Coupling device for a compressed gas cylinder

• US 7,757,712 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2005
• Issued: 07/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MSA Europe GmbH (MSA Safety, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MSA AUER GmbH (MSA Safety, Inc.)
• Inventors: Weber, Wolfgang, Kling, Peter, Kadow, Peter, Kuba, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Kevin L
• Application Number:
  US11/596,265
• Publication Number:
  US 20080236687A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,898 Days
• Field of Search: 137/614.03, 137/614.04, 137/614.05, 137/614, 251/149.1, 251/149.6
• US Class Current: 137/614.03
• 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 2205/0329 manually actuated
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0338 Pressure regulators
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/037 Quick connecting means, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/031 Air
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0123 gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/035 High pressure (>10 bar)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0626 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0139 Fuel stations
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/025 Breathing
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2270/0745 Gas bottles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87949 Linear motion of flow path sections operates both
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87965 Valve- or closure-operated by coupling motion

Abstract

A coupling for a compressed gas cylinder (2) includes a separate coupling part (12) that can be screwed to the standardized fitting (3) on the cylinder valve (1). The connection to the coupling means (7) of a pressure reducer (6) or the like is provided by plug-and-socket-type connecting means that can be plugged into each other, interlocked, and closed off by means of locking elements to prevent contamination from outside, the locking element provided on the coupling part at the same time forming a blow-off protection that allows only a limited gas flow when the cylinder valve is opened in uncoupled condition.

Claims

1. A coupling for a compressed air cylinder (2) for connecting the compressed air cylinder (2) to a coupling means (7) that can be coupled with a consumer (6), a manifold, or a filling station, especially for compressed air breathing apparatuses wherein

the compressed air cylinder (2) comprises a cylinder valve (1) with a standardized fitting (3), and wherein

a separate coupling part (12) that can be screwed into or onto the fitting (3) of the compressed air cylinder (2) can be coupled with the consumer (6), the manifold or filling station via connecting means (17, 18;

8) provided on the coupling part (12) and the coupling means (7) which include, on the coupling part (12), spring-loaded locking means (20, 21) that provide blow-off protection and protection from contamination in uncoupled condition, and, on the coupling means (7), spring-loaded locking elements (9, 10) and means (23, 25) for interlocking the connection between the coupling part (12) and coupling means (7) in coupled condition,

the connecting means (17, 18;

8) of the coupling part (12) including a plug (17) located in a closing ring (18) and leaving an annular clearance (19), in which annular clearance a locking ring (21) is located that in uncoupled condition is held between the plug (17) and the closing ring (18) so that a limited volumetric flow of gas can flow off when the compressed air cylinder (2) is open.

2. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means (7) comprises a hollow barb nipple (8) with an outer wall which is guided in coupled condition between parts on the connecting means (17, 18) in the coupling part (12) and can be locked in a locking groove (25) by means of latching balls (23) in the coupling part (12).

3. The coupling according to claim 2, wherein the latching balls (23) are in a functional connection with a hand wheel (14) located on the perimeter of the coupling part that can be moved in axial direction against the action of a helical compression spring (24) and rotated so that turning and moving said hand wheel (14) releases the latching balls (23).

4. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means (7) comprises a hollow barb nipple (8) with a free end and a cap (10) at the free end of the barb nipple (8) held against a gasket (11) by the action of a helical compression spring (9) in uncoupled condition that is moved in coupled condition by the action of the connecting means (18) in the coupling part (12) into the barb nipple (8), thereby opening the gas passage.

5. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the locking ring (21) that is located in the annular clearance (19) and held in place in uncoupled condition by the action of a helical compression spring (20) for blow-off protection and protection against contamination, is moved out of the annular clearance in coupled condition by the action of the connecting means (8) of the coupling means (7), thereby completely opening the gas passage.

6. The coupling according to claim 1, wherein the coupling means (7) is a separate component and can be screwed together with the consumer or manifold.

7. The coupling according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling means (7) comprises a barb nipple (8) and the coupling part (12) may each be connected either to a compressed gas cylinder (1) or to a consumer (6), manifold, or filling station.