Quick connect pressure reducer/cylinder valve for self-contained breathing apparatus

• US 7,866,338 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2008
• Issued: 01/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sti Licensing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Sti Licensing Corporation
• Inventors: Mele, Ronald B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Kevin L
• Application Number:
  US12/111,636
• Publication Number:
  US 20080196725A1
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 137/505.25, 137/505, 137/507, 128/202.27, 128/205.24, 128/204.18, 128/207.12
• US Class Current: 137/507
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/02 Valves non-return valves mounted in breathing masks or helmets A62B18/10
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/04 Couplings; Supporting frames
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/08 in which the connection between abutting or axially overlapping ends is maintained by locking members F16L37/22 - F16L37/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0402 Cleaning, repairing, or assembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5283 Units interchangeable between alternate locations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7793 With opening bias [e.g., pressure regulator]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7808 Apertured reactor surface surrounds flow line
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7833 With means for mounting or connecting to system
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8326 Fluid pressure responsive indicator, recorder or alarm
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87925 Separable flow path section, valve or closure in each
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9029 With coupling

Abstract

A breathing air tank and valve assembly is provided for use in a self-contained breathing apparatus. The breathing air tank and valve assembly includes a pressure vessel and a cylinder valve for connection to the pressure vessel. The cylinder valve includes a valve body having an interior, and a first fitting adapted to connect the valve body directly to the pressure vessel, thereby creating a fluid connection to the interior of the valve body. The cylinder valve includes a second fitting that is an outlet adapted to connect the valve body to a pressure reducer assembly, and a third fitting that is an inlet having a check valve. The third fitting is adapted to connect the valve body to an external source of pressurized air and thereby provide a direct air path from the external source of pressurized air through the interior of the valve body to the pressure vessel.

Claims

1. A breathing air tank and valve assembly for use in a self-contained breathing apparatus, comprising:

a pressure vessel; and

a cylinder valve for connection to the pressure vessel, the cylinder valve including;

a valve body having an interior;

a first fitting adapted to connect the valve body directly to the pressure vessel, thereby creating a fluid connection to the interior of the valve body;

a second fitting, the second fitting being an outlet adapted to connect the valve body to a pressure reducer assembly; and

a third fitting, the third fitting being an inlet having a check valve, wherein the third fitting is adapted to connect the valve body to an external source of pressurized air and thereby provide a direct air path from the external source of pressurized air through the interior of the valve body to the pressure vessel.

2. The breathing air tank and valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the second fitting is a quick-connect probe for threadless connection to the pressure reducer assembly.

3. The breathing air tank and valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the third fitting includes a conventional threaded fitting for connection to the external pressurized air source.

4. The breathing air tank and valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the third fitting is a CGA-type fitting.

5. The breathing air tank and valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the cylinder valve is adjustable between at least an open state and a closed state, wherein in the open state, an air path exists from the pressure vessel through the interior of the valve body to the second fitting, and in the closed state, no air path exists from the pressure vessel through the interior of the valve body to the second fitting, wherein the direct air path from the external pressurized air source through the interior of the valve body to the pressure vessel exists regardless of whether the cylinder valve is in the open state or the closed state.

6. The breathing air tank and valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the cylinder valve is adjustable between at least an open state and a closed state, wherein in the open state, an air path exists from the pressure vessel through the interior of the valve body to the second fitting, and in the closed state, no air path exists from the pressure vessel through the interior of the valve body to the second fitting, wherein the valve assembly includes a hand wheel for adjusting the cylinder valve between the open state and the closed state.

7. The breathing air tank and valve assembly of claim 2, wherein the quick-connect probe includes a probe tip and a notch interposed between the probe tip and the valve body.

8. The breathing air tank and valve assembly of claim 7, wherein the notch is a circumferential notch.

9. The breathing air tank and valve assembly of claim 2, wherein the quick-connect probe may be temporarily connected to the valve body by a threaded fitting.

10. The breathing air tank and valve assembly of claim 2, wherein the quick-connect probe is permanently connected to the valve body.

11. A cylinder valve for connection to a pressure vessel, comprising:

a valve body having an interior;

a first fitting adapted to connect the valve body directly to the pressure vessel, thereby creating a fluid connection to the interior of the valve body;

a second fitting, the second fitting being an outlet adapted to connect the valve body to a first pressure reducer assembly; and

a third fitting, the third fitting being an outlet and having a check valve, wherein the third fitting is adapted to connect the valve body to a second pressure reducer assembly to thereby provide an air path from the pressure vessel through the interior of the valve body to the second pressure reducer assembly.

12. The cylinder valve of claim 11, wherein the second fitting is a quick-connect probe for threadless connection to the first pressure reducer assembly.

13. The cylinder valve of claim 11, wherein the third fitting includes a conventional threaded fitting for connection to the second pressure reducer assembly.

14. The cylinder valve of claim 11, wherein the third fitting is a CGA-type fitting.

15. The cylinder valve of claim 11, further comprising a valve assembly that is adjustable between at least an open state and a closed state, wherein in the open state, an air path exists from the pressure vessel through the interior of the valve body to the second fitting, and in the closed state, no air path exists from the pressure vessel through the interior of the valve body to the second fitting, wherein the air path from the pressure vessel through the interior of the valve body to the second pressure reducer assembly exists regardless of whether the valve assembly is in the open state or the closed state.

16. The cylinder valve of claim 11, further comprising a valve assembly that is adjustable between at least an open state and a closed state, wherein in the open state, an air path exists from the pressure vessel through the interior of the valve body to the second fitting, and in the closed state, no air path exists from the pressure vessel through the interior of the valve body to the second fitting, wherein the valve assembly includes a hand wheel for adjusting the valve assembly between the open state and the closed state.

17. The cylinder valve of claim 12, wherein the quick-connect probe includes a probe tip and a notch interposed between the probe tip and the valve body.

18. The cylinder valve of claim 17, wherein the notch is a circumferential notch.

19. The cylinder valve of claim 12, wherein the quick-connect probe may be temporarily connected to the valve body by a threaded fitting.

20. The cylinder valve of claim 12, wherein the quick-connect probe is permanently connected to the valve body.