Systems for Filling a Gas Cylinder

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016138759-A1
Application number	US-201514853020-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 14, 2015
Priority date	Mar 15, 2013
Publication date	May 19, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A flow control valve includes a housing defining a cavity therein. The housing has an input port for receiving a gas from a gas supply, and an output port for delivering the gas to a gas cylinder. The cavity defines a staging area fluidly connected to the input port, a delivery area fluidly connected to the output port, and a pressurization area fluidly connected to a feedback sensing port. The feedback sensing port is configured to receive pressurized fluid that is pressurized to a pressure level representative of a pressure level of gas delivered to the gas cylinder. The flow control valve includes a piston slidably positioned in a channel extending between the pressurization area and the delivery area. The position of the piston changes a rate of flow of gas through the flow control valve. The piston position moves in response to a pressure at the feedback sensing port.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A flow control valve (FCV) comprising:
a housing defining a cavity therein, the housing having an input port for receiving a gas from a gas supply, and an output port for delivering the gas to a gas cylinder; the cavity defining a staging area fluidly connected to the input port, a delivery area fluidly connected to the output port, and a pressurization area fluidly connected to a feedback sensing port, the feedback sensing port configured to receive pressurized fluid that is pressurized to a pressure level representative of the pressure level of gas delivered to the gas cylinder; and a piston slidably positioned in a channel extending between the pressurization area and the delivery area, a position of the piston changing a rate of flow of gas through the flow control valve, the piston position moving in response to a pressure at the feedback sensing port.

2 . The flow control valve of claim 1 , further comprising an aperture situated between the delivery area and the staging area, and the piston further comprising a needle valve extending through the aperture, the needle valve configured to control the flow of gas through the aperture.

3 . The flow control valve of claim 2 , wherein the needle includes a tapered portion having a varying diameter such that a diameter at an end of the needle is slightly less than a diameter of the aperture.

4 . The flow control valve of claim 3 , wherein tapered region restricts the gas flow through the aperture when the piston is in a minimum flow position.

5 . The flow control valve of claim 1 , further comprising an adjusting screw and a control spring, the control spring engaging a flange on the piston at a proximal end and engaging the adjusting screw at a distal end, the adjusting screw configured to exert a bias force on the flange.

6 . The flow control valve of claim 1 , further comprising a pressure check assembly configured to maintain a greater pressure in the staging area than the pressurization area.

7 . The flow control valve of claim 6 , wherein the pressure check assembly includes a pin and a return spring; the pin and return spring extending through a cavity in the piston; the return spring configured to extend based on a pressure in the feedback sensing port.

8 . The flow control valve of claim 1 , wherein the input port, the output port, and the sensing port are located at a proximal end of the flow control valve.

9 . The flow control valve of claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a threaded portion configured to be mated to a port on a pneumatic control manifold.

10 . The flow control valve of claim 1 , wherein the position of the piston is based on a pressure difference between a pressure in the staging area and the pressurization area.

11 . A charging system comprising:
a storage cylinder configured to supply gas; a gas cylinder configured to store gas; a pneumatic control manifold (PCM) configured to receive a flow control valve, the PCM fluidly coupling the flow control valve to the storage cylinder and the gas cylinder; the flow control valve having: a housing defining a cavity therein, the housing having an input port for receiving a gas from the storage cylinder, and an output port for delivering the gas to the gas cylinder; the cavity defining a staging area fluidly connected to the input port, a delivery area fluidly connected to the input port, and a pressurization area fluidly connected to a feedback sensing port, the feedback sensing port configured to receive pressurized fluid that is pressurized to a pressure level representative of a pressure level of gas delivered to the gas cylinder; and a piston slidably positioned in a channel extending between the pressurization area and the delivery area, a position of the piston changing a rate of flow of gas through the flow control valve, the piston position moving in response to a pressure at the feedback sensing port.

12 . The flow control valve of claim 11 , further comprising an aperture situated between the delivery area and the staging area, and the piston further comprising a needle valve extending through the aperture, the needle valve configured to control the flow of gas through the aperture.

13 . The flow control valve of claim 12 , wherein the needle includes a tapered portion having a varying diameter such that a diameter at an end of the needle is slightly less than a diameter of the aperture.

14 . The flow control valve of claim 13 , wherein tapered region greatly restricts the gas flow through the aperture when the piston is in a minimum flow position.

15 . The flow control valve of claim 11 , further comprising an adjusting screw and a control spring, the control spring engaging a flange on the piston at a proximal end and engaging the adjusting screw at a distal end, the adjusting screw configured to exert a bias force on the flange.

16 . The flow control valve of claim 1 , further comprising a pressure check assembly configured to maintain a greater pressure in the staging area than the pressurization area.

17 . The flow control valve of claim 16 , wherein the pressure check assembly includes a pin and a return spring; the pin and return spring extending through a cavity in the piston; the return spring configured to extend based on a pressure in the feedback sensing port.

18 . The flow control valve of claim 11 , wherein the input port, the output port, and the sensing port are located at a proximal end of the flow control valve.

19 . The flow control valve of claim 11 , wherein the housing includes a threaded portion configured to be mated to a port on the PCM.

20 . The flow control valve of claim 11 , wherein the position of the piston is based on a pressure difference between a pressure in the staging area and the pressurization area.

Assignees

• Scott Tech Inc

Inventors

• Rado Gordon E
• Phillips Jay P

Classifications

• F17C2227/0157

  Compressors · CPC title

• F17C2250/043

  Pressure · CPC title

• F17C2205/0385

  in blocks or units · CPC title

• F17C2205/0323

  Valves · CPC title

• F17C2260/025

  Reducing transfer time · CPC title