Surge prevention device

• US 7,174,909 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2005
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Allied Healthcare Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Allied Healthcare Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Kullmann, William J., Kroupa, Kevin D.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US11/119,795
• Publication Number:
  US 20050189022A1
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 137/595, 137/861, 137/862, 137/883, 137/1
• US Class Current: 137/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/302 with valve member and actuator on the same side of the seat
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/303 with a valve member, e.g. stem or shaft, passing through the seat
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/52 Means for additional adjustment of the rate of flow
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/526 for limiting the maximum flow rate, using a second valve
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/54 Arrangements for modifying the way in which the rate of flow varies during the actuation of the valve
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/04 Arrangement or mounting of valves valves per se F16K ; snap-coupling of nipples F16L37/00
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0109 with exteriorly curved end-piece
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/032 with substantially vertical main axis
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/058 portable (<30 l)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0329 manually actuated
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0338 Pressure regulators
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0385 in blocks or units
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0394 in direct contact with the pressure vessel
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/011 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0123 gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/036 Very high pressure (>80 bar)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0626 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/021 Avoiding over pressurising
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2265/012 by filtering
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/025 Breathing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 : Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86944 : One valve seats against other valve [e.g., concentric valves]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87056 : With selective motion for plural valve actuator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87161 : With common valve operator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87708 : With common valve operator

Abstract

A surge prevention valve may be used to prevent the formation of an initial surge of high pressure. The valve may be located, for example, between a high pressure gas cylinder and a medical pressure regulator. The valve is provided with first and second valves located within a housing and integrating a pressurization orifice. The initial opening of the valve in an axial direction enables gas to flow through the pressurization orifice at a first flow rate. The full opening of the valve in the axial direction enables the gas to flow through the second valve at a second flow rate, which is much higher than the first flow rate. The controlled pressurization of the gas through the orifice delays the time during which the gas reaches full recompression. The valve may be further provided with a vent for venting pressurized gas away from a nominally closed top surface of the lower valve element. The valve may be also provided with a valve inlet tube extending into a gas cylinder to prevent contaminants, particles and/or impurities from entering the valve.

Claims

1. A fire prevention method of operating a medical oxygen delivery system, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a cylinder containing oxygen;

providing a medical device for delivering said oxygen to a patient;

locating a valve between said oxygen cylinder and said medical device, said valve having a stem, and said stem having a reduced diameter portion;

opening said valve to a partially open condition by moving said stem in a first direction such that said oxygen flows in a second direction around said reduced diameter portion, said second direction being opposite said first direction; and

subsequently, opening said valve to a condition that is more open than said partially open condition.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of pushing at least a portion of a handle in said first direction to open said valve to said partially open condition, and rotating said handle to open said valve to said more open condition.

3. A medical oxygen delivery system, comprising:

a cylinder containing oxygen;

a medical device for delivering said oxygen to a patient;

a fire prevention valve located between said oxygen cylinder and said medical device, said valve having a stem, and said stem having a reduced diameter portion, wherein said valve is arranged to be partially opened by moving said stem in a first direction such that said oxygen flows in a second direction around said reduced diameter portion, said second direction being opposite said first direction, and wherein said valve is arranged to be opened subsequently to a condition that is more open than said partially open condition.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said medical device includes a pressure regulator.

5. A fire prevention valve for a medical oxygen delivery system, said valve comprising:

a first end for connection to a cylinder containing oxygen;

a second end for connection to a medical device for delivering said oxygen to a patient; and

a stem having a reduced diameter portion, and wherein said valve is arranged to be partially opened by moving said stem in a first direction such that said oxygen flows in a second direction around said reduced diameter portion, said second direction being opposite said first direction, and wherein said valve is arranged to be opened subsequently to a condition that is more open than said partially open condition.

6. The valve of claim 5, further comprising a rotatable handle for opening said valve to said more open condition.