer end of the protector 20 to close off this end from access.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in some embodiments of the invention, the shells 40 and 42 may be joined together via a hinge 70 that pivotably connects two longitudinal edges of the shells 40 and 42 together. In this manner, the shells 40 and 42 may be pivoted between the closed state (of the protector 20) that is depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5, and the open state (of the protector 20) that is depicted in FIG. 4.

[0022] As can be seen from FIG. 4, the protector 20 is assembled onto the inlet fill connection in the following manner. In its open state, the protector 20 is placed near the end of the conduit 12 so that the dust cap 14 resides in one of the shells 40 and 42. The other shell 40 or 42 may then be pivoted to unite the shells 40 and 42 around the dust cap 14 to place the protector 20 in its closed state. The locking bar of the lock 30 (FIG. 1) is inserted through the aligned holes 73 and 75 to lock the protector 20 in its closed state. The protector 20 may be removed by following this procedure in reverse order. I.e., the lock 30 is opened so that the locking bar of the lock 30 may be removed, and the shells 40 and 42 are rotated with respect to each other to open and remove the protector 20 from the inlet fill connection.

[0023] Thus, to summarize, the protector 20, in its closed state, engages the inlet fill connection to prevent access to the inlet fill connection. In this state, the dust cap 14 prevents removal of the protector 20 from the inlet fill connection. When the lock 30 is removed, the protector 20 may be transitioned to an open state so that the protector 20 may be disengaged from the inlet fill connection. The lock 30 secures the protector 20 in the closed state.

[0024] In some embodiments of the invention, the protector 20 may be formed from a metal, such as stainless steel, for example. Other metals and other materials may alternatively be used in other embodiments of the invention.

[0025] Other embodiments of and uses for the protector are possible. For example, the above-described arrangement may be applied to tanks other than cryogenic tanks. For example, the protector may be used to prevent access to an inlet fill connection of a chemical storage tank. Furthermore, the protector may be used to guard inlet fill connections of transport storage tanks, as well as fixed storage tanks.

[0026] In some embodiments of the invention, the protector may be made from sheet metal that is cut at the appropriate places and formed into the appropriate places to create the shells 40 and 42 and other parts of the protector. In some embodiments of the invention, the cylinder that is formed from the closed shells 40 and 42 may be a hexagonal cylinder instead of a circular cylinder. Thus, each shell 40, 42 may form one half of this hexagonal cylinder. Such a shape may be advantageous for purposes of making the protector from formed sheet metal. Other shapes for the protector and/or shells are possible.

[0027] Other variations on the design of the protector as well as other applications of use of the protector are possible.

[0028] While the invention has been disclosed with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom.

Claims

1. An apparatus usable with an inlet port to a storage system, comprising: a cover adapted to, in a first state, engage the inlet port to prevent access to the inlet port and in a second state, be disengaged to release the cover from the inlet port; and a locking mechanism adapted to secure the cover in the first state.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises: a hinge; a first shell connected to the hinge; and a second shell connected to the hinge, wherein the first and second shells pivot about the hinge to transition between the first state and the second state.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first shell and the second shell form a cylinder in response to the cover being in the first state.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inlet port comprises a pipe having a first opening and a cap covering the opening, and the cover forms an opening in the first state to receive a pipe of the inlet port, the opening being sized to prevent the cap from passing through the opening in response to the cover being in the first state.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises one of a padlock and a combination lock.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conduit provides communication with a gas storage system.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover is adapted to extend at least partially around the inlet port and engage a cap secured to the inlet port in response to an attempt to remove the cover from the inlet port when the cover is in the first state.

8. A system comprising: a gas storage subsystem comprising an inlet port; and a cover adapted to have a first state in which the cover prevents access to the inlet port and a second state in which the cover is no longer secured to the inlet port.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising: a locking mechanism to secure the cover in the first state.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the cover comprises a collar comprising: a hinge; a first shell connected to the hinge; and a second shell connected to the hinge, wherein the first and second shells pivot about the hinge to transition between the first state and the second state.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first shell and the second shell form a cylinder in response to the cover being in the first state.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the inlet port comprises a pipe having a first opening and a cap covering the opening, and the cover forms an opening in the first state to receive a pipe of the inlet port, the opening being sized to prevent the cap from passing through the opening in response to the cover being in the first state.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the cover is adapted to extend at least partially around the inlet port and engage a cap secured to the inlet port in response to an attempt to remove the cover from the inlet port when the cover is in the first state.

14. A method comprising: placing a cover in a first state to prevent access to an inlet port of a storage system; placing the cover in a second state to remove the cover from the inlet port; and locking the cover to secure the cover in the first state.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: pivoting a first section of the cover with respect to a second section of the cover to transition the cover between the first state and the second state.

16. The method of claim 14, positioning the cover on the inlet port to cause the cover to engage a cap of the inlet port when the cover is in the first state to prevent the cover from being removed from the inlet port.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising: joining two half cylinders together over a pipe of the inlet port to secure the cover to the inlet port.

18. An apparatus usable with an inlet pipe to a gas storage system, comprising: a hinge; a first shell connected to the hinge; a second shell connected to the hinge and comprising an end cap, the second shell being pivoted with respect to the first shell about the pipe to cover an opening of the pipe in a first state of the apparatus in which the first shell and the second shell are closed together around the pipe; and a locking mechanism adapted to secure the first shell to the second shell in the first state of the apparatus.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the locking mechanism is releasable to permit the first and second shells to be pivoted apart from each other to permit the end cap from being removed from proximity of the opening of the pipe.