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EP-4105542-B1 - PRESSURE REDUCING DEVICE

EP4105542B1EP 4105542 B1EP4105542 B1EP 4105542B1EP-4105542-B1

Inventors

  • MULLER, DENIS
  • KREMER, ROBERT
  • IBALD, DANIEL

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20210615

Claims (17)

  1. A pressure reducing device (1) comprising an upstream end configured to be connected to a pressurized gas source and a downstream end configured to be connected to a coupled installation and comprising: - an operational fluid circuit (101) comprising a pressure reducing unit (3) configured to reduce the pressure of a pressurized gas flow to a maximum pressure P A , an emergency shut-off valve (4, 7) and an outlet interface (5) with a pressure capability P N , - a relief fluid circuit (102) comprising a first end connected to the operational fluid circuit (101) downstream of the pressure reducing unit (3) and a safety relief device (6) the relief fluid circuit (102) comprising a second end connected to the emergency shutoff valve (4), and wherein the safety relief device (6) is configured to have at least two states, - a closed state where the safety relief device (6) is inactive and the emergency shutoff valve (4, 7) is open, when the pressure in the fluid circuit (101) downstream of the pressure reducing unit (3) is lower than a predetermined pressure P L , and - an open state where the safety relief device (6) is active and the emergency shutoff valve (4, 7) is closed, when the pressure in the fluid circuit (101) downstream of the pressure reducing unit (3) is higher to the predetermined pressure P L , the predetermined pressure P L being between P A + 5% and P A + 500% and/or between P N + 5% and P N +500%, preferably +20%, characterized in that the emergency shutoff valve (4) is placed downstream the pressure reducing unit (3).
  2. A pressure reducing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that operational fluid circuit (101) comprises a main shutoff valve (2).
  3. A pressure reducing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the operational fluid circuit (101) comprises a residual pressure valve (7).
  4. A pressure reducing device (1) according to the claim 3, characterized in that the residual pressure valve (7) is the emergency shutoff valve (4).
  5. A pressure reducing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a non-return valve (8).
  6. A pressure reducing device (1) according to the claim 5, characterized in that the non-return valve (8) is comprised in the emergency shutoff valve (4, 7).
  7. A pressure reducing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the safety relief device (6) comprises a bursting disc (601).
  8. A pressure reducing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the safety relief device (6) comprises a safety relief valve (602).
  9. A pressure reducing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the safety relief device (6) and the emergency shutoff valve (4, 7) are connected through a fluid connection, said fluid connection comprising a reset valve (9).
  10. A pressure reducing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure reducing valve is a one-way valve.
  11. A pressure reducing device (1) according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the pressure reducing valve is a two-way valve.
  12. A pressure reducing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a bleeding valve (10).
  13. A pressure reducing device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the relief fluid circuit (102) comprises the bleeding valve (10).
  14. A pressure reducing device (1) according to any of the claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the relief fluid circuit (102) comprises a flap (1001) leaning against the bleeding valve (10).
  15. A pressure reducing device (1) according to any of the preceding claims to the extent that it depends on claim 3, characterized in that a central part of the residual pressure valve (7) comprises a first piston (702) being mobile in a middle chamber (701), and in that the residual pressure (7) valve has three connections: - an entry connection (1102) fluidly connecting the pressure reducing unit (3) outlet to the residual pressure valve (7), - a first connection (1103) fluidly connecting the residual pressure valve (7) outlet to the safety relief device (6) and - a second connection (1104) fluidly connecting the safety relief device (6) outlet to the middle chamber (701) of the residual pressure valve (7), and that in the open position of the safety relief device (6), the outlet interface (5) is moved in a closed state by the first piston (702).
  16. A pressure reducing device (1) according to claim 15 characterized in that the central part of the residual pressure valve (7) comprises a second piston (703), and in that the middle chamber (701) is delimited by the first piston (702) and the second piston (703), and that in the open position of the safety relief device (6), the bleeding valve (10) is moved in a closed position by the second piston (703).
  17. Device for storing and supplying compressed gas comprising a fluid source (12) and a pressure reducing device (1) according to any of preceding claims.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to the field of valves for compressed gas. More specifically, the invention relates to pressure reducing devices. STATE OF THE ART Pressure reducing devices dedicated to high pressure fluids have been used for many years already. Pressure reducing devices allow to use high pressure sources, of for example 300 bar and higher, while remaining compatible with coupled installations that require a lower pressure inlet, of for example 200 bar and lower through the use of specifically made interfaces, i.e. valve delivery port specifically coded for such lower pressures as per applicable regulation/standard. A fluid's pressure and volume are correlated, as when the pressure increases, the volume decreases. Therefore, pressure reducing devices make the user's tasks easier as more gas can be stored in a higher-pressure vessel while keeping its volume small. Using a pressure reducing device will allow the user to have a desired pressure for the coupled installations that are typically designed for lower pressures, even if the stored fluid has a pressure being over the coupled installation's capacity. So, pressure reducing devices increase either usage autonomy at equivalent size of vessel, or increase portability, by reducing the vessel's size and weight. These pressure reducing devices are, for example, used in standalone cylinders, as well as bundles and trailers. This feature is concretely achieved by implementing an integrated pressure unit within the cylinder valve body (for instance, main shutoff valve, pressure regulating unit, emergency shutoff valve and safety relief device are integrated in same body), or with separate elements (main shutoff valve, pressure regulating unit, emergency shutoff valve and safety relief device are different objects) within a dedicated gas panel on the bundles, tube trailers,... The downstream end of the pressure reducing device may comprise an outlet valve, or it can be just a simple connection or interface. [Fig. 1] represents a typical pressure reducing device as it is known in the art. The pressure reducing device comprises an operational fluid circuit 101 having an optional main shutoff valve 2 allowing the opening-up of the pressure reducing unit, a pressure regulating unit 3 reducing the pressure to a set desired value with a maximum pressure PA it can deliver, a safety relief device 6 opening itself in case of an excess pressure being higher than the maximum allowable pressure PA in the coupled downstream installation is present, and an outlet interface 5 that may comprise a valve, being connected to the coupled installation. The Safety relief device 6 is located downstream of the pressure reducing unit 3 to protect the lower pressure side of the system. The safety relief device 6 can for example be a safety relief valve or a bursting disc, being respectively reversible and single use. The safety relief device 6 is designed to open in case of an unexpected excess pressure being higher than the maximum allowable pressure in the coupled installation is being detected, this excess pressure can for example be due to a failure or malfunction of the pressure reducing unit 3. An outlet interface 5 can be configured in different manners, such as threaded joint, quick-connect, featuring a check-valve, a non-return valve, a shut-off valve. The outlet interface 5 has a determined pressure PN (e.g. 200bar) which corresponds either to its pressure capability or rating. The fluid passing through the safety relief device is vented either directly to atmosphere or might be collected. On [fig. 1], an optional gas filter can be placed between the main shutoff valve 2 and the pressure reducing unit 3, but it is possible to be placed upstream of the main shutoff valve, and an optional non-return valve can be placed in the fluid circuit, downstream the emergency shutoff valve. There can be several filters. Having the fluid vented away from the system or stored as it is currently done presents some issues and can't be accepted under certain circumstances. For instance, the fluid contained might be a flammable medium such as hydrogen or other fluids creating dangerous and/or toxic environments, e.g. ATEX (Atmosphere Explosives). Indeed, in case of a flammable medium such as hydrogen, a free venting in the atmosphere might lead to generation of an explosive zone if the area is confined or insufficiently vented; this requires an expansive setup by the user, such as gas detection with automatic shutoff, or alternatively a strong ventilation if the mobile is used indoor. Although the safety relief device can be collected to a complimentary exhaust pipeline or equivalent, it would complicate the connection process to the installation by requiring additional setups and extra handling steps, for example extensive safety checks, relying on a procedural barrier. Moreover, safety relief devices are mechanical components and are therefore prone to failure. Although the