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WO2025036878A1 - Pressure reducer with seat and shutter inserted from a bottom face - Google Patents

Pressure reducer with seat and shutter inserted from a bottom face Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2025036878A1
WO2025036878A1 PCT/EP2024/072742 EP2024072742W WO2025036878A1 WO 2025036878 A1 WO2025036878 A1 WO 2025036878A1 EP 2024072742 W EP2024072742 W EP 2024072742W WO 2025036878 A1 WO2025036878 A1 WO 2025036878A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bore
seat
pressure reducer
main body
gas
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/EP2024/072742
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Stephan Sellen
Etienne KAICHINGER
Philippe SCHMITZ
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rotarex SA
Original Assignee
Rotarex SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rotarex SA filed Critical Rotarex SA
Publication of WO2025036878A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025036878A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
    • G05D16/00—Control of fluid pressure
    • G05D16/04—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power
    • G05D16/06—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible membrane, yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule
    • G05D16/063—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible membrane, yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule the sensing element being a membrane
    • G05D16/0644—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible membrane, yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule the sensing element being a membrane the membrane acting directly on the obturator
    • G05D16/0663—Control of fluid pressure without auxiliary power the sensing element being a flexible membrane, yielding to pressure, e.g. diaphragm, bellows, capsule the sensing element being a membrane the membrane acting directly on the obturator using a spring-loaded membrane with a spring-loaded slideable obturator

Definitions

  • the invention is directed to the field of pressure regulators, more particularly pressure reducers for compressed gases.
  • Prior art patent document published US 2011/0174395 A1 discloses a pressure reducer for compressed gas, comprising a body, a valve device housed in said body and a regulator attached to said body and cooperating with a shutter of the valve device. That pressure reducer further comprises a membrane or diaphragm extending between the shutter and the resilient member of the regulator, thereby delimiting a pressure sensing chamber. An outer edge of the diaphragm is clamped in a gas tight manner between an upper face of the body and a regulator housing engaging with said body.
  • the valve device for instance the seat and shutter thereof, is mounted from the upper face of the body into a bore formed therein and opening out in said upper face. This arrangement requires however an intermediate part with a shoulder against which the seat can rest towards the regulator.
  • Prior art patent document published DE 40 00 694 A1 discloses, similarly, a pressure reducer for compressed gas, comprising a body, a valve device housed in said body, a regulator mounted to said body and attached to a shutter of the valve device, and a diaphragm delimiting the pressure sensing chamber.
  • the seat of the valve device is inserted from a regulator side in a bore with a shoulder. The seat rests thereby on a shoulder in a direction opposite to the closing direction of the shutter towards the seat. This means that that resilient force exerted by the regulator on the shutter tends, when the shutter contacts the seat, to move the seat out of its location on the shoulder of the bore.
  • the invention has for technical problem to overcome at least one drawback of the above-mentioned prior art. More specifically, the invention has for technical problem to provide a pressure reducer with valve device that is reliable and cheaper to manufacture and assemble.
  • the invention is directed to a pressure reducer for compressed gas, comprising: a main body with a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a gas passage fluidly interconnecting said gas inlet with said gas outlet; a valve device in the gas passage, comprising a seat and a shutter with a poppet configured for contacting an upstream side of the seat and an actuating stem extending from the poppet through the seat; a regulator comprising a regulator body attached to the main body, and a resilient member cooperating with the actuating stem of the shutter and delimiting with the main body and the regulator body a gas sensing chamber downstream of the seat, in the gas passage; wherein the seat is housed in a bore of the main body, opening out on a bottom side of said main body opposed to the regulator and closed by a plug.
  • the bore forms a bottom shoulder against which the seat rests towards the gas sensing chamber.
  • the seat is made of plastic material and shows an outer lateral corrugated surface that elastically deforms upon insertion of said seat through the bore and maintains said seat in position in said bore.
  • the seat is held in position against the bottom shoulder by the sole friction force between its outer lateral surface and the bore.
  • the bore forms a closure shoulder engaged by the plug.
  • the closure shoulder comprises an outer circular groove forming a reduced contact surface with the plug, said reduced contact surface being plastically deformed by the plug.
  • the plug comprises a first portion threadably engaging with the bore on the bottom side of the main body, a second portion engaging the bore past the closure shoulder, and a radial contact surface between said first and second portion, contacting the closure shoulder in a gas tight fashion.
  • the plug comprises a first part engaging in a gas tight with the bore and a second part mechanically engaging with the main body and exerting an effort on the first part which generates the gas tight engagement.
  • the second part is hollow with an inner non-circular surface configured for engaging in rotation with a tool.
  • the shutter further comprises a guiding stem extending from the poppet towards the plug, an end of said guiding stem slidingly engaging with a guiding bore formed in the plug.
  • valve device further comprises a compression spring around the guiding stem and resting on the plug and urging the shutter towards the seat.
  • the actuating stem contacts the resilient member while not being attached thereto.
  • the actuating stem is attached to the resilient member.
  • the seat, the shutter and the bore are configured such that said seat and said shutter can be inserted through said bore from the bottom face of the main body before engagement of the plug with said bore.
  • the inlet port and the outlet port are located on opposed lateral faces of the main body.
  • the pressure reducer further comprises a membrane extending between the actuating stem and the resilient member, said membrane delimiting the gas sensing chamber.
  • the invention is particularly interesting in that the pressure reducer is simplified in its construction and assembly.
  • the valve device shows indeed a limited number of part and all parts therefore are inserted from the same bottom face of the main body.
  • the seat is for instance inserted into the bore of the main body by being elastically radially deformed, until reaching the bottom shoulder, without any additional means for holding the seat in place.
  • the shutter and the optional compression spring can be inserted thereafter into the bore.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pressure reducer according to the invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a pressure reducer according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a pressure reducer according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows in perspective a pressure reducer according the invention.
  • the pressure reducer 2 comprises a main body 4 with a gas inlet 6 and a gas outlet 8.
  • a gas passage (not visible in ) interconnects the gas inlet 6 with the gas outlet 8 via a valve device (not visible in ).
  • the pressure reducer 2 further comprises a regulator 10 comprising a regulator body 12 mounted on the main body 4, housing a resilient member (not visible in ) which can be adjusted by the hand-wheel 14.
  • the regulator 10 cooperates with the valve device (not visible in ), by moving its shutter to selectively increase or reduce the section of the gas passage, depending on the gas pressure downstream of the valve device.
  • FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pressure reducer of , according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • the valve device 16 is housed in the main body 4, more particularly in a bore 4.1 of the main body 4.
  • the bore 4.1 extends longitudinally i.e., parallel and preferably concentric with the longitudinal axis of the regulator 10.
  • the bore 4.1 opens out on a bottom side 4.2 of the main body 4 and is closed by a plug 18 on said bottom side 4.2.
  • the bore 4.1 preferably comprises a main portion 4.1.1 and a bottom shoulder 4.1.2 at an end of the bore 4.1 that is opposed to the bottom side 4.2 of the main body 4.
  • the bore 4.1 passed the bottom shoulder 4.1.2, opens out on a top side 4.3 of the main body that is opposed to the bottom side 4.2.
  • the valve device 16 comprises a seat 16.1 that is housed in the bore 4.1, resting on the bottom shoulder 4.1.2 of said bore 4.1.
  • the valve device 16 further comprises a shutter 1.6.2 that is movable and configured for cooperating with the seat 16.1 for adjusting the section of the gas passage through said valve device 16 and thereby regulate the outlet pressure.
  • the shutter 16.2 preferably comprises a poppet 16.2.1 located on an upstream side of the seat 16.1, and an actuating stem 16.2.2 extending from the poppet 16.2.1 through the seat 16.1 towards a gas sensing chamber 20 on the top side 4.3 of the main body 4.
  • the valve device 16 can further comprise a compression spring 16.3 urging the shutter 16.2, for instance the poppet 16.2.1, towards the seat 16.1.
  • the compression spring 16.3 has a first end resting on the shutter 16.2, for instance on an upstream side shoulder portion formed between the poppet 16.2.1 and a guiding stem 16.2.3 extending from said poppet 16.2.1 in an opposed direction to the actuating stem 16.2.2, and a second end resting on the plug 18.
  • the seat 16.1 is advantageously made of a non-metallic material, e.g., plastic material, being softer than metal, able to be slightly elastically deformed by radial compression during insertion into the bore 4.1 until contact with the bottom shoulder 4.1.2.
  • the main portion 4.1.1 of the bore 4.1, on a section 4.1.1.1 adjacent the bottom shoulder 4.1.2, can be corrugated, as illustrated in the enlarged view of the bore 4.1, for being securely engaged by deformation of the seat 16.1.
  • These corrugations can comprise adjacent inclined annular surfaces interconnected by sharp shoulders surfaces.
  • the inclined annular surfaces are oriented to facilitate insertion of the seat 16.1 while preventing withdrawal thereof.
  • the depth of the corrugations, in the radial direction can be comprised between 0.1 and 1mm.
  • Their number can be of at least one, preferably at least two, and can be of not more than six, preferably five. These corrugations can be machined by turning, facilitated by the fact that the main body 4 is circular. Alternatively, or additionally, the seat 16.1 can have an outer lateral corrugated surface that elastically deforms upon insertion of said seat through the bore and maintains said seat in position in said bore 4.1 and against the bottom shoulder 4.1.2.
  • the plug 18 can comprise a first part 18.1 engaging in a gas tight with the bore and a second part 18.2 mechanically engaging with the main body 4 and exerting an effort on the first part 18.1 which generates the gas tight engagement.
  • the gas tight engagement can be achieved by forming an engagement of the first part 18.1 with a closure shoulder 4.1.3 of the bore 4.1, formed at an end of the main portion 4.1.1 of the bore 4.1 adjacent the bottom side 4.2 of the main body 4.
  • the closure shoulder 4.1.3 can comprise an outer circular groove 4.1.3.1 forming a reduced contact surface 4.1.3.2 with the plug 18, for instance with the first part 18.1 thereof, said reduced contact surface 4.1.3.2 being plastically deformed by the plug 18, for instance by the first part 18.1 thereof.
  • the second part 18.2 can be hollow with an inner non-circular surface e.g., hexagonal, configured for engaging in rotation with a tool e.g., an Allen key. It is understood that any other non-circular surface and corresponding tool can be considered.
  • the main portion 4.1.1 of the bore 4.1 forms a continuous guiding surface of the seat 16.1 during insertion, from the opening of the bore 4.1 on the bottom side 4.2 of the main body 4, intended to be closed by the plug 18, until the bottom shoulder 4.1.2 of said bore 4.1.
  • the main portion 4.1.1 of the bore 4.1 can have an essentially constant diameter over its whole length, whereas some variations e.g., within a tolerance of 10%, can be present.
  • the shutter 16.2 can comprise the guiding stem 16.2.3 extending from the poppet 16.2.1 in an opposed direction to the actuating stem 16.2.2.
  • the guiding stem 16.2.3 can be slidingly received in a corresponding guiding bore formed in the plug 18, for instance in the first part 18.1 thereof.
  • the compression spring 16.3 is slid along that guiding stem 16.2.3 and rests at one end on the poppet 16.2.1 and at the other end on the plug 18, for instance the first part 18.1 thereof.
  • the gas passage 22 fluidly interconnecting the gas inlet 6 with the gas outlet 8 comprises a transversal portion 22.1 extending transversally from a lateral side of the main body 4, where the gas inlet 6 is located, connecting said gas inlet 6 with the bore 4.1.
  • the bore 4.1 and the gas sensing chamber 20 form further portions of the gas passage 22.
  • the gas passage 22 further comprises a longitudinal portion 22.2 extending longitudinally from the top side 4.3 of the body 4 and the gas sensing chamber 20, off-set to the bore 4.1, towards the bottom side 4.2 of the main body 4, and a further transversal portion 22.3 extending transversally from a lateral side of the main body 4, where the gas outlet 8 is located, opposed to the gas inlet 6, connecting said gas outlet 8 with the longitudinal portion 22.2 of the gas passage 22.
  • the pressure reducer 2 further comprises a membrane or diaphragm 24 extending transversally between the main body 4 and the regulator body 12, delimiting the gas sensing chamber 20.
  • the membrane 24 is preferably circular and has its outer circumferential end clamped between the main body 4 and the regulator body 12.
  • the regulator body 12 engages with the main body 4 by respective and corresponding threads on said regulator body 12 and main body 4.
  • the regulator body 12 comprises two parallel external flat faces suitable for being engaged with a tool of the flat fork type, allowing tightening in rotation of the regulator body 12 on the main body 4.
  • the membrane 24 is preferably made of metallic material.
  • the membrane 24 is contacted on its face delimiting the gas sensing chamber 20 by the shutter 16.2 of the valve device 16, for instance by the actuating stem 16.2.2 of the shutter 16.2.
  • the opposed face of the membrane 24 is contacted by a piston 26 slidingly housed in the actuator body 12 and urged against and towards the membrane 24 by the resilient member being a regulator spring 28 which is for instance also housed in the regulator body 12.
  • the regulator spring 28 has a first end abutting the piston and a second opposed end abutting a pusher 30 whose longitudinal position is adjustable, for instance by rotation of the hand-wheel 14.
  • the regulator spring 28 is therefore in a prestressed state urging the shutter 16.2 of the valve device 16 away from the seat 16.1, opening the gas passage 22.
  • the pressure reducer Once the pressure reducer is connected at the gas inlet 6 to a source of compressed gas, the latter flows along the gas passage 22 to gas outlet 8 via the gas sensing chamber 20 where the pressure of the gas counteracts the force of the regulator spring 28 (as well as the rigidity of the membrane 24 depending on its deformation) to move the piston 26 away from the gas sensing chamber 20, resulting in a closing movement of the shutter 16.2 that reduces the pressure downstream of the valve device 16 compared with the gas pressure at the gas inlet 6.
  • the above-described pressure reducer 2 is particularly advantageous in that the construction of the main body 4 and the assembly of the pressure reducer are substantially simplified and avoids the generation of particles having threaded gasket fixations in the gas. All components of the valve device 16 are indeed mounted into the bore 4.1 from the same bottom side 4.2 of the main body 4. On the opposed top side 4.3, the membrane 24 and the regulator 10 are the only parts to be mounted. This provides a substantial simplification and the highest possible cleanliness level for the gas wetted surfaces.
  • the bottom side 4.2 of the main body 4 can comprise one or several threaded blind holes 32 for fastening the main body 4 and therefore the pressure reducer 2 to any support.
  • FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pressure reducer of , according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • the reference numbers of the first embodiment are used for designating the same or corresponding elements, these numbers being however incremented by 100. It is also referred to the description of these elements in connection with the first embodiment.
  • the pressure reducer 102 of the second embodiment is very similar to the one of the first embodiment. It differs therefrom essentially in that the shutter 116.2 of the valve device 116 is attached to the piston 126 instead of being urged against said piston by a compression spring of the valve device as in the first embodiment.
  • the piston 126 comprises a central hole 126.1 or bore, preferably threaded, and a fastener 126.2 that engages through the membrane 124 and into the central hole 126.1 for providing a gas tight connection between the membrane 124 and the fastener 126.2.
  • the fastener 126.2 comprises a blind threaded hole into which the actuating stem 116.2.2 of the shutter 116.2 rigidly engages.
  • the shutter 116.2 does not need to comprise a guiding stem and a spring as in the first embodiment.
  • the pressure reducer 102 shows the same advantages as the one of the first embodiment with regard to simplification of construction and cleanliness level for the gas wetted surfaces of the main body and assembly of the components of the pressure reducer on said main body.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Lift Valve (AREA)

Abstract

The invention is directed to a pressure reducer (2) for compressed gas, comprising a main body (4) with a gas inlet (6), a gas outlet (8) and a gas passage (22); a valve device (16) comprising a seat (16.1) and a shutter (16.2) with a poppet (16.2.1) configured for contacting an upstream side of the seat (16.1) and an actuating stem (16.2.2) extending from the poppet (16.2.1) through the seat (16.1); a regulator (10) comprising a regulator body (12) attached to the main body (4), and a resilient member (26, 28) cooperating with the actuating stem (16.2.2) of the shutter (16.2); wherein the seat (16.1) is housed in a bore (4.1) of the main body (4), opening out on a bottom side (4.2) of said main body (4) opposed to the regulator (10) and closed by a plug.

Description

PRESSURE REDUCER WITH SEAT AND SHUTTER INSERTED FROM A BOTTOM FACE
The invention is directed to the field of pressure regulators, more particularly pressure reducers for compressed gases.
Prior art patent document published US 2011/0174395 A1 discloses a pressure reducer for compressed gas, comprising a body, a valve device housed in said body and a regulator attached to said body and cooperating with a shutter of the valve device. That pressure reducer further comprises a membrane or diaphragm extending between the shutter and the resilient member of the regulator, thereby delimiting a pressure sensing chamber. An outer edge of the diaphragm is clamped in a gas tight manner between an upper face of the body and a regulator housing engaging with said body. The valve device, for instance the seat and shutter thereof, is mounted from the upper face of the body into a bore formed therein and opening out in said upper face. This arrangement requires however an intermediate part with a shoulder against which the seat can rest towards the regulator.
Prior art patent document published DE 40 00 694 A1 discloses, similarly, a pressure reducer for compressed gas, comprising a body, a valve device housed in said body, a regulator mounted to said body and attached to a shutter of the valve device, and a diaphragm delimiting the pressure sensing chamber. The seat of the valve device is inserted from a regulator side in a bore with a shoulder. The seat rests thereby on a shoulder in a direction opposite to the closing direction of the shutter towards the seat. This means that that resilient force exerted by the regulator on the shutter tends, when the shutter contacts the seat, to move the seat out of its location on the shoulder of the bore.
The invention has for technical problem to overcome at least one drawback of the above-mentioned prior art. More specifically, the invention has for technical problem to provide a pressure reducer with valve device that is reliable and cheaper to manufacture and assemble.
 Technical solution
The invention is directed to a pressure reducer for compressed gas, comprising: a main body with a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a gas passage fluidly interconnecting said gas inlet with said gas outlet; a valve device in the gas passage, comprising a seat and a shutter with a poppet configured for contacting an upstream side of the seat and an actuating stem extending from the poppet through the seat; a regulator comprising a regulator body attached to the main body, and a resilient member cooperating with the actuating stem of the shutter and delimiting with the main body and the regulator body a gas sensing chamber downstream of the seat, in the gas passage; wherein the seat is housed in a bore of the main body, opening out on a bottom side of said main body opposed to the regulator and closed by a plug.
According to a preferred embodiment, the bore forms a bottom shoulder against which the seat rests towards the gas sensing chamber.
According to a preferred embodiment, the seat is made of plastic material and shows an outer lateral corrugated surface that elastically deforms upon insertion of said seat through the bore and maintains said seat in position in said bore.
Advantageously, the seat is held in position against the bottom shoulder by the sole friction force between its outer lateral surface and the bore.
According to a preferred embodiment, the bore forms a closure shoulder engaged by the plug.
According to a preferred embodiment, the closure shoulder comprises an outer circular groove forming a reduced contact surface with the plug, said reduced contact surface being plastically deformed by the plug.
According to a preferred embodiment, the plug comprises a first portion threadably engaging with the bore on the bottom side of the main body, a second portion engaging the bore past the closure shoulder, and a radial contact surface between said first and second portion, contacting the closure shoulder in a gas tight fashion.
According to a preferred embodiment, the plug comprises a first part engaging in a gas tight with the bore and a second part mechanically engaging with the main body and exerting an effort on the first part which generates the gas tight engagement.
According to a preferred embodiment, the second part is hollow with an inner non-circular surface configured for engaging in rotation with a tool.
According to a preferred embodiment, the shutter further comprises a guiding stem extending from the poppet towards the plug, an end of said guiding stem slidingly engaging with a guiding bore formed in the plug.
According to a preferred embodiment, the valve device further comprises a compression spring around the guiding stem and resting on the plug and urging the shutter towards the seat.
According to a preferred embodiment, the actuating stem contacts the resilient member while not being attached thereto.
According to a preferred embodiment, the actuating stem is attached to the resilient member.
According to a preferred embodiment, the seat, the shutter and the bore are configured such that said seat and said shutter can be inserted through said bore from the bottom face of the main body before engagement of the plug with said bore.
According to a preferred embodiment, the inlet port and the outlet port are located on opposed lateral faces of the main body.
According to a preferred embodiment, the pressure reducer further comprises a membrane extending between the actuating stem and the resilient member, said membrane delimiting the gas sensing chamber.
Advantages of the invention
The invention is particularly interesting in that the pressure reducer is simplified in its construction and assembly. The valve device shows indeed a limited number of part and all parts therefore are inserted from the same bottom face of the main body. The seat is for instance inserted into the bore of the main body by being elastically radially deformed, until reaching the bottom shoulder, without any additional means for holding the seat in place. The shutter and the optional compression spring can be inserted thereafter into the bore.
 Brief description of the drawings
is a perspective view of a pressure reducer according to the invention.
is a longitudinal sectional view of a pressure reducer according to a first embodiment of the invention.
is a longitudinal sectional view of a pressure reducer according to a second embodiment of the invention.
Description of an embodiment
shows in perspective a pressure reducer according the invention.
The pressure reducer 2 comprises a main body 4 with a gas inlet 6 and a gas outlet 8. A gas passage (not visible in ) interconnects the gas inlet 6 with the gas outlet 8 via a valve device (not visible in ). The pressure reducer 2 further comprises a regulator 10 comprising a regulator body 12 mounted on the main body 4, housing a resilient member (not visible in ) which can be adjusted by the hand-wheel 14. The regulator 10 cooperates with the valve device (not visible in ), by moving its shutter to selectively increase or reduce the section of the gas passage, depending on the gas pressure downstream of the valve device.
is a longitudinal sectional view of the pressure reducer of , according to a first embodiment of the invention.
The valve device 16 is housed in the main body 4, more particularly in a bore 4.1 of the main body 4. The bore 4.1 extends longitudinally i.e., parallel and preferably concentric with the longitudinal axis of the regulator 10. The bore 4.1 opens out on a bottom side 4.2 of the main body 4 and is closed by a plug 18 on said bottom side 4.2. The bore 4.1 preferably comprises a main portion 4.1.1 and a bottom shoulder 4.1.2 at an end of the bore 4.1 that is opposed to the bottom side 4.2 of the main body 4. The bore 4.1, passed the bottom shoulder 4.1.2, opens out on a top side 4.3 of the main body that is opposed to the bottom side 4.2.
The valve device 16 comprises a seat 16.1 that is housed in the bore 4.1, resting on the bottom shoulder 4.1.2 of said bore 4.1. The valve device 16 further comprises a shutter 1.6.2 that is movable and configured for cooperating with the seat 16.1 for adjusting the section of the gas passage through said valve device 16 and thereby regulate the outlet pressure. The shutter 16.2 preferably comprises a poppet 16.2.1 located on an upstream side of the seat 16.1, and an actuating stem 16.2.2 extending from the poppet 16.2.1 through the seat 16.1 towards a gas sensing chamber 20 on the top side 4.3 of the main body 4. The valve device 16 can further comprise a compression spring 16.3 urging the shutter 16.2, for instance the poppet 16.2.1, towards the seat 16.1. The compression spring 16.3 has a first end resting on the shutter 16.2, for instance on an upstream side shoulder portion formed between the poppet 16.2.1 and a guiding stem 16.2.3 extending from said poppet 16.2.1 in an opposed direction to the actuating stem 16.2.2, and a second end resting on the plug 18.
The seat 16.1 is advantageously made of a non-metallic material, e.g., plastic material, being softer than metal, able to be slightly elastically deformed by radial compression during insertion into the bore 4.1 until contact with the bottom shoulder 4.1.2. The main portion 4.1.1 of the bore 4.1, on a section 4.1.1.1 adjacent the bottom shoulder 4.1.2, can be corrugated, as illustrated in the enlarged view of the bore 4.1, for being securely engaged by deformation of the seat 16.1. These corrugations can comprise adjacent inclined annular surfaces interconnected by sharp shoulders surfaces. The inclined annular surfaces are oriented to facilitate insertion of the seat 16.1 while preventing withdrawal thereof. The depth of the corrugations, in the radial direction, can be comprised between 0.1 and 1mm. Their number can be of at least one, preferably at least two, and can be of not more than six, preferably five. These corrugations can be machined by turning, facilitated by the fact that the main body 4 is circular. Alternatively, or additionally, the seat 16.1 can have an outer lateral corrugated surface that elastically deforms upon insertion of said seat through the bore and maintains said seat in position in said bore 4.1 and against the bottom shoulder 4.1.2.
The plug 18 can comprise a first part 18.1 engaging in a gas tight with the bore and a second part 18.2 mechanically engaging with the main body 4 and exerting an effort on the first part 18.1 which generates the gas tight engagement. The gas tight engagement can be achieved by forming an engagement of the first part 18.1 with a closure shoulder 4.1.3 of the bore 4.1, formed at an end of the main portion 4.1.1 of the bore 4.1 adjacent the bottom side 4.2 of the main body 4. The closure shoulder 4.1.3 can comprise an outer circular groove 4.1.3.1 forming a reduced contact surface 4.1.3.2 with the plug 18, for instance with the first part 18.1 thereof, said reduced contact surface 4.1.3.2 being plastically deformed by the plug 18, for instance by the first part 18.1 thereof. The second part 18.2 can be hollow with an inner non-circular surface e.g., hexagonal, configured for engaging in rotation with a tool e.g., an Allen key. It is understood that any other non-circular surface and corresponding tool can be considered.
The main portion 4.1.1 of the bore 4.1 forms a continuous guiding surface of the seat 16.1 during insertion, from the opening of the bore 4.1 on the bottom side 4.2 of the main body 4, intended to be closed by the plug 18, until the bottom shoulder 4.1.2 of said bore 4.1. To that end, the main portion 4.1.1 of the bore 4.1 can have an essentially constant diameter over its whole length, whereas some variations e.g., within a tolerance of 10%, can be present.
As this apparent, the shutter 16.2 can comprise the guiding stem 16.2.3 extending from the poppet 16.2.1 in an opposed direction to the actuating stem 16.2.2. The guiding stem 16.2.3 can be slidingly received in a corresponding guiding bore formed in the plug 18, for instance in the first part 18.1 thereof. The compression spring 16.3 is slid along that guiding stem 16.2.3 and rests at one end on the poppet 16.2.1 and at the other end on the plug 18, for instance the first part 18.1 thereof.
The gas passage 22 fluidly interconnecting the gas inlet 6 with the gas outlet 8 comprises a transversal portion 22.1 extending transversally from a lateral side of the main body 4, where the gas inlet 6 is located, connecting said gas inlet 6 with the bore 4.1. The bore 4.1 and the gas sensing chamber 20 form further portions of the gas passage 22. The gas passage 22 further comprises a longitudinal portion 22.2 extending longitudinally from the top side 4.3 of the body 4 and the gas sensing chamber 20, off-set to the bore 4.1, towards the bottom side 4.2 of the main body 4, and a further transversal portion 22.3 extending transversally from a lateral side of the main body 4, where the gas outlet 8 is located, opposed to the gas inlet 6, connecting said gas outlet 8 with the longitudinal portion 22.2 of the gas passage 22.
The pressure reducer 2 further comprises a membrane or diaphragm 24 extending transversally between the main body 4 and the regulator body 12, delimiting the gas sensing chamber 20. The membrane 24 is preferably circular and has its outer circumferential end clamped between the main body 4 and the regulator body 12. To that end, the regulator body 12 engages with the main body 4 by respective and corresponding threads on said regulator body 12 and main body 4. As this is apparent in , the regulator body 12 comprises two parallel external flat faces suitable for being engaged with a tool of the flat fork type, allowing tightening in rotation of the regulator body 12 on the main body 4.
The membrane 24 is preferably made of metallic material. The membrane 24 is contacted on its face delimiting the gas sensing chamber 20 by the shutter 16.2 of the valve device 16, for instance by the actuating stem 16.2.2 of the shutter 16.2. The opposed face of the membrane 24 is contacted by a piston 26 slidingly housed in the actuator body 12 and urged against and towards the membrane 24 by the resilient member being a regulator spring 28 which is for instance also housed in the regulator body 12. The regulator spring 28 has a first end abutting the piston and a second opposed end abutting a pusher 30 whose longitudinal position is adjustable, for instance by rotation of the hand-wheel 14. The regulator spring 28 is therefore in a prestressed state urging the shutter 16.2 of the valve device 16 away from the seat 16.1, opening the gas passage 22.
Once the pressure reducer is connected at the gas inlet 6 to a source of compressed gas, the latter flows along the gas passage 22 to gas outlet 8 via the gas sensing chamber 20 where the pressure of the gas counteracts the force of the regulator spring 28 (as well as the rigidity of the membrane 24 depending on its deformation) to move the piston 26 away from the gas sensing chamber 20, resulting in a closing movement of the shutter 16.2 that reduces the pressure downstream of the valve device 16 compared with the gas pressure at the gas inlet 6.
The above-described functioning of the pressure reducer is as such known and therefore does not need to be further detailed.
The above-described pressure reducer 2 is particularly advantageous in that the construction of the main body 4 and the assembly of the pressure reducer are substantially simplified and avoids the generation of particles having threaded gasket fixations in the gas. All components of the valve device 16 are indeed mounted into the bore 4.1 from the same bottom side 4.2 of the main body 4. On the opposed top side 4.3, the membrane 24 and the regulator 10 are the only parts to be mounted. This provides a substantial simplification and the highest possible cleanliness level for the gas wetted surfaces.
Also, the bottom side 4.2 of the main body 4, can comprise one or several threaded blind holes 32 for fastening the main body 4 and therefore the pressure reducer 2 to any support.
is a longitudinal sectional view of the pressure reducer of , according to a second embodiment of the invention. The reference numbers of the first embodiment are used for designating the same or corresponding elements, these numbers being however incremented by 100. It is also referred to the description of these elements in connection with the first embodiment.
The pressure reducer 102 of the second embodiment is very similar to the one of the first embodiment. It differs therefrom essentially in that the shutter 116.2 of the valve device 116 is attached to the piston 126 instead of being urged against said piston by a compression spring of the valve device as in the first embodiment. To that end, the piston 126 comprises a central hole 126.1 or bore, preferably threaded, and a fastener 126.2 that engages through the membrane 124 and into the central hole 126.1 for providing a gas tight connection between the membrane 124 and the fastener 126.2. Also, the fastener 126.2 comprises a blind threaded hole into which the actuating stem 116.2.2 of the shutter 116.2 rigidly engages.
As this is apparent, the shutter 116.2 does not need to comprise a guiding stem and a spring as in the first embodiment.
The pressure reducer 102 shows the same advantages as the one of the first embodiment with regard to simplification of construction and cleanliness level for the gas wetted surfaces of the main body and assembly of the components of the pressure reducer on said main body.

Claims (15)

  1. A pressure reducer (2; 102) for compressed gas, comprising:
    a main body (4; 104) with a gas inlet (6; 106), a gas outlet (8; 108) and a gas passage (22; 122) fluidly interconnecting said gas inlet with said gas outlet;
    a valve device (16; 116) in the gas passage (22; 122), comprising a seat (16.1; 116.1) and a shutter (16.2; 116.2) with a poppet (16.2.1; 116.2.1) configured for contacting an upstream side of the seat (16.1; 116.1) and an actuating stem (16.2.2; 116.2.2) extending from the poppet (16.2.1; 116.2.1) through the seat (16.1; 116.1);
    a regulator (10; 110) comprising a regulator body (12; 112) attached to the main body (4; 104), and a resilient member (28; 128) cooperating with the actuating stem (16.2.2; 116.2.2) of the shutter (16.2; 116.2) and delimiting with the main body (4) and the regulator body (12; 112) a gas sensing chamber (20; 120) downstream of the seat (16.1; 116.1), in the gas passage (22; 122);
    characterized in that
    the seat (16.1; 116.1) is housed in a bore (4.1; 104.1) of the main body (4; 104), the bore (4.1; 104.1) opening out on a bottom side (4.2; 104.2) of said main body (4; 104) opposed to the regulator (10; 110), closed by a plug (18; 118) and comprising a main portion (4.1.1) forming a continuous guiding surface of the seat (16.1; 116.1), from the opening to a bottom of the bore (4.1; 104.1).
  2. The pressure reducer (2; 102) according to claim 1, wherein the bore (4.1; 104.1) forms a bottom shoulder (4.1.2; 104.1.2) against which the seat (16.1; 116.1) rests towards the gas sensing chamber (20; 120).
  3. The pressure reducer (2; 102) according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the main portion (4.1.1) of the bore (4.1) comprises a section (4.1.1.1) that is corrugated (4.1.1.1) and the seat (16.1; 116.1) is made of plastic material and shows an outer lateral surface that elastically deforms upon insertion of said seat through the bore (4.1; 104.1) and maintains said seat in position in said bore.
  4. The pressure reducer (2; 102) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bore (4.1; 104.1) forms a closure shoulder (4.1.3; 104.1.3) engaged by the plug (18; 118).
  5. The pressure reducer (2; 102) according to claim 4, wherein the closure shoulder (4.1.3; 104.1.3) comprises an outer circular groove (4.1.3.1) forming a reduced contact surface (4.1.3.2) with the plug (18; 118), said reduced contact surface being plastically deformed by the plug.
  6. The pressure reducer (2; 102) according to one of claims 4 and 5, wherein the plug (18; 118) comprises a first portion threadably engaging with the bore (4.1; 104.1) on the bottom side (4.2; 104.2) of the main body (4; 104), a second portion engaging with the bore past the closure shoulder (4.1.3; 104.1.3), and a radial contact surface between said first and second portions, contacting the closure shoulder (4.1.3; 104.1.3) in a gas tight fashion.
  7. The pressure reducer (2; 102) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plug (18) comprises a first part (18.1; 118.1) engaging in a gas tight fashion with the bore (4.1; 104.1) and a second part (18.2; 118.2) mechanically engaging with the main body (4; 104) and exerting an effort on the first part (18.1; 118.1) which generates the gas tight engagement.
  8. The pressure reducer (2; 102) according to claim 7, wherein the second part (18.2; 118.2) is hollow with an inner non-circular surface configured for engaging in rotation with a tool.
  9. The pressure reducer (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the shutter (16.2) further comprises a guiding stem (16.2.3) extending from the poppet (16.2.2) towards the plug (18), an end of said guiding stem (16.2.3) slidingly engaging with a guiding bore formed in the plug (18).
  10. The pressure reducer (2) according to claim 9, wherein the valve device (16) further comprises a compression spring (16.3) around the guiding stem (16.2.3) and resting on the plug (18) and urging the shutter (16.2) towards the seat (16.1).
  11. The pressure reducer (2) according to claim 10, wherein the actuating stem (16.2.2) contacts the resilient member (26, 28) while not being attached thereto.
  12. The pressure reducer (102) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the actuating stem (116.2.2) is attached to the resilient member (126).
  13. The pressure reducer (2; 102) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the seat (16.1; 116.1), the shutter (16.2; 116.2) and the bore (4.1; 104.1) are configured such that said seat (16.1; 116.1) and said shutter (16.2; 116.2) can be inserted through said bore (4.1; 104.1) from the bottom face (4.2; 104.2) of the main body (4; 104) before engagement of the plug (18; 118) with said bore.
  14. The pressure reducer (2; 102) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the inlet port (6; 106) and the outlet port (8; 108) are located on opposed lateral faces of the main body (4; 104).
  15. The pressure reducer (2; 102) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a membrane (20; 120) extending between the actuating stem (16.2.2; 116.2.2) and the resilient member (26, 28; 126, 128), said membrane delimiting the gas sensing chamber (20; 120).
PCT/EP2024/072742 2023-08-11 2024-08-12 Pressure reducer with seat and shutter inserted from a bottom face Pending WO2025036878A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
LULU504900 2023-08-11
LU504900A LU504900B1 (en) 2023-08-11 2023-08-11 Pressure reducer with seat and shutter inserted from a bottom face

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WO2025036878A1 true WO2025036878A1 (en) 2025-02-20

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2739611A (en) * 1952-02-28 1956-03-27 Richard T Cornelius Combination regulating and relief valves
US2981280A (en) * 1958-02-03 1961-04-25 Cornelins Company Pressure regulating valves
US3844532A (en) * 1972-06-12 1974-10-29 H Buck Valve seat
DE4000694A1 (en) 1990-01-12 1991-07-18 Messer Griesheim Gmbh CONNECTING A CLOSER BODY TO A MEMBRANE
US5443083A (en) * 1993-02-11 1995-08-22 Itt Corporation Pressure-reducing regulator for compressed natural gas
US20110174395A1 (en) 2009-07-02 2011-07-21 Jason David Clifford Diaphragm interface apparatus to improve a cycle life of a diaphragm

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2664674A (en) * 1948-04-27 1954-01-05 Rockwell Mfg Co Fluid regulator valve
US2894526A (en) * 1954-07-26 1959-07-14 United Aircraft Prod Pressure regulating valve
US8864106B2 (en) * 2008-12-03 2014-10-21 Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc. Valve seat apparatus having positive retention for use with fluid control devices

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2739611A (en) * 1952-02-28 1956-03-27 Richard T Cornelius Combination regulating and relief valves
US2981280A (en) * 1958-02-03 1961-04-25 Cornelins Company Pressure regulating valves
US3844532A (en) * 1972-06-12 1974-10-29 H Buck Valve seat
DE4000694A1 (en) 1990-01-12 1991-07-18 Messer Griesheim Gmbh CONNECTING A CLOSER BODY TO A MEMBRANE
US5443083A (en) * 1993-02-11 1995-08-22 Itt Corporation Pressure-reducing regulator for compressed natural gas
US20110174395A1 (en) 2009-07-02 2011-07-21 Jason David Clifford Diaphragm interface apparatus to improve a cycle life of a diaphragm

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