QUICK CONNECT PRESSURE REDUCER/CYLINDER VALVE FOR SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS

• US 20080196725A1
• Filed: 04/29/2008
• Published: 08/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ronald B. Mele
• Original Assignee: Ronald B. Mele
• Inventors: Mele, Ronald B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,866,338 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/205.24
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/02 Valves non-return valves mounted in breathing masks or helmets A62B18/10
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/04 Couplings; Supporting frames
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/08 in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members F16L37/22 - F16L37/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0402 Cleaning, repairing, or assembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5283 Units interchangeable between alternate locations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7793 With opening bias [e.g., pressure regulator]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7808 Apertured reactor surface surrounds flow line
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7833 With means for mounting or connecting to system
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8326 Fluid pressure responsive indicator, recorder or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87925 Separable flow path section, valve or closure in each
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9029 With coupling

Abstract

A quick pressure reducer and cylinder valve for use with an SCBA includes a cylinder valve that connects to a pressure vessel, a pressure reduction assembly for reducing the pressure of breathing air provided by the pressure vessel, a probe, and an inlet/latch assembly. The probe includes a notch and a threadless probe tip, and the inlet/latch includes a corresponding receptacle and one or more latches adapted to fit into the notch to retain the probe in the receptacle. A pushbutton switch in the receptacle is triggered by insertion of the probe tip therein, thereby providing an electrical signal. Probes of different lengths may be used to correspond to different pressure capacities, and the inlet/latch assembly may be arranged either to permit the insertion of only probe size or may be arranged to accept both sizes but to function differently based on the size of the probe. The latches are inoperable except at or below a nominal pressure.

Claims

1-74. -74. (canceled)

75. A breathing air tank and valve assembly for use in a self-contained breathing apparatus, comprising:

a pressure vessel; and

a cylinder valve for connection to the pressure vessel, the cylinder valve including;

a valve body having an interior;

a first fitting adapted to connect the valve body directly to the pressure vessel, thereby creating a fluid connection to the interior of the valve body;

a second fitting, the second fitting being an outlet adapted to connect the valve body to a pressure reducer assembly; and

a third fitting, the third fitting being an inlet having a check valve, wherein the third fitting is adapted to connect the valve body to an external source of pressurized air and thereby provide a direct air path from the external source of pressurized air through the interior of the valve body to the pressure vessel.

76. The breathing air tank and valve assembly of claim 75, wherein the second fitting is a quick-connect probe for threadless connection to the pressure reducer assembly.

77. The breathing air tank and valve assembly of claim 75, wherein the third fitting includes a conventional threaded fitting for connection to the external pressurized air source.

78. The breathing air tank and valve assembly of claim 75, wherein the third fitting is a CGA-type fitting.

79. The breathing air tank and valve assembly of claim 75, wherein the valve assembly is adjustable between at least an open state and a closed state, wherein in the open state, an air path exists from the pressure vessel through the interior of the valve body to the second fitting, and in the closed state, no air path exists from the pressure vessel through the interior of the valve body to the second fitting, wherein the direct air path from the external pressurized air source through the interior of the valve body to the pressure vessel exists regardless of whether the valve assembly is in the open state or the closed state.

80. The breathing air tank and valve assembly of claim 75, wherein the valve assembly is adjustable between at least an open state and a closed state, wherein in the open state, an air path exists from the pressure vessel through the interior of the valve body to the second fitting, and in the closed state, no air path exists from the pressure vessel through the interior of the valve body to the second fitting, wherein the valve assembly includes a hand wheel for adjusting the valve assembly between the open state and the closed state.

81. The breathing air tank and valve assembly of claim 76, wherein the quick-connect probe includes a probe tip and a notch interposed between the probe tip and the valve body.

82. The breathing air tank and valve assembly of claim 81, wherein the notch is a circumferential notch.

83. The breathing air tank and valve assembly of claim 76, wherein the quick-connect probe may be temporarily connected to the valve body by a threaded fitting.

84. The breathing air tank and valve assembly of claim 76, wherein the quick-connect probe is permanently connected to the valve body.

85. A cylinder valve for connection to a pressure vessel, comprising:

a valve body having an interior;

a first fitting adapted to connect the valve body directly to the pressure vessel, thereby creating a fluid connection to the interior of the valve body;

a second fitting, the second fitting being an outlet adapted to connect the valve body to a first pressure reducer assembly; and

a third fitting, the third fitting being an outlet and having a check valve, wherein the third fitting is adapted to connect the valve body to a second pressure reducer assembly to thereby provide an air path from the pressure vessel through the interior of the valve body to the second pressure reducer assembly.

86. The cylinder valve of claim 85, wherein the second fitting is a quick-connect probe for threadless connection to the first pressure reducer assembly.

87. The cylinder valve of claim 85, wherein the third fitting includes a conventional threaded fitting for connection to the second pressure reducer assembly.

88. The cylinder valve of claim 85, wherein the third fitting is a CGA-type fitting.

89. The cylinder valve of claim 85, wherein the valve assembly is adjustable between at least an open state and a closed state, wherein in the open state, an air path exists from the pressure vessel through the interior of the valve body to the second fitting, and in the closed state, no air path exists from the pressure vessel through the interior of the valve body to the second fitting, wherein the air path from the pressure vessel through the interior of the valve body to the second pressure reducer assembly exists regardless of whether the valve assembly is in the open state or the closed state.

90. The cylinder valve of claim 85, wherein the valve assembly is adjustable between at least an open state and a closed state, wherein in the open state, an air path exists from the pressure vessel through the interior of the valve body to the second fitting, and in the closed state, no air path exists from the pressure vessel through the interior of the valve body to the second fitting, wherein the valve assembly includes a hand wheel for adjusting the valve assembly between the open state and the closed state.

91. The cylinder valve of claim 86, wherein the quick-connect probe includes a probe tip and a notch interposed between the probe tip and the valve body.

92. The cylinder valve of claim 91, wherein the notch is a circumferential notch.

93. The cylinder valve of claim 86, wherein the quick-connect probe may be temporarily connected to the valve body by a threaded fitting.

94. The cylinder valve of claim 86, wherein the quick-connect probe is permanently connected to the valve body.