Abstract:
A valve, system and method for the delivery of gases or liquids is shown where the delivery persons can fill the system without having to enter the building and the system can continue to deliver gas to the user. There is no interruption of service while the system is being filled.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of 60/413,173 filed Sep. 24, 2002. 

   FIELD 
   The present version of this invention relates generally to the field of valves and systems used to mix and control various gases for beverage, welding, medical and other fields. 
   BACKGROUND 
   This invention relates to devices used in the carbonated beverage industry and other industries using carbon dioxide, such as fire protection systems, welding, medical and other industries using compressed gases. This technology may have applications in additional other industries, for reasons of simplicity, this discussion will relate primarily to the beverage industry. It is in no way meant to limit the application of this invention to only the beverage industry. 
   The beverage industry uses carbon dioxide to carbonate and to move beverages from a storage tank to a dispensing area. For beverages such as beer, the beer can be contained in large kegs in the basement or storage room and the taps at the bar can dispense the beer. This method eliminates the storage of beer kegs in the bar area and allows the beer keg delivery and removal to occur in an area other than that in which patrons may be sitting. This type of system has existed for many years. In order to get the beverages from the storage area to the serving area, prior art has used carbon dioxide among other gases. The carbon dioxide is generally delivered as a liquid in large heavy DOT cylinders and hooked to the dispensing system. When the tanks are hooked to the system, a certain volume, generally about one third of the tank, in a one tank system or one third of the tank volume in a multi-tank system is not filled with liquid. This allows the carbon dioxide to boil to a gaseous state. It is this gaseous state that is then used to carbonate and to move the desired beverage from the storage room or basement to the delivery area and provide much of the carbonation to the beverages. 
   The only problem with this system is that the carbon dioxide tanks must be changed or when the current tanks run out, they must be replaced with new tanks. This can be inconvenient and time consuming. If only one person is working, then they are required to leave the patron area and manually change the tank to allow the refreshments to continue to flow. In addition, delivery of additional filled tanks cannot always occur when they are needed if a user runs out in the late evening or during non-business hours. This problem can be somewhat lessened by using multiple liquid tanks, but this uses more space and can be more expensive to monitor and refill. 
   To refill or replace a tank, the system must generally be completely shut down, so no beverages can be served, and service or delivery personnel can move the full liquid carbon dioxide tanks into the business and remove the empty tanks. Generally several valves must be shut off while the tanks are changed. The business must wait until the changeover is complete before beverages can be served again. 
   Some systems exist where the physical changing of the tanks has been eliminated. This is done by delivering liquid carbon dioxide to the tanks or system pre-existing in the businesses. Generally a pump truck delivers the liquid carbon dioxide to a fill line plumbed to the outside of the building. The delivery personnel must then enter the establishment to close and adjust various valves. The system is then shut down and the dispensing of beverages must cease until the filling process is complete. Delivery personnel must then return to the truck and start the pump. They must then carefully watch the system to attempt to determine when the system is full. This can be difficult to determine with any uniformity. Some weeks a business may do very well with beverages and some weeks may not do so well. While an operator may get a general sense, it is difficult to determine without the trial and error method, when the system is full. 
   Some art uses relief valves to indicate when the system is full. This method of determining when the system is full is wasteful and can result in increased pressure hazards from over filling. Over filling can also result in the system not operating properly. 
   The system needs to maintain the proper liquid gas ratios and overfilling lessens the efficiency of the system as a whole. When the delivery person determines that the system is full, he/she must then reverse the actions taken on the valves and disconnect the truck from the system. While these types of systems do eliminate much of the inconvenience of physically changing out tanks, there are still significant disadvantages to this liquid delivery system common in the art. 
   Some prior art uses o-rings in the valving and extensive connections and valves. These types of o-ring systems are notorious for failures. Once a system fails, the business may have no carbon dioxide for serving beverages. A call for maintenance may go unanswered if not during regular business hours. Thus, the beverage system may not be operational. The other failure mode of the o-rings or extensive connections or valving is to develop a leak. This causes gaseous carbon dioxide to leak in the storage area and depending on the size of the leak can be costly and hazardous. 
   For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a liquid delivery system that would not require the delivery personnel to enter the business to shut/adjust valving before and after delivery of the liquid. There is also a need for a system that would allow the delivery at any time of day or night without any contact with the personnel inside the business. A system that aided in delivering the proper amount of liquid while also lessening the hazards associated with over filling is needed. Also needed is a system that would allow the business to continue using the beverage delivery system without interruption even when the system is being filled. This will result in more sales and less inconvenience to the business. A system that doesn&#39;t vent the liquid carbon dioxide to the atmosphere as a means of determining a filled system will also result in less waste, less cost to both the beverage and the delivery businesses and less potential hazards. A system that does not use o-rings and simplifies the number of connections and valving is also very desirable. 
   SUMMARY 
   In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the tank removal/installation systems and the liquid pumping systems there is a need for a new approach for the liquid carbon dioxide and other pressurized gas delivery business. 
   A first object of this embodiment of the invention is to provide a system that can be filled without adjusting any interior valving or without entering the business to whom the liquid or gas is being delivered. 
   Another object of this embodiment of the invention is to provide a system that lessens the inconvenience and possible dangers of overfilling. 
   It is yet another object of this embodiment of the invention to provide a system that allows the use of the pressurized filling system while the system is being re-filled. 
   It is a still further object of this embodiment of the invention to provide a system that does not need to waste product to tell when the system is full. 
   It is another object of this embodiment of the invention that simplifies the number of connections and valves necessary which lessens the likelihood of leaking and waste. 
   For a better understanding of this invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of this version of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the valve body. 
       FIG. 2  shows a left side view of one embodiment of the valve body. 
       FIG. 3  shows a top side view of one embodiment of the valve body. 
       FIG. 4  shows a right side view of one embodiment of the valve body. 
       FIG. 5  shows an inlet end view of one embodiment of the valve body. 
       FIG. 6  shows a bottom side view of one embodiment of the valve body. 
       FIG. 7  shows a partial cutaway perspective view of one embodiment of the valve body. 
       FIG. 8  shows a cross section view along line A—A in  FIG. 3  of one embodiment of the valve body. 
       FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the inlet fitting. 
       FIG. 10  shows a side view of one embodiment of the inlet fitting. 
       FIG. 11  shows a cross section view along line B—B in  FIG. 9  of one embodiment of the inlet fitting. 
       FIG. 12  shows a partial cutaway perspective view of one embodiment of the inlet fitting. 
       FIG. 13  shows a second cutaway perspective view of one embodiment of the inlet fitting. 
       FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the valve stem. 
       FIG. 15  shows a side view of one embodiment of the valve stem. 
       FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the circumferential ring. 
       FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the valve assembly. 
       FIG. 17.5  shows a top side view of one embodiment of the valve assembly. 
       FIG. 18  shows a cross section view along line C—C in  FIG. 17.5  of one embodiment of the valve assembly. 
       FIG. 19  shows a cross section view along line D—D in  FIG. 17  of one embodiment of the valve assembly. 
       FIG. 20  shows an overview or schematic of the valve assembly and related components. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like elements are indicated by like numerals, there is shown in  FIG. 1  a perspective view of one embodiment of the valve body  25 . The valve body  25  has an inlet end  41 , a right side  47 , a left side  43 , bottom side  49  and a top side  45  shown in this view. The shape of the valve body  25  is primarily rectangular, but other shapes would also work and the specific shape shown is not meant to be a limitation. In the inlet end  41  is shown an inlet port  27 . 
   The valve body  25  is machined from 360 brass and the holes in one embodiment are tapped for ¼ NPT thread. It should be recognized that other grades of brass and other ferrous and non-ferrous materials could be used to manufacture the valve body  25 . Other hole sizes are also anticipated as long as the hole size does not impede the function of the valve body  25 . 
   The inlet port  27  is threaded and this is where the liquid carbon dioxide is delivered through an inlet fitting  81 ,  FIG. 9 , to the valve body  25 . The inlet fitting  81  is screwed into the inlet end  41  of the valve body  25 . In one embodiment the head  83  of the inlet fitting  81  is housed within the inlet port  27  of the valve body  25 , best shown in FIG.  19 . The head  83  can be housed within the valve body  25  to discourage tampering by non-authorized personnel. 
   The left side  43  has a relief port  29  into which can be attached a relief valve (not shown) in the event that the system surpasses some predetermined pressure, the relief valve would relieve the pressure in the system. The top side  45  contains a user port  31 . The user port  31  is where the user connects the beverage dispensing system to allow gaseous carbon dioxide to carbonate and deliver the beverages. 
     FIG. 5  shows a view of the inlet end  41  and inlet port  27  of valve body  25 . Also seen in this view are three fill channels  51  and plunger cavity  53 . While this particular embodiment shows three fill channels  51 , more or fewer fill channels  51  could be used. 
     FIG. 1  also shows a burst disk  39  that could be housed in the top side  45  which interconnects with the plunger cavity  53 , FIG.  5 . The burst disk  39  would be an additional pressure relief device for the liquid side of the valve body  25 . 
     FIG. 6  shows the bottom side  49  of the valve body  25 . This view details the gas storage port  37 , second liquid port  35  and first liquid port  33 .  FIGS. 7 &amp; 8  show how the gas storage port  37  and the first liquid port  33  and second liquid port  35  are interconnected.  FIGS. 7 &amp; 8  also show how the second liquid port  35  connects via the fill channels  51  to the plunger cavity  53 . The plunger cavity  53  is also connected to the user port  31 , second liquid port  35 , the gas storage port  37  and relief port  29 , best seen in  FIGS. 7 &amp; 8 . 
     FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the inlet fitting  81 . The inlet fitting  81  is threaded to match the threads in the inlet port  27  of the valve body  25 . The inlet fitting  81  is machined from  360  brass, however, it should be recognized that other grades of brass and other ferrous and non-ferrous materials could be used to manufacture the inlet fitting  81 . The valve body  25  inlet port  27  also has a recess  28 ,  FIG. 8 , which when the inlet fitting  81  is installed, contains the head  83  of the inlet fitting  81  such that the head  83  sits flush or within the planar surface of the inlet end  41 . The inlet hole  87  has standard pipe thread for receiving the piping or hose (not shown) through which the liquid carbon dioxide is to be delivered through the inlet hole  87 . The inlet hole  87  runs through the inlet fitting  81  from the head  83  to the tail  85 .  FIG. 10  shows a side view of the inlet fitting  81  where there is a lip  89 . This lip  89  seals against the floor of the recess  2 B such that liquid or gaseous carbon dioxide does not leak from this intersection. 
     FIG. 11  is a cross section view along line B—B in  FIG. 9  of one embodiment of the inlet fitting  81 , also FIG.  12 . It can be seen that there are a series of slots  91  circumferentially around the inlet hole  87  in the tail end  85  of the inlet fitting  81 . While this embodiment shows four slots  91  spaced about 90 degrees apart, it should be understood that more or fewer slots  91  could be placed here and the angles between these slots could be more or less than about 90 degrees. The inlet hole  87  of the inlet fitting  81  runs from the head  83  through to the tail  85  providing a hole all the way through the inlet fitting  81  such that the liquid carbon dioxide may pass through. 
   There is a chamfer  93  in the inlet fitting  81  circumferentially around inlet hole  87 , nearer the tail  85 , best seen FIG.  11 . This chamfer is recessed from the tail end  85  a predetermined distance and is cut at a predetermined angle. 
     FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the valve stem  120 . The valve stem  120  is machined from 303 stainless steel. However it should be recognized that other grades of stainless steel and other ferrous and non-ferrous materials could be used to manufacture the valve stem  120 . The valve stem  120  has a first end  122  and a second end  124 . Near the second end  124  is shown a lip  126  near a smaller diameter groove  128 . Near the groove  128  is an annular ledge  134 . The valve stem  120  then narrows in cross sectional area in the stem  130  portion. The cross sectional area decreases again in the button  132  portion which terminates in the first end  122 . The first end  122  terminates with a first end chamfer  136 .  FIG. 15  is a more detailed side view of one embodiment of the valve stem  120  which more clearly shows the lip  126 , groove  128  and annular ledge  134 . Also shown is the first end chamfer  136  near the first end  122 . 
     FIG. 16  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the circumferential ring  150 . The circumferential ring  150  in one embodiment is made from a material like Teflon. Other polymers, ferrous and non-ferrous materials could be used for the circumferential ring  150 . 
     FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the valve assembly  26 . The valve assembly consists of the valve body  25 , the inlet fitting  81 , and the valve stem  120  with circumferential ring  150  attached.  FIG. 18  shows a cross section view along line C—C in  FIG. 17.5  of one embodiment of the valve assembly  26 . 
   Filling Operation 
     FIG. 20  shows an overview or block diagram of the complete system, not to scale. Filling the liquid tanks L, L 2  requires that the hose H on the truck T be connected to the to the coupler  59  and the valve V on hose H be opened. Coupler  59  can be located outside of the building B, thus, the operator does not need to enter the building B to deliver the liquid and product can be delivered when the business or user is not open with no interaction from the user. The coupler  59  could also be located in a locked box LB with a door (not shown), to prevent tampering or vandals. It should be noted that no damage could occur to either the system inside the building or harm to a vandal because this embodiment maintains zero pressure on all fittings in the box LB and at the coupler  59  prior to connection to the truck T hose H. 
   Once the liquid begins to flow through the inlet line  60  the change in pressure in the inlet line  60  causes the valve stem  120 ,  FIG. 14 , to translate towards the gas storage port  37 , best shown in FIG.  18 . 
   When the valve stem  120  reaches the plunger stop  55 , best shown in  FIG. 18 , the first end chamfer  136  engages with the plunger stop  55  and seals the gas storage port  37  and the user port  31  from the rest of the valve assembly  26 . As the valve stem  120  seals these elements from the rest of the system, the liquid carbon dioxide continues to flow through the inlet port  27  around the second end  124  of the valve stem  120 . The liquid continues through the slots  91  into the plunger cavity  53  and out the first liquid port  33  into the liquid tank L, FIG.  20 . 
   The liquid carbon dioxide also flows from the plunger cavity  53  through the fill channels  51  out the second liquid port  35  to the liquid tank L 2 . When the liquid tanks L and L 2  are full the truck T pump senses an increase in pressure and the pump shuts down. If for some reason, the pump did not shut off, then burst disk  39 , shown  FIG. 1 , if installed, would relieve the pressure from the valve assembly  26 . The operator (not shown) then closes valve V, disconnects the hose H from the coupler  59  on the exterior of the building and continues to the next delivery stop. 
   When the hose H is disconnected, the sudden change in pressure causes the valve stem  120  to translate toward the inlet fitting  81 , best shown in FIG.  18 . The lip  126  and circumferential ring  150  engage the chamfer  93  of the inlet fitting  81  sealing the system off from the coupler  59 , FIG.  20 . The liquid is then free to boil off or change to gas, and flow from the tanks L &amp; L 2  into plunger cavity  53  and through gas storage port  37  for storage in tank G, or flow through the user port  31  to be utilized by the user U. 
   It should be noted that when the valve stem  120  engages the plunger stop  55  while the liquid tanks L and L 2  are filling, the system is still operational and gas is still capable of flowing to the user U. The Gas can flow from the gas storage tank G through the gas storage port  37  ou the user port  31 . The dispensing system does not need to be shut down to be filled, and transparently remains operational to the user. 
   While this embodiment shows two liquid tanks L &amp; L 2  it should be understood that many more liquid tanks or only one tank could be utilized in other embodiments, FIG.  20 . Likewise, only one gas tank G is shown. It should be understood that many more gas tanks could be utilized in other embodiments, FIG.  20 . Likewise, only one user port  31  is shown, there could be many users branching off from the user port  31  in other embodiments, FIG.  20 . While many liquid tanks and gas tanks could be attached to the system it is helpful to maintain the gas storage tank to the liquid storage tank numbers in an approximate ratio of one to three. 
     FIG. 20  shows an overview of the valve assembly and related components in the system. The valve assembly  26  has the flexibility to be mounted almost anywhere inside the building B. The valve assembly  26  could be located on the interior wall of building B or mounted to the liquid or gas tanks. The valve assembly  26  could also be locked in a box (not shown) in the interior of building B to prevent tampering or vandals. Likewise, the valve assembly  26  could be located on the exterior of the building B if the user so chose. 
   It will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments, improvements, details and uses can be made consistent with the letter and spirit of the foregoing disclosure and within the scope of this patent application.