GB1265349A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,265,349. Testing gas bottles for leaks. COMPAGNIE DES GAZ DE PETROLE PRIMAGAZ. Nov. 17, 1969 [Feb. 21, 1969], No.56109/69. Heading G1S. A valve 4, Fig. 5, on top of a gas bottle 1 is checked for leaks by covering it with a cap 2 connected by a tube 13 to a gas detector 15, a vacuum pump 16, and a switch operating gas indicator 18. The cap 2 has a sealing ring 3 and an annular chamber 11, Fig. 2, communicating via holes 12 with the cap interior, and a compressed air connection 20 scavenges the cap and builds up a slight pressure therein to exclude the atmosphere surrounding the machine. In operation, a gas bottle 1, Figs. 1, 4, is carried by a constantly moving conveyer 8 to a check point where the bottle moves a contact 23, Fig. 5, and causes an air piston 24 to operate and hold the bottle still. The contact 23 also operates a valve 34 which supplies air to an electro-valve 19, so that when the gas indicator 18 is at rest air is also supplied to valves 36, 37 controlled by a timer 48. Valve 37 in turn controls a valve 38 so that when the contact 23 is moved by the bottle scavenging of the cap 2 by compressed air from line 21 is stopped and a double valve 39 is operated to lower a jack 6 and the cleaned cap 2 on to the bottle valve 4. If the bottle does not leak then the pump 16 and the gas detector 15 cannot pass leaking gas to the indicator 18 which therefore does not function and allows the valves 36, 37 and 39 to raise the jack 6 and cap 2 and retract the bottle holding piston 24. If the bottle does leak gas however then the indicator 18 moves and operates a switch to cut off the current supply to the electrovalve 19 which then supplies air to a conduit 50, Fig. 4, and also renders valve 37 inoperative. The jack 6 and cap 2 are then made to rise and release the bottle as before, but the air in conduit 50 has meanwhile charged a "memory" valve 41 which supplies a valve 42 connected to an ejector contact 28. As the released bottle continues on the conveyer 8 it moves the contact 28 which operates valves 42, 43 and an ejector piston 29, 30 which pushes the bottle on to a reject conveyer 27. The piston 29 also moves a contact 33 which actuates valve 44 and air line 45 to return the whole installation to a condition ready to receive another bottle.