Abstract:
Disclosed is a valve for connection to a pressurized gas cylinder. The valve includes a housing including a gas cylinder aperture which is connectable to a gas cylinder, and a housing conduit which extends through the housing from the gas cylinder aperture to one or more inlet/outlet apertures so that the valve is capable of providing fluid communication between the gas cylinder through the housing conduit and the one or more inlet/outlet apertures. A flow control ball within the housing conduit is movable between open and closed positions. Ball seals have sealing surfaces corresponding to a shape of the flow control ball for substantially sealing the flow control ball in the housing conduit. Other features include components for mounting the ball seals though one of the inlet/outlet apertures; components for mounting a stem to the flow control ball including bearings; live ports; a tube which can be removably connectable from the rest of the housing; provision for receiving an EFV and/or a PRD in the valve housing; and at least one of the ball seals and stem bearings being comprised of special polymeric material including polyetherimide or polyaryletherketone.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to a valve for a pressurized gas cylinder. 
     BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    In the field of high pressure gas cylinders, it is well-known to fit valves onto such cylinders in order to provide a closable opening to the cylinder. Such cylinders tend to contain gases such as natural gas or hydrogen, and can also be used to contain other gases such as nitrogen, helium, argon or air. The valve can be opened to allow either the filling or emptying of the gas cylinder, and then can be closed again once this operation is complete. 
         [0002]    A disadvantage with these valves, which are generally made of brass or steel, is the inefficiency of the flow of the gas through the valve. One way of quantifying the efficiency of a particular valve is to calculate its net discharge coefficient. This is calculated as follows (by reference to know prior art valves). For example, the OMB™ Beta New valve has a 7 mm orifice (i.e., the cross-section of the narrowest part of the conduit through the valve) with a filling flow equal to a 5.194 mm ideal orifice. The net C D  is calculated as (5.194) 2 /(7) 2 =55%. Similarly, the VTI™ valve V-VTK905 has a 5.8 mm orifice with filling flow equal to a 4.42 mm ideal orifice. Thus, the net C D  is (4.42) 2 /(5.8) 2 =58%. 
         [0003]    There is therefore a need in the art to provide valves with improved flow characteristics, while also meeting the high safety standards required of such high pressure gas cylinder valves. It is also desirable to seek to improve the seals provided in such valves, for example to improve the lifetime and performance of the seals. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0004]    One aspect of the disclosure features a valve for connection to a pressurized gas cylinder, the valve including the following features. A housing includes a gas cylinder aperture which is connectable to a gas cylinder, and a housing conduit which extends through the housing from the gas cylinder aperture to one or more inlet/outlet apertures so that the valve is capable of providing fluid communication between the gas cylinder through the housing conduit and the one or more inlet/outlet apertures. A flow control ball within the housing conduit is movable from a closed position in which it substantially seals the housing conduit to an open position which provides fluid communication through the housing conduit between the cylinder aperture and the one or more inlet/outlet apertures. Ball seals have sealing surfaces corresponding to a shape of the flow control ball for substantially sealing the flow control ball in the housing conduit. The ball seals are comprised of a polymeric material including polyetherimide or polyaryletherketone. The housing is formed at least partially from aluminum. 
         [0005]    Referring now to specific features of the first aspect of the disclosure, the housing conduit can include a threaded bore extending from one of the inlet/outlet apertures that terminates in a flat bottom. An exteriorly threaded seal retainer engages the threads of the threaded bore and contacts the flat bottom. A seal is disposed between the seal retainer and an adjacent one of the ball seals. Another feature includes a threaded fastener that can engage the threads of the threaded bore in contact with the seal retainer for locking the seal retainer in position. Yet another feature is a shim that can be disposed between the retainer and the adjacent one of the ball seals, wherein the seal is an O-ring and the shim compresses the O-ring by a desired amount. 
         [0006]    Another specific feature of the first aspect of the disclosure is a valve stem for turning the flow control ball between the open position and the closed position, wherein the flow control ball can include a rectangular notch that is engaged by a rectangular portion of the valve stem. 
         [0007]    In yet another specific feature the valve can include a valve stem for turning the flow control ball between the open position and the closed position. A valve bore is in communication with the housing conduit. The stem extends through the valve bore. The stem includes a stem flange. At least one O-ring is disposed between the stem and the valve bore for substantially sealing the stem to the valve bore. A threaded stem retainer engages threads formed in the housing around the valve bore and includes a shoulder and an opening in the shoulder that receives the stem. A stem bearing is disposed around the stem between an interior facing surface of the stem flange and the housing. A thrust bearing is disposed around the stem between an exterior facing surface of the stem flange and the shoulder of the stem retainer. 
         [0008]    Regarding a further specific feature, the valve can be adapted to be used with the valve cylinder containing natural gas or hydrogen. 
         [0009]    Other specific features are that the stem bearing and the thrust bearing can be comprised of polymeric material including polyetherimide or polyaryletherketone. More particularly, the stem bearing, the thrust bearing and the ball seals are comprised of a polymeric material including polyether ether ketone (PEEK) polymer, carbon, graphite and polytetrafluoroethylene. 
         [0010]    In other specific features a handle can be mounted to the valve stem adapted to rotate the valve stem and the flow control ball by 90 degrees. The valve can include at least one live port extending transverse to the housing conduit. 
         [0011]    Another specific feature includes a tube which can be removably connectable from the rest of the housing. The tube has a first threaded end portion that engages threads of a component of the gas cylinder and a second threaded end portion of finer threads that engage a threaded portion of the gas cylinder aperture. A mounting surface is adapted to be engaged by a tool for rotating the tube. A fastener has threads that engage the finer threads for locking the tube and the housing together at a desired position of the housing. 
         [0012]    Other features include the housing conduit including an excess flow bore, comprising an excess flow valve (EFV) provided in the excess flow bore. In a further feature the housing conduit can communicate with a thermal pressure relief aperture, comprising a thermal pressure relief device (PRD) fitted into the pressure relief aperture. 
         [0013]    A second aspect of the disclosure is a valve for connection to a pressurized gas cylinder, the valve including the following features. A housing includes a gas cylinder aperture which is connectable to a gas cylinder, and a housing conduit which extends through the housing between the gas cylinder aperture and one or more inlet/outlet apertures so that the valve is capable of providing fluid communication between the gas cylinder through the housing conduit and the one or more inlet/outlet apertures. A flow control ball within the housing conduit is movable from a closed position in which it substantially seals the housing conduit to an open position which provides fluid communication through the housing conduit between the cylinder aperture and the one or more inlet/outlet apertures. Ball seals have sealing surfaces corresponding to a shape of the flow control ball for substantially sealing the flow control ball in the housing conduit. The housing conduit includes a threaded bore extending from one of the inlet/outlet apertures that terminates in a flat bottom. An exteriorly threaded seal retainer engages the threads of the threaded bore and contacts the flat bottom. An O-ring is disposed between the seal retainer and an adjacent one of the ball seals. A threaded fastener engages the threads of the threaded bore in contact with the seal retainer for locking the seal retainer in position. A valve bore is in communication with the housing conduit. A valve stem extends through the valve bore for turning the flow control ball between the open position and the closed position. The stem includes a stem flange. At least one O-ring is disposed between the stem and the valve bore for substantially sealing the stem to the valve bore. A threaded stem retainer engages threads formed in the housing around the valve bore and includes a shoulder and an opening in the shoulder that receives the stem. A stem bearing is disposed around the stem between an interior facing surface of the stem flange and the housing and a thrust bearing is disposed around the stem between an exterior facing surface of the stem flange and the shoulder of the stem retainer. 
         [0014]    The following pertain to specific features of the second aspect of the disclosure. The valve can be adapted to be used with the valve cylinder containing natural gas or hydrogen. Another feature is that the valve can be adapted to be used with the gas cylinder at pressures of up to 700 bar. Another specific feature is that the housing can be formed at least partially from aluminum. 
         [0015]    Other specific features are that the stem bearing, the thrust bearing and the ball seals can be comprised of polymeric material including polyetherimide or polyaryletherketone and, more particularly, polyether ether ketone (PEEK) polymer, carbon, graphite and polytetrafluoroethylene. 
         [0016]    In other specific feature, a handle can be mounted to the valve stem adapted to rotate the valve stem and the ball by 90 degrees. Yet another feature is that the valve can include at least one live port extending transverse to the housing conduit. 
         [0017]    Another specific feature is directed to a tube which can be removably connectable from the rest of the housing. The tube has a first threaded end portion that engages threads of a component of the gas cylinder and a second threaded end portion of finer threads that engage a threaded portion of the gas cylinder aperture. A mounting surface is adapted to be engaged by a tool for rotating the tube. A fastener has threads that engage the finer threads for locking the tube and the housing together at a desired position of the housing. 
         [0018]    Other specific features include the housing conduit including an excess flow bore, comprising an excess flow valve (EFV) provided in the excess flow bore. A further feature is wherein the housing conduit can communicate with a thermal pressure relief aperture, comprising a thermal pressure relief device (PRD) fitted into the pressure relief aperture. 
         [0019]    Another feature pertains to a shim that can be disposed between the seal retainer and the adjacent one of the ball seals for compressing the O-ring by a desired amount. 
         [0020]    Yet another feature is that the flow control ball can include a rectangular notch that is engaged by a rectangular portion of the valve stem. 
         [0021]    It should be appreciated that any of the specific features discussed above may be employed in any combination in connection with the first and second aspects of the disclosure. In addition, it is contemplated that any of the features discussed below in the Detailed Description may be employed in the first and second aspects of the disclosure in any combination. 
         [0022]    In this disclosure, the term “proximal” is used to refer to a part of the valve that is closest to the gas cylinder aperture and furthest from the handle or lever, while the term “distal” is used to refer to a part of the valve that is distant from the gas cylinder aperture. In this disclosure reference to apertures means openings in an exterior surface of the housing of the valve which may include internal features in the valve, while ports or conduit indicate passageways in the valve between apertures. 
         [0023]    In particular, the housing of this disclosure can be formed from aluminum, more specifically, substantially entirely from aluminum. In conventional valves for pressurised gas cylinders, the housing (and indeed the entire valve) is normally made of brass. Steel is also used conventionally. It has been surprisingly found by the inventor that forming the housing from aluminum can provide several advantages over these prior art materials. For example, aluminum is of lower density than brass, meaning that the valves of the present disclosure can weigh around 50-60% less than prior art brass valves. In addition, aluminum has better thermal conductivity than the prior art materials. This thermal conductivity has been found by the inventor to be particularly useful in the valves of the disclosure. This is because the temperature of, for example, natural gas can drop to −105° C. during the filling of a cylinder. O-rings can be used in the valves of the present disclosure to substantially seal various parts of the valve. Natural gas compatible O-rings have a −50° C. low temperature operational limit. By forming the housing from aluminum, the improved thermal conductivity between the gas and the external (e.g., room) temperature means that the O-rings are less likely to be cooled to such low temperatures, meaning that leakage at low temperatures can be less of a problem in the valves of the present disclosure. 
         [0024]    In particular, it is advantageous for the ball seals, the stem bearing and/or the thrust bearing to be comprised at least partially of a polymer selected from polyetherimide or polyaryletherketone, more specifically, substantially entirely from a polymer selected from a polyetherimide or polyaryletherketone. A suitable polyetherimide is ULTEM®. A suitable polyaryletherketone is polyether ether ketone (PEEK). One advantageous PEEK material is PEEK HPV which includes PEEK polymer, carbon, graphite and polytetrafluoroethylene. It has been surprisingly found by the inventor that these materials provide particularly advantageous properties for the ball seals, bearing and/or thrust bearing, including low thermal expansion coefficient, high tensile and compressive strengths, low friction, excellent machinability, low water absorption; and good compatibility with the target gases (e.g. natural gas, hydrogen). 
         [0025]    In a particular feature, between the gas cylinder aperture and the part of the housing conduit which is sealed by the closure member in the closed position, the housing conduit forms a path which turns through approximately 90 degrees. In particular, between the part of the housing conduit which is sealed by the closure member in the closed position and each live port, the housing conduit forms a path which turns through approximately 90 degrees. 
         [0026]    More particularly, the gas cylinder aperture communicates with a tube which is removably connectable from the rest of the housing. The tube preferably comprises a gas cylinder aperture at its proximal end, a tube aperture at its distal end for connection to the cylinder aperture on the housing in order to provide fluid connection to the housing conduit, and a tube conduit which provides fluid communication between the gas cylinder aperture and the tube aperture. Specifically, the removable connection can be provided by a screw thread on the external surface of the tube which is suitable for engaging a corresponding screw thread of the cylinder aperture of the housing in order to provide fluid communication between the housing conduit and the tube conduit. The screw thread on the external surface of the tube is preferably provided with a nut for screwing against the housing and locking it into position. 
         [0027]    In particular, between the screw thread on the external surface of the tube and the distal end of the tube there is provided a portion of the tube with a narrower external diameter than the screw thread onto which is fitted an O-ring in order to provide a substantial seal between the tube and the housing. In particular the O-ring can form a rod gland seal. The tube can comprise a section of hexagonal external cross-section, suitable for engaging with a wrench. Particularly, the section of hexagonal external cross-section has a larger external diameter than the rest of the tube. More specifically, the tube can be provided with an O-ring on the external surface of the tube on the proximal side of the section of hexagonal external cross-section such that it abuts that section in order to provide a substantial seal between the valve and the gas cylinder in use. The proximal end of the tube can include threads that engage threads of a component of the gas cylinder. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the housing may additionally comprise the thermal pressure relief aperture. This aperture is in fluid connection with the housing conduit and is shaped such that the thermal pressure relief device (PRD) may be fitted into the aperture. The fitting can be formed by providing a screw thread on an internal wall of the aperture which is suitable for engaging a corresponding screw thread on an external surface of the PRD. In this way, the PRD can be substantially sealed in the thermal pressure relief device aperture. 
         [0029]    As is known in the art, thermal pressure relief valves are used to protect high-pressure gas cylinders in the event of a fire. Thermal pressure relief valves are generally closed in normal use, but have a means of opening when the pressure and/or temperature inside the cylinder increases to a certain level (for example, as a result of the cylinder being heated by a fire) to allow the contents of the cylinder to be vented. In this way, the possibility of the cylinder exploding can be substantially reduced. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the excess flow valve (EFV) may be provided in the excess flow bore portion of the housing conduit. As is known in the art, excess flow valves are used as a safety feature in the field of gas cylinders. Under normal gas flow through the housing conduit, the EFV allows substantially unrestricted flow of gas through the conduit. However, if an excessively high flow rate occurs, a mechanism within the EFV triggers and normally prevents further flow of gas through the conduit until the unsafe condition is resolved. 
         [0031]    Advantages of the valve of this disclosure are that it is lightweight, robust, low torque, low leakage, indexable, and functions as a ¼ turn cylinder valve. When constructed of aluminum, the ball valve weighs about ½ of current valves. One suitable material for the housing of this disclosure is 6061 aluminum (compared to conventional stainless steel). Another advantage is that the valve of this disclosure exhibits very low torque to operate, on the order of 7% to 26% of current products. Yet another advantage is that the ball seals used in the valve of this disclosure actually survive the specified temperatures and pressures. In contrast, most current products fail their seals upon reaching 85° C. and full pressure. Another aspect is that the stem and bearing system of the present valve is installed from outside the valve. Current stems are inserted from a center of the valve. Indexable valve stud and jam nut of the present valve allow 370° rotational positioning of the valve. For example, the stud has 4.6 to 5.7 full threads engaging the valve head. That is, the valve head can be turned up to 370° to get it in the desired angular location and still have 4.6 full threads engaged. The head is then locked in place by the jam nut. 
         [0032]    High technology bearing and seal polymeric materials of the present valve permit low torque, long life and low leakage. Another advantage is that the internal ball-retainer system of the present valve eliminates a second leak site and on the order of about 60% of the potential leakage area. 
         [0033]    Further comparisons of the present valve compared to current products are as follows. The flow control ball of the present valve can have a diameter of 15.5 mm compared to 24 mm, which reduces load by 58%. The rectangular ball-drive tang is employed in the present valve compared to an arc&#39;d keyway. Peek HPV polymeric material can be employed for the ball seals of the present valve compared to Acetal or Teflon. Employing an internal ball/seal retainer eliminates use of a 1″ seal found in conventional valves. The stem is externally loaded in the present valve and the retainer is piloted, compared to installation through the ball bore. Peek HPV polymeric material can be used for the stem bearing and thrust washer in the present valve compared to Acetal. The present valve can employ the EFV which is tamperproof as a result of the design positioning the EFV in the interior of the valve, and high flow, compared to no provision for an EFV in a ¼ turn ball valve. The present valve can employ a PRD. In contrast, manufacturers of conventional valves do not provide a PRD; their valves have only a threaded stud or port and they expect the end user to find a suitable PRD. 
         [0034]    The present valve can employ an indexable stud with rod seals (compared to an SAE style nut with washer). The present stud can have alternate stud sizes. The present valve can include a pressure recovery section between the cylinder aperture and housing conduit discussed below, which is lacking in conventional valves. The present valve can have a high Cd on the order of 94%, for example, compared to on the order of 59% with conventional valves. The present valve can employ a live port which is lacking in conventional valves. 
         [0035]    Many additional features, advantages and a fuller understanding of the disclosure will be had from the accompanying drawings and the Detailed Description that follows. It should be understood that the above Summary of the Disclosure describes the subject matter herein in broad terms while the following Detailed Description describes the subject matter herein more narrowly and presents specific embodiments that should not be construed as necessary limitations of the subject matter as defined in the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of the valve of this disclosure; 
           [0037]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the valve of this disclosure; 
           [0038]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are side and perspective views, respectively, of an EFV of this disclosure; 
           [0039]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are side and perspective views, respectively, of a flow control ball of this disclosure; 
           [0040]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are side and perspective views, respectively, of a ball seal of this disclosure; 
           [0041]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view from a proximal end portion of a stem used in the valve of this disclosure; 
           [0042]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a stem bearing of this disclosure; and 
           [0043]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a thrust bearing of this disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a housing or valve body  1  is in particular comprised of aluminum, for example, 6061 aluminum (or equivalent). The valve body is attached to an O-ring sealed, removable tube or threaded tube or stud  33  which mounts the valve into a mating high pressure container (e.g., a gas cylinder). The stud comprises a gas cylinder aperture  70  at its proximal end, a tube aperture  72  at its distal end for connection to a cylinder aperture  74  of the housing in order to provide fluid connection to the housing conduit C, and a tube conduit which provides fluid communication between the gas cylinder aperture and the tube aperture. In particular, the stud has an indexing feature allowing the valve body  1  to be rotated within a range (such as 370°) for optimal positioning. The stud  33  has exterior threads  34  at the proximal end portion of the stud which mate with or engage interior threads of the pressure cylinder. The same valve can be mounted to various cylinder necks by simply changing the stud to one with appropriate threads and sealing features. That stud interchangeability minimizes proliferation of the more complex and more expensive valve bodies. 
         [0045]    For example, currently natural gas and hydrogen cylinders ( 200  to  700  bar) have  4  neck thread sizes: 1⅛″-12 UNF; 1½″-12 UNF; 1¾″-12 UN; and 2″-12 UN. The stud  33  has a second, finer-pitch thread  37  which mates with or engages a companion thread in the cylinder aperture of the valve body  1  (as shown 1⅛″-24 UNS). This finer thread mates the valve to the stud and provides the rotational adjustment feature. A finer pitch is chosen to minimize the uncertainty in the valve body&#39;s axial position due to adjustment position. For example, 1 turn of a 24TPI thread creates an axial change of 1.058 mm. 
         [0046]    The stud has a shoulder  39  and minor sealing diameter  40  which provide two of the surfaces for a rod-style O-ring gland. The outer gland surface is formed by bore  33  in the valve body. The bore  33  is part of the housing conduit and extends from the cylinder aperture. The fourth side of the gland is formed by valve bore  32 . The gland dimensions and axial width are chosen to use standard SAE cross-section O-rings and back-up rings (ring set  41 ) and to accommodate the axial displacement created by the adjustment range (370° as shown). As shown, ring set  41  is SAE −018 size, which mates well with the 1⅛″-24 UNS threads. An example rod style O-ring gland employs AS 568A series O-rings, including those manufactured by Parker Seals™ (see Parker Seals™ Parker O-ring Handbook Catalog ORD 5700A/US, pp. 4-5, 4-6, copyright 1999, 2001 Parker Hannifin Corp.). The combination has more than adequate strength for the typical burst strength requirements. The O-rings in ring set  41  are made from appropriately chosen nitrile materials in 70 and 90 durometers (respectively). The rod style seal format is selected for easiest assembly, least possibility of O-ring spiraling or twisting during installation, and greatest tolerance of the 370° adjustment motion; in this motion the rotation of the valve body moves the stud into the cylinder aperture, the 370 degrees rotation beginning from initial position of the valve body to the final rotational position at which the jam nut locks it in place. 
         [0047]    The tube conduit or central bore  43  of the stud connects the valve to the interior of the high pressure cylinder. The stud includes the gas cylinder aperture  70  at its proximal end, the tube aperture  72  at its distal end for connection to the cylinder aperture  74  of the housing  1  in order to provide fluid connection to the housing conduit C. The tube conduit  43  provides fluid communication between the tube gas cylinder aperture  70  and the tube aperture  72 . The bore  43  has pressure recovery nozzle  42  to minimize flow loss as the gas makes the 90° turn when transitioning between the stud and valve bores. An optional port feature  44  can be used at the proximal end portion of the stud to adapt discharge nozzles and/or to attach end of line test equipment. 
         [0048]    A threaded fastener or jam nut  38  serves to lock the valve body  1  once it is placed in the desired angular position. The stud has a mounting surface adapted to be engaged by a tool for rotating the tube, for example, wrench-flats  36 , most typically hexagonal flats, to allow torqueing the stud into a cylinder component or neck. As an example, the typical torque for 1⅛″-12 UNF neck threads is 260 Nm. As the rod seal set  41  is only position sensitive (not torque sensitive) a much lower torque is acceptable for the jam nut (i.e. 80 Nm). 
         [0049]    The section of hexagonal flats has a larger external diameter than the rest of the tube. The tube is provided with an O-ring on the external surface of the tube on the proximal side of the section of hexagonal flats such that it abuts that section in order to provide a substantial seal between the valve and the gas cylinder in use. The proximal end of the tube can include threads that engage threads of a component or neck of the gas cylinder. An O-ring  35  serves to seal the stud to the cylinder neck. The seal is in a face seal location, and seats in a gland in the front face of the cylinder neck (not shown). Some cylinder necks use a radial, piston style gland that is inside the cylinder neck, before the stud-threads. Those differences are accommodated by having unique studs for each cylinder neck style. 
         [0050]    Valve body  1  includes a housing conduit C or bore extending between inlet/outlet aperture  2  and cylinder aperture  74 , which runs the length of the valve body. A threaded bore or port  76  forms part of the housing conduit C, extends from the aperture  2  and is a standardized port form, with its size chosen to match the size of the flow control ball  5 . The ball  5  is the flow control part of this ¼ turn valve. As shown, ball  5  has an outer diameter (OD) of, for example, 15.5 mm. It resides in bore  3 , which is shown as having a size, for example of 16 mm. 
         [0051]    The bore  3  mates to the port  76  and forms part of the housing conduit C. The port  76  ends in a flat bottom  78  to accommodate a ball retainer  12 . As shown, a 16 mm size for the bore  3  mates well with the port  76  being sized as an SAE J1926 port in the ¾″-16 UNF version. 
         [0052]    The bore  3  terminates at outlet bore  4 , which forms part of the housing conduit C and is shown, for example, as an 8 mm bore. Tests confirm the valve&#39;s overall geometry is very efficient: its flow is equivalent to an ideal 7.72 mm orifice (i.e. a 93% discharge coefficient). 
         [0053]    The bore  4  expands to form EFV bore  26  which forms part of the housing conduit C (e.g., 13.5 mm as shown), and is sized to hold an optional excess flow valve (EFV)  27   a.  EFV  27   a  is an advanced form and is the topic of UK patent application number 1422254.1, which was filed on 15 Dec. 2014 and is incorporated herein by reference. Upwards of the level of the tube bore  43  and live port  31 , the excess flow valve (EFV)  27   a  is provided within the housing conduit C. The EFV is a close fit within the bore  26  of the housing conduit into which it is fitted, the EFV having a diameter which is around 1-100 microns smaller. Any suitable EFV could be used. The part of the housing conduit C which is at the same level as tube aperture and live port  31  is of substantially constant internal diameter and is cylindrical. At the point at which the EFV is fitted there is a small narrowing lead-in chamfer  29  (30° per side as shown), which serves to help install EFV retaining ring  28  into an annular depression at the proximal end of the EFV before a PRD  46  is installed. A PRD bore  30  is a part of the housing conduit C and receives a thermally activated pressure relief device (PRD). The lead-in chamfer provides a smooth transition between the PRD bore  30  and the EFV bore  26 . The EFV bore  26  within which the EFV is fitted is slightly narrower than the PRD bore  30 , which is at the level of the tube aperture  43  and the live port  31 . The EFV bore  26  is of substantially constant internal diameter and is cylindrical. The retaining ring  28  acts as a full-flow stop for the EFV (i.e., it restricts movement of the EFV in a proximal direction). A corresponding seating face on the proximal end of the EFV seats against the retaining ring  28 . In the normal, non-triggered state, the EFV is seated against the retaining ring  28 . 
         [0054]    At the distal end of the EFV (and EFV bore) the housing conduit narrows to form annular step and the narrower outlet bore  4 . The outlet bore  4  is too narrow for the EFV to fit into, meaning that the distal end of the EFV seats against the step and its further movement in a distal direction is restricted. A spring  27  serves to calibrate the triggering flow for the EFV. 
         [0055]    EFV  27   a  can be more easily visualized in  FIG. 3 . It has an OD  64  which guides and centers it in the EFV bore  26 . Angled holes  65  (e.g., 8 as shown) provide the through-flow path (angled at 18° as shown). Face  68  provides the sealing face when the EFV is triggered and flow is stopped. Bleed orifice  67  (0.25 mm as shown) provides reset flow. 
         [0056]    Notably, it is presumed that a thermally activated pressure relief device (PRD) is used to protect the cylinder in the event of a fire. For optimal protection, an aluminum PRD would be used, so that it could gain the most heat from the aluminum valve body. 
         [0057]    An advanced, aluminum PRD is shown as PRD  46  ( FIG. 1 ) and is the topic of PCT application number PCT/CA2014/051062, which was filed on 5 Nov. 2014 and is incorporated herein by reference. Any suitable PRD could be used, in particular, a PRD comprised of aluminum (such as models PRD-208 (200 bar), PRD-258 (250 bar), PRD-358 (350 bar), PRD-458 (450 bar) and PRD-758 (700 bar) made by Luxfer Gas Cylinders). As shown, the PRD bore 30 is relatively large (e.g., 14.68 mm) to accommodate a very high flow EFV. That could require the use of an adapter  45  to join and seal the PRD  46  to the bore  30 . The adapter is sealed by ring/back-up ring set  47 . As shown bore ring set  47  is standard SAE size −013 and is made from appropriately chosen nitrile materials in 70 and 90 durometers, respectively. For lower flow EFVs, or valves with no EFV, the PRD bore  30  would be smaller and the PRD  46  might seal directly in it (i.e. with no adapter  45  and ring set  47 ). 
         [0058]    The flow control mechanism, ball  5 , is essentially a ball bearing (e.g., 15.5 mm in OD) with a through bore  50  (e.g., 8 mm in diameter). The extremely fine finish and extremely small sphericity errors of commercial ball bearings make them well suited for this purpose. The flow control ball  5  can be more easily visualized in  FIG. 4 . The ball  5  includes a rectangular, flat-bottomed notch  49  that engages the mating tang on stem  15  as discussed further below. 
         [0059]    The OD of the ball  5  seals against two plastic (i.e., polymeric) ball seals  6  and  9 . The ball seals  6  and  9  can be more easily visualized in  FIG. 5 . The sealing surfaces in the plastic ball seals are segments of a sphere (e.g. a spherical radius) having a shape that is closely matched to that of the ball  5 . In most cases, seals  6  and  9  are identical. However, some application requirements may dictate different axial thicknesses in order to survive the seating forces when the valve is closed (depending on differential pressure magnitudes and directions). 
         [0060]    The seals  6  and  9  are comprised of bearing grade polymeric material including polyetherimide or polyaryletherketone. One suitable polymeric material is KETRON™ PEEK HPV bearing grade, which includes polyether ether ketone (PEEK) additionally comprising polytetrafluorethylene (TEFLON™ polymer), carbon fiber and graphite. The material is specifically chosen for its high compressive strength (e.g., 184 MPa), low coefficient of friction (e.g., 0.21), low thermal expansion coefficient (e.g., 31×10 −6 /° K) and low wear factor (e.g., 200×10 −10 ). By comparison, the most popular current seal material is Acetal. The chosen material of this disclosure has on the order of: 75% more compressive strength, 16% less friction, ⅓ the thermal expansion and ½ the wear of Acetal. The result is much lower friction (operating torque), greatly reduced leak potential (especially at low temperature), greatly extended life and enhanced over pressure tolerance (especially at high temperatures). 
         [0061]    The ball seals  6  and  9  are sealed to the bore  3  by O-rings  7  and  10 . A shoulder in each of the ball seals creates a face seal gland  51 . As shown, the O-rings  7  and  10  are identical in the SAE −014 size, in a face seal format. While a piston ring style seal could be used, it is harder to install. The bore  3  of the housing conduit includes a flat bottom surface adjacent the bore  4 . The O-ring  7  seats against the flat bottom surface of the bore  3 . 
         [0062]    The bore  3  is in communication with and expands to the greater sized bore  2 . The bore  2  has a flat bottom surface that is contacted by an exteriorly threaded seal retainer  12 . The O-ring  10  located against the shoulder of the ball seat seats against the bottom of the seal retainer  12 . The seal retainer  12  has the same thread size as the port  2  (¾″-16 UNF as shown) and seats against the square bottom of port  2 . Thin, precision shim washers  8  and  11  are placed at the top and bottom of the seal-ball-seal stack and serve to create the desired amount of compression or seal-squeeze when the retainer  12  is appropriately torqued against its positive stop. The thickness selected for the shim washers increases as the operating pressure increases. Thus, a 450 bar operating pressure uses thicker shims than a 250 bar unit. The retainer  12  is comprised of, for example, 316 stainless steel (or equivalent). 
         [0063]    An exteriorly threaded fastener or jam nut  13  (e.g., comprised of 316 stainless steel) is torqued against the retainer  12  to prevent the retainer from loosening at high pressures and/or high cycles. For example, the retainer  12  is torqued to 35 Nm and jam nut  13  to 50 Nm. 
         [0064]    A valve bore  14  extends transverse to and communicates with the bore  3 . A valve stem  15  extends through the valve bore  14  and serves to turn the ball  5  90 degrees or ¼ turn between its opened and closed positions. The stem  15  has a rectangular tang  16  which engages the similar tight-fitting rectangular notch in the ball  5 . This tang  16  provides positive indexing of the ball to the stem and has higher strength compared to more common, curved-keyway style notches. O-ring/back-up ring set  17  is disposed in a recess of the stem forming a gland  53  and seals the stem  15  to the bore  14 . O-ring/back-up ring set  17  is comprised of, for example, appropriately chosen nitrile materials in 70 and 90 durometers respectively, in the SAE standard size −009, as shown. 
         [0065]    The stem  15  can be more easily visualized in  FIG. 6 . The stem  15  includes a stem flange  19  having an interior facing surface  55  and an exterior facing surface  57 . The rectangular tang of the stem  16  matches with the notch  49  in the ball  5 . 
         [0066]    A ring-shaped stem bearing  18  is disposed around the stem, serves to center and guide the stem  15  and prevents metal-to-metal contact between the stem and the valve bore  14 . The bearing  18  can be more easily visualized in  FIG. 7 . It is basically a plain cylinder with through bore  62 , OD  61  and overall length  63 . Surface  54  of the stem  15  mates with the ID of the stem bearing  18 . The interior facing surface of the stem flange presses against the stem bearing  18 . 
         [0067]    An exteriorly threaded stem retainer  21  has a shoulder  80  at a distal end portion including a centered opening  82  that receives the valve stem. The exteriorly facing surface of the stem flange acts against a thrust washer or bearing  20 , which engages on the other side, the shoulder  80  of the retainer  21 . The thrust bearing  20  acts to both center/guide the stem  15  and to absorb the thrust forces on the stem at high pressures without generating high resistance to turning. The thrust bearing  20  can be more easily visualized in  FIG. 8 . The thrust bearing has a through bore  58  which mates with an OD of the stem  15 . The OD  59  mates with a companion bore in the retainer  21 . Shoulder  60  has a width chosen to have adequate compressive strength to accommodate the thrust forces it must absorb. For example, at the maximum fill pressure for a 250 bar natural gas system (310 bar) the thrust force is 1862 Newtons. This system advantageously uses about 1.5 Nm to turn the ball/stem at that pressure (≦26% of current commercial valve&#39;s torque). 
         [0068]    The stem retainer  21  is comprised of, for example, 316 stainless steel. It serves to absorb the thrust forces from the thrust bearing  20  and centers the stem  15  relative to the valve body and the ball  5 . The threads  22  attach the retainer  21  to threads of the valve body located around the valve port  14 . Piloting feature or protrusion  23  of the retainer  21  enters a recess  84  in the valve body  1  and centers it relative to both the center and bottom of the ball-bore  3 . The thrust bearing  20  has a portion that extends along a length of the stem, through the opening in the stem retainer and presents a bearing surface in contact with a handle or lever  25 . 
         [0069]    The stem bearing  18  and the thrust bearing  20  are specially chosen, for example, to be comprised of bearing grade polymeric material including polyetherimide or polyaryletherketone. One suitable polymeric material is the KETRON™ PEEK HPV bearing grade material described above in connection with the ball seals  6  and  9 . That material is used here for the same reasons it is used in ball-seals  6  and  9  (e.g., long life, low wear, low torque, low coefficient of thermal expansion). 
         [0070]    A threaded fastener or nut  24  engages threads on an end portion of the stem to retain handle or lever  25  to the stem  15 . A hexagonal socket in the lever  25  engages a mating hexagonal male feature on the stem  15  to transfer the turning torque and to clock the lever correctly relative to the bore through the ball. Per local standards (such as ANSI NGV 3.1) the lever must be perpendicular to the flow direction in the off position. 
         [0071]    The valve body  1  optionally may have 1 or 2 cross-drilled ports, commonly referred to as live ports. The live ports are always connected directly to cylinder pressure and cannot be isolated. The live ports would be used, for example, for pressure or temperature gauges or to source gas to remote PRDs. The bore of such an optional live port is seen in  FIG. 1  as feature  31 . The port  31  can be a standardized port such as SAE J1926-1 ports. As shown, port  31  is a 9/16″-18 SAE J1926 port. Port  31  is connected to the housing conduit as shown. 
         [0072]    Dowel pin  69  provides positive stops for the lever  25  in both the open and closed positions. Spaced apart contoured surfaces of the lever are adapted to engage the dowel pin, which limits the lever to the 90 degree or ¼ turn rotation. 
         [0073]    Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the foregoing disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the subject matter of the disclosure can be practiced otherwise than has been specifically shown and described.