Cylinder valve and bayonet check-filter with excess-flow protection feature

A valve apparatus for controlling the flow of a gas from a high-pressure zone to a zone of lower pressure, said apparatus comprising:

• a hollow body having an axis, a threaded handle-engaging portion, and a main portion;
• a first chamber and a second chamber, said chambers defined within said body and said first chamber in fluid communication with the high-pressure zone and said second chamber in fluid communication with the zone of lower pressure;
• a nozzle within said body and separating said chambers, said nozzle having an orifice and throat for the passage of gas between said chambers;
• a stem, movable axially in said body, disposed in said second chamber and extending through said orifice, and comprising:
• a proximal portion and a distal portion, said distal portion protruding into said first chamber;
• and
• a throttling portion disposable coaxially within said throat, said throttling portion comprising an annular surface oblique in relation to said axis, wherein axial movement of said stem varies the position of said oblique surface in relation to said nozzle;
• a threaded handle screwably engageable with said handle-engaging portion of said body and rotatably connected to said proximate portion of said stem, said handle rotatable about said axis in relation to said body and said stem;
• and
• an elastomeric seat on said distal portion of said stem and contactable with said nozzle to seal said orifice against the passage of gas;
• wherein rotation of said handle in said handle-engaging portion controllably shifts said stem axially to move said seat into and out of contact with said nozzle, and wherein said throttling portion and said nozzle each comprise a metal, wherein all throttling of the gas during a charging flow and a discharging flow occurs between said throttling portion and said nozzle.

A valve apparatus for controlling the flow of a gas between a high-pressure zone and a zone of lower pressure, said apparatus comprising:

• a hollow body having a central axis, a threaded handle-engaging portion and a main portion;
• a first chamber and a second chamber, said chambers defined within said body and said first chamber in fluid communication with the high-pressure zone and said second chamber in fluid communication with the zone of lower pressure;
• a nozzle within said body and separating said chambers, said nozzle defining an orifice for the passage of gas between said chambers;
• a rotatable threaded handle screwably engageable with said handle-engaging portion of said body;
• a stem rotatably connected with said handle whereby said handle may rotate with respect to said stem, and said stem having a distal portion;
• a seat on said distal portion of said stem and contactable with said nozzle to seal said orifice against the passage of gas;
• at least one seal member disposed axially between said threaded handle-engaging portion and said second chamber;
• a hollow casing defining an axial interior tunnel and comprising:
• a proximate end attachable to said body;
• at least one connection port at said proximate end and in fluid communication with said first chamber when said proximate end is attached to said body, whereby gas may flow between said first chamber and said tunnel;
• a distal end having at least one charging port therein in fluid communication with said tunnel;
• at least one filter port intermediate to said connection port and said charging port, through which gas may flow between said interior tunnel and the exterior of said inner casing;
• and
• filter media disposed in said at least on filter port;
• a plug member disposed adjacent to said charging port, and movable axially between an open position and a closed position;
• and
• means for biasing said plug member toward the closed position;
• wherein rotation of said handle in said handle-engaging portion shifts said stem axially to move said seat into and out of contact with said nozzle, and wherein during its rotation, said handle rotates with respect to said stem is rotatably fixed in relation to said body;
• and wherein when in the closed position, said plug member prevents gas flow in said tunnel directly from said charging port to said connection port, whereby any gas flowing through said tunnel is forced through said filter media, and wherein further when said plug member is in the open position, gas may flow through said tunnel directly from said connection port to said charging port.