Gas-pressured engine with valve

• US 6,613,011 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2002
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PenJet Corp.
• Original Assignee: PenJet Corp.
• Inventors: Castellano, Thomas P
• Primary Examiner(s): Look, Edward K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fristoe, Jr., John K
• Application Number:
  US10/099,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20020151841A1
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/200.21, 128/200.23, 604/68, 604/70, 604/140, 604/143, 251/149.6, 251/149.1, 222/394, 222/402.1, 137/557, 137/559, 116/266, 116/272, 141/2, 141/3, 141/4, 141/18, 141/21, 141/26, 141/27, 141/28
• US Class Current: 604/68
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2073 preventing premature release, e.g. by making use of a safety lock
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/2053 Media being expelled from injector by pressurised fluid or vacuum for infusion A61M5/145, A61M5/155
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/30 Syringes for injection by jet action, without needle, e.g. for use with replaceable ampoules or carpules

Abstract

An engine with a valve suitable for containing compressed gas and expelling the same upon opening of the valve is provided. Upon application of sufficient force to an element of the valve, the compressed gas is released from the engine. In one embodiment, the engine is fitted with a reusable valve. In another embodiment, the engine includes an engine housing with a pop-out feature that indicates if the engine is critically overcharged. A method of implementing quality control schemes during the manufacture or production of the engine and its component parts is provided, as well as a method of filling the engine with a compressed gas.

Claims

1. An engine comprising:

an engine housing to contain a compressed gas, said engine housing including an engine housing opening; and

a valve traversing said engine housing opening, said valve including;

a valve opening;

a valve stem;

a valve head configured to obstruct the passage of a compressed gas through said valve opening when said valve is in a closed position, said valve head being affixed to said valve stem;

a valve guide to maintain said valve stem in proper alignment with said valve opening, said valve guide further including a valve stem guide pane with a hole configured therein, said valve stem guide pane being configured perpendicularly to said valve stem, and said valve stem being slidably disposed within said hole; and

a spring disposed between said valve head at a first spring end and said valve stem guide pane at a second spring end, said valve stem being slidably disposed within said spring.

2. The engine of claim 1, wherein said engine housing further includes a first portion terminating at one end at said engine housing opening.

3. The engine of claim 2, wherein said valve further includes an exterior valve surface.

4. The engine of claim 3, wherein said exterior valve surface resides within said first portion of said engine housing.

5. The engine of claim 4, said engine further including a gasket configured between said exterior valve surface and said first portion of said engine housing.

6. The engine of claim 5, wherein said exterior valve surface further includes a circumferential depression, and said gasket is disposed within said circumferential depression.

7. The engine of claim 3, wherein said first portion of said engine housing and said exterior valve surface are substantially cylindrical.

8. The engine of claim 3, wherein said valve further includes a closing rim disposed circumferentially about an exterior of said valve, and said exterior valve surface terminates at one end at said closing rim.

9. The engine of claim 8, wherein said engine housing further includes a closing ridge disposed circumferentially about said engine housing opening.

10. The engine of claim 9, said engine further including a closing ferrule to operably engage said closing rim and said closing ridge, and to maintain said closing rim and said closing ridge in a fixed position relative to one another.

11. The engine of claim 2, wherein said engine housing further includes a second portion configured between said first portion and an end of said engine housing.

12. The engine of claim 11, wherein said end of said engine housing further includes a depression to substantially deform when an internal pressure of said engine housing surpasses a pressure threshold.

13. The engine of claim 1, wherein said valve stem further includes an exterior valve stem portion that resides exterior to said valve opening.

14. The engine of claim 13, wherein said valve opens upon an application of a force to said exterior valve stem portion, wherein at least a component of said force is directed along a longitudinal axis of said valve stem.

15. The engine of claim 1, wherein said valve further includes an axial cavity partially defined by an interior surface of said valve.

16. The engine of claim 15, wherein said valve further includes at least one valve stem guide protruding from said axial cavity to substantially prevent said valve stem from moving in any direction other than transverse to said valve opening.

17. The engine of claim 16, wherein said valve further includes three valve stem guides, said three valve stem guides being disposed equidistant from one another about said axial cavity.

18. The engine of claim 15, wherein said axial cavity terminates at one end at said valve opening and at an opposing end at a shoulder, said shoulder being configured to contact said valve head when said valve is in said closed position.

19. The engine of claim 18, wherein said shoulder and said valve head are configured to contact one another in a manner that provides a substantially airtight seal therebetween.

20. The engine of claim 19, wherein said valve head is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of silicon-based rubber and butyl-based rubber.

21. The engine of claim 15, wherein said valve further includes an additional axial cavity configured between said axial cavity and a valve guide end of said valve.

22. The engine of claim 21, wherein said valve further includes a segment of interior screw threading configured between said additional axial cavity and said valve guide end of said valve.

23. The engine of claim 22, wherein said valve guide further includes a segment of exterior screw threading to operably interact with said interior screw threading to attach said valve guide to said valve.

24. The engine of claim 1, wherein said valve further includes at least one vent configured between said valve stem guide pane and said valve guide to provide gaseous communication between said engine housing and an exterior of said engine.

25. The engine of claim 24, wherein said valve stem further includes a ridge configured circumferentially about said valve stem, said valve head being affixed to said ridge.

26. The engine of claim 1, wherein said first spring end includes a smaller diameter than said second spring end.

27. The engine of claim 1, wherein said valve stem further includes a pressed or hammer-forged end configured on an opposite side of said valve stem guide pane from said valve head.

28. The engine of claim 1, wherein said valve is capable of being repeatedly opened.

29. The engine of claim 1, wherein said valve further includes at least one grip to engage a device with which said engine operates, said at least one grip extending from that end of said valve through which a compressed gas is capable of escaping when said valve is in an open position, said at least one grip further including a gripping element adapted to lockingly engage with said device.

30. The engine of claim 1, wherein said engine is used in conjunction with a needle-less injector.

31. An engine comprising:

an engine housing to contain a compressed gas, said engine housing including an engine housing opening; and

a valve traversing said engine housing opening, said valve including;

a valve opening;

a valve stem;

a valve head to obstruct the passage of a compressed gas through said valve opening when said valve is in a closed position, said valve head being affixed to said valve stem;

a valve guide to maintain said valve stem in proper alignment with said valve opening; and

at least one grip adapted to engage a device with which said engine operates, said at least one grip extending from that end of said valve through which a compressed gas is capable of escaping when said valve is in an open position, said at least one grip further including a gripping element adapted to lockingly engage with said device.

32. The engine of claim 31, wherein said engine housing further includes a first portion terminating at one end at said engine housing opening.

33. The engine of claim 32, wherein said valve further includes an exterior valve surface.

34. The engine of claim 33, wherein said exterior valve surface resides within said first portion of said engine housing.

35. The engine of claim 34, wherein said engine further including a gasket configured between said exterior valve surface and said first portion of said engine housing.

36. The engine of claim 35, wherein said exterior valve surface further includes a circumferential depression, and said gasket is disposed within said circumferential depression.

37. The engine of claim 33, wherein said first portion of said engine housing and said exterior valve surface are substantially cylindrical.

38. The engine of claim 33, wherein said valve further includes a closing rim disposed circumferentially about an exterior of said valve, and said exterior valve surface terminates at one end at said closing rim.

39. The engine of claim 38, wherein said engine housing further includes a closing ridge disposed circumferentially about said engine housing opening.

40. The engine of claim 39, said engine further including a closing ferrule to operably engage said closing rim and said closing ridge, and to maintain said closing rim and said closing ridge in a fixed position relative to one another.

41. The engine of claim 32, wherein said engine housing further includes a second portion configured between said first portion and an end of said engine housing.

42. The engine of claim 41, wherein said end of said engine housing further includes a depression to substantially deform when an internal pressure of said engine housing surpasses a pressure threshold.

43. The engine of claim 31, wherein said valve stem further includes an exterior valve stem portion that resides exterior to said valve opening.

44. The engine of claim 43, wherein said valve opens upon an application of a force to said exterior valve stem portion, wherein at least a component of said force is directed along a longitudinal axis of said valve stem.

45. The engine of claim 31, wherein said valve further includes an axial cavity partially defined by an interior surface of said valve.

46. The engine of claim 45, wherein said valve further includes at least one valve stem guide protruding from said axial cavity to substantially prevent said valve stem from moving in any direction other than transverse to said valve opening.

47. The engine of claim 46, wherein said valve further includes three valve stem guides, said three valve stem guides being disposed equidistant from one another about said axial cavity.

48. The engine of claim 45, wherein said axial cavity terminates at one end at said valve opening and at an opposing end at a shoulder, said shoulder being configured to contact said valve head when said valve is in said closed position.

49. The engine of claim 48, wherein said shoulder and said valve head are configured to contact one another in a manner that provides a substantially airtight seal therebetween.

50. The engine of claim 49, wherein said valve head is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of silicon-based rubber and butyl-based rubber.

51. The engine of claim 45, wherein said valve further includes an additional axial cavity configured between said axial cavity and a valve guide end of said valve.

52. The engine of claim 51, wherein said valve further includes a segment of interior screw threading configured between said additional axial cavity and said valve guide end of said valve.

53. The engine of claim 52, wherein said valve guide further includes a segment of exterior screw threading to operably interact with said interior screw threading to attach said valve guide to said valve.

54. The engine of claim 31, wherein said valve guide further includes a valve stem guide pane with a hole configured therein, said valve stem guide pane being configured perpendicularly to said valve stem, and said valve stem being slidably disposed within said hole.

55. The engine of claim 54, wherein said valve further includes at least one vent configured between said valve stem guide pane and said valve guide to provide gaseous communication between said engine housing and an exterior of said engine.

56. The engine of claim 55, wherein said valve stem further includes a ridge configured circumferentially about said valve stem, said valve head being affixed to said ridge.

57. The engine of claim 56, wherein said valve further includes a spring disposed between said ridge at a first spring end and said valve stem guide pane at a second spring end.

58. The engine of claim 57, wherein said first spring end includes a smaller diameter than said second spring end.

59. The engine of claim 54, wherein said valve stem further includes a flattened end configured on an opposite side of said valve stem guide pane from said valve head.

60. The engine of claim 31, wherein said valve is capable of being repeatedly opened.

61. The engine of claim 31, wherein said engine is used in conjunction with a needle-less injector.

62. A method for determining whether an engine housing is critically overcharged comprising:

providing an engine housing including;

a first end that further includes a depression capable of substantially deforming when an internal pressure of said engine housing surpasses a pressure threshold, and

a second end operably coupled to a valve, said valve including;

a valve opening,

a valve stem,

a valve head configured to obstruct the passage of a compressed gas through said valve opening when said valve is in a closed position, said valve head being affixed to said valve stem,

a valve guide to maintain said valve stem in alignment with said valve opening, said valve guide further including a valve stem guide pane with a hole configured therein, said valve stem guide pane being configured perpendicularly to said valve stem, and said valve stem being slidably disposed within said hole, and

a spring disposed between said valve head at a first spring end and said valve stem guide pane at a second spring end, said valve stem being slidably disposed within said spring;

filling said engine housing with a compressed gas;

inspecting said depression for a substantial deformation; and

determining that said engine housing is critically overcharged if a substantial deformation is found on said first end.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein said engine housing is used in conjunction with a needle-less injector.

64. The method of claim 62, said method being implemented as at least a part of a manufacturing quality control scheme.

65. A method of filling an engine with a compressed gas comprising:

providing an engine including;

an engine housing to contain a compressed gas, said engine housing including an engine housing opening, and

a valve traversing said engine housing opening, said valve including;

a valve opening,

a valve stem,

a valve head configured to obstruct the passage of a compressed gas through said valve opening when said valve is in a closed position, said valve head being affixed to said valve stem,

a valve guide to maintain said valve stem in alignment with said valve opening, said valve guide further including a valve stem guide pane with a hole configured therein, said valve stem guide pane being configured perpendicularly to said valve stem, and said valve stem being slidably disposed within said hole, and

a spring disposed between said valve head at a first spring end and said valve stem guide pane at a second spring end, said valve stem being slidably disposed within said spring;

placing said engine within a pressure-controlled environment;

raising a pressure level in said pressure-controlled environment to a raised pressure level; and

allowing a pressure within said engine to equilibrate with said raised pressure level.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein said valve further includes a spring to push said valve into a closed position once said pressure within said engine equilibrates with said raised pressure level.

67. The method of claim 65, wherein raising a pressure level includes forcing a gas into said pressure-controlled environment.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein said gas is selected from the group consisting of air, carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrogen (N₂) and inert gases.

69. The method of claim 65, wherein allowing a pressure within said engine to equilibrate with said raised pressure level further includes waiting for said valve to move into a closed position.

70. The method of claim 65, further including using said engine in conjunction with a needle-less injector.

71. A method for determining whether an engine housing is critically overcharged comprising:

providing an engine housing including;

a first end that further includes a depression capable of substantially deforming when an internal pressure of said engine housing surpasses a pressure threshold, and

a second end operably coupled to a valve, said valve including;

a valve opening,

a valve stem,

a valve head to obstruct the passage of a compressed gas through said valve opening when said valve is in a closed position, said valve head being affixed to said valve stem,

a valve guide to maintain said valve stem in alignment with said valve opening, and

at least one grip adapted to engage a device with which said engine operates, said at least one grip extending from that end of said valve through which a gas is capable of escaping when said

valve is in an open position, said at least one grip further including

a gripping element adapted to lockingly engage with said device;

filling said engine housing with a compressed gas;

inspecting said depression for a substantial deformation; and

determining that said engine housing is critically overcharged if a substantial deformation is found on said first end.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein said engine housing is used in conjunction with a needle-less injector.

73. The method of claim 71, said method being implemented as at least a part of a manufacturing quality control scheme.

74. A method of filling an engine with a compressed gas comprising:

providing an engine including;

an engine housing to contain a compressed gas, said engine housing including an engine housing opening, and

a valve traversing said engine housing opening, said valve including;

a valve opening,

a valve stem,

a valve head to obstruct the passage of a compressed gas through said valve opening when said valve is in a closed position, said valve head being affixed to said valve stem,

a valve guide to maintain said valve stem in alignment with said valve opening, and

at least one grip adapted to engage a device with which said engine operates, said at least one grip extending from that end of said valve through which a gas is capable of escaping when said valve is in an open position, said at least one grip further including a gripping element adapted to lockingly engage with said device;

placing said engine within a pressure-controlled environment;

raising a pressure level in said pressure-controlled environment to a raised pressure level; and

allowing a pressure within said engine to equilibrate with said raised pressure level.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein said valve further includes a spring to push said valve into a closed position once said pressure within said engine equilibrates with said raised pressure level.

76. The method of claim 74, wherein raising a pressure level includes forcing a gas into said pressure-controlled environment.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein said gas is selected from the group consisting of air, carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrogen (N₂) and inert gases.

78. The method of claim 74, wherein allowing a pressure within said engine to equilibrate with said raised pressure level further includes waiting for said valve to move into a closed position.

79. The method of claim 74, further including using said engine in conjunction with a needle-less injector.