Valve device for controlling the filling level of cylinders and the like with liquefied gases

• US 6,079,438 A
• Filed: 05/27/1999
• Issued: 06/27/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cavagna Group Switzerland S.A.
• Original Assignee: Cavagna Group International BV Amsterdam
• Inventors: Cavagna, Carlo
• Primary Examiner(s): Walton, George L.
• Application Number:
  US09/321,233
• Time in Patent Office: 397 Days
• Field of Search: 137/15, 137/315, 137/318, 137/414, 137/415, 137/454, 137/442, 137/443, 137/445, 137/446, 137/451, 137/315.08, 141/198
• US Class Current: 137/315.08
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/34 acting on pilot valve controlling the cut-off apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/385 the fluid acting on a diaphragm
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6004 Assembling or disassembling float or float valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7374 Flexible diaphragm valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7378 From tank
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7465 Assembly mounted on and having reciprocating valve element coaxial with inlet pipe
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7478 With interposed cam, gear or threaded connection

Abstract

A valve device for controlling the filling level of cylinders and the likeith liquefied gases, comprising an upper connecting body which can be coupled to a cylinder for liquefied gas and forming a tubular gas infeed element which ends with a coupling body which is associable with a lower connecting body in order to retain a membrane for closing openings for feeding gas into the cylinder, and a valve control element which is controlled by a float and interacts with the membrane; the device further comprising clinching means for the mutual clamping of the upper connecting body and the lower connecting body.

Claims

1. A valve device for controlling the filling level of cylinders and the like with liquified gases, the device comprising:

an upper connecting body which can be coupled to a cylinder for liquified gas, the upper connecting body having a tubular gas infeed element which terminates in a coupling body which associates with a lower connecting body in order to retain a membrane for closing openings for feeding gas into the cylinder, the device further including a valve control element which is controlled by a float and interacts with the membrane, the device including clinching means for mutual clamping of the upper connecting body and the lower connecting body, wherein the clinching means comprises a clinching collar provided with an annular portion which peripherally engages above the coupling body, the clinching collar having a plurality of tabs which protrude substantially axially and serve to clamp the upper and lower connecting bodies relative to one another.

2. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the tabs have a tapering point and the collar slides along at least a portion of the upper connecting body and the lower connecting body, an upper portion of the collar resting on an upper surface of the upper connecting body.

3. The valve device according to claim 2, wherein the lower connecting body includes a plurality of recesses for the insertion of the tapering points of the tabs, the tapering points being bent into the recesses.

4. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the upper connecting body and the lower connecting body are peripherally provided with grooves which are uniformly distributed circumferentially in order to slidingly accommodate the tabs for aligning the upper and lower connecting bodies together.

5. The valve device according to claim 1, wherein the openings are formed in the upper connecting body.

6. A valve device for controlling the filling level of a gas cylinder, the device comprising:

an upper connecting body having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end for attachment to the gas cylinder, a portion of the upper connecting body being a gas infeed element which terminates with a coupling body at the second end;

a lower connecting body which seats against the upper connecting body to form a chamber therebetween;

a membrane disposed between the upper and lower connecting bodies, the membrane serving to selectively close openings for feeding gas into the cylinder;

a valve control element disposed within the chamber, the valve control element being controlled by a float, the valve control element interacting with the membrane so that when no pressure is generated inside the chamber, the membrane is pushed downward until a preset filling level is reached at which time the valve control element descends resulting in the membrane being disposed hermetically against the second end of the upper connecting body; and

a clinching collar for mutual clamping of the upper connecting body and the lower connecting body, the clinching collar having an annular portion which peripherally engages above the coupling body and a plurality of tabs protrude substantially axially and serve to retain the upper and lower connecting bodies relative to one another.