Safety device for connecting cryogenic fluid piping and cryogenic fluid container comprising at least one piping provided with such a safety device

• US 6,641,174 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2001
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: L'Air Liquide SA
• Original Assignee: L'Air Liquide SA
• Inventors: Klok, Cornelis
• Primary Examiner(s): Browne, Lynne H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUNWOODY, AARON M
• Application Number:
  US09/951,635
• Publication Number:
  US 20020056992A1
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 285/1, 285/93, 285/904, 285/914, 285/117, 285/115, 285/116, 285/114, 403/16, 406/73, 406/610.8, 406/60, 137/385, 137/614.02, 403/335, 403/337, 403/338
• US Class Current: 285/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 35/00 Means to prevent accidental or unauthorised actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/20 Safety or protective couplings
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/60 Identification or marking
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 35/00 Special arrangements used in connection with end fittings of hoses, e.g. safety or protecting devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/904 Cryogenic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/914 Irreversible

Abstract

A device for connecting cryogenic fluid containers includes a connection having screw-threaded connection portions and a flange having at least one pair of openings spaced by a predetermined distance. The device also includes a retaining strap of L shape with two wings cut out in U shape, the front wing also having a pair of openings spaced by the same distance as the openings of the flange. Rivets secure the strap and the flange to each other. The front wing also has a marking identifying the gas corresponding to the distance between openings.

Claims

1. A safety device for cryogenic fluid piping connections, comprising:

a central body portion having a traversing fluid flow passage, first and second screw-threaded ends and a flange portion between said first and second ends, said fluid flow passage extending from the first end to the second end, said flange portion having at least one pair of openings spaced apart by a predetermined distance (d₁); and

a retaining member having a front part formed with a pair of openings spaced by said predetermined distance (d₁) for securing the retaining member to the flange portion, and a rear part arranged and adapted to coact in abutment with an element of said piping connections.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the rear part extends at an angle relative to the front part.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the rear part of the retaining member is substantially U-shaped to accommodate a portion of the element of said piping connections.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the retaining member bears a marking.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the predetermined distance (d₁) is selected from a group of at least two predetermined different distances.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the marking is associated with one of said at least two predetermined different distances.

8. A cryogenic fluid container comprising at least one piping provided with a safety device according to claim 1.

9. The container of claim 8, comprising at least two conduits, each conduit having said safety device, the retaining member of each said safety device being interconnected by a flexible link.

10. The container of claim 8 containing an air gas.

3. A safety device for cryogenic fluid piping connections, comprising:

a central body portion having a traversing fluid flow passage, first and second screw-threaded ends and a flange portion between said first and second ends, said flange portion having at least one pair of openings spaced apart by a predetermined distance (d₁); and

a retaining member having a front part formed with a pair of openings spaced by said predetermined distance (d₁) for securing the retaining member to the flange portion, and a rear part arranged and adapted to coact in abutment with a valve.

16. The device of claim 3, wherein the rear part extends at an angle relative to the front part.

17. The device of claim 3, wherein the rear part of the retaining member is substantially U-shaped to accommodate a portion of the element of said piping connections.

18. The device of claim 3, wherein the retaining member bears an identifying marking.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the predetermined distance (d₁) is selected from a group of at least two predetermined different distances.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the marking is associated with one of said at least two predetermined different distances.

11. A safety device for connecting cryogenic piping, comprising:

a connection member having a central body between first and second threaded ends, said central body having a traversing fluid flow passage and a flange with at least one pair of spaced apart openings through said flange; and

an L-shaped retaining member having a first leg with at least one pair of openings for securing said retaining member to said flange and a second leg for engaging a component of said piping,

wherein a marking on said retaining member indicates that said at least one pair of spaced apart openings in said connection member and said at least one pair of openings in said retaining member are connectable.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the connection member and the retaining member are non-removably secured by rivets.

13. The device according to claim 11, wherein the markings indicate a liquefied gas.

14. The device according to claim 11, further comprising a flexible connection for connecting a plurality of like retaining members to each other.

15. The device according to claim 11, further comprising a removable cap for capping off one of said first and second threaded ends when said device is in a non-use position.