Abstract:
A high-pressure fluid conduit that conducts high-pressure fluid from a high-pressure fluid source to a high-pressure fluid container. This high-pressure fluid conduit has a safety feature that is activated when the high-pressure fluid conduit fails due to exposure to a predetermined force. The safety feature is activated by the fracture of an annular ring that is positioned at either end of the high-pressure fluid conduit and is calibrated to fracture when exposed to the predetermined force. Fracture of the annular ring closes valves at each end of the high-pressure fluid conduit, thereby stopping the flow of high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid source as well as the escape of high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid container.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates, in general, to high-pressure fluid delivery and, in particular, to a high-pressure fluid conduit having a safety feature that provides protection against errors by a workman conducting the fluid delivery operation or a failure of the conduit during the fluid delivery operation. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    When filling containers (e.g., cylinders, tank trucks, rail cars, and stationary tanks) with compressed or non-compressed fluids, both gasses and liquids, or operating equipment that relies on pressurized fluid flow, the fluid is transferred from one container (e.g., a tank truck) to another container (e.g., a stationary tank). Although the fluid can be transferred from one container to another via solid piping, it is common practice in many situations to use a flexible conduit or hose that connects the two containers and through which the fluid is transferred. A flexible hose allows ease of connection/disconnection between the containers, as well as a limited range of motion between the source of the fluid and the destination of the fluid. 
         [0003]    For example, compressed or non-compressed gasses, such as oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide, and liquids, such as chemicals, petroleum and acids, are transported, stored, and used in individual containers of varying size and capacity. In order to fill these containers with the desired product, each container is connected, either singly or in groups, to a fluid filler/seller. In order to connect each container to the filling connection, a flexible hose is used to allow for quick connection/disconnection of the containers to and from the filling connection. A filling station manifold is one example of a filling connection. In addition, operating equipment that runs or uses compressed fluids, such as a forklift or a hydraulic system, also benefits from the ease of use of flexible hoses. 
         [0004]    There are various safety risks associated with transferring fluids from one container to another. Service personnel conducting fluid delivery operations might make human errors, such as driving a tank truck away after filling a container without disconnecting the hose from the tank truck and/or the filled container. 
         [0005]    Hoses can fail even though they are generally made from durable, yet flexible, materials/constructions, such as treated and reinforced rubber, neoprene, nylon, stainless steel, and others. Hose failures, such as leaks, ruptures, splits, and cuts, can result, for example, from material deterioration of the hose or accidentally damaging the hose by operation of other equipment in the vicinity. 
         [0006]    When a hose fails, regardless of the cause of the failure, substantial damage can result in a number of ways. First, if a hose is completely severed or split, both ends of the hose can whip around wildly under the forces of the compressed fluid that is exerted from the delivery end and the receiving end. In addition, if a container is not secured, the pressure of the fluid leaving the container can cause the container to move very rapidly in the opposite direction of the escaping fluid. Both of these situations can result in substantial risk of personal injury, as well as property damage. Furthermore, a hose failure will cause leaks from both the delivery and receiving ends, leading to a costly waste of the fluid, as well as the discharge of a hazardous fluid, that has the potential of filling the environment with hazardous fumes. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    A high-pressure fluid conduit adapted for connection between a high-pressure fluid source and a high-pressure fluid container, constructed in accordance with the present invention, includes a hose unit having a first end and a second end, a first housing adapted for connection to a high-pressure fluid source, and a second housing adapted for connection to a high-pressure fluid container. The first housing, adapted for connection to the high-pressure fluid source, has a first fluid opening through which high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid source enters the first housing, a second fluid opening through which high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid source leaves the first housing and enters the hose unit, and a cavity between the first fluid opening in the first housing and the second fluid opening in the first housing. The second housing, adapted for connection to the high-pressure fluid container, has a first fluid opening through which high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid source leaves the hose unit and enters the second housing and high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure container tends to leave the second housing and enter the hose unit during a failure of the hose unit. The second housing also has a second fluid opening through which high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid source leaves the second housing and enters the high-pressure fluid container and high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid container tends to enter the hose unit during a failure of the hose unit. The second housing also has a cavity between the first fluid opening in the second housing and the second fluid opening in the second housing. A high-pressure fluid conduit adapted for connection between a high-pressure fluid source and a high-pressure fluid container, constructed in accordance with the present invention, also has an annular ring that couples at least one of the first housing to the first end of the hose unit and the second housing to the second end of the hose unit. The annular ring has a weakened section extending around the annular ring that fractures when a predetermined force is applied to the annular ring that causes first and second parts of the annular ring, on opposite sides of the weakened section, to separate. A high-pressure fluid conduit adapted for connection between a high-pressure fluid source and a high-pressure fluid container, constructed in accordance with the present invention, further includes a first valve seat at the second fluid opening in the first housing and a second valve seat at the first fluid opening in the second housing. A high-pressure fluid conduit adapted for connection between a high-pressure fluid source and a high-pressure fluid container, constructed in accordance with the present invention, also includes a first valve body pivotally mounted in the cavity of the first housing and movable between a first position to permit the flow of the high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid source through the first housing and a second position against the first valve seat in the first housing to prevent high-pressure fluid leaving the first housing. A high-pressure fluid conduit adapted for connection between a high-pressure fluid source and a high-pressure fluid container, constructed in accordance with the present invention, also includes a second valve body pivotally mounted in the cavity of the second housing and movable between a first position to permit the flow of the high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid source through the second housing and a second position against the second valve seat in the second housing to prevent fluid high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid container leaving the second housing. A high-pressure fluid conduit adapted for connection between a high-pressure fluid source and a high-pressure fluid container, constructed in accordance with the present invention, further includes valve control means for retaining the first valve body in its first position and the second valve body in its first position and selectively moving the first valve body to its second position and the second valve body to its second position in response to fracture of the annular ring and separation of the first and second parts of the annular ring on opposite sides of the weakened section of the annular ring. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a high-pressure fluid conduit, constructed in accordance with the present invention, shown in the open or normal mode of operation. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the  FIG. 1  high-pressure fluid conduit shown in the closed or safety-activated mode of operation. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of one end of the  FIG. 1  high-pressure fluid conduit shown in the open or normal mode of operation. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of one end of the  FIG. 2  high-pressure fluid conduit shown in the closed or safety-activated mode of operation. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a high-pressure fluid conduit, constructed in accordance with the present invention, shown in the open or normal mode of operation. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, that illustrates the break-away portion of a high-pressure fluid conduit, constructed in accordance with the present invention, while the high-pressure fluid conduit is in the  FIG. 1  open or normal mode of operation. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an end view of the  FIG. 1  high pressure fluid conduit while the high-pressure fluid conduit is in the open or normal mode of operation. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, that illustrates the break-away portion of a high-pressure fluid conduit, constructed in accordance with the present invention, after the high-pressure fluid conduit switches to the  FIG. 2  closed or safety-activated mode of operation. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is an end view of the  FIG. 2  high pressure fluid conduit after the high-pressure fluid conduit switches to the  FIG. 2  closed or safety-activated mode of operation. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  are sectional views that illustrate a second break-away section of a high-pressure fluid conduit constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a helical wave spring that can serve as the shock absorbing component in the  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  break-away section of a high-pressure fluid conduit constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 9 , a high-pressure fluid conduit, constructed in accordance with the present invention, includes a hose unit  20  having a first end  20   a  and a second end  20   b , a first housing  22 , and a second housing  24 . First housing  22  is adapted for connection to a high-pressure fluid source, such as a tank truck, and second housing  24  is adapted for connection to a high-pressure fluid container, such as a storage tank. The high-pressure fluid source is represented by a threaded member  26  that can be an outlet connection of the high-pressure fluid source for delivery of fluid from the high-pressure fluid source. The high-pressure fluid container is represented by a threaded member  28  that can be an inlet connection of the high-pressure fluid container for delivery of fluid to the high-pressure fluid container. 
         [0020]    First housing  22  has a first fluid opening  22   a  through which high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid source enters the first housing, a second fluid opening  22   b  through which high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid source leaves the first housing and enters hose unit  20 , and a cavity  22   c  between first fluid opening  22   a  in the first housing and second fluid opening  22   b  in the first housing. 
         [0021]    Second housing  24  has a first fluid opening  24   a  through which high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid source leaves hose unit  20  and enters the second housing during normal delivery of the fluid to the high-pressure fluid container or high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure container tends to leave the second housing and enter the hose unit during a failure of the hose unit. Second housing  24  also has a second fluid opening  24   b  through which high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid source leaves the second housing and enters the high-pressure fluid container during normal delivery of the fluid to the high-pressure fluid container or high pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid container tends to enter the second housing during a failure of the hose unit. Second housing  24  also has a cavity  24   c  between first fluid opening  24   a  in the second housing and second fluid opening  24   b  in the second housing. 
         [0022]    A high-pressure fluid conduit, constructed in accordance with the present invention, also includes an annular ring  30  that (a) couples first housing  22  to first end  20   a  of hose unit  20 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 ,  6 , and  8 , or (b) couples second housing  24  to second end  20   b  of hose unit  20 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , or (c) couples each end of hose unit  20  one of the housings. As will be explained below, annular ring  30  serves as a break-away component that fractures when a predetermined force is applied to the annular ring that results, for example, when the driver of a tank truck fails to disconnect the high-pressure fluid conduit from either the tank truck or the storage container before driving the tank truck away from the storage container. Upon fracture of annular ring  30 , a safety feature is activated and the high-pressure fluid conduit switches from an open or normal mode of operation to a closed or safety-activated mode of operation. 
         [0023]    As shown most clearly in  FIG. 6 , annular ring  30  has a weakened section, in the form of a groove  30   a , for the embodiment of the present invention that is illustrated and being described. Groove  30   a  extends circumferentially completely around annular ring  30 , thereby resulting in a section of reduced thickness relative to the thickness of first and second parts  30   b  and  30   c  of the annular ring that are disposed on opposite sides of the weakened section, namely groove  30   a . The size, shape, and extent of groove  30   a  calibrate annular ring  30  to fracture when a predetermined force is applied to the annular ring, whereupon first and second parts  30   b  and  30   c  of the annular ring separate as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . It should be noted that this force, when applied generally along the longitudinal axis of the high-pressure fluid conduit, will result in substantially uniform separation of first and second parts  30   b  and  30   c  of the annular ring along groove  30   a , while a force applied at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the high-pressure fluid conduit will result in progressive separation of first and second parts  30   b  and  30   c  of the annular ring along groove  30   a.    
         [0024]    Hose unit  20  includes a fluid conducting hose  20   c , first connecting means at a first end  20   a  of the hose unit for connecting a first end of the fluid conducting hose to first part  30   b  of annular ring  30  and second connecting means at second end  20   b  of hose unit  20  for connecting a second end of the fluid conducting hose to second housing  24 . For the embodiment of the present invention that is illustrated and being described, fluid conducting hose  20   c  is secured at end  20   a  of hose unit  20  between an outer sleeve  20   d  and an inner sleeve  20   e  by suitable means, such as teeth on the contact surfaces of the sleeves that penetrate the surface of the fluid conducting hose, as illustrated. Hose unit  20  is arranged in a similar manner at second end  20   b  of the hose unit. It will be apparent, to those skilled in the art, that fluid conducting hose  20   c  can be connected to part  30   b  of annular ring  30  and to the second connecting means at second end  20   b  of hose unit  20  by other means, such as by welding or adhesives, depending, for example, on the materials chosen for the components that are being connected. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 6 and 8  show most clearly how the first end of fluid conducting hose  20   c  at the first end  20   a  of hose unit  20  is connected to first part  30   b  of annular ring  30 . Outer sleeve  20   d  of hose unit  20  has a shoulder  20   d   1  that is fitted into a notch  20   e   1  in inner sleeve  20   e . Inner sleeve  20   e  has a second notch  20   e   2  into which first part  30   b  of annular ring  30  is fitted. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 6 and 8  also shows most clearly how first housing  22  is connected at second opening  22   b  of the first housing to second part  30   c  of annular ring  30 . Housing  22  has a notch  22   d  into which second part  30   c  of annular ring  30  is fitted. 
         [0027]    A sealing ring  31  seals the joint at which annular ring  30  couples hose unit  20  to first housing  22 . 
         [0028]    When a force is applied to annular ring  30 , such as when a tank truck, represented by reference numeral  26 , pulls away without disconnecting from first housing  22 , second part  30   c  of annular ring  30  is drawn in the direction of the applied force, while first part  30   b  of the annular ring is restrained from moving in the same direction because of its engagement in notch  20   e   2  in hose unit  20 . When the applied force exceeds the predetermined level for which annular ring  30  has been calibrated, the annular ring will fracture along groove  30   a . The fracture of annular ring  30  activates the safety feature of the present invention and the high-pressure fluid conduit switches from the open or normal mode of operation to the closed or safety-activated mode of operation, as will be described below. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of a high-pressure fluid conduit, constructed in accordance with the present invention, with the break-away annular ring  30  located at the second end of hose unit  20  that is coupled to second housing  24  and in proximity to the high-pressure fluid container. The construction, functioning, and operation of this second embodiment of the present invention is, in all other respects, identical to the first embodiment that has been described above. As noted above, a high-pressure fluid conduit, constructed in accordance with the present invention, can be arranged with a break-away annular ring at both ends of hose unit  20  where the hose unit is coupled to the high-pressure fluid source and the high-pressure fluid container. In certain applications, such an arrangement for activating the safety feature of the present invention might be mandatory or highly desirable. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  are sectional views that illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention that protects against a premature fracture of an annular ring  44 , as might occur when an end of the high-pressure fluid conduit having an annular ring is dropped accidentally.  FIG. 10   a  illustrates the break-away portion of the high-pressure fluid conduit while the high-pressure fluid conduit is in the  FIG. 1  open or normal mode of operation and  FIG. 10   b  illustrates the break-away portion of the high-pressure fluid conduit after a shock or force has been applied that might otherwise cause premature fracture of annular ring  44 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 10   a , shock absorbing means, in the form of a compressible elastic washer  50  for the embodiment of the present invention illustrated and being described, are positioned in the space  52  that is formed radially inward of the weakened section of annular ring  44  between the weakened section of the annular ring and the confronting surfaces of housing  46  and hose unit  48 . Other components, such as a mechanical helical wave spring that is illustrated in  FIG. 11 , can serve as the shock absorbing means. 
         [0032]    When an end of the high-pressure fluid conduit that has an annular ring is exposed to a force or shock, as might occur when that end of the high-pressure fluid conduit is accidentally dropped, that portion of washer  50 , diametrically opposite from the point at which the force or shock is applied, is compressed between housing  46  and hose unit  48 , thereby absorbing the energy of the force or shock. Washer  50 , in effect, isolates annular ring  44  from the force or shock by taking up the force or shock. As a result, washer  50  prevents premature fracture of annular ring  44 . This protection against premature fracture of annular ring  44  can be incorporated at either end of the high-pressure fluid conduit or at both ends of the high-pressure fluid conduit. 
         [0033]    A high-pressure fluid conduit, constructed in accordance with the present invention, also includes a first valve seat  33  at second fluid opening  22   b  in first housing  22 , a second valve seat  34  at first fluid opening  24   a  in second housing  24 , a first valve body  36 , and a second valve body  38 . First valve body  36  is pivotally mounted in cavity  22   c  of first housing  22  and is movable between a first position to permit the flow of the high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid source through the first housing, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , and a second position against first valve seat  33  in the first housing to prevent high-pressure fluid leaving the first housing as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . Second valve body  38  is pivotally mounted in cavity  24   c  of second housing  24  and is movable between a first position to permit the flow of the high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid source through the second housing, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and a second position against second valve seat  34  in the second housing to prevent fluid high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid container leaving the second housing, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0034]    A high-pressure fluid conduit, constructed in accordance with the present invention, also includes valve control means for retaining first valve body  36  in its first position and second valve body  38  in its first position and selectively moving the first valve body to its second position against valve seat  33  and the second valve body to its second position against valve seat  34 . The valve control means move first valve body  36  into engagement with first valve seat  33  and second valve body  38  into engagement with second valve seat  34  in response to a fracture of annular ring  30  and separation of first and second parts  30   b  and  30   c  of the annular ring. 
         [0035]    More specifically, for the embodiment of the present invention that is illustrated and being described, the valve control means include a serpentine cable  40  connected between first valve body  36  and second valve body  38 . Cable  40  is made from a flexible, yet relatively stiff, material capable of retaining valve bodies  36  and  38  in their respective first positions, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  7 , so that high-pressure fluid from the high-pressure fluid source is permitted to flow to the high-pressure fluid container during open or normal fluid delivery. 
         [0036]    Fracture of annular ring  30  results in increased separation of first housing  22  from second housing  24 , which, in turn, causes cable  40  to straighten and ultimately to cause valve bodies  36  and  38  to pivot to their respective second positions, namely, against valve seats  33  and  34 , respectively, as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  9 . With valve bodies  36  and  38  positioned against valve seats  33  and  34 , respectively, opening  22   b  of housing  22  and opening  24   a  of housing  24  are sealed to prevent high-pressure fluid flow from the high-pressure fluid source and high-pressure fluid flow from the high-pressure fluid container during a closed or safety-activated mode of operation. High-pressure fluid, entering cavity  22   c  of housing  22  from the high-pressure fluid source, maintains the seal between valve body  36  and valve seat  33  during the closed or safety-activated mode of operation. High-pressure fluid, entering cavity  24   c  of housing  24  from the high-pressure fluid container, maintains the seal between valve body  38  and valve seat  34  during the closed or safety-activated mode of operation. 
         [0037]    The foregoing illustrates some of the possibilities for practicing the invention. Many other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of the invention. It is, therefore, intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that the scope of the invention is given by the appended claims together with their full range of equivalents.