• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    DEVICE TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF GAS FROM A GAS CONTAINER, AND, ALL METHOD TO CONTROL THE FLOW OF GAS FROM A GAS CONTAINER. A device that can be attached to the outlet of a gas cylinder, which can monitor the amount of gas in the cylinder.
    公开号:BR112015010409B1
    申请号:R112015010409-6
    申请日:2013-10-23
    公开日:2021-01-12
    发明作者:Zachary Fowler；Stephan Gamard；Murat Gunay；Paul Oetinger
    申请人:Praxair Technology, Inc.；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Field of the Invention
    [001] The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for monitoring the amount of gas in a cylinder or similar container. Knowledge of the Invention
    [002] Gas cylinders are widely used in medical and industrial configurations for dispensing gases and gas mixtures such as oxygen, nitrogen, helium, nitrous oxide, heliox, etc. While cylinders generally include a visible means to indicate current cylinder contents with both mechanical and electrical pressure gauges, the information is not transmitted to users as it refers to the current usage situation and generally requires additional processing of the information by the user to produce information useful. In the medical setting, the determination of the time remaining in relation to the current rate of use of the gas cylinder is performed from tables and graphs that are not always readily accessible leading to non-continuous patient monitoring and reduced patient safety. In industrial configurations, cylinders are generally used to provide calibration gases for critical process equipment where calibrations are taken over extended periods of time with operators generally going out to conduct other activities. An objective of the present invention is to alleviate some or all of the challenges in linking the state of use of gas cylinders to the relevant information that the user needs from the cylinder. Brief Summary of the Invention
    [003] One aspect of the present invention is a device for controlling the flow of gas from a gas container, comprising (A) a device having a gas flow path through which it has an inlet and an outlet , wherein the device is configured to be sealed to a gas container for receiving gas from the gas container for said inlet; (B) gas flow control comprising a valve in said passageway capable of controllably closing or opening the passageway for the gas flow therethrough, and a manually operable selector external to said device and connected in a manner operative with said valve to allow adjustment of the position of said valve to a closed position and to one or more positions opened by the movement of said selector; (C) a pressure sensor capable of detecting the pressure of the gas in a container when the device is attached in a sealed manner to said container and of generating an electronic signal corresponding to the detected pressure; and (D) electronic control connected with said pressure sensor, which is (1) capable of detecting the position adjustment of said valve, and is (2) capable of repeatedly at periodic predetermined time frequencies (i) detecting from of said pressure sensor the gas pressure in said container, and (ii) calculating as a function of said detected position adjustment and said periodic pressures repeatedly detecting the time remaining until the amount of gas in the container reaches a first predetermined limit, and is (3) capable of generating an alarm signal to trigger an alarm when the amount of gas in the container reaches a predefined limit that is the same as or greater than said first predetermined limit.
    [004] A further aspect of the invention is a device for controlling the flow of gas from a gas container, comprising (A) a gas flow path through said device and having an inlet and an outlet, in that the inlet is configured to be attached in a sealed manner to a gas container to receive gas from the gas container; (B) gas flow control comprising a valve in said passageway capable of controllably closing or opening the passageway for the gas flow therethrough, and a manually operable selector external to said device and connected in a manner operative with said valve to allow adjustment of the position of said valve to a closed position and one or more positions opened by the movement of said selector; (C) a pressure sensor capable of detecting the pressure of the gas in a container when the device is attached in a sealed manner to said container and of generating an electronic signal corresponding to the detected pressure; (D) an electronic display capable of displaying information in digital and / or analog form; (E) an electronic alarm capable of being actuated to signify the presence of an alarm state in an audible way, in a visible way, or both in an audible way and in a visible way; and (F) electronic control connected with said gas flow control, said pressure sensor, said display, and said alarm, which is capable of detecting the position adjustment of said valve, detecting from said sensor of pressure at predetermined periodic time frequencies the pressure of the gas in said container, calculating as a function of said position adjustment detected and said periodic pressures detect the time interval left until the amount of gas in the container reaches a lower limit predetermined, generating a signal causing said display to display said interval, and generating a signal that triggers said alarm when the amount of gas in the container reaches said limit.
    [005] Another embodiment of the invention is a device for controlling the flow of gas from a gas container, comprising (A) a gas flow path through said device and having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet is configured to be attached in a sealed manner to a gas container to receive gas from the gas container; (B) gas flow control comprising a valve in said passageway capable of controllably closing or opening the passageway for the gas flow therethrough, and a manually operable selector external to said device and connected in a manner operative with said valve to allow adjustment of the position of said valve to a closed position and one or more positions opened by the movement of said selector; (C) a pressure sensor capable of detecting the pressure of the gas in a container when the device is attached in a sealed manner to said container and of generating an electronic signal corresponding to the detected pressure; and (D) an electronic alarm capable of being actuated to signify the presence of an alarm state in an audible, visible, or both audible and visible manner.
    [006] Other aspects of the present invention include a method for controlling the flow of gas from a gas container, comprising: (A) providing a gas container having at its outlet a controller that includes a flow control of gas comprising a valve capable of controllably closing or opening the flow of gas out of said container and in, out and through said controller; (B) detecting the position adjustment of said valve; (C) repeatedly, at predetermined periodic time frequencies, (i) detecting the gas pressure in said container, and (ii) calculating as a function of said detected position adjustment and said periodic pressures repeatedly detecting the time interval that it remains until the amount of gas in the container reaches a predefined value, and (D) when the interval reaches a first predetermined limit, wherein said first predetermined limit is the same as or greater than said predefined value, generating a signal alarm that is capable of triggering an alarm.
    [007] Another aspect of the invention is a method for controlling the flow of gas from a gas container, comprising: (A) providing a gas container having at its outlet a controller that includes a flow control gas comprising a valve capable of controllably closing or opening the gas flow out of said container; (B) detecting the position adjustment of said valve; (C) repeatedly, at periodic predetermined time frequencies, (i) detecting the gas pressure in said container, (ii) calculating as a function of said detected position adjustment and said periodic pressures detecting the remaining time interval until that the amount of gas in the container reaches a predetermined lower limit, and (iii) causing a exhibitor to display said interval; and (D) trigger an alarm when the amount of gas in the container reaches said limit.
    [008] In the preferred embodiments the invention is carried out with a device having a display and one or more alarms provided integrally with the device and electronically connected with an electronic controller in the device to receive the display signals and alarm signals.
    [009] In other preferred embodiments, the device and method include the ability that after the generation of an alarm signal starts, the alarm signal can be manually disabled and the device continues to determine a time remaining until a second state alarm point is reached at which point an alarm signal is generated.
    [0010] In one aspect the invention can be characterized as a gas cylinder valve and cap with integrated pressure and flow regulator (single complete valve) and cylinder alarm system comprising at least the following components: a device operated by the user with single button operation that, by opening and closing the single complete valve inlet from the cylinder, provides a calibrated flow from an outlet; a dedicated electronic pressure gauge that is threaded on the single complete valve; and a protective cover that contains and protects the complete single valve, electronic pressure gauge and an electronic component circuit board. The electronic manometer thus comprises at least: device that measures the pressure of the cylinder through a sensor; a data processing unit inside the pressure gauge housing capable of acquiring, storing, processing the data and operatively coupled to transmit the data to the user; and where the electronic component circuit board is made up of a means: for data processing; to send an output to the pressure gauge that indicates that the single complete valve has been opened or closed; to send data to the electronic manometer from the user; and to emit an audible indication from the pressure gauge.
    [0011] The invention can also be characterized as a method to control and monitor a medical gas cylinder through a gas and electronic cylinder valve comprising the steps of: adjusting the flow by a single complete valve attached to the cylinder; transmitting an opening or closing of the valve to the electronic pressure gauge through an electronic component circuit board; use a data processing unit on the electronic pressure gauge to calculate the length of time remaining until the pressure inside the gas cylinder reaches a prescribed limit from data collected by a pressure sensor; transmit the time left to the user; and transmitting a signal to an electronic component circuit board to emit an audible indication of the cylinder approaching or reaching the prescribed limit. The user can also transmit through the electronic circuit board a means to delay the audible indication. Brief Description of Drawings
    [0012] FIG. 1 is a planar side view on the left side of an embodiment of the device of the present invention, as attached to the top of a gas cylinder, together with a shield that encompasses the device.
    [0013] FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 of the device of the present invention, without the shield.
    [0014] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment and a view of FIG. 1, without the shield.
    [0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of components of an embodiment of the present invention showing their relative connections to each other.
    [0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic view or flow chart of operations that can be performed by a user of a modality of a device according to the present invention when the device is operatively attached to a container following the exhaustion of gas from the container, for refill the gas supply in the container.
    [0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic view or flow chart of operations that can be performed by a user of one embodiment of a device according to the present invention when the device is operatively attached to a gas container to be dispensed from the container.
    [0018] FIG. 7 is an enlarged front plan view of the top portion of an embodiment of the invention, showing the device in the "fgunkicfq" position
    [0019] FIG. 8 is an enlarged front plan view of the HKIo 9 modality. Swg oquVtc q fkurqukvkxq pc rquk> «q“ nkicfq ”o
    [0020] FIG. 9 is an enlarged front plan view of the top portion of another embodiment of the invention, showing the device in the "fgunkicfq" position
    [0021] FIG. 10 is an enlarged front plan view of the HKIo modality; swg oquVtc q fkurqukvkxq pc rquk> «q“ nkicfq ”DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
    [0022] Turning to FIG. 1, device 11 is shown which is an embodiment of the present invention, connected with a gas container such as a conventional gas cylinder 13. Device 11 when in use is attached to cylinder 13 to create a seal that does not allow gas to pass through the connection, such as being threaded into a corresponding threaded opening in cylinder 13. Device 11 includes electronic pressure gauge 15 that includes the component pressure sensor 17 as described below (FIG. 3). The tube 18A connects the pressure sensor component 17 with the interior of the cylinder 13, as seen in FIG. 3.
    [0023] The single button selector 19 attached to device 11 allows control of gas release from cylinder 13 through the device to outlet 21, with the user selecting a desired flow rate and turning selector 19 to a position that corresponds with the desired flow rate. Selector 19 also has a position in which the gas flow through and out of device 11 is closed. Preferably, selector 19 is rotatable about a vertical axis. The cylinder can be filled with the gas to be dispensed through a valve in the filling port 23 which can be opened and closed in a controllable manner.
    [0024] Surrounding the device 11 and attached to it is the optional cover 25, preferably comprising an integral protective shield with a handle that can be easily picked up by the user to transport the cylinder 13 while also protecting the device 11 from damage in the event of cylinder to fall or be dropped. The cover 25 can be made of metal or rigid plastic. The cover 25 can be of aesthetic or ergonomic configuration which is useful in the commercialization of the associated equipment while also being sufficient to protect the components of the device 11.
    [0025] An electronic control panel 31 is fixed either permanently to the device 11 or to the cover 25, or it can be detachable from them. Panel 31 comprises electronic controls that receive, store, process and generate signals as further described here. Plate 31 preferably includes a mechanical interface, including switch 33, to indicate the electronic control for the device the position of the selector 19 (and thus whether the device is closed for gas flow or open for gas flow, as described here below). Preferably, device 11 also contains a manually operable input device, such as button 35 on panel 31 or elsewhere, to allow a user to interact with the activation of an alarm device as further described here below.
    [0026] Turning to FIG. 2, the embodiment of FIG. 1 in which the cylinder 13 has been rotated by a quarter of a circle, so that the electronic pressure gauge 15 is seen from its front instead of from its side as seen in FIG. 1. In addition, in FIG. 2 the protective cover 25 seen in FIG. 1 has been removed to allow a better view of the components in device 11. The valve filling port 23 is covered by a cover in this view. In the view of FIG. 2, outlet 21 is observed as a pressure relief safety valve 27 and optional auxiliary outlet 29, both of which are normally closed. The view of FIG. 2 also shows the device 11 attached to the gas cylinder 13. The electronic manometer 15 preferably includes the display 38 having indicia on its face that allow the electronic display of the information in one or both of the graphic format 37 and / or numerical format 39. Electronic manometer 15 is connected to panel 31 by cable 41 to allow information to pass between these two components. Selector 19 and 33 are also visible, as is battery 47 that provides electrical power to electronic controls through appropriate connections.
    [0027] Turning to FIG. 3, the gas path and additional components of the device 11 can be seen directly in the cross-sectional view. In this view, the protective cap 25 seen in FIG. 1 has been removed to better illustrate the connectivity of the different elements in the device. The electronic pressure gauge 15 houses a data processing unit 43, a data transmission unit 45, and the electronic display 38. The data processing unit 43, a data transmission unit 45, or the electronic display 38 can be combined into a useful combination to perform the methods described here. The electronic manometer 15 is shown including the pressure sensor component 17 which is attached, for example, threaded, to the leg 18A of the tube 18. The tube 18 is open to the gas in the cylinder 13. The leg 18A of the tube 18 is attached to the pressure sensor component 17 so that pressure sensor component 17 is exposed to the gas at its pressure inside the cylinder 13.
    [0028] Device 11 also includes a valve or valve system, represented as 49 in FIG. 3, which controls whether or not the gas can flow through the tube 18 to the outlet 21. That is, the valve 49 can be closed for the gas to flow or can be opened to one or more open positions allowing the gas to flow. Valve 49 is connected with selector 19, preferably by a valve stem represented as 51 in FIG. 3 or equivalent connection, so that the movement of the selector 19 moves the valve 49 between a closed position and one or more open positions.
    [0029] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the components of the electronic manometer 15 together with the way in which other components of the device of the present invention can be interconnected operatively. The electronic pressure gauge 15 includes the pressure sensor component 17 which is attached to the device 11 as described above. The pressure sensor component 17 is connected via the appropriate electrical connection 117 to a data processing unit 43 which in turn is connected via the appropriate electrical connection 143 to a data transmission unit 45. The data transmission unit 45 can pass a signal (information) electrically through cable 41 to panel 31 and / or through suitable electrical connection 145 to display 38, such as on the face of electronic manometer 15, where it can indicate both graphical information 37 and information number 39, or both. Any useful information can be displayed, such as: the pressure of the gas in the cylinder, the amount of gas left in the cylinder, the time left until the amount of gas in the cylinder is low enough to reach a predetermined limit value ( or be completely exhausted from the cylinder), the state (including alarm status) of the cylinder, or other desired information about the state of the unit. The display format can take the form of a symbol that appears or flashes, an analog scale (like the gas meter in an automobile) and / or a digital display, or other formats. The display can be activated so that different items of information appear together, or alternately (that is, with one item appearing, then a second item, then the first again, and so on).
    [0030] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the user selects an operating flow rate by moving the single button selector 19 to a position that opens valve 49 to allow gas to flow out of the cylinder through device 11. The position where selector 19 is moved engages the switch 33, which is recognized by the electronic control on panel 31. The electronic control on panel 31 then transmits a signal to the data transmission unit 45, a signal which is transferred to the data processing unit 43 inside the electronic pressure gauge 15 , that the user initiated the gas flow by opening valve 49 of device 11. The electronic pressure gauge including the pressure sensor component 17 detects the gas pressure in the cylinder, converts that detected pressure to an electronic signal corresponding to the detected pressure, and passes the signal to the data processing unit 43.
    [0031] Turning to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, a preferred mode of operation of the selector 19 is shown where the rotation of the selector 19 can be detected by switching 33. In this embodiment, the selector 19 includes depending on the projection 53 having a tapered rim 55. The rotation of the selector 19 in the direction R1 causes flange 55 and projection 53 to engage switch 33, which is activated by being pressed down in this case.
    [0032] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show an alternative mode for activating switch 33 by selector 19, in which rotation of the selector in the direction R1 causes a projection 57 under selector 19 to engage the spring beam 59 attached to the device 11, and the spring beam 59 is pushed down to tighten switch 33 and thereby activate or close switch 33. The switch can be selected if such a system is allowed to detect that the single button selector 19 has been turned over to allow gas flow, or readjusted such that the degree of rotation of the single button selector 19 can be determined. In any case, the rotation of the selector 19 is such that it can: move away from the switch, move close to the switch, open the switch contacts, close the switch contacts, or any combination thereof.
    [0033] The data processing unit 43 conducts a calculation of remaining time, or other specific information for the user, to then be passed back to the data transmission unit 45. For example, “Vgorq tgocpguegpVg” swgt fkzgt q kpVgtxcnq fg Vgorq tgocpguegpVg. calculated based on the flow rate of the gas from the cylinder that corresponds with the flow rate adjustment of the selector 19 and the pressure detected in the cylinder, until the amount of gas remaining in the cylinder has reached a limit value at which the user must be notified that only a limited amount of time remains before the contents of the gas cylinder are exhausted. Thus, the device of the present invention operates not on the basis of a predefined limit pressure, but on the basis of a predefined time limit which in turn is a function of the rate of flow of the gas. That is, the device and method of the present invention do not depend on the pre-established reference pressure values. In this way, greater operational flexibility and adaptability are provided, being able to accommodate a variety of pressures and flow rates and the change in pressure inside the cylinder while the contents pass outside the cylinder.
    [0034] Based on the type of user-specific information passed to the data transmission unit 45, the device then provides an indication of the state of use of the device to the user by any one or more of the following: graphic information display 37 on the electronic display 38; display of numerical information 39 on electronic display 38; or passing a signal for an alarm.
    [0035] The electronic control of the device is pre-programmed to receive pressure readings from the electronic manometer 15 at pre-programmed intervals of time and to compute, based on the pressure readings and the pre-programmed flow rate that corresponds with the position adjustment of the selector that is detected by the electronic control via switch 33, the time remaining until the exhaust of the cylinder gas. Alternatively, you can compute the time remaining until the time remaining to complete exhaustion has reached a predefined value. In an example modality, pressure readings are received once per minute (taking one reading per minute, or taking several readings within a second at points spaced apart in a minute and averaging these readings) and the change in pressure during the one minute period is used in conjunction with the detected or pre-programmed flow rate to determine a new remaining time value. The pressure of the gas inside the cylinder can be measured more generally, such as every second, for example, for the purposes of displaying this information, without necessarily computing values of time remaining in the pressure readings detected so often.
    [0036] The electronic control generates signals that can be communicated with a display that wants the desired information such as time remaining and / or pressure. Preferably, the display is integral with the device and electrically connected with the other components, but it should be realized that the display signals representing the information to be displayed can be transmitted to a display that is remote from device 11, wired or wireless, such as for a receiver carried by a remote user or healthcare professional.
    [0037] The electronic control of the device is pre-programmed to generate an alarm signal that is capable of triggering an alarm when an alarm state has been reached. The preferred alarm state is that the amount of time remaining in which gas can flow from the cylinder before the gas is exhausted from the cylinder, first reaches or passes less than a certain pre-programmed threshold value. The electronic control determines a remaining time value as described here, and when that value reaches the limit value then an alarm signal is triggered.
    [0038] Device 11 preferably also includes one or more components, also referred to as alarms, which when actuated draw the user's attention to the state of the cylinder or the state of the gas supply in the cylinder. Such a state is that the amount of gas remaining in the cylinder has been exhausted to such an extent that only a short period of time remains before the gas is completely exhausted from the cylinder. Suitable alarms include a component on panel 31 or elsewhere on device 11 and electrically connected to the alarm that emits an audible sound (either continuously or intermittently repeatedly, ie flashing); a component that causes a visible signal, such as a light that appears or flashes intermittently (such as a light emitting diode on panel 31, display 38, or elsewhere on the device), or causing the display 38 blink, or an additional symbol appears or blinks in the display 38. It must be recognized that the alarm signal can be transmitted to an alarm that is remote from device 11, wired or wireless, such as to a receiver carried by a user remote or healthcare professional.
    [0039] Preferably, device 11 also includes controls in which a user can manually disable an alarm that has been triggered, in which the electronic control continues to detect the gas pressure in the cylinder and continues to compute remaining time values, and when the Electronic control determines that the first remaining time value is equal to or is less than a second predetermined limit value, the alarm signal is again actuated. For example, an alarm signal can be generated the first time when the remaining time is 30 minutes, and a second time when the remaining time reaches 15 minutes. The alarm that is triggered this second time can be the same as the first alarm, or it can be different - for example, different in type (ie audible versus visible), and / or different in degree (for example, continuous sound in place intermittent sounds, or louder). Device 11 can optionally include controls that allow the user to trigger a second alarm signal, in which the electronic control acts an alarm signal a third time for the remaining time value reaching a third pre-programmed value.
    [0040] Turning to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the manufacturer and user task flow paths (respectively) for the use of the invention are shown as a network of interconnected paths. FIG. 5 shows the path consisting of operations F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5 that the manufacturer or supplier of gas or refueler can take with the device. FIG. 6 shows the various user action paths (U1 to U8) expected to be conducted with the device during gas administration. The electronic logic of the data processing unit 43 acts to coordinate the flow of information between the different elements of the device as well as to determine the next information to be displayed for user actions.
    [0041] The transport of the device from the user's installation to the T2 manufacturer is carried out with the device in a passive use state. As the process map in FIG. 5 shows the device is then prepared for filling the cylinder, step F1, through the filling port 23 by connection with the filling system (not shown) by the plant operators. To avoid unnecessary audible alarms, operators perform step F2 in which panel 31 and single button selector 19 are used in a specified combination to send signals to the data transmission unit 45, which are interpreted by the data processing unit 43, to deactivate any audible alarm for cylinder filling operations, P1. This process allows the device's state to change from an active use state to a passive alarm state. The filling operators then empty the cylinder, F3. When refilling the cylinder to the pressure of use, the alarm is reactivated, F4, when the data processing unit 43 determines that the device is in a cylinder refill state, by an increase in the cylinder pressure above a predetermined limit . Once the cylinder is filled, a final device check and inspection can be performed, F5, before the device is transported back to a user facility, T1.
    [0042] The transport of the full device from the manufacturer to the user's installation, T1, is carried out with the device in a passive use state. Users begin administering the contents of the cylinder to a patient, step U1, by rotating the single button selector 19 that is detected, and is interpreted by the data processing unit 43 as the one in which the device has entered a state active use. The data processing unit 43 uses the position of the selector 19 (identified, for example, by switch 33) and periodic pressure measurements obtained from the pressure sensor component 17 to perform a calculation of user-specific information to generate signals display and transmission of information to the user, step U2. The calculation can simply be the conversion of voltage or electric current into pressure units, more complex calculations using time-related data to identify the time remaining before the cylinder contents run out, or input comparisons or calculated information for pre-set limits. scheduled. Remaining time calculations require additional information from a lower limit.
    [0043] Limit values, including lower limits, are pre-programmed values fixed in cylinder, regional or customary gas requirements. The data processing unit 43 performs comparisons of the current state of the device, including the position of the selector, pressure readings, and / or time remaining, for other intermediate limits (P2, P3, or P4) in which the time of the device enters in a different operating state, such as an alert or alarm state, based on reaching pre-programmed intermediate limit requirements.
    [0044] In the present invention, intermediate limits P2 and P3 place the system in similar, but independent, alert states with U3 corresponding to a lower priority state than U4. If a higher limit P4 is reached, the device enters an active alarm state represented by U5. All alert or alarm states include updating the user information transmitted to generate and act on signals to the display and to emit audible and visual indication via panel 31. Alert and alarm states can be distinguished by different visual indications on the display electronic 38 or different indications audible by panel 31.
    [0045] The general monitoring of the device for user actions is carried out in all states both to detect (i) inactivation of the device through a rotation of the single button selector to a position that indicates that the valve is closed, step U8; and (ii) signal for the device to enter a passive use state, input P3, through panel 31 resulting in the device removing the audible alarm indication. If any limit fails to be reached, the device remains in the active use state while updating the user information transmitted to the electronic pressure gauge 15 to the display and actively monitoring a change in state, step U2. During the passive use state, the data processing unit 43 causes the display 38 to display user-specific information collected from the pressure sensing component 17 to update the numerical information 39.
    权利要求:
    Claims (7)
    [0001]
    1. Device (11) for controlling the flow of gas from a gas container (13) comprising: (A) a gas flow path (18) through said device (11) and having an inlet and an outlet (21), the inlet being configured to be sealed to a gas container (13) to receive gas from the gas container; (B) gas flow control comprising a valve (49) in said passageway (18) capable of controllably closing or opening the passageway for the gas flow therethrough, and a manually operable selector (19 ) external to said device and operatively connected with said valve (49) to allow adjustment of the position of said valve to a closed position and one or more positions opened by the movement of said selector; (C) a pressure sensor (17) capable of detecting the gas pressure in a container (13) when the device is attached in a sealed manner to said container and generating an electronic signal corresponding to the detected pressure; (D) an electronic display (38) capable of displaying information in digital and / or analog form (37, 39); (E) an electronic alarm capable of being actuated to signify the presence of an alarm state in an audible, visible, or both audible and visible manner; and (F) electronic control (15) connected with said gas flow control, said pressure sensor (17), said display (38), and said alarm; characterized by the fact that (G) the electronic control (15) is able to detect the position adjustment of said valve (49), detecting from said pressure sensor at periodic predetermined time frequencies the gas pressure in said container (13), calculating as a function of said detected position adjustment and said periodic pressures detected, the time interval remaining until the amount of gas in the container reaches a predetermined lower limit, generating a signal causing said display to display said interval, and generating a signal that triggers said alarm when the amount of gas in the container reaches said predetermined lower limit; (H) the manually operable selector (19) is rotatable; (I) the electronic control (15) is configured to temporarily disable said electronic alarm through a standardized rotation of the manually operable selector (19) to a predetermined position such that the contents of the gas container (13) can be exhausted without the activation of the electronic alarm; and (J) the electronic control (15) is additionally configured to initiate the electronic alarm from a deactivated state when the pressure sensor (17) detects that the gas pressure in the container (13) is exceeding a predetermined upper limit for also allow the activation of the electronic alarm.
    [0002]
    2. Device (11) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it additionally comprises a manually operable switch (33), operatively connected with said electronic control (15), to temporarily disengage a signal that acts said alarm, and wherein said electronic control (15) is additionally capable of calculating as a function of said position adjustment detected and said periodic pressures detected, the time interval remaining until the amount of gas in the container (13 ) reaches each of one or more intermediate predetermined limits each greater than said predetermined lower limit and generating a subsequent signal that triggers said alarm when each of said one or more intermediate predetermined limits has been reached.
    [0003]
    3. Device (11) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said alarm and said electronic control (15) are incorporated in a single electronic device that is detachable from said device.
    [0004]
    4. Device (11) according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that it additionally comprises a means to restart and update the electronic control (15) on the new connection with the device after having been detached from the device.
    [0005]
    5. Device (11) according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that it additionally comprises a means for remotely updating the electronic control (15) by transmitting the signal from said pressure sensor (17).
    [0006]
    6. Method for controlling the flow of gas from a gas container, characterized by the fact that it comprises: (A) providing a gas container (13) having an outlet thereof and a controller that includes a flow control gas comprising a valve (49) capable of controllably closing or opening the gas flow outside said container (13); (B) detecting the position adjustment of said valve (49); (C) repeatedly, at periodic predetermined time frequencies, (i) detecting the gas pressure in said container (13), (ii) calculating as a function of said detected position adjustment and said detected periodic pressures, the interval of time remaining until the amount of gas in the container reaches a predetermined lower limit, and (iii) causing a display (38) to display said interval; (D) trigger an alarm when the amount of gas in the container (13) reaches said predetermined lower limit; (E) temporarily disengaging said alarm after said alarm has been triggered, and then continuing to repeatedly, at periodic predetermined time frequencies, (i) detecting the gas pressure in said container (13), (ii) calculating as a depending on said position adjustment detected and said periodic pressures detected, the time interval remaining until the amount of gas in the container reaches a second intermediate predetermined limit, and (iii) causing the display (38) to display said interval; (F) trigger an alarm when the amount of gas in the container (13) reaches said second intermediate predetermined limit; (G) temporarily deactivating said alarm by means of a standardized rotation of a manually operable selector (19) such that the contents of the gas container can be exhausted without activating the alarm; and (H) when detecting an upper limit value, initialize the alarm from a deactivated state to allow the activation of the alarm as in step (D).
    [0007]
    7. Method according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that said steps (B), (C) and (D) are performed by the electronic device incorporated in said controller.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    CA2890621C|2019-06-11|
    CA2890621A1|2014-05-15|
    EP2917632A1|2015-09-16|
    ES2710709T3|2019-04-26|
    US9273799B2|2016-03-01|
    MX362777B|2019-02-11|
    CN104755829A|2015-07-01|
    AR093399A1|2015-06-03|
    EP2917632B2|2021-12-15|
    IN2015DN03096A|2015-10-02|
    US9599285B2|2017-03-21|
    CN104755829B|2017-04-05|
    KR20150082288A|2015-07-15|
    MX2015005740A|2015-09-16|
    US20140130875A1|2014-05-15|
    CL2015001238A1|2015-08-28|
    WO2014074313A1|2014-05-15|
    UY35123A|2014-05-30|
    PE20150980A1|2015-07-03|
    EP2917632B1|2019-01-16|
    US20160116114A1|2016-04-28|
    BR112015010409A2|2017-07-11|
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    法律状态:
    2018-11-21| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2020-03-24| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2020-12-01| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2021-01-12| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 23/10/2013, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US201261724588P| true| 2012-11-09|2012-11-09|
    US61/724,588|2012-11-09|
    US14/053,698|US9273799B2|2012-11-09|2013-10-15|Method and apparatus for controlling gas flow from cylinders|
    US14/053,698|2013-10-15|
    PCT/US2013/066415|WO2014074313A1|2012-11-09|2013-10-23|Method and apparatus for controlling gas flow from cylinders|
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