Claims:WE CLAIM
1. An apparatus (100) for containment of gas leakage through the valve (70) of a cylinder (50), said cylinder (50) having a cylinder body (55) and a top ring (60) supported on said cylinder body (55) via a support structure (65), said apparatus (100) comprising:
a sealing element (105) disposed on an operative top surface (75) of said cylinder body (55) circumscribing said valve (70);
a dome-shaped cap (115) mounted on said sealing element (105) in a fluid tight relationship, said dome-shaped cap (115) adapted to cover said valve (70) in an operative configuration when said dome-shaped cap (115) is mounted on said sealing element (105), said dome-shaped cap (115) configured to contain said gas leakage through said valve (70);
a rigid element (125) receivable on an operative top surface of said dome-shaped cap (115), said rigid element (125) having a threaded stem (127); and
a lock plate (135) disposed between said dome-shaped cap (115) and said top ring (60) of said cylinder (50) and connected to said threaded stem (127), said lock plate (135) having a threaded hole (137) configured to receive said rigid element (125).
2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a discharge valve (120) is configured on said dome-shaped cap (115) to selectively allow outflow of said gas contained within said dome-shaped cap (115).
3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a recess (119) is configured on said operative top surface of said dome-shaped cap (115) to receive said rigid element (125) thereon.
4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a handle is connected to said rigid element (125) to facilitate rotational movement of said rigid element (125) about the longitudinal axis thereof.
5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said handle is a wheel (129) connected to an operative top portion of said rigid element (125).
6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a length of said lock plate (135) is more than the inner diameter of said top ring (60).
7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing element (105) has a circular groove (109) configured on an operative top surface thereof to receive said dome-shaped cap (115).
8. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing element (105) is a neoprene rubber washer.
9. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing element (105) is an O-ring.
10. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dome-shaped cap (115) is of metallic material.
, Description:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of an apparatus for containment of gas leakage through the valve of a cylinder.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.
Containment – The term ‘containment’ hereinafter in the complete specification refers to the action of controlling or limiting something harmful such as gas leakage through the valve of a cylinder.
BACKGROUND
A cylinder filled with a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is commonly used in households for cooking and allied services. Besides domestic use, the liquefied petroleum gas is also used as an efficient source of energy in various industrial and commercial applications. The liquefied petroleum gas is in gaseous state at ambient temperature and pressure, and is in a liquid state when pressurized. The liquefied petroleum gas is stored in the cylinder under pressure in a liquid state, and is delivered in a gaseous form through a valve provided on the cylinder. Although the cylinders for storing the liquefied petroleum gas are provided with safety features for safe use and transportation, such cylinders are susceptible to leakages. The stored gas primarily leaks through the valve, an O ring, and/or threaded joint of the cylinder. As the liquefied petroleum gas is highly flammable in nature, leaked liquefied petroleum gas can cause explosion and/or fire resulting in loss of life and property. Conventionally, a LPG safety cap is used to prevent the accidental valve operation and prevent mixing of leaked gas with the atmosphere. However, conventional LPG safety caps are unable to efficiently address the problem of gas leakage through probable release sources viz. needle valve malfunction, damaged O ring, and threaded joint of a valve. Particularly, conventional LPG safety caps are unable to address the problem of gas leakage through the threads of the valve.
Therefore, there is felt a need of an apparatus that alleviates the above mentioned drawbacks and effectively contains gas leakage through a cylinder valve and other sources except cylinder body.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus that contains gas leakage through a cylinder valve.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus that is easy to use.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus that is easy to manufacture.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages an apparatus for containment of gas leakage through the valve of a cylinder. The cylinder has a cylinder body and a top ring. The top ring is supported on the cylinder body via a support structure. The apparatus comprises a sealing element, a dome-shaped cap, a rigid element, and a lock plate. The sealing element is disposed on an operative top surface of the cylinder body circumscribing the valve. In an embodiment, the sealing element is a neoprene rubber washer. In another embodiment, the sealing element is an O-ring.
The dome-shaped cap is mounted in a fluid tight relationship on the sealing element. The dome-shaped cap is adapted to cover the valve in an operative configuration when the dome-shaped cap mounted on the sealing element. Further, the dome-shaped cap is configured to contain the gas leakage through the valve. In an embodiment, the dome-shaped cap is of metallic material.
A discharge valve is configured on the dome-shaped cap to selectively allow outflow of the gas contained within the dome-shaped cap.
In an embodiment, the sealing element has a circular groove configured on an operative top surface thereof to receive the dome-shaped cap.
The rigid element is receivable on an operative top surface of the dome-shaped cap. The rigid element has a threaded stem. A handle is connected to the rigid element to facilitate rotational movement of the rigid element about the longitudinal axis thereof. In an embodiment, the handle is a wheel connected to an operative top portion of the rigid element.
In an embodiment, a recess is configured on the operative top surface of the dome-shaped cap to receive the rigid element thereon.
The lock plate is disposed between the dome-shaped cap and the top ring of the cylinder, and is connected to the threaded stem. The lock plate has a threaded hole configured to receive the rigid element. A length of the lock plate is more than the inner diameter of the top ring.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
An apparatus of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a sectional view of the apparatus mounted on a gas cylinder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a front view of a sealing element of the apparatus of Figure 1;
Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the sealing element of Figure 2;
Figure 4 illustrates a front view of a dome-shaped cap of the apparatus of Figure 1;
Figure 5 illustrates a top view of the dome-shaped cap of Figure 4;
Figure 6 illustrates a front view of a rigid element of the apparatus of Figure 1;
Figure 7 illustrates a front view of a lock plate of the apparatus of Figure 1; and
Figure 8 illustrates a top view of the lock plate of Figure 7.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
50 – Cylinder
55 – Cylinder body
60 – Top ring
65 – Support structure
70 – Valve
75 – Operative top surface of the cylinder body
100 – Apparatus
105 – Sealing element
107 – Central hole
109 – Circular groove
115 – Dome-shaped cap
117 – Projection
119 – Recess
120 – Discharge valve
121 – Cylindrical wall
123 – Head
125 – Rigid element
127 – Threaded stem
129 – Wheel
131 – Fastener
133 – Hole
135 – Lock plate
137 – Threaded hole
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure envisages an apparatus for containment of gas leakage through the valve of a cylinder. The apparatus is easy to manufacture and use.
The apparatus, of the present disclosure is now described with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 8.
Figure 1 illustrates a sectional view of an apparatus 100 mounted on a cylinder 50, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The cylinder 50 has a cylinder body 55 and a top ring 60. The top ring 60 facilitates handling of the cylinder 50 during transportation. The top ring 60 is supported on the cylinder body 55 via a support structure 65. The support structure 65 includes a plurality of columns extending operatively upwards from the cylinder body 55. The columns are arranged in a spaced apart configuration. Further, the highly flammable gas is stored in the cylinder body 55 under pressure in a liquid state. In an embodiment, the stored gas is a liquid petroleum gas (LPG). A valve 70 is provided on an operative top surface 75 of the cylinder body 55. The valve 70 facilitates selective outflow of the stored gas from the cylinder body 55. A regulator (not specifically shown in figures) is attached to the valve 70 to facilitate regulated outflow of the stored gas. When the regulator is mounted on the valve 70, and is turned on, the valve 70 is actuated. The actuation of the valve 70 releases the pressure on the stored LPG. Further, the stored gas is discharged through the valve 70 in a gaseous form. Although the cylinder 50 and the valve 70 are provided with safety features, the valve 70 is susceptible to leakage. The apparatus 100 is configured to contain the gas leakage through the valve 70 so that the cylinder 50 can be transferred to a safe place.
The apparatus 100 comprises a sealing element 105, a dome-shaped cap 115 (hereinafter also referred to as cap), a rigid element 125, and a lock plate 135. The sealing element 105 is disposed on the operative top surface 75 of the cylinder body 55 such that the sealing element 105 circumscribes the valve 70. The configuration of the sealing element 105 is shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3. The sealing element 105 has a central hole 107 configured to receive the valve 70 when the sealing element 105 is disposed on the cylinder body 55. Further, a circular groove 109 is configured on an operative top surface of the sealing element 105. The circular groove 109 is configured to receive the dome-shaped cap 115 on the sealing element 105. The sealing element 105 is configured to restrict a fluid passage between the cap 115 and the cylinder body 55. In an embodiment, the sealing element 105 is a washer made of neoprene rubber. In another embodiment, the sealing element 105 is an O-ring.
The cap 115 is mounted on the sealing element 105 in a fluid tight relationship. In an operative configuration, the cap 115 is mounted in such a way that the cap 115 completely covers the valve 70 when mounted on the sealing element 105. The cap 115 is configured to contain the gas leakage through the valve 70. Further, an arrangement of the cap 115 on the sealing element 105 defines a cavity in which the gas leakage through the valve 70 accumulates. The walls of the cap 115 are configured to sustain pressure exerted by the gas.
A discharge valve 120 is configured on the cap 115 to selectively allow outflow of the gas contained within the cap 115. The discharge valve 120 facilitates safe and secure outflow of the gas contained in the cap 115. The discharge valve 120 is actuated when the cylinder 50 is transported to a safe place where the gas can be discharged. The cap 115 is defined by a cylindrical wall 121 and a head 123.
In an embodiment, the cap 115 is made of a metallic material.
In another embodiment, the cap 115 has a circular cross-sectional shape.
In another embodiment, the cap 115 includes a projection 117 (as shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5) configured to be receivable in the circular groove 109 when the cap 115 is mounted on the sealing element 105. The reception of the projection 117 in the circular groove 109 facilitates fluid tight connection between the cap 115 and the sealing element 105.
The rigid element 125 is receivable on an operative top surface of the cap 115. The configuration of the rigid element 125 is shown in Figure 6. The rigid element 125 has a threaded stem 127.
In an embodiment, a recess 119 (as shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5) is configured on the operative top surface of the cap 115 to receive the rigid element 125 on the cap 115. The recess 119 is configured at the center of the top surface of the cap 115.
Further, a handle is connected to the rigid element 125 to facilitate rotational movement of the rigid element 125 about the longitudinal axis thereof. In an embodiment, the handle is a wheel 129 connected to an operative top portion of the rigid element 125. The wheel 129 is connected to the rigid element via a fastener 131 receivable in a hole 133 configured on an operative top surface of the rigid element 125.
The configuration of the lock plate 135 is shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8. The lock plate 135 is disposed between the cap 115 and the top ring 60 of the cylinder 50, and is connected to the threaded stem 127 of the rigid element 125. Further, the lock plate 135 has a threaded hole 137 configured to receive the threaded stem 127. The threaded hole 137 is a through hole having internal threads. The shape of the internal threads of the threaded hole 137 is complementary to external threads configured on the rigid element 125. In an assembled configuration, the threaded stem 127 of the rigid element 125 passes through the threaded hole 137 of the lock plate 135 as shown in Figure 1.
Further, the length of the lock plate 135 is more than the internal diameter of the top ring 60. Thus, the lock plate 135 cannot be pulled out through the top ring 60.
The working of the apparatus 100 is described in subsequent paragraphs.
When the gas leakage through the valve 70 is detected, the regulator is removed from the valve 70. The sealing element 105 is disposed on the operative top surface 75 of the cylinder body 55 such that the sealing element 105 circumscribes the valve 70. The cap 115 is mounted on the sealing element 105 such that the cap 115 covers the valve 70. Further, the lock plate 135 is disposed between the top ring 60 and the cap 115. The lock plate 135 is inserted between the top ring 60 and the cap 115 through a gap provided in the support structure 65. The rigid element 125 is passed through the lock plate 135. Further, the rigid element 125 is supported in the recess 119. The rigid element 125 is then rotated in a predetermined direction using the wheel 129. As the lock plate 135 is restricted to rotate against the support structure 65, the rotational displacement of the rigid element 125 results in an operative upward movement of the lock plate 135. The rigid element 125 is rotated till the lock plate 135 tightly abuts an operative bottom surface of the top ring 60 (as shown in Figure 1). Now, the rigid element 125 and the abutment between the lock plate 135 and the top ring 60 exert force on the cap 115. Thus, the cap 115 is secured at its position. Further, the force presses the cap 115 and the sealing element 105 against the cylinder body 55. Thus, the gas cannot pass out of the cap 115. The gas leakage through the valve 70 is contained within the cap 115, and is not allowed to mix with the atmosphere. Thus, the cylinder 50 can be transported safely to a safe place. After transporting the cylinder 50 to a safe place, the discharge valve 120 is actuated to allow outflow of the gas. Further, the cap 115 can be removed from the cylinder 50 by rotating the rigid element 125 in an opposite direction.
The apparatus, of the present disclosure, is easy to use and easy to manufacture. The apparatus can be installed on a cylinder even by an unskilled personal. Further, the apparatus contains the gas leakage through a valve and/or through valve threads of a cylinder.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an apparatus that:
• contains gas leakage through a cylinder valve;
• is easy to use; and
• easy to manufacture.
The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
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.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments 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.
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.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.