Patent Description:
These kinds of device are generally provided with a frame, within which a plurality of gas vessels are placed. A manifold is connected to all the gas vessels to allow a dispensing of gas from all the gas cylinders.

The process of assembling the cylinder bundle is long and complex; the frame is generally certified to resist different stresses without losing the connection with gas cylinders contained therein. The gas cylinders may be secured via different means to the frame. Also, the frame leaves no room for movement to the gas cylinders, i.e.the cylinders are tightly packed in the frame.

This results in that gas cylinders are maintained in a steady position within the frame, even if high stresses are applied to the frame. However, because of this design inserting the cylinders (and connecting them to the manifold) is a long and complex operation, due to the low space within the frame left by above mentioned way of packing the cylinders.

Maintenance of the frame is also complex and, once damaged, they are generally replaced as a whole. The document <CIT> discloses a device for the supply of gas.

It is thus an object of the present invention to solve the above discussed problems.

It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a device for the supply of gas that is easy to assembly and maintain, while complying with the relevant safety standards.

These and other objects are achieved by a device and a relevant process for assembling it according to one or more of the enclosed claims.

In particular, the present invention relates to a device for the supply of a gas and a relevant assembling process according to the independent claims. Preferred aspects are recited in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a device for the supply of a gas comprises a plurality of gas vessels, preferably in the form of gas cylinders; a frame, comprising a lower portion, an upper portion, and a plurality of side portions, constrained to each other and constrained to the lower and upper portions, so as to define a space for arranging the plurality of gas vessels; a plurality of fasteners, configured to reversibly constrain to each other at least part of the side portions, and/or to reversibly constrain at least part of the side portions with the upper portion of the frame, and/or to reversibly constrain at least part of the side portions with the lower portion of the frame.

Fasteners provide an easy assembly of the device. In addition, the frame may be assembled so that the fasteners are tightened only at the final stage, thus providing an intermediate step where the frame is partially assembled, and the fasteners are in a loose condition (or anyway looser than the final condition), so that the space defined by the frame is larger than in the operative condition.

The insertion of the gas vessels within the frame is thus simpler in this condition. After insertion and assembly of the gas vessel is completed, the fasteners can be fully tightened, so that the device can properly perform.

In addition, parts of the frame (i.e. the portions of the frame) can be easily replaced if needed, without the need to replace the whole structure.

According to an aspect, the device comprises a manifold, fluidly connectable to the plurality of gas vessels, configured so that gas can be simultaneously drawn from at least part of gas vessels of the plurality of vessels, preferably from all the gas vessels of the plurality of gas vessels.

According to the invention, at least part of the side portions comprise coupling protrusions, arranged so that, in use, the coupling protrusion of a first side portion is in contact with a second side portion, preferably with a relevant coupling protrusion of the second side portion, and wherein, in use condition, the fasteners are coupled to the coupling protrusion of the first side portion and to the second side portion so as to constrain the first side portion to the second side portion. According to the invention, the coupling protrusion, in use condition, is outside the space for the gas vessels, i.e. the coupling protrusion(s) protrudes externally with respect to the frame.

Preferably the side portions have a main body that is substantially planar, the coupling protrusions being substantially planar, too, preferably protruding from the main body at an angle of about <NUM> degrees with respect to the main body.

More in general, according to a possible aspect, the coupling protrusions are arranged substantially radially with the longitudinal axis of the frame.

Protrusions allow operators to easily apply/remove fasteners on and from the frame, and to easily inspect them, e.g. to verify the proper tightening during coupling.

According to a possible aspect, the fasteners constrain together all the side portions of the frame.

According to a possible aspect, the fasteners constrain all the side portions with the upper portion of the frame and/or with the lower portion of the frame.

According to a possible aspect, the reciprocal constraint between the side portions of the frame, and/or the connection between the side with the lower and/or upper portion of the frame is made exclusively by means of the fasteners.

According to a possible aspect, the fasteners comprise threaded elements, preferably selected from screws and bolts.

According to a possible aspect, the side portions comprise two lateral vertical elements, and one or more transversal elements, preferably substantially planar, arranged between the vertical elements.

According to a possible aspect, the coupling protrusions are arranged on the vertical elements.

According to a possible aspect, the side portions are substantially identical one to the other.

An aspect of the invention also relates to a frame for a device according to any preceding aspect, comprising a lower portion, an upper portion, and a plurality of side portions, constrained to each other and constrained to the lower and upper portion, so as to define a space for arranging the plurality of gas vessels, wherein at least part of the side portions comprise coupling protrusions, arranged so that, in use, the coupling protrusion of a first side portion is in contact with a second side portion, preferably with a relevant coupling protrusion of the second side portion, and wherein, in use condition, fasteners are coupled to the coupling protrusion so as to constrain the first side portion to the second side portion.

An aspect of the invention also relates to a process for assembling a device according to one or more of the preceding aspects, comprising the steps of: (a) coupling part of the upper portion, lower portion, side portion of the frame with each other via the fasteners, to define part of the frame; (b) inserting the gas vessels within the frame; (c) coupling the remaining portions of the frame, to complete the frame; (d) tightening the fasteners.

With reference to the enclosed figures, exemplary and non limiting embodiments will be now discussed, wherein:.

A device <NUM> for the supply of a gas comprises a frame <NUM> defining a space <NUM> within which a plurality of gas vessels <NUM> can be housed.

Gas vessels can be of different kinds, they are generally containers configured to house a gas, and typically they are gas cylinders <NUM>. For easiness, reference will be made to gas cylinders <NUM> as a generic gas vessels.

The frame <NUM> comprise a lower portion <NUM>, an upper portion <NUM> and a plurality of side portions <NUM>. The frame <NUM> has typically the shape of a prism, more preferably of a rectangular parallelepiped, i.e. provided with four side portions <NUM>, that are arranged perpendicularly one to the other.

The above mentioned space <NUM> is thus the volume defined by portions <NUM> - <NUM> of the frame <NUM>, i.e. the portion of space that is comprised within the geometrical figure defined by the portions <NUM> - <NUM>.

Coupling between the different portions <NUM> - <NUM> of the frame <NUM> is carried out at least in part (and preferably exclusively) via fasteners <NUM>. Fasteners <NUM> of various kinds known in the art can be used. Preferred embodiments use bolts (i.e. screws coupled with relevant nuts) as fasteners <NUM>.

The lower portion <NUM> is typically a substantially planar element or, in any case, an element having a dimension (in particular the vertical dimension, considering the use condition of the device <NUM>) that is sensibly smaller with respect to the other two dimensions. Friction elements 21a (typically protrusions) can be provided on the upper surface of the lower portion <NUM>, i.e. the surface that, in use, supports the gas cylinders <NUM>.

The upper portion <NUM> is also an element having two dimensions prevailing over the others. However, it is usual that cylinder bundles are lifted via the upper portion. Thickness of the upper portion <NUM> is thus typically greater than the thickness of the lower portion <NUM>. A ring or loop or similar coupling element 22a is usually provided on the upper portion (typically on the top of the upper portion <NUM>, considering the orientation of the device <NUM> in the use condition), to allow an external device (e.g. via a hook) to lift the device <NUM>.

The side portions <NUM> are typically provided with a main body <NUM> that is substantially planar. In preferred embodiments, the side portions comprise a main body <NUM>, arranged between vertical elements <NUM>. The vertical elements <NUM> are defined as vertical because they are substantially vertical in the use condition.

As mentioned, the frame <NUM> typically has a substantially prismatic shape. Preferably, the main body <NUM> of the side portions <NUM> does not entirely cover the lateral surface of the prism defined by the frame <NUM>. In particular, the main body <NUM> does not cover the whole surface comprised between the vertical elements <NUM>. The main body <NUM> preferably comprises one or more transversal elements 230a, 230b, typically plates, arranged between the vertical elements <NUM>, and preferably arranged substantially coplanar between each other. As an example, in the shown embodiment, the main body <NUM> comprise two transversal elements 230a, 230b.

According to a preferred aspect, at least part of the side portions <NUM> are provided with protrusions 23a. Protrusions 23a are typically arranged so that a protrusion 23a of a first side portion, in use, can be coupled (i.e. put in contact) with a relevant part of a second side portion, preferably with a protrusion <NUM> of a second side portion <NUM>, even if embodiments are possible where the protrusions 23a of a first side portion is coupled with the vertical element and/or with the main body of a second side portion. Preferably, the protrusions 23a are arranged on the vertical elements <NUM> of the side portions <NUM>, typically for substantially the whole height, or at least <NUM>% of the height of the vertical elements <NUM>.

The protrusions <NUM> are typically substantially planar, and they are preferably elongated plates. According to a preferred aspect, the protrusions 23a are angled with respect to the main body <NUM>, i.e. they protrude from it. In particular, considering the frame <NUM> in plant view, in use condition, the protrusions 23a are angled with respect to the main body 23b, typically with an angle α of about <NUM> degrees. The protrusion are typically arranged so as to protrude externally with respect to the frame, i.e. in use condition, the coupling protrusions are arranged outside the space <NUM> for the gas vessels <NUM>.

More in general, independently from the shape of the frame <NUM>, preferred embodiments provide that the protrusions 23a are arranged radially with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the frame <NUM>. The longitudinal axis A of the frame can be easily identified by the skilled person. In particular, the longitudinal axis A is the vertical axis of the geometrical figure defined by the frame <NUM>, considered in use condition. Longitudinal axis A, together with radial direction R, are shown schematically in <FIG>.

According to a preferred aspect, the side portions <NUM> are substantially identical one to the other. This is typically the case where the coupling protrusion <NUM> are arranged at about <NUM> degrees with respect to the main body, or radially with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the frame <NUM>.

According to a possible aspect, the vertical elements <NUM> have a substantially L-shape cross-section, i.e. the cross section of the vertical elements <NUM> is provided with two arms 23a, 23b that are substantially orthogonal one to the other. The arms 23a, 23b have preferably substantially the same length. One arm of the L-shaped vertical elements <NUM> is indeed the previously discussed protrusion 23a, while the other arm 23b is typically used to arrange fasteners <NUM> that constrain the side portions <NUM> to the upper portion <NUM> and/or to the lower portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

In possible embodiments, the lower portion <NUM> and/or the upper portion <NUM>, considered in plant view, have their vertexes beveled, or cut, or provided with a missing portion, or anyway configured to allow the coupling of the second arm 23b of the L-shaped vertical elements <NUM> with the lower/upper portion at the vertexes of the figure defined by the plant view of these elements.

The device <NUM> typically further comprise a manifold <NUM>, that is arranged to collect gas from at least part, typically all, of the gas cylinders <NUM>. In a known way, the gas cylinders <NUM> are connected to the manifold <NUM> via different ducts 6a. The ducts are arranged so as to allow an even collection of gas from the gas cylinders <NUM>, i.e. to empty at the same rate the different gas cylinders <NUM>. Preferably, the ducts 6a are arranged so that they all have the same or similar length, and they provide the same pressure drop from the relevant gas cylinder <NUM> to the manifold <NUM>, or up to the delivery of gas from the device <NUM>. Valves, not shown in detail, are typically arranged on the manifold <NUM> and/or on the ducts 6a and/or on the gas cylinder <NUM> to control the flow of gas from the gas cylinders <NUM> and, more in general, to control the supply of gas from the device <NUM>.

The device <NUM> may further comprise securing elements <NUM>, to further prevent movement of the gas cylinders <NUM> with respect to the frame <NUM> in the use condition. Different securing elements are known in the art and may be used. As an example, as per the shown embodiment, securing elements may be wedges placed at the upper part of the gas cylinders, at the dome defined by the top portion of the gas cylinders. Wedges <NUM> are usually fixed to the frame <NUM>. In addition or as an alternative, securing elements <NUM> may e.g. comprise bands (not shown) that embrace the lateral surface of the gas cylinders.

To assemble the device <NUM>, part of the portions <NUM> - <NUM> of the frame <NUM> are coupled via fasteners <NUM> to define part of the frame <NUM>. During these step, fasteners are not tightened as in the use condition, i.e. they are arranged on the frame <NUM> in a looser condition with respect to the final condition. As a result, the space <NUM> defined by the portions of the frame that are assembled one to the other that has at least one bigger dimension with respect to space <NUM> in the use condition. In other words, the distance between two different side portions, in this condition, is typically greater than the distance between the same side portions in the use condition (the distance being preferebly null in the final condition, if adjacent side portions are considered. The fasteners <NUM> are thus not fully tightened, so that there is some clearance between the gas cylinders <NUM> and the side portions <NUM> of the frame <NUM>, even when all the gas cylinders <NUM> are placed in the space <NUM>. A typical embodiment provide that at least width and/or depth of the space <NUM> (i.e. the horizontal directions, considering the use condition) are bigger, i.e. opposite side portions <NUM> are typically more distanced one from the other with respect to the final condition. The above mentioned clearance, or difference between the dimension(s) of the space <NUM> between the present step and the final condition may be a few millimeters or centimeters, that are however enough to simplify operations of insertion of the gas cylinder between the space <NUM> defined by (at least part) of the frame <NUM>. In other words, the distance between two adjacent portions of the frame before and during insertion of the gas cylinders is greater than in the final conditions, after insertion of the cylinders. In addition, according to an embodiment, only part of the portions of the frame <NUM> are coupled one to the other before insertion of the gas cylinders <NUM> in the space <NUM>. A typical arrangement provides that three side portions <NUM> are coupled to the lower portion <NUM>, possibly without the upper portion <NUM>. In this case, the missing side portion <NUM> allows insertion of the gas cylinders <NUM> into the space <NUM> through a side of the frame <NUM>. As mentioned, the above discussed clearance allows an easy insertion of the gas cylinders <NUM>. If the upper portion <NUM> is missing at this step, the operator has freedom to operate on the gas cylinders from upside, e.g. for connecting the manifold <NUM> (typically via the ducts 6a) to the gas cylinders <NUM>. In different embodiments, the side portions can be coupled to the upper before insertion of the gas cylinders <NUM> in the frame <NUM>. In this case, it is possible to provide a space <NUM> having a greater height with respect to the final condition, by not fully tightening the fasteners <NUM> used to couple the side portions to the upper portion.

As mentioned, during this step, in a known way, the manifold <NUM> is also typically connected to the gas cylinders <NUM>.

Subsequently, it is possible to complete the frame <NUM>, i.e. to couple the remaining portion of the frame <NUM> to the previously used portions, and to tighten the fasteners <NUM>. In this way, it is possible to reduce the dimension(s) of the space <NUM>, i.e. to reduce the distance between the side portions <NUM>, so that the frame <NUM> is arranged in the final (i.e. use) condition. As an example, with reference to the embodiment above discussed, the last side portion <NUM> and possibly also the upper portion <NUM> are added to the other portions to complete the frame <NUM>, and the fasteners <NUM> are tightened, to define the use condition of the frame <NUM>, and of the device <NUM>. In this condition, the clearance between the gas cylinders <NUM> and the side portions <NUM> is less than the clearance that was present between the gas cylinders and the side portions in the assembly condition, i.e. before final tightening of the fasteners <NUM>.

Claim 1:
Device (<NUM>) for the supply of a gas comprising:
• a plurality of gas vessels (<NUM>), preferably in the form of gas cylinders;
• a frame (<NUM>), comprising a plurality of frame portions including a lower portion (<NUM>), an upper portion (<NUM>), and a plurality of side portions (<NUM>), constrained to each other and constrained to said lower and upper portions (<NUM>, <NUM>), so as to define a space (<NUM>) for arranging said plurality of gas vessels (<NUM>);
• a plurality of fasteners (<NUM>), configured to reversibly constrain to each other at least part of at least two of said frame portions, characterised in that
• at least part of said side portions (<NUM>) comprise coupling protrusions (23a), arranged so that, in use, the coupling protrusion (23a) of a first side portion (<NUM>) is in contact with a second side portion (<NUM>), preferably with a relevant coupling protrusion (23a) of the second side portion, and wherein, in use condition, said fasteners (<NUM>) are coupled to said coupling protrusion (23a) of said first side portion and to the second side portion so as to constrain said first side portion (<NUM>) to said second side portion (<NUM>);
• said coupling protrusions (23a) are configured to project outside said space (<NUM>) for the gas vessels (<NUM>).