Regulated gas supply system

ES 2 344 735 T3

DESCRIPTION

Regulated gas supply system.

Previous technique

Because small pneumatically actuated devices require a constant pressure gas supply, current technology requires the use of external compressors or reservoirs together with a separate gas pressure regulator. To supply the regulated gas to the device, a flexible conduit is needed from the regulated supply to the inlet opening of the device, or the reservoir and regulator must be externally coupled to the device. This requirement limits both the usability and the transport capacity.

For devices that require only a small volume of gas, a miniature, self-contained, regulated gas supply is desired. Today's high-pressure regulators are large and bulky, requiring a means of coupling them to a high-pressure gas reservoir. Furthermore, current tanks are by themselves too large to be of practical use with small, portable pneumatic drive systems.

Document DE 24 21 726 discloses a regulator for balancing gas pressure with an adjustable back pressure inside a housing, in which a fixed gas-tight diaphragm or a mobile piston airtight is actuated. the gases, on the reverse side of the back pressure force, by means of a spring located in the housing, and such that the diaphragm or the piston coaxially carries an actuator on which a closable valve cone is located.

US-A-5 368 022 relates to an air pressure regulator having a small, encapsulated poppet valve that reduces the back pressure to a level compatible with the pressure in a reserve, emergency supply, to divers.

Subject of the invention

The present invention is a regulated gas supply containing both a pressurized gas reservoir and a high pressure regulator. The system is miniaturized and self-contained to fit inside any number of small pneumatic actuation devices. Furthermore, the regulated gas supply can be designed to facilitate rapid replacement of the entire assembly in order to refill the gas supply once the tank is exhausted, and the gas tank is easily refilled with gas after being emptied.

The combination of all the above features has not previously been achieved in a portable regulated gas supply. Accordingly, the present invention provides a regulated gas supply system and a method for controlling the gas pressure of a gas reservoir using a regulated gas supply system, as set forth in the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

An apparatus incorporating the characteristics of the claimed invention is described in the attached drawings, which form part of this description and in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of the regulated gas supply system comprising a high pressure reservoir and a balanced regulator assembly including a piston and a piston chamber;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the regulated gas supply system illustrated in Figure 1, the piston being forced to a position close to the chamber seat; and Figure 3 is a sectional view of a regulated gas supply system of the present invention used in a firearm simulator.

Description of the best way to carry it out

Referring to FIG. 1, the regulated gas supply 100 of the present invention is illustrated. The regulated gas supply (100) is a miniaturized and self-contained apparatus. In particular, the regulated gas supply (100) includes a body (1) or cartridge containing a pressure reservoir (4) and a regulator assembly (20). The regulator assembly (20) comprises a piston (3) having a piston flange (3a) and a spring (5) which is housed in a piston chamber (6). The piston chamber (6) includes a chamber seat (6a) and an upper surface (6b) opposite said chamber seat (6a), with a chamber wall (6c) connecting said chamber seat (6a) of the chamber and the upper surface (6b). The spring (5) is located between the flange (3a) of the piston and the seat (6a) of the chamber. The force of the spring (5) will tend to push the piston (3) away from the seat (6a) of the chamber, thus allowing the gas to flow from the inlet duct (8) to the channel (10) of the piston, and then exits the body through the gas outlet (2).

ES 2 344 735 T3

Comparing Figures 1 and 2, when the pressure at the gas outlet (2) increases, the pressure in the upper cavity (11) of the piston chamber (6) will also increase. When the pressure in the upper cavity (11) is increased, a force develops in the piston (3) proportional to the pressure in the upper cavity (11). This pressure in the upper cavity (11) counteracts the force of the spring (5), and when the pressure is great enough, the piston (3) will be forced against the seat (6a) (see figure 2). When the piston (3) rests against the seat (6a) of the chamber, the channel (10) of the piston inside the piston (3) will rest against the body (1), thereby preventing more gas from flowing. from the gas tank (4). Furthermore, the piston chamber (6) containing the spring (5) is vented to the atmosphere through the ventilation opening (7), thereby maintaining a constant relationship between regulated pressure and atmospheric pressure.

To counteract the force of the high pressure against the part of the piston (3) that is constantly exposed to the high pressure in the gas tank (4), the present design further comprises a secondary chamber (9) that receives one end of the piston (3), In particular, the piston (3) includes a piston body (3b) and a piston extension (3c), in which the piston extension (3c) is introduced into the secondary chamber (9). A central channel (12) is used through the piston body (3b) and the piston extension (3c) to allow the high pressure gas to flow into the secondary chamber (9), The piston area (3) on which the gas in the secondary chamber (9) acts is equal to the area of ​​the piston (3) that is constantly exposed to the same gas at high pressure. This arrangement causes the piston (3) to be balanced, so that changes in the pressure of the gas in the tank (4), such as when the gas is withdrawn during use, or due to temperature changes in the gas, they do not affect the regulated pressure of the outlet opening (2). Therefore, the pressure at the outlet (2) is proportional to the force of the spring (5). If the force of the spring (5) is increased, the regulated pressure also increases, and conversely, if the force of the spring (5) is reduced, the regulated pressure is also reduced.

It is envisioned that the present self-contained regulated gas supply 100 may be used in multiple designs of pneumatically actuated devices that require a portable supply of gas under constant pressure for proper operation of the particular device. In one embodiment, the regulated gas supply (100) could be used with firearm simulators (30), such as that illustrated in Figure 3. In this regulation, the regulated supply (100) of gas can provide the necessary gas at the desired pressure level, so that the emission of the gas at the gas outlet (2) will control the simulated force of the firearm (30) that is being fired, and can also provide the force necessary to block further firearm operation.

Thus, while specific embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful "Regulated Gas Supply System" have been described, it is not intended that such references may be construed as limitations on the scope of this invention, except as set forth. in the following claims.