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Timestamp: 2013-06-18 23:45:08
Document Index: 87637518

Matched Legal Cases: ['art\n611', 'art 611', 'art 611', 'art 611', 'art 611', 'art 611', 'art 611']

Surge Prevention Device Free Services MONITOR KEYWORDS
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Surge prevention device Abstract: A surge prevention valve may be used to prevent the formation of an initial surge of high pressure. The valve may be located, for example, between a high pressure gas cylinder and a medical pressure regulator. The valve is provided with first and second valves located within a housing and integrating a pressurization orifice. The initial opening of the valve in an axial direction enables gas to flow through the pressurization orifice at a first flow rate. The fill opening of the valve in the axial direction enables the gas to flow through the second valve at a second flow rate, which is much higher than the first flow rate. The controlled pressurization of the gas through the orifice delays the time during which the gas reaches full recompression. The valve may be further provided with a vent for venting pressurized gas away from a nominally closed top surface of the lower valve element. The valve may be also provided with a valve inlet tube extending into a gas cylinder to prevent contaminants, particles and/or impurities from entering the valve. ...
Agent: Dickstein Shapiro Morin & Oshinsky LLP - Washington, DC, USInventors: Kevin D. Kroupa, William J. KullmannUSPTO Applicaton #: #20060180217 - Class: 137636000 (USPTO) - 08/17/06 - Class 137 The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060180217, Surge prevention device.
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/034,250, filed Jan. 3, 2002, the entire disclosure of which is
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a device for handling a
gas, such as oxygen and nitrous oxide, under high pressure. The present
invention also relates to a valve for controlling the flow of gas and to
a system for reducing or preventing high pressure surge.
[0003] Known high pressure oxygen delivery systems are provided with an
oxygen cylinder, a cylinder valve and a pressure regulator. The oxygen
cylinder may be charged with pure oxygen at a pressure of two thousand
two hundred pounds per square inch (psi) or more in the United States and
over three thousand psi in other countries. The valve is attached to the
cylinder to stop the flow of oxygen to the regulator. The pressure
regulator is designed to reduce the tank pressure to under two hundred
psi. Most pressure regulators in the United States reduce tank pressure
to approximately fifty psi. Typical pressure regulators in Europe reduce
tank pressure to approximately sixty psi.
[0004] When the valves in the known oxygen systems are opened rapidly,
undesirable high pressure surges may be applied to the pressure
regulator. There is a need in the art for preventing such high pressure
surges, as well as increases in the temperature of the gas which may
result in ignition. A similar problem may occur with respect to nitrous
oxide supplied, for example, for dental procedures.
[0005] The risk of oxygen regulator failure may be higher for portable
oxygen systems that are used in adverse environments and/or by untrained
personnel. Portable oxygen systems are used for emergency oxygen delivery
at accident sites; for other medical emergencies, such as heart attacks;
and for transporting patients. Homecare patients who use oxygen
concentrators as the main source of oxygen for oxygen therapy are
required to have standby oxygen cylinders in case of power failures.
Oxygen cylinders are also used to provide homecare patients with mobility
outside the house. There is a need in the art for a valve that can be
used easily in such portable systems and that reduces or eliminates the
occurrence of high pressure surges. Other uses include hospitals, where
oxygen cylinders are used to transport patients. They are also used as
emergency backup systems.
[0006] Known surge suppression devices are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.
3,841,353 (Acomb), U.S. Pat. No. 2,367,662 (Baxter et al), and U.S. Pat.
No. 4,172,468 (Ruus). These devices all suffer from one or more of the
following drawbacks: relatively massive pistons resulting in slower
response times, relatively elongated bodies, complicated construction
resulting in increased cost, or construction preventing positioning of
the devices in different locations in existing systems.
[0007] Acomb discloses an anti-surge oxygen cylinder valve in which the
surge-suppression device is integrated with the cylinder valve. The
device referred to by Acomb requires a force opposed to a spring force to
function. In the Acomb device, the opposing force is provided by a stem
connected to the valve handle. Additionally, if the bleeder orifice
becomes plugged, the valve does not allow flow, and the gas supply is not
available for use. In that case, the user may interpret the tank to be
empty when it is full, with the danger that such a misunderstanding
[0008] Baxter discloses a pressure shock absorber for a welding system.
Baxter refers to a piston that is elongated with a bore through the
center. The elongated piston results in an increased moment of inertia
that increases the time in which the piston reacts to a pressure surge.
The long bore results in necessarily tighter tolerances for controlling
the gas flow rate through the bore. In addition, the placement of the
spring abutting the elongated piston results in a relatively large
[0009] Ruus discloses a pressure shock absorber for an oxygen-regulator
supply system with an elongated, two-part piston. The elongate
construction of the piston results in an increased moment of inertia that
increases the time required for the piston to react to a pressure surge.
The two-part piston results in increased complexity and manufacturing
cost. Also in this device, if the restricted passageway becomes plugged,
no flow is allowed and the device suffers from the same potential for
user misinterpretation as the Acomb device.
[0010] The present invention overcomes to a great extent the deficiencies
of the prior art by providing a device that has a first flow path for
flowing gas at a first flow rate, a second flow path for flowing gas at a
greater flow rate, and a handle that moves in a first direction to open
the first flow path and enable opening of the second flow path, and in a
second direction to open the second flow path. In a preferred embodiment
of the invention, the device may be a surge prevention valve.
[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, the handle moves in an
axial direction to open the first flow path, and in a rotational
direction to open the second flow path. In a preferred embodiment of the
invention, the axial motion of the handle may be required to enable
opening of the second flow path. The present invention should not be
limited, however, to the preferred embodiments shown and described in
[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, a spring may be used
to bias the handle member in a direction opposite to the first direction.
In addition, an engageable torque unit may be employed to transmit torque
from the handle to open the second flow path. In a preferred embodiment
of the invention, the spring is compressed to engage the torque unit.
[0013] The present invention also relates to a surge prevention valve,
such as a valve for use with a high pressure gas cylinder. The surge
prevention valve may have a housing with an inlet and an outlet. A seal
unit may be used to close the flow path from the inlet to the outlet, and
a bleed passageway may be provided in the seal unit. The valve also may
have an actuator for opening the bleed pathway and for moving the seal
unit to open the main flow path.
[0014] If desired, the seal unit may be threaded into the housing. With
this construction, the actuator may be used to threadedly move the seal
unit toward and away from the valve seat to close and open the main flow
path. In addition, a valve rod may be provided for closing the bleed
passageway. The valve rod may be slidably located within the seal unit.
[0015] The present invention also relates to a method of operating a high
pressure valve. The method includes the steps of: (1) moving a handle in
an enabling direction to cause gas to flow through a first path at a
first flow rate; and then (2) moving the handle in a second direction to
cause gas to flow through a second path at a much greater flow rate. The
method also may include the step of closing the valve. According to a
preferred embodiment of the invention, the method may involve flowing
gas, such as oxygen or nitrous oxide, through a pressure regulator to a
user or to an intended device (such as a respirator). The method may be
used to gradually increase the flow rate into the regulator and to
prevent the formation of a high pressure surge in the system.
[0016] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention,
a method of opening a valve includes the steps of: (1) moving a handle
button, within the handle, in an enabling direction to cause gas to flow
through a first path at a first flow rate; and then (2) moving the entire
handle in a second direction to cause gas to flow through a second path
at a much greater flow rate. According to one aspect of the invention,
the enabling direction may be an axial direction, and the second
direction may be a rotational direction.
[0017] The present invention further relates to a surge prevention
dual-port (or dual-path) valve, which is provided with first and second
valves located within a housing and integrating a pressurization orifice.
The initial opening of the dual-port (or dual-path) valve in an axial
direction enables a first flow of gas to flow through the pressurization
orifice at a first flow rate. The full opening of the dual-port (or
dual-path) valve enables a second flow of gas to flow through the second
valve at a second flow rate which is higher than the first flow rate. The
controlled pressurization of the gas through the pressurization control
orifice delays the time in which the gas reaches full recompression.
This, in turn, allows the heat generated by the near adiabatic process of
the recompression of the gas to be dispersed. This way, high pressure
surges are prevented, the heat during gas recompression is dispersed and
excessive heating is avoided. The present invention also relates to a
method of operating the dual-port (or dual-path) valve.
[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device has two
separate ports or seats, to define two respective flow paths. The first
port/seat is a bleed port that is sized to pressurize an attached oxygen
regulator in greater than 0.250 seconds. The first port/seat is opened
during the initial actuation of the valve. The second (main) port/seat is
opened during the continuing actuation of the valve. If desired, the
device may be constructed to require enough motion so that, without the
use of a mechanical drive system, the valve cannot be opened fast enough
to override the bleed function.
[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, the main port may be
held in place by a spring (such as a coil compression spring) surrounding
the actuator) that is sized to overcome the source of pressure and to
maintain a gas-tight seal on the main port. According to this aspect of
the invention, during the bleed portion of the valve actuation process,
the main port is not influenced by the actuating stem.
[0020] According to yet another aspect of the invention, the main port is
opened as the actuating stem re-engages the main seat carrier by means of
a stop which then allows the seat carrier to be driven open against the
force of the spring (by further rotation of the actuator). In a preferred
embodiment of the invention, the spring is compressed as the seat carrier
is driven open.
[0021] In yet another embodiment of the invention, a surge prevention
dual-port (or dual-path) valve provided with first and second valves
located within a housing and integrating a pressurization orifice is
further provided with one or more sealing grooves and at least one vent
orifice for venting pressurized oxygen away from a top surface of the
lower valve element.
[0022] In another embodiment of the invention, a gas supply system is
provided with a valve system having a valve inlet tube extending into a
gas cylinder to prevent particles and/or impurities from entering the
[0023] These and other objects and advantages of the invention may be best
understood with reference to the following detailed description of
preferred embodiments of the invention, the appended claims and the
several drawings attached hereto.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a side view of an oxygen supply system constructed in
[0025] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a surge prevention valve for
the system of FIG. 1, taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 3 is another cross-sectional view of the surge prevention
valve of FIG. 2, at a subsequent stage of operation.
[0027] FIG. 4 is yet another cross-sectional view of the surge prevention
valve of FIG. 2, at yet another stage of operation.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a surge prevention valve
constructed in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the
[0029] FIG. 6 is an expanded view of a lower section of the surge
prevention valve of FIG. 5.
[0030] FIG. 7 is another cross sectional view of the surge prevention
valve of FIG. 5, at a subsequent stage of operation.
[0031] FIG. 8 is yet another cross sectional view of the surge prevention
valve of FIG. 5, at yet another stage of operation.
[0032] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a dual-port surge prevention
valve constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present
[0033] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a dual-port surge prevention
[0034] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an oxygen supply system
constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
[0035] Referring now to the drawings, where like elements are designated
by like reference numerals, there is shown in FIG. 1 an oxygen supply
system 10 constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention. A detailed description of the illustrated system 10 is
provided below. The present invention should not be limited, however, to
the specific features of the illustrated system 10.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 1, the oxygen supply system 10 includes a
pressure regulator 12, a conduit 14 for flowing oxygen from the pressure
regulator 12 to a patient (not illustrated), a source of oxygen 16, and a
post valve 20 for preventing oxygen from flowing out of the source 16.
The source 16 may be an oxygen cylinder, for example. As discussed in
more detail below, the valve 20 may be arranged to prevent a high
pressure surge from occurring in the pressure regulator 12 when the valve
20 is opened. In addition to oxygen, the present invention may be also
used to handle nitrous oxide and other concentrated oxidizing agents, as
well as other gas combinations used in the industry. The present
invention may also be used in systems other than medical systems. For
example, the present invention may be applicable to oxygen welding
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 2, the valve 20 includes a housing 22 having
an inlet 24 and an outlet 26. The inlet 24 may be connected to the oxygen
source 16. The outlet 26 may be connected to the pressure regulator 12.
In addition, the valve 20 includes a seal unit 28, a valve rod 30, and an
actuator unit 32. The seal unit 28 may have an annular elastomeric seal
pad 34 for sealing against a valve seat 36. A passageway 37 may be
provided to allow oxygen to flow through the pad 34 and into a first
bypass space 38 within the seal unit 28. The seal unit 28 also has a
second bypass space 40 and a bleed passageway 42.
[0038] The upper end 44 of the valve rod 30 is fixed within the actuator
unit 32. The lower portion of the valve rod 30 is slidably located within
the second bypass space 40. The valve rod 30 may have a reduced diameter
portion 46 and a conical lower end 48. Except for the reduced diameter
portion 46 and the lower end 48, the remainder of the valve rod 30 may
have a circular cross-section with a substantially constant diameter. The
cross-sectional configuration of the valve rod 30 is such that an upper
opening 50 of the first bypass space 38 is sealed by the lower end 48 of
the rod 30 in the position shown in FIG. 2.
[0039] As discussed in more detail below, the valve rod 30 may be moved
down and through the seal unit 28 to the position shown in FIG. 3. In the
FIG. 3 position, the reduced diameter portion 46 is located in the upper
opening 50 of the first bypass space 38. The cross-sectional area of the
reduced diameter portion 46 is less than that of the upper opening 50.
Consequently, oxygen may flow through the upper opening 50 when the valve
rod 30 is in the FIG. 3 position.
[0040] The seal unit 28 is connected to the housing 22 by suitable threads
62. The threads 62 are arranged such that rotating the seal unit 28 with
respect to the housing 22 in a first direction moves the seal pad 34 into
sealing engagement with the valve seat 36. Rotating the seal unit 28 in
the opposite direction causes the seal pad 34 to move away from the valve
seat 36 to the open position shown in FIG. 4. In the open position,
oxygen is allowed to flow through the valve seat 36, around the seal unit
28 in the direction of arrow 64 and into the outlet 26. An o-ring 66 or
other suitable seal may be provided between the seal unit 28 and the
housing 22 for preventing oxygen from flowing around the seal unit 28
above the outlet 26.
[0041] The actuator unit 32 has a piston unit 70, a handle 72 fixed to the
piston unit 70, and a cover 74. The piston unit 70 is slidably located in
the cover 74. The piston unit 70 is also allowed to rotate within the
cover 74 as described in more detail below. The piston unit 70 is biased
upwardly (away from the seal unit 28) by a coil spring 76. The cover 74
may be threaded into the housing 22, if desired.
[0042] A torque unit is formed by openings 78, 80 formed in the piston
unit 70 and pins 82, 84 fixed with respect to the seal unit 28. As shown
in FIG. 3, the pins 82, 84 may be received within the openings 78, 80
when the piston unit 70 is pushed downwardly against the bias of the
spring 76. When the pins 82, 84 are received within the openings 78, 80,
a torque applied to the handle 72 may be transmitted to the seal unit 28.
Thus, a torque may be manually applied to the handle 72 in a first
direction to cause the seal unit 28 to move further down into the housing
22 to press the seal pad 34 into the sealed position shown in FIG. 2. In
addition, a torque may be applied in the opposite direction to threadedly
move the seal pad 34 away from the valve seat 36 to the open position
[0043] The present invention should not be limited to the specific
features and instrumentalities of the surge prevention valve 20 described
and shown herein. Thus, for example, the torque unit may be formed by
openings in the seal unit 28 and pins fixed to the piston unit 70, and a
variety of other devices and mechanisms may be used to practice the
[0044] Thus, the valve 20 is closed in the position shown in FIG. 2. In
the closed position, oxygen cannot flow between the seal pad 34 and the
valve seat 36. In addition, in the closed position, the valve rod 30
seals the upper opening 50 of the first bypass space 38, such that oxygen
cannot flow into the second bypass space 40. A suitable o-ring 88 may be
provided to form a gas-tight seal against the valve rod 30 in the upper
opening 50, if desired.
[0045] The valve 20 is open in the position shown in FIG. 4. In the open
position, as mentioned above, oxygen can flow through the valve seat 36,
around the seal unit 28 in the direction of arrow 64, and through the
valve outlet 26. To move the valve 20 from the closed position to the
open position, the user first pushes down manually on the handle 72,
against the bias of the spring 76, until the pins 82, 84 are located in
the openings 78, 80. Pushing down on the handle 72 causes the piston unit
72 to move axially toward the seal unit 28. Then the user applies torque
to the handle 72 in an opening rotational direction to threadedly rotate
the seal unit 28 away from the valve seat 36. The torque is transmitted
through the piston unit 70 and through the torque unit 78-84 to rotate
the threaded seal unit 28. In the illustrated arrangement, the seal unit
28 cannot be rotated by the handle 72 unless the torque unit 78-84 is
engaged, with the spring 76 in the compressed position shown in FIG. 3.
The torque unit 78-84 is engaged to enable rotation of the seal unit 28.
[0046] Pushing down on the handle 72 to engage the torque unit 78-84
causes the reduced diameter portion 46 of the valve rod 30 to move into
the upper opening 50 of the first bypass space 38. When the reduced
diameter portion 46 is in the upper opening 50, oxygen may flow into the
second bypass space 40 and through the bleed passageway 42. Oxygen can
start to flow through the upper opening 50 while the handle 72 is moving
downwardly, before the torque unit 78-84 is fully engaged. In the
illustrated arrangement, the handle 72 must be moved to the intermediate
FIG. 3 position before the seal unit 28 can be threadedly lifted from the
valve seat 36. Opening the valve 20 requires a two-step sequential
push-then-twist operation much like the two-step operation required to
open safety caps on medicine bottles. If the user does not push down on
the handle 72, the piston unit 70 merely rotates within the cover 74
without engaging the seal unit 28. However, this invention is not limited
to the preferred embodiment discussed herein.
[0047] Consequently, the illustrated valve 20 allows oxygen to bleed into
the outlet 26 through the bleed passageway 42 before the seal pad 34 is
moved away from the valve seat 36. The small amount of oxygen that bleeds
through the restricted passageway 42 during the short time required to
engage the torque unit 78-84 may be sufficient to prevent a high pressure
surge from developing in the system 10 when the valve 20 is subsequently
opened. Thus, the regulator 12 (FIG. 1) may be filled at a relatively
slow, controlled rate before a fill flow of high pressure oxygen is
allowed through the valve 20. The oxygen flow rate through the valve seat
36 in the valve open position (FIG. 4) may be much greater than the flow
rate through the bleed passageway 42 in the intermediate position shown
[0048] In the preferred method of operation, the user will first push
handle 72 until the pressure stabilizes in the valve 20. This will open
the first flow path 38 and allow oxygen to flow at a reduced rate. The
time it takes to push the handle 72 down to enable opening of the valve
20 may be sufficient for the desired gradual pressurization of the
regulator 12. The ability of the valve 20 to bleed sufficient oxygen into
the outlet 26 in the available time may be controlled, for example, by
selecting a suitable cross-sectional area for the bleed passageway 42.
The bleed passageway 42 may be formed by drilling the desired opening
into the seal unit 28, if desired. Larger or smaller drills may form
larger or smaller bleed passageways.
[0049] If the user intends to bypass the preferred method of operation or
if the first bypass space 38 or bleed passageway 42 should become
clogged, there will still be an added safety factor as long as the user
slowly twists the handle 72. Consequently, if desired, the user may be
instructed to twist the handle 72 slowly. If such instructions regarding
the twisting of the handle 72 are properly followed, the valve 20 may
still prevent a high pressure surge in the regulator 12 even without the
assistance of the first bypass space 38 or bleed passageway 42. The
present invention should not be limited, however, to the specific valve
34, 36 and bleed passageway 42 arrangement shown and described in detail
[0050] In the open position shown in FIG. 4, substantially all of the
oxygen flowing through the valve 20 travels in the direction of arrow 64
and not through the bleed passageway 42. Consequently, the bleed
passageway 42 does not tend to become occluded by small contaminant
particles entrained in the gas flow. If the bleed passageway 42 becomes
plugged, the valve 20 will still be operable so that oxygen is still
supplied to the intended operative device, such as a face mask for the
patient, or a cannula inserted into the patient.
[0051] To close the valve 20, the user pushes down on the handle 72,
against the bias of the spring 76, to engage the torque unit 78-84. Then,
while the spring 76 is compressed, the user manually twists the handle 72
to threadedly move the seal unit 28 back into sealing contact with the
valve seat 36. Then the downward pressure on the handle 72 is released,
such that the spring 76 draws the end 48 of the valve rod 30 back into a
sealed position within the upper opening 50 of the first bypass space 38.
[0052] FIG. 5 illustrates a valve 100 constructed in accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention which includes a housing 130
having an inlet 140 and an outlet 114. The inlet 140 may be connected to
the oxygen source 16. The outlet 114 may be connected to a pressure
regulator 12. In addition, the valve 100 includes a seal unit 124, a
valve rod 106, and an actuator unit 142. The seal unit 124 may have an
annular elastomeric seal pad 144 for sealing against a valve seat 146. A
first bypass 138 is provided to allow oxygen to flow through the pad 144
to the seal unit 124. The seal unit 124 also has a bleed passageway 118.
[0053] The upper end 160 of the valve rod 106 is fixed within a handle
button 104. The lower portion of the valve rod 106 is slidably located
within a second bypass space 116 and a valve space 162. The valve rod 106
may have a reduced diameter portion 110 and a conical lower end 132.
Except for the reduced diameter portion 110 and the lower end 132, the
remainder of the valve rod 106 may have a circular cross-section with a
substantially constant diameter. The cross-sectional configuration of the
valve rod 106 is such that the o-ring 136 of the first bypass space 138
seals the second bypass 116 from the first bypass 138 by the lower end
132 of the rod 106 in the position shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 6,
the o-ring 136 combined with the lower end 132 of the valve rod 106 may
be the only components forming the seal 204 between the first bypass
space 138 and the second bypass space 116. Moreover, a continuous
passageway 202 is provided between the first bypass space 138 and the
exposed lower surface of the o-ring 136 regardless of the location of the
valve rod 106. Thus, gas may pass through the upper opening 164. In the
illustrated system, the upper opening 164 serves as a backup plate which
keeps o-ring 136 from being blown into opening 128 in the event that
someone tries to fill the gas source 16, without first opening valve 100.
[0054] As discussed in more detail below, the valve rod 106 may be moved
down and through the seal unit 124 to the position shown in FIG. 7. In
the FIG. 7 position, the reduced diameter portion 110 is located in the
first and second bypass spaces 138, 116. The cross-sectional area of the
reduced diameter portion 110 is less than that of the first and second
bypasses 138, 116. Consequently, oxygen may flow through the first and
second bypass openings 138, 116 when the valve rod 106 is in the FIG. 7
[0055] The seal unit 124 is connected to the housing 130 by suitable
threads 126. The threads 126 are arranged such that rotating the seal
unit 124 with respect to the housing 130 in a first direction moves the
seal pad 144 into sealing engagement with the valve seat 146. Rotating
the seal unit 124 in the opposite direction causes the seal pad 144 to
move away from the valve seat 146 to the open position shown in FIG. 8.
In the open position, oxygen is allowed to flow through the valve seat
146, around the seal unit 124 in the direction of arrow 170 and into the
outlet 114.
[0056] The actuator unit 142 has a handle button 104, a handle 102
surrounding the handle button 104, a socket structure 112, and a handle
cover 154. The handle button 104 and the socket structure 112 are biased
upwardly (away from the seal unit 124) by a coil spring 108. The cover
154 may be threaded into the housing 130, if desired.
[0057] A torque unit is formed by pins 120, 156 formed in the handle 152
and pins 122, 158 fixed with respect to the seal unit 124 together with
socket structure 112. As shown in FIG. 7, the four pins 122, 158, 120,
156 may be received by the socket structure 112 when the handle button
104 is pushed downwardly against the bias of the spring 108. In the FIG.
7 position, the socket structure 112 causes the pins 122, 158, 120, 156
to move as one unit. Therefore, a torque applied to the handle 102 may be
transmitted to the seal unit 124. Thus, a torque may be manually applied
to the handle 102 in a first direction to cause the seal unit 124 to move
further down into the housing 130 to press the seal pad 144 into the
sealed position shown in FIG. 7. In addition, a torque may be applied in
the opposite direction to threadedly move the seal pad 144 away from the
valve seat 146 to the open position shown in FIG. 8.
[0058] The valve 100 is closed in the position shown in FIG. 5. In the
closed position, oxygen cannot flow between the seal pad 144 and the
valve seat 146. In addition, in the closed position, the o-ring 136 and
the valve rod 106 seal the first bypass space 138, such that oxygen
cannot flow into the second bypass space 116. As noted above, a suitable
o-ring 136 may be provided to form a gas-tight seal against the valve rod
106 in the upper opening 164, if desired.
[0059] The valve 100 is open in the position shown in FIG. 8. In the open
position, as mentioned above, oxygen can flow through the valve seat 146,
around the seal unit 124 in the direction of arrow 170, and through the
valve outlet 114. To move the valve 100 from the closed position to the
open position, the user first pushes down manually on the handle button
104, against the bias of the spring 108. Since the socket structure 112
is integrated with the valve rod 106, the socket structure 112 also moves
down to the enclosing position against the bias of the spring 108. The
socket structure 112 may be fixed with respect to the valve rod 106 by a
force fit or by adhesive, for example.
[0060] Pushing down on the handle button 104 causes the valve rod 106 to
move axially toward the seal unit 124 and causes the pins 122, 158, 120,
156 to become engaged within the socket structure 112. Then the user
applies torque to the handle 102 in an opening rotational direction to
threadedly rotate the seal unit 124 away from the valve seat 146. The
torque is transmitted through the handle 102 and through the torque unit
112, 120, 122, 156, 158, to rotate the threaded seal unit 124. In the
illustrated arrangement, the seal unit 124 cannot be rotated by the
handle 102 unless the torque unit 112, 120, 122, 156, 158 is engaged,
with the spring 108 in the compressed position shown in FIG. 7. The
torque unit 112, 120, 122, 156, 158 is engaged to enable rotation of the
seal unit 124. As shown in the drawings, the handle button 104 may be
formed as part of the handle 102, and the button 104 may be located
conveniently to be operated by the thumb of the hand that grips the
handle 102.
[0061] Pushing down on the handle button 104 to engage the torque unit
112, 120, 122, 156, 158 causes the reduced diameter portion 110 of the
valve rod 106 to move into the upper opening 164 of the first bypass
space 138. When the reduced diameter portion 110 is in the upper opening
164, oxygen may flow into the second bypass space 116 and through the
bleed passageway 118. Oxygen can start to flow through the upper opening
164 while the handle button 104 is moving downwardly, before the torque
unit 112, 120, 122, 156, 158 is fully engaged. In the illustrated
arrangement, the handle button 104 must be moved to the intermediate FIG.
7 position before the seal unit 124 can be threadedly lifted from the
valve seat 138. Opening the valve 100 requires a two-step sequential
push-then-twist operation. If the user does not push down on the handle
button 104, the handle 102 merely rotates within the cover 154 without
engaging the seal unit 124.
[0062] Consequently, the illustrated valve 100 allows oxygen to bleed into
the outlet 114 through the bleed passageway 118 before the seal pad 144
is moved away from the valve seat 146. The small amount of oxygen that
bleeds through the restricted passageway 118 during the short time
required to engage the torque unit 112, 120, 122, 156, 158 may be
sufficient to prevent a high pressure surge from developing in the system
10 when the valve 100 is subsequently opened. Thus, the regulator 12
(FIG. 1) may be filled at a relatively slow, controlled rate before a
full flow of high pressure oxygen is allowed through the valve 100. The
oxygen flow rate through the valve seat 146 in the valve open position
(FIG. 8) may be much greater than the flow rate through the bleed
passageway 118 in the intermediate position shown in FIG. 7.
[0063] In the preferred method of operation, the user will first push
handle button 104 until the pressure stabilizes in the valve 100. The
time it takes to push the handle button 104 down to enable opening of the
valve 100 may be sufficient for the desired gradual pressurization of the
regulator 12. The ability of the valve 100 to bleed sufficient oxygen
into the outlet 114 in the available time may be controlled, for example,
by selecting a suitable cross-sectional area for the bleed passageway
[0064] In the open position shown in FIG. 8, substantially all of the
oxygen flowing through the valve 100 travels in the direction of arrow
170 and not through the bleed passageway 118. Consequently, the bleed
passageway 118 does not tend to become occluded by small contaminant
particles entrained in the gas flow. If the bleed passageway 118 becomes
plugged, the valve 100 will still be operable so that oxygen is still
supplied to the intended operative device.
[0065] To close the valve 100, the user may grip the handle 102 and
simultaneously depress the handle button 104, against the bias of the
spring 108, to engage the torque unit 112, 120, 122, 156, 158. Then,
while the spring 108 is compressed, the user manually twists the handle
102 to threadedly move the seal unit 124 back into sealing contact with
the valve seat 146. Then the downward pressure on the handle button 104
is released, such that the spring 108 draws the end 132 of the valve rod
106 back into a sealed position with o-ring 136 within the upper opening
164 of the first bypass space 138.
[0066] FIG. 9 illustrates a dual-port (or dual-path) valve 300 constructed
in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. As
illustrated in FIG. 9, the dual-port (or dual-path) valve 300 includes a
housing 322 having an inlet 324 and an outlet 326. The inlet 324 may be
connected to the oxygen source 16 (FIG. 1). The outlet 326 may be
connected to the pressure regulator 12 (FIG. 1). The housing 322 is
preferably provided with wrench flats (not shown). The dual-port (or
dual-path) valve 300 further includes an actuator unit 332, which in turn
is provided with a cover 374 and an actuator body 333. The actuator body
333 has an inner surface 335 which is provided with threads 336. The
actuator body 333 is connected to the housing 332 by suitable threads
334. The lower end surface of the actuator body 333 provides an upper
limit for a coil compression spring 391.
[0067] As also illustrated in FIG. 9, the actuator unit 332 has a piston
unit 370 which is rotatably and threadedly located in the cover 374. A
threaded center section 371 of the piston unit 370 is connected to the
actuator body 333 by suitable threads 372 corresponding to the threads
336 of the inner surface 335. As described in more detail below, the
piston unit 370 is rotatable within the actuator body 333.
[0068] A lower portion 377 of the piston unit 370 is slidably located
within a space 340 of a lower cup-shaped valve element 360, which in turn
is located within the housing 322. The lower portion 377 of the piston
unit 370 is provided with an elastomeric upper seat 350 which rests on a
first valve seat 351 of a first (upper) valve 355. A washer 341 is
located on the upper surface of the lower portion 377 of the piston unit
370. Except for the lower portion 377 of the piston unit 370, the
remainder of the piston unit 370 may have a cross-section with a
substantially constant diameter. (The terms "upper" and "lower" are
relative terms used herein for convenience in connection with FIG. 9. The
device of FIG. 9 will operate in a horizontal position as well as in
other orientations besides that shown in FIG. 9.)
[0069] The lower cup-shaped valve element 360 is further provided with a
second (lower) valve 366 comprising a lower elastomeric, annular seat 395
which rests on a second annular valve seat 376. The first (upper) valve
355 and the second (lower) valve 366 integrate a pressurization control
orifice 380. The lower cup-shaped valve element 360 is further provided
with a lower stem seat 390 which is biased downwardly by the coil
compression spring 391. Annular elastomeric seal pads 381 and 382 may be
provided for sealing against the first valve seat 351 and the second
valve seat 376, respectively.
[0070] The valve 300 is closed in the position shown in FIG. 9. In the
closed position, oxygen cannot flow between the seal pad 381 and the
second valve seat 376. In addition, in the closed position, the first
valve seat 351 seals the upper portion of the pressurization control
orifice 380. In the closed position, oxygen cannot bleed upwardly through
the small control orifice 380.
[0071] In operation, the valve 300 is initially opened by rotating the
threaded center post 371 of the piston unit 370 upward. A suitable handle
370A for rotating the piston unit 370 may be attached to the top end of
the piston unit 370. When the user first rotates the threaded center
section 371, the upper seat 350 moves upwardly, in an axial direction. As
a result, the first (upper) valve 355 opens and allows the pressurization
control orifice 380 to be in fluid communication with the outlet 326.
This, in turn, will open a first flow path in the direction of arrow 393
and allow oxygen to flow at a reduced rate.
[0072] As the user further rotates the threaded center section 371, the
lower portion 377 of the piston unit 370 continues to move upwardly in an
axial direction, and travels a distance "D" which is the height of the
space 340 of the lower cup-shaped valve element 360. This way, the upper
surface of the washer 341 contacts retaining clip 342 of the lower
cup-shaped valve element 360 so that the lower portion 377 of the piston
unit 370 interlocks with the retaining clip 342 in a first axial
[0073] The time it takes the lower portion 377 of the piston unit 370 to
travel the distance D within the space 340 to the first axial position
may be sufficient for the slow and gradual pressurization of the
regulator 12 (FIG. 1). The time it takes the lower portion 377 of the
piston unit 370 to travel the distance D to the first axial position, and
thus to completely open the first (upper) valve 355 and to start opening
the second (lower) valve 366, is preferably in the range of about 0.25
seconds to about 1.5 seconds, and more preferably in the range of about
0.5 seconds to about 1.25 seconds. The above range of time required for
the complete opening of the first (upper) valve 355 can, if desired, be
correlated to the amount of handle rotation required to start the opening
of the second valve 366, by controlling the spacing (pitch) of the
engaged threads 372, 336 of the actuator body 333 and inner surface 335.
[0074] For example, the spacing (pitch) of the threads 372, 336 may be set
such that the piston unit 370 has to be rotated in the range of at least
about 270 degrees to about 450 degrees, more preferably at least about
270 degrees to about 360 degrees, to allow the second (lower) valve 366
to start opening. To rotate the piston unit 370 through at least 270
degrees, a typical user is required to remove his/her hand from the
oxygen tank valve handle 370A and to re-grip the handle 370A to complete
the opening process. It would be awkward and unusual for the typical user
to rotate the handle 370A through 270 degrees without removing his or her
hand from the handle 370A at least once. The time it takes the typical
operator to release and re-grip the handle 370A, to accomplish rotation
of the handle through 270 degrees or more, is at least about 0.25
seconds. Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the
time it takes the piston unit 370 to rotate through at least about 270
degrees, to start the opening of the second (lower) valve 366 is at least
[0075] The ability of the first (upper) valve 355 to bleed sufficient
oxygen into the outlet 326 may be further controlled, for example, by
selecting a suitable cross-sectional area for the pressurization control
orifice 380. In any event, the regulator 12 (FIG. 1) may be filled at a
relatively slow and controlled rate before a full flow of high pressure
oxygen is allowed through the valve 300.
[0076] While the piston unit 370 travels distance D within the space 340
to the first axial position, the coil compression spring 391 holds the
lower stem seat 390 of the lower cup-shaped valve element 360 in a closed
position (biased downwardly against the second valve seat 376). As a
result, the second valve seat 376 of the second (lower) valve 366 remains
closed and oxygen cannot flow between the seal pad 381 and the second
valve seat 376.
[0077] As the user subsequently rotates the threaded center section 371,
the lower cup-shaped valve element 360, which becomes interlocked with
the lower portion of the piston unit 370 through retaining clip 342, is
retracted from the first axial position (i.e., the illustrated position)
to a second axial position. Consequently, the lower seat 395 lifts off
the second valve seat 376 and the second (lower) valve 366 is open. This
way, in the fill open position, substantially all of the oxygen is
allowed to flow through the second (lower) valve 366 of the dual-port
valve 300 in the direction of arrow 399.
[0078] The multi-path valve 300 of FIG. 9 provides a controlled
pressurization of gases and prevents a high pressure surge from occurring
in the pressure regulator 12 (FIG. 1) when the valve 300 is initially
opened. The controlled initial bleeding of the gas through the
pressurization control orifice 380 (FIG. 9) delays the time in which the
gas (e.g. oxygen) reaches full recompression. This, in turn, provides
time for the heat generated by the recompression of the gas to be
dispersed. By preventing high pressure surges and by dispersing heat
during gas recompression, the occurrence of excessive heat is avoided
and, consequently, the possibility of ignition of the valve and/or
regulator is substantially eliminated.
[0079] FIG. 10 illustrates a dual-port (or dual-path) valve 400
constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention. The dual-port (or dual-path) valve 400 is similar to the valve
300 of FIG. 9 to the extent that the first (upper) valve 355 and the
second (lower) valve 366 integrate or enclose a narrow passageway 380. As
described in more detail below, however, the dual-port (or dual-path)
valve 400 of FIG. 10 has additional features and structures for venting
pressurized oxygen supplied by the oxygen source 16 (FIG. 1) away from a
top surface 495a of the second (lower) valve 366.
[0080] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the valve 400 includes housing 322
having an inlet 324 and an outlet 326. As in the previously described
embodiment, the inlet 324 may be connected to the oxygen source 16 (FIG.
1) and the outlet 326 may be connected to the pressure regulator 12 (FIG.
1). The inlet 324 may have a diameter as small as possible, but not
smaller than CGA V-1 Standards (October 1994, revised January 1996). The
valve 400 further includes an actuator unit 332, which in turn is
provided with a cover 374 (FIG. 9) and an actuator body 333. The lower
end surface of the actuator body 333 provides an upper limit for the coil
compression spring 391. As also illustrated in FIG. 10, a threaded center
section 371 of the piston unit 370 is connected to the actuator body 333
by suitable threads. As described above with reference to the valve 300
of FIG. 9, the piston unit 370 is rotatable within the actuator body 333.
[0081] The lower portion 377 of the piston unit 370 is slidably located
within space 340 of a lower cup-shaped valve element 460, which in turn
is located within the housing 322. The lower-cup shaped valve element 460
is further provided with a lower stem seat 390 which is biased downwardly
by the coil compression spring 391. The lower portion 377 of the piston
unit 370 is also provided with an annular elastomeric upper seat 450
which rests on a first valve seat 351 of a first (upper) valve 355. As
illustrated in FIG. 10, the annular elastomeric upper seat 450 has a ring
shape configuration that confers a localized yet uniform pressure upon
the edges of the first valve seat 351 of the first (upper) valve 355. In
this manner, the force that can be exerted on the first valve seat 351 is
exerted only upon the edges of the seat, thereby increasing the localized
pressure exerted upon the first (upper) valve 355.
[0082] As also illustrated in FIG. 10, there is a second outlet 426
provided within the actuator body 333. The second outlet 426 may provide
an additional path to a pressure regulator, such as the pressure
regulator 12 of FIG. 1.
[0083] The lower-cup shaped valve element 460 of FIG. 10 is further
provided with a second (lower) valve 366. The lower valve 366 includes a
ring-shaped elastomeric element 495. When the valve 366 is closed, the
ring-shaped elastomeric element 495 rests on a second valve seat 376. An
annular sealing groove 410 is located adjacent to the upper surface 495a
of the ring-shaped elastomeric element 495. A vent orifice 420 is
connected to the annular sealing groove 410. The vent orifice 420 extends
from the annular sealing groove 410 to a lower seat area 441. The vent
orifice 420 allows oxygen to flow from the sealing groove 410 to the
lower seat area 441. The lower valve 366 also includes a filter element
388, which prevents debris and contaminated impurities and particles from
entering the vent orifice 420.
[0084] During the opening of the first (upper) valve 355 but before the
opening of the second (lower) valve 366, oxygen might be able to leak out
of the cylinder 16 (FIG. 1) through space between the top surface of the
ring-shaped elastomeric element 495 and an adjacent bottom surface of the
valve element 460. The high pressure oxygen (if it were not vented) could
tend to push the elastomeric element 495 out of the valve element
(downward as shown in FIG. 10). By providing the annular sealing groove
410 in communication with the vent orifice 420 and the lower seat area
441, the high pressure oxygen is vented into the lower seat area 441.
[0085] Thus, ring-shaped area A.sub.1 (FIG. 10) defined within the inner
diameter D.sub.1 (FIG. 10) of the sealing groove 410 is the only area
that can be subjected to a high pressure from leaking oxygen. The groove
410 and the radially extending vent orifice 420 operate as a pressure
relief passageway to prevent a high differential pressure from
accumulating over the rest of the surface of the elastomeric element 495,
in other words, area A.sub.2 (FIG. 10) defined between the periphery of
the elastomeric element 495 (having diameter D.sub.3) and the periphery
of the sealing groove 410 (having diameter D.sub.2), will remain at the
same pressure as the lower seat area 441. Accordingly, oxygen in the area
A.sub.2 cannot exert any downward force upon the elastomeric element 495.
[0086] In addition, the inner diameter D.sub.1 of the sealing groove 410
can be selected so that the equal but opposite upward force applied to
the valve element 460 by high pressure oxygen cannot overcome the force
exerted by the coil compression spring 391. This additional feature
prevents the lower elastomeric seat 495 from coming out of its
illustrated location within the valve element 460. A lower annular edge
of the valve element 460 surrounds the lower surface of the elastomeric
element 495. The lower annular edge (made of metal) can be crimped
radially inwardly to secure the elastomeric element 495 in its
illustrated location. The venting system 410, 420 can be especially
useful if the device 400 is made with either a poor crimp or no crimp at
all, and it also provides safety advantages. If there is no crimp applied
to the elastomeric element 495, then the venting system 410, 420 can help
ensure that the elastomeric element 495 stays in its desired position.
[0087] As the user further rotates the threaded center section 371, the
lower-cup shaped valve element 460 becomes interlocked with the lower
portion of the piston unit 370 and consequently the lower seat 495 lifts
off the second valve seat 376 and the second (lower) valve 366 is open.
Thus, in fill open position, substantially all of the oxygen is allowed
to flow through the second (lower) valve 366 of the dual-port valve 400
in the direction of arrow 499.
[0088] FIG. 11 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention,
according to which gas supply system 500 is provided with a valve system
600 that prevents particles and/or impurities from entering the valve
system. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the gas supply system 500 includes a
source of gas 160 and a conduit 14 for flowing gas from the source of gas
160 to a patient (not illustrated). As shown in FIG. 11, the source of
gas 160 may be an oxygen source, for example. The source of gas 160 of
FIG. 11 includes a gas container, for example a cylinder 510 which
includes a lower cylinder portion 501 and an upper cylinder portion 503
which has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the lower cylinder
portion 501. The upper cylinder portion 503 has an inner surface 504
which is provided with threads 505.
[0089] The valve system 600 comprises a valve unit 650 and a valve inlet
610. The valve unit 650 may comprise any of the valves 20, 100, 200, 300
and 400, respectively, described above with reference to FIGS. 2-10. For
example, the valve unit 650 may include the dual-port (or dual-path)
valve 300 shown in FIG. 9.
[0090] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the valve inlet 610 has a tubular part
611 connected to a threaded element 613. The tubular part 611 has a
tubular configuration with a circular cross-section with a substantially
constant diameter. However, the tubular part 611 may have various
configurations, for example, rectangular, trapezoidal or elipsoidal,
among many others. As shown in FIG. 11, the tubular part 611 extends into
the gas cylinder 510. The tubular part 611 is provided with a gas
passageway 616. The tubular part 611 may have a length L (FIG. 11) of
about 0.5 cm to about 10 cm, more preferably about 1 cm to about 2 cm
(for a standard gas cylinder).
[0091] The threaded element 613 (FIG. 11) has an outer surface 614 which
is provided with suitable threads 605 that correspond to the threads 505
of the upper cylinder portion 503 of the cylinder 510. As illustrated in
FIG. 11, the threaded element 613 is connected to the valve unit 650 by
seal 507 and annular element 508.
[0092] The above-described embodiment provides the advantage that, when
the gas supply system 500 is rotated in any of the three directions
relative to the position of FIG. 11, particles and/or impurities, such as
metal scale, dust, etc., contained within the oxygen 160 are not caught
in the oxygen stream that flows from the oxygen cylinder 510 and into gas
passageway 616. For example, when the gas supply system 500 is turned
upside down relative to the position of FIG. 11, the contaminant
particles are not caught in the oxygen stream flowing in the direction of
arrow A (FIG. 11), but rather accumulate in the region A.sub.10 defined
by the inner surface of the upper cylinder portion 503 and the outer
surface of the tubular part 611. In this manner, the particles and/or
impurities are trapped in the region A.sub.10, cannot enter the gas
passageway 616, and the valve orifices do not become plugged.
[0093] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been
described above with reference to a supply system for oxygen, the
invention is not limited to oxygen or to an oxygen supply system. Thus,
the invention is also applicable to other gases, compositions of gases or
gas systems, including but not limited to nitrous oxide and other gases
mentioned in CGA V-I Standards (October 1994, revised January 1996).
[0094] The above description and drawings are only illustrative of
preferred embodiments which can achieve and provide the objects, features
and advantages of the present invention. It is not intended that the
invention be limited to the embodiments shown and described in detail
herein. Modifications coming within the spirit and scope of the following
claims are to be considered part of the invention.
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