초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for remotely opening a manual valve of a gas cylinder from a remote location. The gas cylinder is first connected to a purge system which is purged of oxygen and pressurized with an inert gas to a pressure near that of the gas cylinder. The manual valve is then engaged with a

A method and apparatus for remotely opening a manual valve of a gas cylinder from a remote location. The gas cylinder is first connected to a purge system which is purged of oxygen and pressurized with an inert gas to a pressure near that of the gas cylinder. The manual valve is then engaged with a pneumatic stepper mechanism. Pneumatic fluid is supplied to the pneumatic stepper mechanism to rotate the manual valve a predetermined stepped increment. The step of supplying pneumatic fluid to the pneumatic stepper mechanism is repeated, after pausing to let the system settle, to rotate the manual valve another stepped increment. The steps of rotating and pausing are repeated until the manual valve is opened. The purge system is then vented to atmosphere through a diffuser. Both the pneumatic stepper mechanism and the purge system are fully operable from the remote location. The pneumatic stepper mechanism includes a ratchet assembly and an attachment assembly connecting the ratchet assembly to the manual valve. The ratchet assembly includes a gear rotatable about all axis, a drive arm pivotable about the axis, a pneumatic cylinder attached to the drive bar, and a driving pawl pivotably attached to the drive bar and operably engaging the gear. The drive bar is reciprocally pivoted about the axis as the pneumatic cylinder extends and retracts and the driving pawl rotates the gear in only one direction as the drive bar pivots.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of opening a manual valve of a gas cylinder:engaging the manual valve with a pneumatic stepper mechanism;supplying pneumatic fluid to the pneumatic stepper mechanism to rotate the manual valve a stepped increment;pausing the further supply of pneumatic fluid to t

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of opening a manual valve of a gas cylinder:engaging the manual valve with a pneumatic stepper mechanism;supplying pneumatic fluid to the pneumatic stepper mechanism to rotate the manual valve a stepped increment;pausing the further supply of pneumatic fluid to the pneumatic stepper mechanism to thereby prevent further movement of said manual valve;repeating the steps of supplying and pausing to thereby open the manual valve to release gas from the gas cylinder in a relatively slow and controlled manner. [5.] The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of connecting a purge system to the manual valve and pressurizing the purge system with an inert gas, wherein said surge system is operable to receive gas from the cylinder when the manual valve is open, and includes a plurality of pneumatic valves for controlling gas flow through the purge system.