High pressure regulator

#This invention relates generally to the field of gas pressure regulation and, in particular, is an improvement for rendering a high pressure gas source compatible with a lower pressure use point.

#A recent very significant advancement in the field of gas storage vessels, such as gas cylinders, is the high strength steel cylinder developed by Union Carbide Corporation and described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,657--Rana et al. and U. S. Pat. No. 4,578,113--Rana et al. This new gas storage cylinder enables the storage and transport of significantly more gas than is possible in a conventional cylinder of comparable size and weight because the gas can be safely maintained within the new gas storage cylinder at a pressure much higher than that possible with such conventional cylinders. For example, whereas a conventional cylinder may safely hold gas at a pressure up to about 2700 psia, the new high pressure gas storage cylinder may safely hold gas at a pressure up to about 4500 psia.

#Gas is used at a use point at a defined pressure or pressure range. Generally this use pressure is less than the pressure of the gas source. In such cases a pressure regulator is employed to cause a reduction in the gas pressure and to ensure that the pressure of the gas going to the use point does not exceed the allowable use point pressure limit. Accordingly, many users of gases have regulators which can regulate the pressure of gas from about 2700 psia down to the desired use point pressure.

#FIG. 1 is a top or plan cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the invention whereby gas may pass out of a cylinder either at a high pressure or at a lower pressure and the cylinder may be refilled at high pressure through the high pressure outlet.

#FIG. 2A is a side or elevation cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention whereby gas may pass out of a cylinder at a lower pressure and the cylinder may be refilled at high pressure through the lower pressure outlet by use of the plug shown in cross section in FIG. 2B.

#FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention whereby high pressure gas is regulated to a lower pressure. Since the invention is employed remote from a gas cylinder, it enables refilling of the gas cylinder at high pressure.

#The invention will be described in detail with reference to the Drawings.

#Referring now to FIG. 1, valve-regulator assembly 20 comprises valve body 21 having main conduit 22 capable of flow communication with a high pressure source. For example, when the high pressure source is a gas storage cylinder, such as is depicted in FIG. 4, assembly 20 would fit on top of the cylinder and gas from the cylinder would pass through the neck of the cylinder into main conduit 22. As previously mentioned, FIG. 1 is a top cross-sectional view of assembly 20.

#High pressure outlet 23 is in direct flow communication with main conduit 22. In this way gas at high pressure may flow through outlet 23, through main conduit 22, and for, example, into the cylinder so as to recharge the cylinder at high pressure. In addition, high pressure as from the cylinder may flow through main conduit 22 and through high pressure outlet 23 so as to deliver gas at high pressure should such high pressure delivery be desired.