Connection system for a pressure cylinder

• US 6,000,419 A
• Filed: 05/28/1997
• Issued: 12/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carbagas
• Original Assignee: Carbagas
• Inventors: Bernhard, Ernst
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US08/817,191
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 137/614, 137/614.04, 137/614.05, 137/322, 137/15, 205/320
• US Class Current: 137/15.12
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/084 combined with automatic locking
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/12 using hooks, pawls or other movable or insertable locking members F16L37/084 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/002 for vessels under pressure F17C13/008 and F17C13/02 - F17C13/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/084 for small-sized storage vessels, e.g. compressed gas cylinders or bottles, disposable gas vessels, vessels adapted for automotive use
• 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 2205/0335 Check-valves or non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0344 Sinter type
• 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 2221/035 Propane butane, e.g. LPG, GPL
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0153 Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/033 Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/048 by maintaining residual pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/043 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0458 Tapping pipe, keg, or tank
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6137 Longitudinal movement of valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87965 Valve- or closure-operated by coupling motion

Abstract

A connection system for a pressure cylinder (5) comprises a check valve (4) located in the neck (15) of the pressure cylinder (5) and which is equipped with a gas removal connection opening and can be operated from the outside by means of a valve tappet displaceable along a central axis (6), as well as a connecting device (2), which is connectable in gastight, detachably locking manner with the check valve (4) and contains means for valve tappet operation. In such a connection system an easy and rapid replacement or connection of cylinders is made possible, whilst leading to a high security against incorrect operation and faults and reliable handling and storage of the cylinders in that the pressure cylinder (5) with the check valve (4) and connecting device (2) are mechanically couplable in a common pivoting axis (34) located at right angles to and outside the central axis (6) and in the coupled state are connectable by a pivoting relative to one another about the pivoting axis (34).

Claims

1. Connection system for a pressure cylinder, comprising:

a check valve with a first central axis;

said check valve being located in a neck of the pressure cylinder;

said check valve having a connection opening for gas removal;

said check valve including a valve tappet for operating said check valve by displacement of said valve tappet along said first central axis;

a connecting device with a second central axis;

said connecting device being connectable in a gas-tight, detachable locking manner with said check valve;

said connecting device containing means for displacing said valve tappet of said check valve; and

means for mechanically and detachably coupling in a first step the pressure cylinder with said check valve to said connecting device to form a swivel joint with a pivot axis lying at right angles to and outside said first and second central axes and with said first central axis being inclined with respect to said second central axis, said means enabling, in a second step said pressure cylinder with said check valve and said connecting device to be connected in a gas-tight manner in said coupled state by pivoting relative to one another about said pivot axis until said first central axis is in alignment with said second central axis.

2. Connection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the check valve (4) comprises a screw-in cone (28) concentric to the central axis (6) and can be screwed by means of a conical thread (29) on the screw-in cone (28) into the neck (15) of the pressure cylinder (5).

3. Connection system according to claim 2, characterized in that onto the outer end of the screw-in cone (28) is shaped a substantially rectangular connection plate (27) at right angles to the central axis (6) and on whose top is provided the connection opening (30) and that the pivoting axis (33 or 34) is defined by a pair of spigots (31a, b or 32a, b), which are shaped on two opposite sides of the connection plate (27).

4. Connection system according to claim 3, characterized in that on the connection plate are shaped two pairs of spigots (31a, b;

32a, b), which define two arbitrarily usable pivoting axes (33,

     34), which are arranged symmetrically to a median plane passing through the central axis (6).

5. Connection system according to claim 2, characterized in that the valve tappet (38) extends from above into the vicinity of the conical thread (29).

6. Connection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection opening (30) is constructed as an outwardly opening cone concentric to the central axis (6), that in the wall of the opening cone is provided a concentrically passing round packing ring (56) and that the connecting device (2, 3, 20, 23) comprises a gas removal head, which in its front region is constructed as a plug cone (54) matching the opening cone and on connecting the check valve (4) and connecting device (2, 3, 20, 23) sealingly fits in the opening cone.

7. Connection system according to claim 6, characterized in that on the check valve (4) and on the connecting device (2, 3, 20, 23) are provided coding means (35, 53) allowing a correct connection of pressure cylinder (5) and connecting device (2, 3, 20, 23) only for pressure cylinders matching the connecting device.

8. Connection system according to claim 7, characterized in that the coding means comprise a concavely toothed internal shape (35) positioned concentrically to the central axis (6) in the vicinity of the connection opening (30) and a matching, convexly toothed external shape (53) located in the vicinity of the gas removal head (52).

9. Connection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting device comprises a reducing valve (2) with a spring-loaded diaphragm (48) and that the means for operating the valve tappet (38) comprise a push rod (51) subject to the action of the diaphragm (48) and which acts on the valve tappet (38) on connecting the check valve (4) and connecting device.

10. Connection system according to claim 9 characterized in that the connecting device comprises a fixed installable wall mounting (3) for receiving a pressure cylinder (5) equipped with the check valve (4) and to which is resiliently fixed (59) the reducing valve (2) or manual operating device (23).

11. Connection system according to claim 10, characterized in that the check valve (4) comprises a screw-in cone (28) concentric to the central axis (6) and by means of a conical thread (29) located on the screw-in cone (28) can be screwed into the neck (15) of the pressure cylinder (5), that on the outer end of the screw-in cone (28) is shaped a substantially rectangular connection plate (27) at right angles to the central axis (6) and on whose top is provided the connection opening (30), that the pivoting axis (33 or 34) is defined by a pair of spigots (31a, b or 32a, b), which are shaped on two opposite sides of the connection plate (27), that the wall mounting (3) comprises two parallel support arms (12), which have on their free ends hang-in openings (58), into which can be hung the connection plate (27) by its spigots (31a, b or 32a, b) and in which the connection plate (27) can be pivoted about the pivoting axis (33 or 34) defined by the spigots (31a, b or 32a, b).

12. Connection system according to claim 11, characterized in that on the connection plate are shaped two pairs of spigots (31a, b or 32a, b), which define two randomly usable pivoting axes (33, 34) positioned symmetrically to a median plane passing through the central axis (6) and that on the fastening side of the support arms (12) are provided locking openings (57), in which, on connection, pivot and are lockingly held the pair of spigots (32a, b or 31a, b) not used for pivoting.

13. Connection system according to claim 12, characterized in that for locking purposes a ratchet lever (14) is provided, which is pivotably mounted about a pivoting axis (10) on the wall mounting (3).

14. Connection system according to claim 9 characterized in that the connecting device comprises a mobile mounting (20), on which is resiliently fixed (59) the reducing valve (2) or manual operating device (23) and which can be slipped on the pressure cylinder (5) equipped with the check valve (4).

15. Connection system according to claim 14, characterized in that the check valve (4) comprises a screw-in cone (28) concentric to the central axis (6) and which can be screwed into the neck (15) of the pressure cylinder (5) by a conical thread (29) located on the screw-in cone (28), that on the outer end of the screw-in cone (28) is shaped a substantially rectangular connection plate (27) at right angles to the central axis (6) and on whose top is provided the connection opening (30), that the pivoting axis (33 or 34) is defined by a pair of spigots (31a, b or 32a, b), which are shaped on two opposite sides of the connection plate (27), that the mobile mounting (20) comprises two parallel forks (19) with which the mobile mounting (20) can be engaged on the connection plate (27) with the spigots (31a, b or 32a, b) and in which the mobile mounting (20) is pivotable about the pivoting axis (33 or 34) defined by the spigots (31a, b or 32a, b).

16. Connection system according to claim 17, characterized in that on the connection plate are shaped two pairs of spigots (31a, b, 32a, b), which define two randomly usable pivoting axes (33, 34), which are located symmetrically to a median plane passing through the central axis (6) and that on the side opposite to the forks (19) are provided locking means (17, 18), which on connection pivot and lock by means of the pair of spigots (32a, b or 31a, b) not used for pivoting.

17. Connection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting device is constructed as a manual operating device (23) for opening the check valve (4).

18. Connection system according to claim 17, characterized in that the means for operating the valve tappet (38) comprise a spindle (25).

19. Connection system according to claim 1 characterized in that on the connecting device (2, 3, 20, 23) is provided a gas removal connection (60), which contains a line check valve (62).