Fluid handling – Systems – Dividing into parallel flow paths with recombining
Reexamination Certificate
1997-04-28
2001-03-20
Hepperle, Stephen M. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
Dividing into parallel flow paths with recombining
C137S625500
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202688
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to gas valves for use in vehicles powered by natural gas or other gaseous fuels and to a method of operation thereof. Such valves are connected to high pressure tanks that are utilized to open and close a passageway along which high pressure gaseous fuel flows from the tank to an engine of the vehicle in which the system is installed.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known to have gas valves installed on high pressure tanks in motor vehicles. Some previous valves are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,193,580; 5,197,710; and 5,341,844 issued to Wass, et al. Since the solenoid on previous valves must overcome the high tank pressure, previous designs utilize a two-stage process in which a small “bleed” orifice is opened initially, the “bleed” orifice being connected to the downstream gas outlet passageway. With time, the pressure in the outlet passageway gradually builds up so that the pressure differential between the tank and the outlet passageway is greatly reduced. Ultimately, the pressure differential is small enough that the solenoid is able to unseat the main valve, thus allowing the high pressure gas from the tank to have full access to the outlet gas passageway.
Tank pressures are typically in the range of 3600 psi and can rise to much higher values under adverse conditions and a typical diameter for inlet and outlet passageways is around one-third of an inch or larger. It is not unusual therefore to require a force of 300 to 400 pounds to be exerted in order to unseat the valve and, allow gas from the tank full access to the outlet passageway.
Some previous valves are mounted internally and, when the valve malfunctions, it is extremely difficult to make repairs, to vent the tank or to remove the gas pressure from the valve by shutting off the flow of gas from the tank to the valve. Further, if the valve fails, with some previous designs, the motor vehicle cannot be operated. Still further, with previous valves, there is a relatively large time lapse from the turning of the key until the starting of the engine as it can take the valve eighteen seconds or longer to fully open.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an “instant-on” solenoid operated valve assembly with a manual override where an instant-on valve can move from the fully closed position to the fully open position in a fraction of a second, said valve can be easily repaired without having to remove said valve from the tank if it fails, the pressure can be easily relieved in a controlled manner from said valve if said valve fails, the tank can be easily vented if said valve fails or the instant-on valve can be bypassed to operate the engine. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an instant-on tank valve assembly with manual override wherein the main valve opens within one second after a solenoid is activated to open a bleed valve.
An instant-on vented tank valve assembly with manual override for connection to a tank containing high pressure gaseous fuel, said valve comprising in combination:
(a) an inlet passageway and an outlet passageway;
(b) an instant-on valve assembly has a bleed valve and a main valve. The main valve has a secondary piston mounted to open and close a main orifice. The bleed valve has a bleed valve stem mounted to move relative to said secondary piston to open and close a bleed orifice, said main orifice and said bleed orifice providing access to said outlet passageway. An outer portion of said secondary piston is mounted in a zone that has an open access to said tank through said inlet passageway when both of said valves are closed so that said zone has a pressure substantially equal to a pressure of said high pressure gaseous fluid within said tank. The zone is isolated from said access to said tank when said bleed valve opens by a sufficient amount, the zone has a drain to drain pressure from said zone when said zone is isolated from said access. The secondary piston has an inner portion that is mounted in a chamber. The chamber is accessible to said high pressure gaseous fluid in said tank, said main valve opening when said pressure on said inner portion from said chamber is sufficiently greater than a pressure on said outer portion from said zone. The bleed valve is connected to open when a solenoid is activated, said main valve closing when said solenoid is deactivated. The secondary piston is biased toward a closed position by a force external to said secondary piston. The zone has open access to gaseous fluid within said tank when said bleed valve is closed. The main valve closes when said pressure in said zone on said outer portion is sufficiently greater than a pressure on said inner portion;
(c) said manual override is connected to alternately close off said tank or vent said tank if said instant-on valve assembly is not operating properly.
An instant-on ventilated tank valve assembly with manual override for connection to a tank containing high pressure gaseous fuel comprises in combination:
(a) a main valve, said main valve having a secondary piston slidably mounted within a housing to open and close a main orifice. The piston has a zone located at one end thereof and a chamber located at another end thereof. The secondary piston slides into said zone to open said main orifice. Said zone has an interruptable access to high pressure gaseous fuel, said chamber being accessible to high pressure gaseous fuel. There are means to interrupt said access to said gaseous fuel and means to drain gaseous fuel from said zone when said bleed valve is sufficiently open. The main valve opens when a pressure within said chamber sufficiently exceeds a pressure within said zone by said secondary piston sliding into said zone;
(b) said manual override being connected to alternately close off said tank or vent said tank if said instant-on valve assembly is not operating properly.
A method of operating an instant-on valve assembly with manual override connected to a tank containing high pressure gaseous fuel, said method comprising setting the manual override in a neutral position and operating said instant-on valve assembly, when said instant-on valve assembly fails, moving the manual valve from said neutral position to one of a closed position or a venting position, thereby closing off a supply of fuel from said tank or venting said fuel from said tank respectively.
A method of operating an instant-on valve with manual override, said method comprising setting the manual override in a neutral position and operating the instant-on valve, if the instant-on valve fails, moving the manual valve from the neutral position to one of a closed position, a bypass position and a venting position.
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Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
GFI Control Systems Inc.
Hepperle Stephen M.
LandOfFree
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