Automated gas canister filler
AssigneeGlobalforce IP Limited
InventorsIan Douglas Makinson, Peter David Lucas
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device for filling a small portable pressure vessel from a larger pressure vessel with a compressed fluid such as carbon dioxide. The device comprises an inlet adapted to receive fluid from a pressurized source, and an outlet adapted to connect to a pressure vessel. Between the inlet and the outlet there is a fill valve and a vent valve and at least one cam shaft configured to rotate and operate the valves.
Claims38
1-36. (canceled)
A filling apparatus for filling a pressure vessel with fluid, comprising:
- an inlet adapted to receive fluid from a pressurized source,
- an outlet adapted to connect to a pressure vessel, and a fluid pathway between said inlet and said outlet,
- a fill valve located in said path between said inlet and said outlet,
- a vent valve located in said path between said fill valve and said outlet,
- a controller operationally coupled to said fill valve and said vent valve, and adapted to receive a signal from a sensor indicative of the weight of said vessel, and
- said controller includes an initial vent cycle wherein:
- the controller causes the fill valve to close and the vent valve to open, and
- the controller monitors said weight signal over time, and
- if a change in said weight signal indicates a magnitude of a rate of change of weight is below a first predetermined threshold, said controller causes the vent valve to close and the fill valve to open to initiate filling said vessel.
A filling apparatus for filling a pressure vessel as claimed in claim 44, wherein said apparatus further includes a weighing arm displaceable under the weight of said pressure vessel and said sensor is configured to output a weight signal indicative of the weight of said pressure vessel acting on said arm.
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58-63. (canceled)
A filling apparatus for filling a pressure vessel with fluid, comprising:
- an inlet adapted to receive fluid from a pressurized source,
- an outlet adapted to connect to a pressure vessel, and a fluid pathway between said inlet and said outlet,
- a fill valve located in said path between said inlet and said outlet,
- a vent valve located in said path between said fill valve and said outlet,
- a controller operationally coupled to said fill valve and said vent valve, and adapted to receive a signal from a sensor indicative of the weight of said vessel, and
- said controller includes a fill cycle wherein:
- the controller causes the fill valve to open and the vent valve to close, and
- the controller monitors said weight signal over time, and
- if a change in said weight signal indicates a magnitude of a rate of change of weight is below a third predetermined threshold, said controller causes said fill valve to close and initiate a pressure venting cycle.
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75-82. (canceled)
A filling method comprising:
- fluidly connecting a portable pressure vessel to a pressurized source,
- opening a vent valve to initiate fluid flow from said portable pressure vessel to atmosphere,
- monitoring the rate of change in weight of said portable pressure vessel,
- establishing a tare weight of said portable pressure vessel when a magnitude of said rate of change in weight of said portable pressure vessel is below a predetermined threshold.
A filling method comprising:
- fluidly connecting a portable pressure vessel to a pressurized source,
- opening a fill valve to initiate fluid flow from said pressurized source to said portable pressure vessel,
- closing said fill valve and opening a vent valve, if a magnitude of said change in weight of said portable pressure vessel is below a predetermined threshold.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.