Abstract:
A portable pressurized gas delivery system with impact protection includes a pressure regulator device comprised of a shut-off valve/refill portion, a pressure regulation portion and a flow control portion. The pressure regulator device is attached via a mating machine threaded portion to a high pressure gas vessel or tank. An adapter or flange washer is situated between the regulator device and tank. A u-shaped handle is attached to the flange washer and extends along side and beyond the height of the gas pressure regulator. A circular ring is transversely attached to the u-shaped handle and situated to surround the regulator device thereby providing impact protection from all directions for the gas pressure regulator device. The pressure regulator device and flange washer include mechanical alignment mechanisms so that angular alignment of the devices is established.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to gas flow control devices and, more particularly, to pressure regulated gas delivery devices for use with portable gas tanks and protecting such devices from damage due to rough handling thereof. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Regulated gas flow control and pressure regulation devices are attached to portable medical gas or oxygen cylinders and used by those requiring medical gas delivery, most commonly, in response to a Doctor&#39;s prescription for oxygen. Such gas or oxygen delivery devices are used by individuals in all walks of life at work and during recreational times. The gas delivery devices are often times subject to fairly rough handling including tip-over events and severe impacts with solid objects during use, handling, transport and storage. The response from the medical gas regulator industry has been to produce gas regulator and flow control devices that are fairly sturdy in construction. However, the devices still fail on occasion due to excessive force impacts that occur during use as well as during transport and refilling operations. 
     A practical consideration in the design of portable gas delivery devices is size and weight. Excessive size or weight makes the device less attractive to end consumers, since oxygen delivery devices are typically carried by hand or pulled along in a small “pull cart” or dolly. Thus, it is desired that improved impact protection should be accomplished without significant additional weight added to the devices. 
     Portable gas delivery devices of the prior art also utilize a mechanical interface commonly referred to as a “post valve” for connecting a pressure regulator device to the tank. The post valve is attached to a pressurized tank via a threaded interface, and a regulator device or combination regulator/flow control device is then attached to the post valve. One example of such a post valve is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,841 to Davidson. An example of a regulator that connects to the post valve of the &#39;841 patent is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,396 to Davidson. Refilling tanks incorporating such devices includes the initial step of opening the flow control section of the regulator and drawing a 25 inches of mercury vacuum on the system at the flow control outlet port of the regulator. Atmospheric air may potentially be drawn in through the relief valve of the regulator, and such a result is undesirable. Relief valves in pressure regulators typically activate at 1.5 times the normal working pressure of the regulator, or at about 75 PSI. Further, the seals of the flow control portion and seals in the post valve interface of the prior art regulator present potential leak points during system evacuation steps prior to refilling the tank or cylinder. Thus a design that eliminates the post valve to regulator interface and other potential leak points is desired. 
     What is needed is a gas delivery device with an impact protection mechanism that is adaptable to a wide variety of existing gas regulation device designs and provides improved impact protection to prevent physical damage to the pressure regulator/flow control devices. Further, the system should include design aspects to reduce difficulties encountered during refilling procedures and eliminate potential leak problems associated with prior art designs. In addition, the impact protection device should enhance the functionality of the entire gas delivery system without adding substantial weight or cost thereto. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A portable device for dispensing compressed gas according to one aspect of the present invention, comprises a sealed pressure vessel, the pressure vessel including a threaded aperture communicating with the interior of the pressure vessel, a flange washer having a gas aperture therethrough and wherein the flange washer is situated over the threaded aperture of the sealed pressure vessel so that the aperture of the flange washer is aligned with the threaded aperture, the flange washer further including a flange protrusion extending outward from the flange washer, a gas regulator including a body having a threaded protrusion adapted to mate with and engaging the threaded aperture of the sealed pressure vessel, a fluid channel within the body extending from within the body through the threaded protrusion and establishing fluid communication with the interior of the sealed pressure vessel, the gas regulator further including a pressure regulator in fluid communication with the fluid channel, the pressure regulator having an output orifice at which reduced pressure gas is available, the body further including a body protrusion that mechanically engages the flange protrusion, the body protrusion situated near the threaded protrusion, and a handle attached to the flange washer, the handle including a u-shaped portion attached to the flange washer at the free ends of the u-shaped portion, the first portion extending away from the pressure vessel and substantially surrounding the gas regulator, the handle including a second rod portion attached to the u-shaped rod portion and situated substantially transverse to the first portion, the second portion substantially surrounding the gas regulator. 
     One object of the present invention is to provide an improved portable pressurized gas delivery system. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable pressurized gas delivery system that includes impact protection for the more sensitive components of the assembly. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide an impact protection device for use with pressure regulation and flow control devices of existing designs. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to eliminate potential leak areas associated with refilling operations and reduce labor content required for refilling tanks or cylinders. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of the portable gas delivery device with impact protection. 
         FIG. 1   a  is side elevational cross-sectional view of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of the handle shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the handle shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of the flange washer  16  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the flange washer of  FIG. 6  looking in the direction of the arrows labeled A—A. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional view of flange washer  16  depicting the position of handle  14  and regulator  12 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a front elevational view of a portable gas delivery device with impact protection  10  according to the present invention is shown. Gas delivery device  10  is comprised of a pressure regulation and flow control device  12 , a handle assembly  14 , a flange washer  16 , a high pressure tank  18 , and nuts  20  which secure handle  14  to flange washer  16 . Tank or cylinder  18  includes a threaded aperture  22  that receives a threaded portion  24  of pressure regulator  12 . O-ring seals  26  and  28  provide a fluid seal between tank  18  and flange washer  16  and between flange washer  16  and pressure regulator and flow control device  12 , respectively. Pressure regulator device  12  includes a fill port fitting  30  that is connected to a source of pressurized gas to refill tank  18  with a gas such as oxygen or other desired medical grade gas mixture. Fill port fitting  30  is a standard CGA (Compressed Gas Association) style fitting and incorporates an internal check valve shown in more detail in  FIG. 1   a . Knob  32  is rotationally positionable to control the flow rate of gas or oxygen at flow meter hose barb outlet fitting  34 . Also shown is a CGA type regulated gas outlet fitting  36  that is optional with device  12  for delivery of pressure regulated gas to devices connected to fitting  36 . More detail regarding device  12  follows in conjunction with the description of  FIG. 1   a.    
     Handle assembly  14  is comprised of two attached components, namely, rod  38  formed into a circular loop and u-shaped rod  40  that is formed as shown in a substantially u-shaped configuration with two free ends  42  that are received into apertures in flange washer  16 . A threaded protrusion  44  extends outward from flange washer  16  and free ends  42  of rod  40  are received therein. Nuts  20  include a compression insert  46  that engages tapered ridge or notch  48  formed in rod  40  near free ends  42 . Circular rod  38  and u-shaped rod  40  are attached to one another by a weldment at  50 . Handle assembly  14  is intended to be easily removed in the event tank or cylinder refilling operations require removal thereof. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1   a , a side elevational cross-sectional view of device  10  of  FIG. 1  is shown. In this view handle  14  is not shown, but rather, the internal details of pressure regulator and flow control device  12  are more particularly described. Device  12  is attached to tank  18  via threaded portion  24 . O-ring seal  26  provides a fluid seal between tank  18  and flange washer  16 . O-ring seal  28  provides a fluid seal between flange washer  16  and regulator device  12 . 
     Regulator device  12  includes several functional component sections described as follows. A shut-off valve/refill portion  54  includes a body having a threaded portion  24  that engages internal threads of tank  18 . Compressed gas within tank  18  enters regulator  12  through body  55  of portion  54  at fluid aperture or channel  52 . Shut-off valve portion  54  includes a knurled knob  56  that rotationally engages threaded shaft  58 . Shaft  58  includes a seal  60  disposed in a recess in the end of shaft  58 . Seal  60  is urged into contact with orifice  62  upon clockwise rotation of shaft  58 . Counter-clockwise rotation of shaft  58  urges seal  60  away from orifice  62  so that pressurized gas in fluid channel  52  flows into fluid channel  64 . A burst disk  66  is secured over an opening into fluid channel  52  by screw  68 . Screw  68  includes an aperture therethrough that allows pressurized gas to escape or vent to atmosphere when burst disk  66  is ruptured due to excessive pressure within fluid channel  52 . 
     A standard CGA type refill fitting assembly  70  is attached to refill body  55  via threaded portion  71 . Assembly  70  includes an internal check-valve  72  that allow pressurized gas to flow into fluid channel  64  yet prevents gas from escaping channel  64  through fitting assembly  70 . Check valves are well known in the art of pressurized gas devices and further discussion is not required. During refilling operations, a source of pressurized gas is attached to fitting assembly  70  and pressurized gas flows through fill port connection  30 , into fluid channel  64 , through connecting fluid channel  52  and into tank  18 . Refilling of tank  18  requires that knob  56  be rotated thereby rotating shaft  58  and positioning seal  60  a small distance away from orifice  62  thereby allowing pressurized gas to flow through connector  70 , into fluid channel  64 , through orifice  62 , into fluid channel  52  and subsequently into tank  18 . Shut-off valve  54  must be in the open position for normal operation of the regulator device  12 . 
     Pressure gauge portion  74 , of device  12 , includes a Bourdon tube  76  (well known in the art of pressure detection) that is mechanically attached to pressure indication ring  78 . Bourdon tube  76  is in fluid communication with fluid channel  64  by way of aperture  75 . Bourdon tube  76  is rotatable with respect to mounting  77  so that Bourdon tube  76  may be zero positioned with respect to body  55  prior to assembly of device  12 . Ring  78  is rotated by Bourdon tube  76  within device  12  in response to pressure changes within Bourdon tube  76 . Numerical pressure indication values are applied to the outer surface of ring  78  and are viewable through aperture  80 . Thus, a pressure reading is provided and viewable by the user at aperture  80 . 
     Pressure regulation portion  82  includes piston  84  that is in cooperating action with manifold  85  and spring  86  to regulate fluid pressure in fluid channel  64  and supplying the regulated pressure fluid or gas to fluid channel  88 . O-ring fluid seals  89  are also shown and provide fluid seals where situated. 
     A flow control portion or flowmeter  90  includes a disk  92  having a plurality of variably sized apertures therein that enable various gas flow rates from fluid channel  88  into fluid channel  94 . Pressurized gas in fluid channel  94  is delivered to barbed hose fitting  96 . Knob  98  rotationally engages disk  92  to position disk  92  in a number of angular positions so that the plurality of variably sized apertures in disk  92  may be positioned adjacent and in alignment with fluid channel  94 . Screw  99  mechanically attaches knob  98  to disk  92 . Flow rate numbers are inscribed on the lateral surface of knob  98  and are viewable though aperture  100  so the user may readily select a desire gas flow rate that is provided at hose barb  96 . 
     Considerable detail describing the components and operation of the pressure gauge portion  74 , pressure regulator portion  82  and flowmeter portion  90  is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,396. Gilbert Davidson, the inventor of the &#39;396 invention, is a co-inventor in the present case. The description and details of operation of device  12  that are identical with or substantially similar to those corresponding components shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,396 are wholly incorporated by reference herein. 
     Operationally speaking, pressurized gas in tank  18  enters into fluid channel  52 , passes through shut-off valve orifice  62  and enters into fluid channel  64 . Gauge portion  74  provides a pressure reading of the gas pressure within fluid channel  64 , indicative of the remaining gas in tank  18 . Gas in fluid channel  64  is reduced in pressure by pressure regulator portion  82  and pressure regulated gas is supplied to fluid channel  88 . Regulated pressure gas in fluid channel  88  passes through one of a plurality of small apertures in disk  92 . Flow metered and pressure regulated gas is supplied to fluid channel  94  at a flow rate determined by the size of the aperture in disk  92  positioned adjacent channel  94 . Pressure and flow regulated gas is provided at hose barb fitting  96 . 
     Materials used in the fabrication of device  12 , such as brass and aluminum, are well known in the art of pressure regulation devices. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a side elevational view of gas delivery device with impact protection  10  of  FIG. 1  is shown. Regulator and flow control device  12  is shown attached to tank  18 . CGA fittings  34 ,  36  and  30  are shown attached to regulator  12 . In the configuration of  FIG. 2 , hose barb  96  is replaced with a standard CGA threaded fitting  34 . Handle  14 , including horizontal circular portion  38  and u-shaped vertical portion  40  are shown in more detail. Aperture  80 , wherein pressurized gas readings are viewable, is shown. Aperture  100  provides a viewport wherein numbers attached to or inscribed on knob  98  are displayed so that a flow rate is selectable by the user in accordance with the position of knob  98 . Shut-off valve knob  56  is also shown. Nut  20  secures handle  14  to the threaded protrusion  44  formed in flange washer  16  are also shown. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a plan view of the portable gas delivery device with impact protection  10  of  FIG. 2  is shown. In this view, shut-off valve knob  56 , flange washer  16 , nuts  20 , flow meter knob  98  and CGA fittings  30  and  34  are visible. Circular handle portion  38  and vertical u-shaped handle portion  40  are also shown. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , handle assembly  14  is shown in a front elevational and side elevational view, respectively.  FIG. 4  depicts an alternate embodiment of handle assembly  14  with a coating  108  applied to handle assembly  14 . Circular handle portion  38  and u-shaped handle portion  40  include coating  108  surrounding a substantial portion of handle assembly  14  in  FIG. 4 . Coating  108  is shown in cross-section and is surrounds handle assembly  14  as shown. Coating  108  aids the user in gripping handle assembly  14  and provides a some resilience when handle assembly  14  impacts foreign objects. Coating  108  is a rubber or plastic based substance applied using a dip or spray process. Also shown are tapered notches  48  that are engaged by nuts  20  of  FIG. 1 . U-shaped portion  40  and circular portion  38  are attached via a weldment  50 . Handle  14  is constructed of preferably a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel for strength and rigidity, yet, modern hi strength reinforced polymers may also be used in the construction thereof. Both handle configurations shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  are contemplated for use with the device  10  of  FIG. 1 . It is also contemplated that handle assembly  14  may be fabricated in a casting process or molding process to produce a unitary handle and thereby eliminate the fabrication step of attaching two separate components via a weldment. 
     Although handle portion  38  is shown to be generally circular in shape, it is contemplated that an oval, square, or multi-sided geometric shape (pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal or dodecahedron for example) could be used instead of a circular shape. Further, it is also contemplated that handle portion  38  need not fully surround device  12  of  FIG. 1 , but rather, may substantially surround device  12  to provide lateral directional impact protection. However, it is ideal that handle  14  provide impact protection from all lateral angles of attack. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6–8 , flange washer  16  of  FIG. 1  is shown in more detail in a plan view ( FIG. 6 ), a cross-sectional view ( FIG. 7 ) and a partial cross-sectional view ( FIG. 8 ). Flange washer  16  includes two protrusions  44  having external threads that mate with nuts  20 . Apertures in protrusions  44  receive the free ends  42  of handle assembly  14 . When nuts  20  are rotated onto threaded protrusions  44 , compression inserts  46  (made from plastic, nylon or the like) are forced inward by conical surfaces  114  into notches  48  to secure handle  14  in position with respect to flange washer  16 . Planar surfaces  110  positively engage corresponding flat surfaces  112  of body  55  of regulator and flow meter device  12 . Surfaces  110  and  112  ensure the correct orientation of regulator  12  with respect to flange washer  16  so that fill port fitting  30  ( FIG. 1 ), regulated gas output port  36  ( FIG. 1 ) and hose barb fitting  34  ( FIG. 1 ) are not obscured or interfered with by the angular position of the u-shaped portion  40  of handle assembly  14 . Threaded portion  24  ( FIG. 1   a ) of regulator  12  is disposed through aperture  116  in flange washer  16 . Flange washer  16  is fabricated from metals such as aluminum, stainless steel or brass. Reinforced polymer materials may also be used to construct flange washer  16 . 
     It is contemplated that the mating planar surfaces  110  and  112  are not limited to planar engaging surfaces as shown, but can take the form of any mechanically engaging mechanism, including but not limited to, a protrusion on one and a notch on the other, angular mating surfaces similar to the design of a wrench that engages a hexagonal nut, or any multitude of known mating mechanical interfaces that will provide positive angular alignment between regulator device  12  and flange washer  16 . 
     Materials used in the construction of device  10 , such as brass and aluminum, are well known in the art of compressed gas regulation and flow control devices. Combinations of materials are also contemplated in the construction of device  10  to achieve MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) compatibility including non-magnetic stainless steel and reinforced polymers. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description of the preferred embodiment, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.