JP2001520964A - Fluid container automatic refilling device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] A device that automatically refills the fluid container (10). The pressure vessel (12) is filled with a pressurized gas and a fluid. A hydraulic cylinder (26) having an internal volume is provided. The hydraulic cylinder (26) has a piston (30) therein, and a drive shaft (32) extending from the hydraulic cylinder (26) is attached to the piston (30). A gear rack (40) is provided on the drive shaft (32). The hydraulic cylinder (26) has fluid ports (28, 36) provided at its first and second ends. A fluid line (24) is connected between the pressure vessel (12) and the first fluid port (28). The valve (44) has a fluid inlet (46) and a fluid outlet (48). A geared sprocket (42) is mounted on the valve (44) and operates to open and close the valve (44). A gear rack (40) on the drive shaft (32) engages and moves the geared sprocket (42). A fluid supply tube (50) is connected to the fluid inlet (46) and carries fluid from the fluid source through the valve (44). A fluid connection (38) is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet (48) of the valve (44). The second fluid pipe (34) is connected between the fluid connector (38) and the second fluid port (36). The fluid filling tube (56) connects the fluid connector (38) to the fluid container (58) to be filled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

【Technical field】

The present invention relates generally to fluid storage and delivery technology, and more particularly to an apparatus and system for automatically supplying and stopping fluid in a pressure vessel filling process.

[0002]

[Background Art]

Closed pressure vessels, such as those approved by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), have become popular as containers for storing and supplying fluids. The advantages obtained by using a pressure vessel are that the DOT pressure vessel is less prone to cracks and leaks and can improve hygiene and safety, and inadvertently releases fluid from the sealed pressure vessel. Less likely to reduce environmental impact; more efficient transfer of fluids between containers and fluid destinations (eg, automobiles and other machinery); and reuse of pressure vessels. That is, the cost can be reduced. A gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide is filled in the pressure vessel as a propellant, and a fluid can be supplied by the propellant without using a pump. The use of a propellant is particularly advantageous when the propellant is an inert gas. This is because such propellants have high fire safety and can eliminate the need for pumps and electronics.

In the case of a pressure vessel using an inert gas propellant, it is desirable to prevent the propellant from escaping while the vessel is being filled with fluid, otherwise the propellant charge will be insufficient. Fluid supply becomes impossible and must be refilled. In addition, the operation of filling the pressure vessel with the fluid so that the propellant does not escape is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Generally, fluid is dispensed from a large, high pressure vessel to a small, low pressure vessel. This transfer of fluid is typically accomplished using a pump or other means.
A pump used for transferring a fluid often performs the transfer by ejecting a pulsating high-pressure fluid. Various means can be employed to ensure that an accurate amount of fluid is supplied, and it is possible to eliminate excess or shortage of the fluid filled in the pressure vessel.
For example, a system that supplies a predetermined amount of fluid by using a fluid meter or the like is appropriate if the pressure vessel is known to be empty. Other systems use a weighing system that controls a fluid valve to automatically stop fluid flow when the weight of the container reaches a predetermined requirement. These systems are not ideal because they require expensive and fragile meters, pumps, electronics, and have reliability issues.

Accordingly, the flow of fluid from any fluid source to a pressure vessel containing a blanket gas is automatically and reliably controlled even under high pressure pulsating and irregular pressures, thereby providing a pressure vessel. There is a need for an improved pressure vessel autofill valve / system that can be used to fill a pressure vessel with fluid until the propellant therein reaches a predetermined pressure.

[0005]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The device 10 of the present invention has a memory unit 12. The memory unit 12 has a sealed pressure vessel 14 which has a predetermined internal volume 16.
And preferably contains only a small, predetermined amount of liquid 18 (eg, oil). The reason for using liquid is that liquid is less likely to leak from a hydraulic cylinder than gas, has less compression under pressure, and is more reliable. The memory unit 12 includes a gas inlet valve 20 for introducing gas to pressurize the internal volume 16 and the fluid 18 in the memory unit 12. A pressure gauge 22 is in communication with the memory unit 12.

The pressure gauge 22 displays “open” pressure and “closed” pressure, as described below.
A short fluid line 24 is fluidly connected between the bottom of the memory unit 12 and the right side 28 of the hydraulic cylinder 26. The pressure gauge 22 visually displays the inflow pressure (opening pressure) of the fluid into the sealed pressure vessel 58 and the pressure when the flow of the fluid is stopped (closed pressure), and indicates that the sealed pressure vessel 58 is full. It is shown. The pressurized gas is preferably an inert gas.

The hydraulic cylinder 26 has a liquid-tight piston 30 having a push rod 32 therein. A second fluid line 34 is connected to the left side 36 of the hydraulic cylinder 26. The second fluid pipe 34 is connected to and fluidly connected to downstream fluid connection means such as a T-shaped part 38. At the tip of the push rod 32, first engagement means such as a gear rack 40 is provided. Other engagement means can be provided. The gear rack 40 is mounted on a sprocket 42 with gears. Sprocket with gear 4
Numeral 2 is connected to a fluid valve (such as a ball valve) 44 to open and close it. The gear rack 40 and the geared sprocket 42 may be replaced by other known coupling means capable of actuating the valve 44 by movement of the piston 30 in the hydraulic cylinder 26. Valve 44 has a fluid / air inlet side 46 and a fluid outlet side 48.

The fluid sent to the sealed pressure vessel 58 to fill the sealed pressure vessel 58 is supplied via a fluid supply line 50 to the fluid / air inlet side 46 of the valve 44. The fluid supply line 50 is connected to a larger fluid source such as a tanker truck that supplies a fluid via a pump (not shown). Fluid / air inlet side 46 and outlet side 48 to reduce fluid pressure fluctuations and ejection of fluid through valve 44
It is preferable to provide reducers 52 and 54 respectively.

Fluid passes through valve 44, exits at outlet side 48, and enters T-piece 38.
As best shown in FIG. 1, fluid is conveyed by a fluid filling hose 56 to a sealed pressure vessel 58 to be filled. Optionally, the pressure valve 60 is connected to the T-shaped part 38.
Provided above, the fluid pressure in the T-piece 38 (and thereby the fluid pressure in the sealed pressure vessel 58) can be monitored. Further, the following safety mechanism is provided. A locking mechanism 62 is preferably provided to automatically maintain the valve 44 in the closed position when the sealed pressure vessel 58 is filled with fluid. Such a lock mechanism 6
Two examples are shown, wherein the locking mechanism 62 has a pivotally attached catch arm 64 with a locking head 66. Until the gear rack 40 is moved to the right position, thereby rotating the sprocket 42 clockwise (and closing the valve 44), the head 66 is slidably riding on the gear rack 40; Does not engage with gear rack 40. When the gear rack 40 moves to the right position, the head 64 is located behind the gear rack 40 (i.e., above the locking point of the gear rack 40, not shown), thereby, as best shown in FIG.
Prevents further rotation of the geared sprocket 42 and prevents the valve 44 from being inadvertently opened.

In operation, device 10 functions as follows. When fluid is supplied to the system from the fluid / air inlet side 46, this fluid is passed through valve 44 to fluid outlet side 4.
8, and at this time, a pressure drop occurs due to the decrease in the inner diameter of the pipe and the inner diameter of the valve 44.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fluid filling hose 56 is connected to the closed pressure vessel 5 through a hose 68.
8 is connected. For ease of use, the fluid-filled hose 56 includes a hose 68
Can be connected to the fluid filling component 70 connected to the Fluid filling part 7
The zero preferably incorporates a device that prevents the blanket of any fluid or propellant from leaking out of the sealed pressure vessel 58.

The sealed pressure vessel 58 holds a fluid, such as hydraulic or automotive oil, and a blanket of pressurized propellant, preferably an inert gas such as nitrogen. Valve 4
4. As fluid flows out through T-piece 38 and hose 56 and into sealed pressure vessel 58, the pressure of the propellant in sealed pressure vessel 58 increases due to the reduction in available gas volume. For example, when the sealed pressure vessel 58 is empty, it can be filled with about 20 PSI of nitrogen gas. When the sealed pressure vessel 58 is about 80-90% full, the pressure of the nitrogen gas will increase to about 80-100 PSI. This pressurizes the fluid in the hose 56 during the filling process. This pressure is applied to the left side 3 of the hydraulic cylinder 26.
It also occurs in the second fluid pipe 34 and the T-shaped part 38 connected to 6.

As described above, fluid exists under a predetermined pressure in the memory unit 12, and the fluid is guided to the right side 28 of the hydraulic cylinder 26. Second fluid pipe 34
When the pressure of the fluid present inside and on the left side of the hydraulic cylinder 26 exceeds the pressure of the pressurized fluid flowing from the memory unit 12 to the right side 28 of the hydraulic cylinder 26 via the pipe 24, the liquid tight piston 30 Move. By this movement, the gear rack 40 on the geared sprocket 42 connected to the valve 44 moves. At the appropriate pressure, valve 44 opens and closes, providing an automatic closing mechanism that controls the flow of fluid into sealed pressure vessel 58.

In particular, by providing the memory unit 12 having an internal volume of about 100 times the internal volume of the hydraulic cylinder 26, the device 10 operates very accurately and provides sufficient torque to close the valve 44. I do. During operation of the apparatus 10, when the pressure in the sealed pressure vessel 58 reaches a predetermined fluid pressure, the piston 30 pushes the gear rack 40 smoothly and quickly, whereby the gear rack 40 slides and closes the valve 44, The locking mechanism 62 prevents the valve 44 from being opened again unless the user intentionally resets it.

[0015] This novel invention is an important improvement over the prior art. Because the present invention provides a high pressure fluid source, such as a fluid tank, which pulsates the fluid at a high pressure,
This is because the sealed pressure vessel containing the propellant blanket can be refilled with the fluid in a safe and effective manner, and the flow of fluid can be automatically stopped when the vessel is full.

The drawings and the above description are merely illustrative of one form of the method and operation of the present invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Although specific terms have been used, they are intended in a general and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention connected to a pressure vessel for filling a fluid;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device showing the valve in the open position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the device showing the valve in a closed position.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, KE, LS, MW, SD, SZ, UG, ZW) , EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, GB, GE, GH, HU, IL, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS , LT, LU, LV, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZWF terms (reference) 3E083 AA19 AD17 AE16 [Continued from summary] It is in fluid communication with (48). A second fluid pipe (34) is connected between the fluid connector (38) and the second fluid port (36). The fluid filling tube (56) connects the fluid connector (38) to the fluid container (58) to be filled.

Claims (7)

[Claims] An automatic refilling device for a fluid container, comprising: a pressure vessel filled with a pressurized gas; a fluid port at first and second ends; and an internal volume smaller than the internal volume of the pressure vessel. A hydraulic cylinder, a piston slidably provided in the hydraulic cylinder, and extending from the hydraulic cylinder and having a drive shaft provided with first engagement means, and a pressure vessel connected to the hydraulic cylinder. A fluid pipe connected to a fluid port provided at the first end; valve means having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; and engagement means provided on the valve means, the first means being provided on the drive shaft. Second engagement means engaged by the first engagement means to open and close the valve means, and connected to an inlet of the valve means for carrying fluid from the fluid source through the valve means Fluid supply pipe for the valve hand A fluid connection means in fluid communication with a fluid outlet of the second fluid pipe; a second fluid pipe connecting the fluid connection means to a second end of the hydraulic cylinder; A fluid filling tube adapted to be mounted. 2. The automatic fluid container refilling device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure vessel contains a liquid therein. 3. The automatic fluid container refilling device of claim 1, wherein the internal volume of the pressure vessel is about 100 times greater than the internal volume of the hydraulic cylinder. 4. The automatic fluid container refilling device according to claim 1, wherein the first engaging means on the drive shaft includes a gear rack, and the second engaging means on the valve means includes a sprocket with gears. Including equipment. 5. The automatic refilling device for a fluid container according to claim 1, wherein the valve means includes a ball valve. 6. The automatic fluid container refilling device according to claim 1, further comprising a safety lock means for preventing the valve means from being opened. 7. The automatic fluid container refilling device according to claim 1, wherein pressure reducing means is provided at a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the valve means.