DESC:FIELD

The present disclosure relates to valves.

BACKGROUND

A valve is an apparatus that regulates the flow of gases/ liquids through passages. The valves in LPG cylinders enable passage of gaseous fuel contained within a cylinder. Stoves for instance require a continuous supply of gaseous fuel at a predetermined constant rate in order to maintain the temperature required for their efficient operation.

Conventional valves applicable for regulating the flow of gaseous fuel from an LPG cylinder are plagued with several disadvantages. One of the disadvantages of conventional valves is that they are not repairable. Another disadvantage of conventional valves is that they involve high operational cost as well as have less service life. Further, conventional valves fail to supply gaseous fuel at a desired constant rate.

Hence, there is felt a need for a valve which overcomes the drawbacks of conventional valves.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the system of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a LPG valve which is easily repairable.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a LPG valve having a relatively low operating cost.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a LPG valve having extended operating life.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a LPG valve which is easy to assemble and dissemble.

An added object of the present disclosure is to provide a LPG valve which restricts excessive discharge of fluid, particularly gaseous fuel for consumption.

Further an object of the present disclosure is to prevent leakage of fluid from a LPG cylinder.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

A valve for a Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder for regulating gas flow there-through is disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The valve includes a valve body, a hollow spring retainer element, an excess flow device, a first compression spring, a second compression spring, a displaceable flow restrictor, a displaceable packing and a valve. The valve body is having an axially extending through bore, wherein cross-sectional dimension of the bore varies along the axial length of the valve body such that cross-sectional dimension of the bore at an operative top end of the valve body is less than the cross-sectional dimension of the bore at an operative bottom end and an intermediate portion is having the least cross-sectional dimension. The hollow spring retainer element threadably engages with the operative bottom end portion of the valve body and includes a centrally disposed aperture. The excess flow device is functionally coupled to an operative bottom end of the hollow spring retainer element and is having at least one central hole and an inclined hole in fluid communication with the LPG cylinder. The first compression spring is received within the hollow spring retainer. The second compression spring is disposed between the hollow spring retainer element and the excess flow device. The displaceable flow restrictor is urged by the first and second compression springs towards the bore at the intermediate portion of the valve body to define a closed configuration in which the flow restrictor restricts fluid flow through portion of the bore at the intermediate portion. The flow restrictor further moves away from the bore at the intermediate portion to define an open configuration in which the flow restrictor compresses the first compression spring and permits fluid flow through the portion of bore at the intermediate portion. The displaceable packing is disposed between the central hole of the excess flow device and the centrally disposed aperture configured on the hollow spring retainer element and selectively covers and uncovers either of the central hole and the centrally disposed aperture for selectively permitting fluid communication between the LPG cylinder and the displaceable flow restrictor via the centrally disposed aperture. The displaceable packing facilitates regulation of gas outflow from the LPG cylinder in case of pressure of gas inside the LPG cylinder is more than predetermined pressure. The valve co-operates with a valve seat disposed operatively horizontally inside the excess flow device. The valve seat is urged radially outward by a compression spring. The valve - valve seat further facilitates regulation of gas inflow into the LPG cylinder by selectively disrupting gas supply to the inclined hole configured on the excess flow device, thereby permitting gas inflow into the LPG cylinder through the inclined hole configured on the excess flow device in case pressure of gas in fluid source used for filling the LPG cylinder is more than predetermined pressure.
Typically, the displaceable flow restrictor is ball shaped.
A valve for a Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder for regulating gas flow there-through is disclosed in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The valve includes a valve body, a packing, a hollow spring retainer element, an excess flow device, a compression spring, a displaceable first flow restrictor and a displaceable second flow restrictor. The valve body has an axially extending through bore. The cross-sectional dimension of the bore varies along the axial length of the valve body such that cross-sectional dimension of the bore at an operative top end of the valve body is less than the cross-sectional dimension of the bore at an operative bottom end and an intermediate portion having the least cross-sectional dimension. The packing is disposed within a portion of the bore at the operative top end of the valve body and is axially displaceable. The hollow spring retainer element threadably engages with the operative bottom end of the valve body and includes a centrally disposed hole. The excess flow device threadably engages with an operative bottom end of the hollow spring retainer element and is having at least one radial hole and a central hole in fluid communication with the LPG cylinder. The compression spring is received within the hollow spring retainer. The displaceable first flow restrictor is urged by the compression spring towards the bore at the intermediate portion of the valve body to define a closed configuration in which the first flow restrictor restricts gas flow through portion of the bore at the intermediate portion. The first flow restrictor further moves away from the bore at the intermediate portion under action of pressure applied on the packing to define an open configuration in which the first flow restrictor compresses the compression spring and permits gas flow through the portion of bore at intermediate portion. The displaceable second flow restrictor is disposed within the excess flow device and facilitates regulation of gas outflow from the LPG cylinder by selectively blocking the aperture configured on the hollow spring retainer element in case of pressure of gas inside the LPG cylinder is more than predetermined pressure, the displaceable second flow restrictor further facilitates regulation of gas inflow into the LPG cylinder by selectively blocking the central hole configured on the excess flow device, thereby permitting gas inflow into the LPG cylinder through the radial holes configured on the excess flow device in case pressure of gas supplied by the gas source for filling the LPG cylinder is more than predetermined pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The valve for a LPG cylinder of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a sectional view of a valve in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates a sectional view of a valve in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view of a valve body of the valve illustrated in Figure 2;

Figure 4a illustrates a top view of a spring retainer of the valve illustrated in Figure 2;
Figure 4b illustrates a sectional view of the spring retainer of the valve illustrated in Figure 2;

Figure 4c illustrates a sectional view of an Excess Flow Device (EFD) of the valve illustrated in Figure 2; and

Figure 5 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the valve shown in Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A system of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

Figure 1 illustrates a sectional view of a valve 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The valve 100 is used for regulating inflow and outflow of a gas from a LPG cylinder. The valve 100 includes a lower part 101, a packing 102, an O-ring 103, a piston 104, a spring 105, a second O-ring 106, a third O-ring 107, a spring 108, a spring retainer 109, a steel ball 110, a gasket 111, an upper part 112, a spring 113, a spindle 114, a valve seat 115, a fourth O-ring 116 and a serew 117.

The valve 100 includes a valve body 122, a hollow spring retainer element 109, an excess flow device 130, a first compression spring 108, a second compression spring 105, a displaceable flow restrictor 110, a displaceable packing 102 and a valve 120. The valve body 122 is having an axially extending through bore, wherein cross-sectional dimension of the bore varies along the axial length of the valve body such that cross-sectional dimension D1 of the bore at an operative top end of the valve body 122 is less than the cross-sectional dimension D2 of the bore at an operative bottom end and an intermediate portion is having the least cross-sectional dimension Di. The hollow spring retainer element 109 threadably engages with the operative bottom end portion of the valve body 122 and includes a centrally disposed aperture A1. The excess flow device 130 is functionally coupled to an operative bottom end of the hollow spring retainer element 109 and is having at least one central hole “C” and an inclined hole “I” in fluid communication with the LPG cylinder. The first compression spring 108 is received within the hollow spring retainer element 109. The second compression spring 105 is disposed between the hollow spring retainer element 109 and the excess flow device 130. The displaceable flow restrictor 110 is urged by the first and second compression springs 108 and 105 towards the bore at the intermediate portion of the valve body to define a closed configuration in which the flow restrictor 110 restricts gas flow through portion of the bore at the intermediate portion. The flow restrictor 110 further moves away from the bore at the intermediate portion to define an open configuration in which the flow restrictor 110 compresses the first compression spring 108 and permits gas flow through the portion of bore at the intermediate portion. The displaceable packing 102 is disposed between the central hole “C” of the excess flow device and the centrally disposed aperture “A1” configured on the hollow spring retainer element 109 and selectively covers and uncovers either of the central hole “C” and the centrally disposed aperture “A1” for selectively permitting fluid communication between the LPG cylinder and the displaceable flow restrictor 110 via the centrally disposed aperture “A1”. The displaceable packing 102 facilitates regulation of gas outflow from the LPG cylinder in case of pressure of gas inside the fLPG cylinder is more than predetermined pressure. The valve 120 co-operates with a valve seat 115 disposed operatively horizontally inside the excess flow device 130. The valve seat 115 is urged radially outward by a compression spring 113. The valve - valve seat further facilitates regulation of gas inflow into the LPG cylinder by selectively disrupting gas supply to the inclined hole “I” configured on the excess flow device 130, thereby regulating gas inflow into the LPG cylinder through the inclined hole “I” configured on the excess flow device in case pressure of gas supplied by the gas source for filling the LPG cylinder is more than predetermined pressure.

Referring to the accompanied drawings, a valve for a LPG cylinder, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and is particularly shown in Figure 2 of the drawing.

The valve (10) is fitted on cylinders used for holding gaseous fuel, particularly Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders having a predetermined internal pressure of the gaseous fuel contained there within. The LPG cylinder is required to supply gaseous fuel for operation of various apparatus such as, lights, grills or stoves which are required to be continuously operated in order to avoid inconvenience to the end users. A predetermined minimum flow of gaseous fuel is required to be maintained for their continuous operation.

The valve (10) consists of a valve body (12) and an excess flow device (EFD) (14) operationally cooperating with each other through a spring retainer (16). Figure 3 illustrates the valve body (12), Figure 4a and Figure 4b illustrate the spring retainer (16) and Figure 4c illustrates the EFD (14) of the valve (10).

The valve body (12) includes a cylindrical hollow having varying diameters along the length of the valve body (12). The diameter of the cylindrical hollow is the least, at substantially the center of the valve body (12). A packing (18) is mounted within the hollow, proximal to an operative top end of the valve body (12). A gasket (20), typically an O-ring or a lip seal, is positioned within the portion of the cylindrical hollow of the valve body (12) having the least diameter. The valve body (12) at the end distal from the packing (18) is provided with internal threads.

The valve (10) for a Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder for regulating gas flow there-through is disclosed in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. The valve (10) includes a valve body (12), the packing (18), the hollow spring retainer element (16), the excess flow device (14), a compression spring (22), a displaceable first flow restrictor (24) and a displaceable second flow restrictor (26). The valve body (12) has an axially extending through bore. The cross-sectional dimension of the bore varies along the axial length of the valve body such that cross-sectional dimension D1’of the bore at an operative top end of the valve body (12) is less than the cross-sectional dimension D2’ of the bore at an operative bottom end and an intermediate portion having the least cross-sectional dimension Di’. The packing (18) is disposed within a portion of the bore at the operative top end of the valve body (12) and is axially displaceable. The hollow spring retainer element (16) threadably engages with the operative bottom end of the valve body (12) and includes a centrally disposed hole or aperture “A2”. The excess flow device (14) threadably engages with an operative bottom end of the hollow spring retainer element (16) and is having at least one radial hole (28) and a central hole (30) in fluid communication with the LPG cylinder. The compression spring (22) is received within the hollow spring retainer (16). The displaceable first flow restrictor (24) is urged by the compression spring (22) towards the bore at the intermediate portion of the valve body (12) to define a closed configuration in which the first flow restrictor (24) restricts gas flow through portion of the bore at the intermediate portion. The first flow restrictor further moves away from the bore at the intermediate portion under action of pressure applied on the packing to define an open configuration in which the first flow restrictor compresses the compression spring and permits gas flow through the portion of bore at intermediate portion. The displaceable second flow restrictor (26) is disposed within the excess flow device (14) and facilitates regulation of gas outflow from the LPG cylinder by selectively blocking the aperture “A2” configured on the hollow spring retainer element (16) in case of pressure of gas inside the LPG cylinder is more than predetermined pressure, the displaceable second flow restrictor (26) further facilitates regulation of gas inflow into the LPG cylinder by selectively blocking the central hole (30) configured on the excess flow device (14) , thereby permitting gas inflow into the LPG cylinder through the radial holes (28) configured on the excess flow device (14) in case pressure of gas supplied by the gas source for filling the LPG cylinder is more than predetermined pressure.

The spring retainer (16) defines a cylindrical hollow having varying diameter such that a first portion of the spring retainer (16) has a hollow having a larger diameter than the hollow defined within a second portion of the spring retainer (16). The first portion and the second portion are provided with external threads. The external threads of the first portion theadably engage the internal threads of the valve body (12). The spring retainer (16) houses a compression spring (22) to supportingly displaces a first flow restrictor (24) within the spring retainer (16) between a gas sealing position and a gas discharging position. The first flow restrictor (24) is displaced from the gas sealing position to the gas discharging position by application of a predetermined pressure on the packing (18) and concomitantly causing compression of the compression spring (22). On withdrawal of the predetermined force, the compression spring (22) supportingly lifts the first flow restrictor (24) to the gas sealing position whereby the first flow restrictor (24) sealingly engages the gasket (20) thus preventing leakage of the gaseous fuel from the LPG cylinder or cylinder holding gaseous fuel in the inoperative condition of the apparatus.

The EFD (14) defines a cylindrical hollow having varying cross-sectional diameter. A first part of the EFD (14) defines internal threads to enable threadably fitting the EFD (14) to the external threads defined on the second portion of the spring retainer (16). The first part of the EFD (14) has a diameter substantially larger than the hollow defined in a second part of the EFD (14) wherein a second flow restrictor (26) is housed. The diameter of the hollow defined in the second part of the EFD (14) is smaller than the diameter of the hollow defined within the second portion of the spring retainer (16). The second part of the EFD (14) housing the second flow restrictor (26) is in fluid communication with the gaseous fuel contained within the LPG cylinder through at least one radial hole (28) provided along the circumference of the EFD (14) and a central hole (30) provided coaxial to the cylindrical hollow defined within the EFD (14) and substantially perpendicular to the radial holes.

When the pressure of the gaseous fuel within the LPG cylinder or any other cylinder holding the gaseous fuel is more than a predetermined value, typically 1.5 Kg/cm2, and the first flow restrictor (24) is displaced to the gas discharging position, a desired rate of flow of the gaseous fuel is permitted from the LPG cylinder or cylinder holding gaseous fuel for operation of the apparatus. The gaseous fuel flows through the EFD (14) via the central hole (30) and the radial holes (28). The pressure of the gaseous fuel flowing out of the LPG cylinder through the central hole (30) and the radial holes (28) exerts a lifting force on the second flow restrictor (26) so as to cause the second flow restrictor (26) to abut the second portion of the valve body (12) so as to restrictively permit passage of the gaseous fuel at a predetermined rate to the hollow defined within the valve body (12) and subsequently to the apparatus.
During filling of the LPG cylinder or cylinder holding gaseous fuel, the first flow restrictor (24) is displaced against the spring force of the compression spring (22) to the gas discharging position. The pressure of the gaseous fuel pumped into the LPG cylinder or cylinder holding gaseous fuel through the valve (10) displaces the second flow restrictor (26) so as to cover the central hole (30) while maintaining the radial holes (28) in fluid communication with the filling gaseous fuel.

The first flow restrictor (24) is typically ball shaped while the shape of the second flow restrictor (26) is selected from the group consisting of ball shape and conical shaped. When the second flow restrictor (26) is conical shaped, as shown in Figure 5, a spring (25) is provided within the EFD (14) to support the conical shaped second flow restrictor (26) such that the conical shaped second flow restrictor (26) abuts the second portion of the valve body (12). This arrangement permit passage of gaseous fuel at the predetermined rate to the hollow defined within the valve body (12).

The valve as illustrated in Figure 1 and 2 is used for filling gaseous fuel such as Liquid Petroleum Gas in the LPG cylinders or cylinders holding gaseous fuel.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The technical advancements offered by the present disclosure include the realization of:

• maintaining a predetermined rate of flow of gaseous fuel from a LPG cylinder;
• a valve which is easily repairable;
• a valve having a relatively low operating cost;
• a valve having long operating life;
• a valve which is easy to assemble and dissemble;
• restricting excessive discharge of gas for consumption; and
• preventing leakage of fluid, particularly gaseous fuel from the LPG cylinder or cylinder holding gaseous fuel.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

The numerical values given of various physical parameters, dimensions and quantities are only approximate values and it is envisaged that the values higher or lower than the numerical value assigned to the physical parameters, dimensions and quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification to the contrary.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein. ,CLAIMS:1. A valve for a Liquid petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinder for regulating gas flow there-through comprising:
• a valve body having an axially extending through bore, wherein cross-sectional dimension of said bore varies along the axial length of said valve body such that cross-sectional dimension of said bore at an operative top end of said valve body is less than the cross-sectional dimension of said bore at an operative bottom end and an intermediate portion having the least cross-sectional dimension;
•
• a hollow spring retainer element adapted to threadably engage with said operative bottom end portion of said valve body and comprising a centrally disposed aperture;
• an excess flow device functionally coupled to an operative bottom end of said hollow spring retainer element and having at least one central hole and an inclined hole in fluid communication with the LPG cylinder;
• a first compression spring received within said hollow spring retainer;
• a second compression spring disposed between said hollow spring retainer element and said excess flow device;
• a displaceable flow restrictor adapted to be urged by said first and second compression springs towards said bore at said intermediate portion of said valve body to define a closed configuration in which said flow restrictor restricts gas flow through portion of said bore at said intermediate portion, said flow restrictor further adapted to move away from said bore at said intermediate portion to define an open configuration in which said flow restrictor compresses said first compression spring and permits gas flow through said portion of bore at said intermediate portion;
• a displaceable packing disposed between said central hole of said excess flow device and said centrally disposed aperture configured on said hollow spring retainer element and adapted to selectively cover and uncover either of said central hole and said centrally disposed aperture for selectively permitting fluid communication between the LPG cylinder and said displaceable flow restrictor via said centrally disposed aperture, said displaceable packing adapted to facilitate regulation of gas outflow from the LPG cylinder in case of pressure of gas inside the LPG cylinder is more than predetermined pressure;
• a valve co-operating with a valve seat disposed operatively horizontally inside said excess flow device, said valve seat is urged radially outward by a compression spring, said valve - valve seat further adapted to facilitate regulation of gas inflow into the LPG cylinder by selectively disrupting gas supply to said inclined hole configured on said excess flow device, thereby regulating gas inflow into the LPG cylinder through said inclined hole configured on said excess flow device in case pressure of gas supplied by the gas source for filling the LPG cylinder is more than predetermined pressure.

2. The valve for a LPG cylinder as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said displaceable flow restrictor is ball shaped.

3. A valve for a LPG cylinder for regulating gas flow there-through comprising:
• a valve body having an axially extending through bore, wherein cross-sectional dimension of said bore varies along the axial length of said valve body such that cross-sectional dimension of said bore at an operative top end of said valve body is less than the cross-sectional dimension of said bore at an operative bottom end and an intermediate portion having the least cross-sectional dimension;
• a hollow spring retainer element adapted to threadably engage with said operative bottom end portion of said valve body and comprising a centrally disposed aperture;
• an excess flow device adapted to threadably engage with an operative bottom end of said hollow spring retainer element and having at least one radial hole and a central hole in fluid communication with the LPG cylinder;
• a compression spring received within said hollow spring retainer;
• a displaceable first flow restrictor adapted to be urged by said compression spring towards said bore at said intermediate portion of said valve body to define a closed configuration in which said first flow restrictor restricts gas flow through portion of said bore at said intermediate portion, said first flow restrictor further adapted to move away from said bore at said intermediate portion under action of pressure applied on said packing to define an open configuration in which said first flow restrictor compresses said compression spring and permits gas flow through said portion of bore at said intermediate portion;
• a displaceable second flow restrictor disposed within said excess flow device and adapted to facilitate regulation of gas outflow from the LPG cylinder by selectively blocking said aperture configured on said hollow spring retainer element in case of pressure of gas inside the LPG cylinder is more than predetermined pressure, said displaceable second flow restrictor further adapted to facilitate regulation of gas inflow into the LPG cylinder by selectively blocking said central hole configured on said excess flow device, thereby permitting gas inflow into the LPG cylinder through said radial holes configured on said excess flow device in case pressure of gas supplied by the gas source for filling the LPG cylinder is more than predetermined pressure.

4. The valve for a LPG cylinder as claimed in Claim 3, further comprising a gasket disposed at an intermediate portion of said bore.

5. The valve for a LPG cylinder as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said displaceable first flow restrictor is ball shaped.

6. The valve for a LPG cylinder as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said displaceable second flow restrictor is ball shaped.

7. The valve for a LPG cylinder as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said displaceable second flow restrictor is conical shaped and is urged against said radial holes of said excess flow device by a spring element.