TECHNICAL FIELD

The present inventive concept relates, in general, to a device for releasing a gas from a gas container.

BACKGROUND

Safety systems like pressure-relief valves or rupture discs release gas from gas containers by forming and opening to let the gas out.

A pressure-relief valve generally comprises a spring that is set to hold the gas in the gas container by pressing a seat holder against a valve seat. When the gas container pressure at the valve seat overcomes the pressure of the spring, the gas pushes the seat holder away from the valve seat such that the valve opens and gas is let out.

A rupture disc, which is usually made from metal, is a part of a pressure container designed to rupture when the pressure of the gas in the container reaches a certain level.

A common way of releasing gas from gas containers that are in a high- risk area, for example in the event of a fire, is to let a marksman shoot the gas containers with rifle ammunition.

SUMMARY

An objective of the present inventive concept is to facilitate safe release of gas from a gas container. Another objective of the present inventive concept is to facilitate reliable release of gas from a gas container. Another objective of the present inventive concept is to facilitate predictable release of gas from a gas container.

These and other objectives of the inventive concept are at least partly met by the invention as defined in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect there is provided device for releasing a gas from a gas container, the device comprising a signaling unit and a piercing unit, the signaling unit and the piercing unit being configured to be connected to the gas container, the piercing unit comprising a pushing element and a pointed tip, the pushing element being configured to push the pointed tip, wherein the piercing unit is configured to, when connected to the gas container, pierce a wall to release the gas from the gas container, by the pushing element pushing at least part of the pointed tip through the wall, when a triggering condition is met; the signaling unit comprising: a pressure signaling unit being a unit configured to, when connected to the gas container, transfer a pressure signal representing a pressure in the gas container to the piercing unit, wherein a first triggering condition for piercing the wall is the pressure signal exceeding a threshold; and/or a temperature signaling unit being a unit configured to, when connected to the gas container, transfer a temperature signal representing a temperature to the piercing unit, wherein a second triggering condition for piercing the wall is the temperature signal exceeding a threshold.

The term "gas container" includes different vessels that can hold a gas, such as a gas cylinder, a gas bottle, a gas carrier, a gas tank or any other container that is used to store gas.

The wall to be pierced by the piercing unit can e.g. be a wall of the gas container, or a wall of a gas valve (such as a gas cylinder valve) or a wall of the device (such as a sacrificial wall of the device that forms part of a seal that seals an outlet of the gas container).

It should be understood that there may be one single triggering condition or several triggering conditions.

As an example: when there is one single triggering condition, the triggering condition may be the first triggering condition. This may e.g. be in the case where the signaling unit comprises a pressure signaling unit but not a temperature signaling unit. The first triggering condition may be a pressure triggering condition.

As an example: when there is one single triggering condition, the triggering condition may be the second triggering condition. This may e.g. be in the case where the signaling unit comprises a temperature signaling unit but not a pressure signaling unit. The second triggering condition may be a temperature triggering condition.

As an example: when there are several triggering conditions, the piercing of the wall may be triggered by either of the triggering conditions. The several triggering conditions may be the first and second triggering condition. This may e.g. be in the case where the signaling unit comprises both a pressure signaling unit and a temperature signaling unit.

An example of a device triggered by a pressure signal may be: a device for releasing a gas from a gas container, the device comprising a pressure signaling unit and a piercing unit, the pressure signaling unit and the piercing unit being configured to be connected to the gas container, the pressure signaling unit being a unit configured to, when connected to the gas container, transfer a pressure signal representing a pressure in the gas container to the piercing unit; the piercing unit comprising a pushing element and a pointed tip, the pushing element being configured to push the pointed tip, wherein the piercing unit is configured to, when connected to the gas container, pierce a wall to release the gas from the gas container, by the pushing element pushing at least part of the pointed tip through the wall, when a triggering condition is met, the triggering condition for piercing the wall being the pressure signal exceeding a threshold.

Various pressure signals may be used to trigger the piercing unit to pierce the wall. In principle any signal representing a pressure in the gas container may be used as the pressure signal.

For example, the pressure signal representing a pressure in the gas container may be the pressure itself. Herein, the pressure signaling unit may comprise a channel, e.g. a tube or pipe, from the gas container to the piercing unit. Said channel may transfer the pressure from the gas container to the piercing unit, i.e. transfer the pressure signal. At the piercing unit, the pressure transferred via the channel may, when exceeding a threshold, trigger the piercing of the wall by e.g. pushing a linchpin configured to release the pointed tip or by activating an actuator, e.g. a pneumatic actuator, to release the pointed tip.

Alternatively, the pressure signal representing a pressure in the gas container may be an electrical signal. The pressure signaling unit may e.g. comprise a pressure sensor. Said pressure sensor may be configured to measure the pressure in the pressure container and transfer an electrical signal representing the pressure in the gas container to the piercing unit. The electrical signal may be digital or analogue. The electrical signal may, when exceeding a threshold, trigger the piercing of the wall by activating an actuator, e.g. an electrical actuator, to release the pointed tip. Alternatively, the pressure signal representing a pressure in the gas container may be a mechanical signal. The pressure signaling unit may e.g. convert the pressure in the pressure container to mechanical signal such as mechanical motion or mechanical force, e.g. by pushing a lever. Thus, the mechanical signal, e.g. the mechanical motion or force of the lever, may be the pressure signal representing a pressure in the gas container. The mechanical signal may, when exceeding a threshold, trigger the piercing of the wall by e.g. pushing a linchpin configured to release the pointed tip or by activating an actuator, e.g. a mechanical actuator, to release the pointed tip.

Various thresholds may be used. The threshold can be configured depending on various circumstances to which gas containers may be exposed. The applied settings for a threshold value depends on how sensitive you want the device to be, i.e. how early you want it to release the gas. The gas container may have a design pressure, the design pressure being the pressure where the gas container is intended to operate. The gas container may have a maximum pressure, the maximum pressure being the pressure where the gas container collapses and/or explodes. The threshold may be set between the design pressure and the maximum pressure. The threshold may be e.g. 10 bar, 20 bar, 50 bar, or 100 bar above a design pressure of the gas container. Common design pressures are e.g. 200 bar or 300 bar. Thus, the threshold may be set to e.g. 210 bar, 220 bar, 250 bar, or 300 bar, e.g. to be used with a 200 bar gas container. Thus, the threshold may be set to e.g. 310 bar, 320 bar, 350 bar, or 400 bar, e.g. to be used with a 300 bar gas container.

As previously mentioned, any signal representing a pressure in the gas container may be used as the pressure signal. It is a realization that temperature may provide information about the pressure. Thus, a temperature signal may be used to trigger the piercing unit to pierce the wall. Thus, a temperature signal may be used to detect an over-pressure such that it may be released by piercing the wall. For example, a pressure threshold, e.g. the pressure thresholds discussed above, may be converted to temperature thresholds by e.g. the ideal gas law: pV=nRT, where p, V and T are the pressure, volume and temperature respectively; n is the amount of substance; and R is the ideal gas constant. Using such a temperature threshold or a similar temperature threshold, an over-pressure may be detected through a temperature sensor. It should be understood that any type of temperature threshold may be used, not necessarily related to the ideal gas law.

An example of a device triggered by a temperature signal may be: a device for releasing a gas from a gas container, the device comprising a temperature signaling unit and a piercing unit, the temperature signaling unit and the piercing unit being configured to be connected to the gas container, the temperature signaling unit being a unit configured to, when connected to the gas container, transfer a temperature signal representing a temperature to the piercing unit; the piercing unit comprising a pushing element and a pointed tip, the pushing element being configured to push the pointed tip, wherein the piercing unit is configured to, when connected to the gas container, pierce a wall to release the gas from the gas container, by the pushing element pushing at least part of the pointed tip through the wall, when a triggering condition is met, the triggering condition for piercing the wall being the temperature signal exceeding a threshold.

The temperature signal representing the temperature may be an electrical signal. The temperature signaling unit may e.g. comprise a temperature sensor. Said temperature sensor may be configured to measure the temperature and transfer an electrical signal representing the temperature to the piercing unit. The electrical signal may be digital or analogue. The electrical signal may, when exceeding the threshold, trigger the piercing of the wall by activating an actuator, e.g. an electrical actuator, to release the pointed tip.

The temperature signaling unit may be configured to measure the temperature (e.g. by the temperature sensor) within a distance of e.g. 10 meters, 5 meters, or 1 meter of the gas container, when connected to the gas container. It may be assumed that temperatures within these ranges are the same or similar to the temperature inside the gas container. The temperature signaling unit may be configured to measure (e.g. by the temperature sensor) the temperature of the gas container. For example, the temperature signaling unit may comprise a contact temperature sensor configured to, when the temperature signaling unit is connected to the gas container, be in thermal contact with the gas container and measure the temperature of the gas container. The device may comprise the piercing unit as an integrated part, also comprising e.g. the signaling unit. The piercing unit may also be comprised in the device as separated from the signaling unit. The piercing unit comprises the pushing element and the pointed tip such that a wall can be pierced to release gas from the gas container. Any type of device that pushes or shoots a pointed tip could be considered a piercing unit.

The pointed tip may be made of metal, e.g. steel, or any hard material. The pointed tip may extend along an axis and may have a front end and a rear end at the opposite ends of the axis. A point may be at the front end, and the pointed tip may be configured to be pushed at the rear end. Any type of tapering should be construed as a pointed tip. For example, the pointed tip may have the shape of a cone, a truncated cone, a dome, a truncated dome, or a cylinder with a tapered front end, e.g. a front end shaped as a cone, a truncated cone, a dome or a truncated dome.

Alternatively, the pointed tip may have the shape of a pyramid, a truncated pyramid, or a rectangular rod with a tapered front end, e.g. a front end shaped as a pyramid or a truncated pyramid.

The pushing element may comprise a compressed spring wherein the piercing unit may be configured to pierce the wall when the compressed spring is released such that the released compressed spring pushes at least part of the pointed tip through the wall. Alternatively, the pushing element may comprise an explosive, wherein the piercing unit may be configured to pierce the wall when the explosive is detonated such that the detonated explosive pushes at least part of the pointed tip through the wall.

According to the invention, the release of gas from a gas container can occur in an automated fashion when the pressure in the gas container exceeds a threshold. In conditions where gas containers would otherwise explode uncontrollably, the invention allows for a more controlled gas release such that uncontrolled explosions can be avoided.

An explosion can be described as unpredictable by its nature. A benefit of the invention is that the release of gas can be a more predictable process. The release of gas by way of the invention may allow for the setting up of further safety measures, such that the released gas can be dealt with in a more controlled manner than if the gas container had exploded. The invention allows for the possibility to know where the gas container will be pierced.

The piercing unit may be set to push the pointed tip through the wall when a triggering condition has been met, i.e. a point of no return where the fact that the triggering condition has been met in effect leads to the wall being pierced. As previously described, a common way of releasing gas from gas containers that are in a high-risk area is to shoot the gas containers with rifle ammunition. Shooting the gas containers with rifle ammunition can involve an element of uncertainty and may therefore add additional uncertainties to a situation that may already be considered unsafe. In addition to the safety distance because of the danger of ricochets, it is not uncommon that the shooting takes place when the gas container is considered unstable and that the safety distance therefore is increased even further, which makes hitting the target even harder for the marksman.

The invention allows for release of gas from gas containers in a safer way and firearms can thereby be avoided. It also allows the release of gas from gas containers that are placed in a way that makes them difficult to shoot at.

The device enables safe release of gas from a gas container by releasing the gas in a reliable and predictable manner. It is a realization that triggering the piercing of the wall by a pressure signal or/and a temperature signal allows a decoupling of the force initiating the release of the gas (the force arising from the pressure in the gas container) from the force performing the release of the gas (the force arising from the pushing element). In principle, the force initiating the release of the gas may be arbitrarily small, e.g. marginally above the design pressure of the gas container, while the force performing the release of the gas is arbitrarily large, e.g. by the use of a powerful spring or explosive in the pushing element. In contrast, for present safety systems, such as pressure-relief valves or rupture discs, it is the same force that initiates and performs the release of the gas. The force being the gas container pressure itself.

For a pressure-relief valve the gas container pressure initiates the release of the gas by overcoming the pressure of the spring in the pressurerelief valve and compressing the spring. The gas container pressure then performs the release of the gas by keeping the spring compressed to allow the gas to be discharged.

For a rupture disc the gas container pressure initiates the release of the gas by reaching the breaking pressure of the membrane of the rupture disc. The gas container pressure then performs the release of the gas by actually breaking the membrane.

The use of a triggering condition, e.g. the pressure signal exceeding a pressure threshold or/and the temperature signal exceeding a temperature threshold, to trigger the release the gas from the gas container enables early release of the gas. For example, the threshold for the pressure signal may be close to the design pressure of the gas container. In contrast, pressure-relief valves and rupture discs may need to be configured for late release of the gas. For example, in order to configure a pressure-relief valve for early release of the gas the spring may need to be weak, this may result in a leaky valve. A rupture disc may also need to be configured for late release of the gas as the rupture disc weakens over its lifetime as a consequence of metal fatigue due to pressure cycling of the gas container. If the rupture disc is configured for early release of the gas, it will, due to aging, at some point release already at the design pressure of the gas container. Early release of the gas enables a safe release, at least in some situations. For example, for some dangerous and/or flammable gases it may be advantageous to release the gas very early in the course of a fire.

The use of a triggering condition, e.g. the pressure signal exceeding a threshold, to trigger the release of the gas from the gas container facilitates easily adjustable release of the gas. In particular, the threshold defining when the release of the gas is initiated, i.e. defining the point of no return, may be easily adjusted when the force initiating the release of the gas is decoupled from the force performing the release of the gas. The triggering process may be separate from the actual piercing process. For example, when the pressure signal or the temperature signal is an electrical signal activating an actuator to release the pointed tip, the actuator may easily be reprogrammed to release the pointed tip at a different threshold level without the need to modify the pushing element. A spring or explosive of the pushing element may e.g. remain unchanged while the threshold is changed. Easily adjustable release of the gas makes the release predictable and thereby safe.

The use of a triggering condition, e.g. the pressure signal exceeding a threshold, to trigger the release the gas from the gas container enables fast release of the gas. Once the threshold condition is met, the piercing unit may immediately pierce the wall after which the gas may be released at full speed. In contrast, a pressure-relief valve may sometimes be too slow when circumstances require a fast release of the gas. The pressure-relief valve may open slowly as the gas pressure increases, with very little gas being released initially, and with a gradual increase of the opening until the valve is completely open. The use of a triggering condition, e.g. the pressure signal exceeding a threshold, to trigger the release of the gas from the gas container enables reliable release of the gas. The reliable release of the gas may be facilitated by that the piercing unit may immediately perform the piercing in full force when the triggering condition is met. Thus, the pressure at which the release of the gas is initiated may be invariable, or only vary to a small extent, from device to device and over time. In contrast, a rupture disc suffers from metal fatigue due to pressure cycling such that the exact pressure at which the release of the gas is initiated changes as the rupture disc ages, as previously mentioned. It may also be hard to manufacture identical rupture discs such that they all release the gas at exactly the same pressure. A pressure-relief valve may open with a gradual increase of the opening until the valve is completely open, with very little gas being released initially, as previously mentioned.

Further, the use of a piercing unit comprising a pushing element and a pointed tip provides additional advantages.

The pushing element enables multiple configurations for connecting the device to the gas container. As the pushing element is configured to push the pointed tip, the pushing element may itself provide the force that pierces the wall, e.g. provide said force by a compressed spring or explosive. When the pushing element provides the force that pierces the wall the force may be very large, e.g. large enough to pierce any part of the gas container, e.g. large enough to pierce a side wall of the gas container. Thus, the device may be configured to be placed anywhere on the gas container. The device may e.g. be configured to be strapped to a side wall of the gas container and pierce the side wall of the gas container when a triggering condition is met. In contrast, pressure-relief valves and rupture discs must be mounted on an existing outlet of the gas container. The piercing unit may be placed in a way that allows the pierced wall to be directed towards a ventilation exhaust or any other suitable system that would aid in reducing problems that can arise with the release of a contained gas. Shooting the gas containers with rifle ammunition can involve an element of uncertainty and the gas container is not always placed in a way that allows the possibility to shoot at it. If, for example, the gas container is placed in a small room and/or together with other gas containers, a marksman might not be able to get a clear view of the gas container and shooting the gas container to release gas might not be possible. The invention allows for release of gas from gas containers in a safer way and firearms can thereby be avoided. It also allows the release of gas from gas containers that are placed in a way that makes them difficult to shoot at.

As previously mentioned, the release of gas by way of a conventional safety system, like a pressure-relief valve or a rupture disc, is a process that sometimes can be too slow when circumstances require a fast release of the gas. The invention allows for quick release of gas and may therefore be a preferred alternative to safety- or pressure-relief valves or rupture discs when taking safety measures to avoid a gas container explosion.

Safety- or pressure-relief valves or rupture discs have a direct dependency on the gas pressure, where it is the gas pressure itself that forms the opening through which the gas is released. This may cause a somewhat unpredictable release of the gas, since it may be difficult to predict e.g. exactly how the rupture disc will rupture. The ruptured membranes might differ slightly which would make predicting the size of the opening difficult.

The pointed tip of the invention can be configured to, when piercing the wall, form an opening of at least a size that corresponds to properties of the pointed tip and the piercing unit. The piercing unit of the invention can be configured to push the pointed tip through the wall with a higher pressure than the pressure of the gas container. The piercing unit of the invention is triggered when a triggering condition is met, which allows for a more configurable release of gas. The ability to configure the size of the opening by the properties of the pointed tip and the piercing unit, to configure by what pressure the pointed tip is pushed and to configure when a triggering condition is met allows for predictability and reliability. The invention may therefore be a preferred alternative to safety- or pressure-relief valves or rupture discs.

The piercing unit may be further configured to receive a trigger signal, wherein a third triggering condition for piercing the wall may be the trigger signal being received. Thus, the piercing of the wall may be triggered by either of the first, second, or third triggering conditions.

The trigger signal may be e.g. a signal sent by an electrical wire or a mechanical wire. Alternatively, the trigger signal may be a radio signal. Thus, the piercing unit may be configured to receive a trigger signal in the form of an electrical signal, a mechanical signal, or a radio signal. The use of a triggering condition, e.g. a trigger signal being received, to trigger the release of the gas from the gas container facilitates easily controllable release of the gas.

The trigger signal may be sent, to release gas from the gas container, based on conditions that may be not directly associated with the gas container when the conditions are met. For example, in case of a fire, when an area containing gas containers will be exposed to the fire but has not yet been exposed, it may be advantageous to release the gas from the gas container well before the fire reaches the area.

The trigger signal may e.g. be sent from an external automated safety system. The external automated safety system may in turn have its own triggering conditions. An example of an external automated safety system is a fire alarm control unit that detects fire in a building by e.g. a network of detectors.

The trigger signal may be sent by a human, e.g. a fireman. Such a human initiated trigger signal may e.g. be sent by a human using the external automated safety system.

Alternatively, the trigger signal may be sent automatically, e.g. sent automatically from the external automated safety system. For example, a fire alarm control unit may via the network of detectors determine that the fire is approaching the gas container and send the trigger signal to release the gas.

The piercing unit may be configured to receive an encrypted trigger signal. Thus, release of the gas by malicious persons may be prevented. If the piercing unit does not receive any trigger signal, the piercing unit may stay idle until the pressure signal or/and the temperature signal exceeds the respective threshold and then pierce the wall to release the gas from the gas container.

The device may further comprise a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature and form a temperature signal representing the measured temperature, and a transmitter configured to transmit the temperature signal to a receiver at a distance from the device. Such a temperature sensor may be the temperature sensor of the temperature signaling unit, or another temperature sensor.

A temperature sensor may enable better monitoring of the changes in temperature to which a gas container may be exposed, which may lead to a better understanding about when it may be time to release the gas from the gas container. Thus, the temperature signal may form decision basis for sending the trigger signal. For example, the temperature signal may form decision basis for a human deciding on sending the trigger signal.

The receiver of the temperature signal may collect the temperature data and create a log containing the temperature fluctuations.

The receiver may be configured to set off an alarm sound when a temperature threshold has been met.

The receiver may be the external automated safety system or be part of the external automated safety system.

The pushing element may comprise a compressed spring, the piercing unit being configured to pierce the wall, when the triggering condition is met, by releasing the compressed spring such that the released compressed spring pushes at least part of the pointed tip through the wall.

The spring may be configured to store mechanical energy when compressed. The spring may be any kind of mechanical spring, e.g. a coil spring, a cantilever spring, a V-spring.

The spring may be made of e.g. hardened steel or a composite material. When the triggering condition is met, the compressed spring may be released and the stored mechanical energy may be used to apply a force to the pointed tip, such that at least part of the pointed tip is pushed through the wall.

The amount of stored energy of the compressed spring may correspond to the properties of the gas container, such that the force applied to the pointed tip is large enough to push at least part of the pointed tip through the wall.

A spring may store a large amount of mechanical energy and thereby efficiently and reliably pierce the wall by pushing the pointed tip.

Further, springs are cheap and readily available.

Further, releasing a compressed spring avoids generating heat or sparks which may ignite flammable gas that may be released from the gas container.

The pushing element may comprise an explosive, the piercing unit being configured to pierce the wall, when the triggering condition is met, by detonating the explosive such that the detonated explosive pushes at least part of the pointed tip through the wall.

The explosive may be a chemically pure compound, such as nitroglycerin, or a mixture of a fuel and an oxidizer, such as black powder and air. The explosive may store chemical energy. When the triggering condition is met, the explosive may be detonated and the chemical energy may be used to apply a force to the pointed tip, such that at least part of the pointed tip may be pushed through the wall.

The amount of stored energy of the explosive may correspond to the properties of the gas container, such that the force applied to the pointed tip is large enough to push at least part of the pointed tip through the wall.

An explosive may store a large amount of chemical energy and thereby efficiently and reliably pierce the wall by pushing the pointed tip.

As the explosive pierces the gas container by pushing the pointed tip, the explosive may be placed at a safe distance from the gas container to avoid igniting flammable gas that may be released from the gas container.

It should be understood that the pushing element may comprise both a compressed spring and an explosive.

The pointed tip may comprise a channel within the pointed tip, wherein the pointed tip is configured to release the gas from the gas container to an exterior of the gas container via the channel of the pointed tip when the pointed tip has pierced the wall.

Thus, if the pointed tip does not pass completely through the wall, the pointed tip does not itself block the gas from escaping. The gas may escape via the channel through the pointed tip. Thus, reliable and safe release of the gas is facilitated.

The channel may ensure that the hole for the gas to escape through is at least the size of the channel of the pointed tip. The size of the channel may have a cross-section of at least an area that is sufficient to facilitate fast release of the gas. The channel of the pointed tip may have a cross-section of at least 10 mm ² , such as at least 50 mm ² ,- this may be enough to facilitate a fast release of the gas.

The device may be configured such that the channel of the pointed tip has an inlet at a first end of the pointed tip and an outlet at a second end of the pointed tip, wherein the piercing unit is configured to, when piercing the wall, place the pointed tip with the inlet of the channel at an interior side of the wall and the outlet of the pointed tip at an exterior side of the wall.

Thus, the device may be configured to stop the pointed tip before it passes completely through the wall. For example, the device may be configured to place the pointed tip such that the inlet of the channel is at least 5 mm inside an inner wall of the gas container and/or the outlet of the channel is at least 5 mm outside an outer wall of the gas container.

Such a configuration of the device may ensure that the gas is released via the channel of the pointed tip.

Further, such a configuration facilitates guiding the released gas to a specific location, i.e. the location of the outlet of the channel.

Further, such a configuration facilitates guiding the released gas in a specific direction. The gas may herein move in the direction of the channel and to continue to move in this direction after being released at the outlet of the channel.

Further, just moving the pointed tip partially through the wall requires little energy. Thus, a cheap less powerful pushing element may be used.

Alternatively, the piercing unit may be configured to release the pointed tip such that the pointed tip passes completely through the wall.

Passing the pointed tip completely through the wall enables a large hole in the gas container and thereby fast release of the gas. The hole may hereby be at least as large as the outer cross-section of the pointed tip. The outer cross-section of the pointed tip may be of at least an area that is sufficient to facilitate fast release of the gas. The outer cross-section of the pointed tip may be at least 10 mm ² , such as at least 50 mm ² .

The piercing unit may be configured to release the pointed tip by the pointed tip lacking an interlink to the rest of the piercing unit such that when the pushing element pushes at least part of the pointed tip, the pointed tip separates from the rest of the piercing unit. For example, the piercing unit may comprise an ammunition cartridge comprising a cartridge case holding an explosive, acting as a pushing element, and a projectile, acting as a pointed tip.

When the triggering condition is met, the explosive may detonate and fire the projectile, which releases from the cartridge case and the piercing unit. Subsequently, the projectile may pierce the wall of the gas container.

It should be understood that the wall to be pierced by the piercing unit may be a wall of the gas container.

Thus, the device may be connected to a wall of the gas container which is to be pierced. For example, the device may be connected to the body of a gas cylinder wherein the wall to be pierced is a wall of the body of the cylinder. The device may be configured to be connected to the wall to be pierced with the pointed tip perpendicular to the wall to be pierced. Having the pointed tip perpendicular to the wall to be pierced may enable reliable piercing of the wall as the chances of the pointed tip glancing off the wall is low. However, the device may alternatively be configured to be connected to the wall to be pierced with the pointed tip at an angle to the wall to be pierced. It may be advantageous if an angle between the axis of the pointed tip and the normal of the wall is below 30°.

A device configured to pierce a wall of the gas container is advantageous as it allows release of the gas at other locations than the outlet of the gas container. In contrast, pressure-relief valves and rupture discs are configured to be mounted at the outlet of the gas container and can thus not release the gas anywhere else.

Alternatively, the wall to be pierced by the piercing unit may be a sacrificial wall of the device, the sacrificial wall being a wall which, when the device is connected to the gas container, forms part of a seal that seals an outlet of the gas container.

Thus, the device may be connected to an outlet of the gas container which is to be pierced. For example, the device may be connected to the valve connector of the gas container.

Thus, the device may be configured to, in itself, seal an outlet of the gas container. Part of said seal may be the sacrificial wall which the device pierces when a triggering condition is met.

For example, the device may comprise a valve. The valve may be configured to seal an outlet of the gas container. The valve may comprise a channel having an inlet, an outlet and a closing mechanism between the inlet and outlet. Herein, the closing mechanism is configured to close the channel of the valve. The closing mechanism may e.g. be a valve seat and a valve member of the valve. The inlet of the valve may be configured to connect to the outlet of the gas container, e.g. the valve connector of the gas container. The inlet may be threaded. The sacrificial wall may be a wall of the channel of the valve between the inlet and the closing mechanism of the channel of the valve.

Thus, instead of connecting a standard valve to the valve connector of the gas container, e.g. by screwing a standard valve to the valve connector of the gas container, the valve of the device may be connected to the valve connector of the gas container by the inlet of the channel of the valve, e.g. by screwing the inlet of the channel of the valve to the valve connector of the gas container. The gas container may then be opened and closed by the valve of the device but when a triggering condition is met, e.g. the first or second triggering condition is met, the device pierces the sacrificial wall of the channel of the valve such that the gas is released via the channel of the valve and the pierced sacrificial wall. The sacrificial wall may be made of a material that seals the outlet of the gas container, such as a metal or a composite material.

The sacrificial wall may be thin such that little energy would be required to pierce the sacrificial wall. Thus, a cheap less powerful pushing element may be used.

Alternatively, the wall may be thick to avoid metal fatigue due to pressure cycling of the gas container. The device may therefore be a preferred alternative to e.g. a rupture disc that, as previously mentioned, may suffer from metal fatigue.

A device configured to be connected to the outlet of the gas container may be preferred as it follows industry standards of where to connect gas container peripherals. For example, in situations where many gas containers are stored closely together, a device configured to be connected to the outlet of the gas container may be the preferred alternative.

The pressure signaling unit may comprise a first connector, the first connector comprising a thread configured to engage a threaded opening of the gas container, wherein the pressure signaling unit is configured to be connected to the gas container by the thread of the first connector engaging the threaded opening of the gas container, and to transfer the pressure signal to the piercing unit by the first connector.

The pressure signaling unit may be connected to a standard threaded opening of the gas container, for example, to a threaded valve connector of the gas container. Thus, the threading of the first connector may be configured to engage a threaded valve connector of the gas container, such a standard threaded valve connector of the gas container, e.g. a threaded valve connector of the gas container according to the DIN (Deutsches Institut fur Normung) standards or the CGA (Compressed Gas Association) standards.

As a first example, the first connector of the pressure signaling unit may be configured to be connected to the valve connector of a gas cylinder and the piercing unit may be configured to be connected body of the gas cylinder wherein the wall to be pierced is a wall of the body of the cylinder. The pressure signal representing the pressure in the gas container may be transferred to the piercing unit by transferring the pressure of the gas cylinder from the first connector of the pressure signaling unit, via a tube, to the piercing unit. Alternatively, the pressure signal representing the pressure in the gas container may be transferred to the piercing unit by the pressure signaling unit comprising a pressure sensor at the first connector and an electrical wire between the pressure sensor and the piercing unit, wherein an electrical signal representing the pressure in the gas container is transferred to the piercing unit via the electrical wire.

As a second example, the first connector of the pressure signaling unit may be configured to be connected to the valve connector of a gas cylinder and the piercing unit may be configured to pierce a sacrificial wall forming part of a seal that seals the valve connector of the gas cylinder. Thus, for the above described valve with the sacrificial wall, the inlet of the channel of the valve may also function as the first connector of the pressure signaling unit which transfers the pressure signal to the piercing unit that pierces the sacrificial wall.

Alternatively, the pressure signaling unit may be connected to a threaded opening of the gas container that has been added to the gas container. For example, a threaded opening that has been added by drilling.

The pressure signaling unit may further comprise a peripheral connector to which a gas container peripheral may be connected. When connecting a peripheral to the pressure signaling unit and connecting the pressure signaling unit to the gas container, the pressure signaling unit may function as an adapter.

As mentioned previously, the device may comprise the pressure signaling unit as an integrated part, also comprising e.g. the piercing unit. The pressure signaling unit may also be comprised in the device as separated from the piercing unit.

Connecting the pressure signaling unit to a standard threaded opening of the gas container may be advantageous when the device is connected to a gas container that already contains gas or when circumstances prevents drilling or welding an opening in the gas container.

The pressure signaling unit may comprise a second connector, the second connector comprising a pipe, wherein the pressure signaling unit is configured to be connected to the gas container by welding an inlet of the pipe of the second connector to an opening of the gas container, and to transfer the pressure signal to the piercing unit by the second connector. The pipe may be a pitot tube or any other pipe that can be configured to facilitate gas pressure measurements. The pitot tube may comprise a membrane configured to move in response to the pressure in the pitot tube. The pipe may lead to a pressure sensor, for example a pressure sensor in the pressure signaling unit. The pipe may lead to a pressure sensor, which in turns transmits a signal to the piercing unit. Any measurement method using a pressure transferred by the pipe may be used.

Connecting the pressure signaling unit by welding an inlet of the pipe of the second connector to an opening of the gas container may be advantageous when e.g. the valve connectors are used for other purposes.

The piercing unit may further comprise a strap, the strap being configured to, when strapped around a part of the gas container, connect the piercing unit to the gas container by pressing the piercing unit against said part of the gas container; and position the pointed tip of the piercing unit such that the pointed tip, when pushed by the pushing element, pierces a wall of said part of the gas container.

The strap may be made of e.g. rubber, silicone, plastic, metal, leather or fabric.

The strap may facilitate the adjustability of the placement of the piercing unit.

As stated before, the piercing unit may be placed in a way that allows the pierced wall to be directed towards a suitable system that would aid in reducing problems that can arise with the release of a contained gas.

The strap may be configured to position the pointed tip of the piercing unit perpendicular to the wall of the part of the gas container around which the strap is strapped.

The strap may be configured to be strapped around the body of a gas cylinder.

The device may further comprise an interlock mechanism, the interlock mechanism having a first and a second state, the first state being configured to block the piercing unit from piercing the wall, and the second state being configured to allow the piercing unit to pierce the wall.

The interlock mechanism may be mechanical or electrical. A mechanical interlock mechanism may, for example, comprise e.g. a pin or a needle or a mechanical lock that, in its first state, blocks the piercing device from pushing the pointed tip. The mechanical interlock mechanism allows the piercing device to be unblocked in its second state. An electrical interlock mechanism may, for example, in its first state block the signal, or block the mechanism by an actuator. The electrical mechanism may unblock the signal or unblock the mechanism in its second state.

An interlock mechanism is a safety feature that may contribute to the reliability and safety that makes the device a preferred alternative.

According to a second aspect there is provided a system for holding and releasing gas, the system comprising a gas container configured to hold the gas, and a device according to the first aspect, for releasing said gas from said gas container, wherein the signaling unit and the piercing unit of the device are connected to the gas container.

A system according to the second aspect may have the same advantages, or similar advantages, as the device encompassed by the claims in this application and may possibly be the subject of a future divisional application.

It may be particularly advantageous with devices configured to pierce a wall of the device itself or a wall of a gas valve of the gas container. Such walls may be easier to pierce than e.g. the wall of the body of a gas container, e.g. the body of a gas cylinder. Hereinafter, two examples of such devices are given.

In a first example, there is provided a device for releasing a gas from a gas container, the device being configured to be connected to the gas container, the device comprising a channel, a signaling unit, and a piercing unit, the channel being configured to, when the device is connected to the gas container, be in fluid connection with the gas in the gas container; the piercing unit comprising a pushing element and a pointed tip, the pushing element being configured to push the pointed tip, wherein the piercing unit is configured to, when the device is connected to the gas container, pierce a wall, the wall being a wall of the channel, to release the gas from the gas container, by the pushing element pushing at least part of the pointed tip through the wall, when a triggering condition is met; the signaling unit comprising: a pressure signaling unit being a unit configured to, when the device is connected to the gas container, transfer a pressure signal representing a pressure in the channel to the piercing unit, wherein a first triggering condition for piercing the wall is the pressure signal exceeding a threshold; and/or a temperature signaling unit being a unit configured to, when the device is connected to the gas container, transfer a temperature signal representing a temperature to the piercing unit, wherein a second triggering condition for piercing the wall is the temperature signal exceeding a threshold.

In the first example, the device may be a gas valve configured to be connected to a gas cylinder (i.e. the device may be a gas cylinder valve), e.g. by being connectable to the valve connector of the gas cylinder. Thus, the channel of the gas valve may comprise a thread configured to engage a threaded opening of the gas container, such as engage a valve connector of the gas cylinder.

Alternatively, the device may be a gas connector. The gas connector may be any form of gas fitting, e.g. adapter, coupling, cross or 4-way, 45° or 90° elbow fittings, and quick couplers. In particular, the gas connector may comprise a thread, e.g. a thread of the channel, for connecting the gas connector to a gas valve or a gas pipe. Thus, the channel of the gas connector may comprise a thread configured to configured to engage a thread of the valve outlet of the gas valve of the gas cylinder. Thus, the channel of the gas connector may comprise a thread configured to engage a thread of a gas pipe. The gas pipe may in turn be connected to a gas container, such as a gas cylinder. The gas connector may, optionally, comprise a valve.

In the first example, the channel may be openable and closable.

The to be pierced wall of the channel may be made of stainless steel. The to be pierced wall (sacrificial wall) may be thicker than 0.5 mm, e.g. thicker than 1 mm, 1 .5 mm or 2 mm. The to be pierced wall (sacrificial wall) may be thinner than 10 mm, e.g. thinner than 6 mm, 4 mm, or 3 mm.

In a second example, there is provided a device for releasing a gas from a gas container, the device comprising a signaling unit, and a piercing unit, the signaling unit and the piercing unit being configured to be connected to the gas container, the piercing unit comprising a pushing element and a pointed tip, the pushing element being configured to push the pointed tip, wherein the piercing unit is configured to, when connected to the gas container, pierce a wall to release the gas from the gas container, by the pushing element pushing at least part of the pointed tip through the wall, when a triggering condition is met; the signaling unit comprising: a pressure signaling unit being a unit configured to, when connected to the gas container, transfer a pressure signal representing a pressure in the gas container to the piercing unit, wherein a first triggering condition for piercing the wall is the pressure signal exceeding a threshold; and/or a temperature signaling unit being a unit configured to, when connected to the gas container, transfer a temperature signal representing a temperature to the piercing unit, wherein a second triggering condition for piercing the wall is the temperature signal exceeding a threshold; wherein the wall to be pierced by the piercing unit is a wall of a gas valve of the gas container; wherein the piercing unit further comprises a strap, the strap being configured to, when strapped around the gas valve of the gas container, connect the piercing unit to the gas container by pressing the piercing unit against the gas valve of the gas container; and position the pointed tip of the piercing unit such that the pointed tip, when pushed by the pushing element, pierces the wall of the gas valve of the gas container.

The strap may be a hex worm drive or a hose clamp. It should be understood that any type of attachment means may be used. Thus, the piercing unit may comprise an attachment means, the attachment means being configured to, when attached to the gas valve of the gas container, connect the piercing unit to the gas container by pressing the piercing unit against the gas valve of the gas container; and position the pointed tip of the piercing unit such that the pointed tip, when pushed by the pushing element, pierces the wall of the gas valve of the gas container.

The devices described above, in contrast to a rupture disc, allows for metal fatigue due to pressure cycling in the gas container to be avoided. The sacrificial wall (the wall of the channel of the gas cylinder valve or of the gas pipe valve) may be thicker than the wall of a rupture disc and/or be made of harder material than a rupture disc, such that it does not suffer from metal fatigue. At the same time, the sacrificial wall may be thinner than the walls of the gas cylinder itself such that little energy would be required to pierce the sacrificial wall. Thus, a cheap less powerful pushing element may be used. In analogy to what has been described before, the piercing unit of the devices in the two examples above may be further configured to receive a trigger signal, wherein a third triggering condition for piercing the wall may be the trigger signal being received, whereby the piercing of the wall may be triggered by either of the first, second or third triggering conditions. The trigger signal may be e.g. a signal sent by an electrical wire or a mechanical wire. Alternatively, the trigger signal may be a radio signal. Thus, the piercing unit may be configured to receive a trigger signal in the form of an electrical signal, a mechanical signal, or a radio signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present inventive concept, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description, with reference to the appended drawings. In the drawings like reference numerals will be used for like elements unless stated otherwise.

Fig. 1 illustrates a system for holding and releasing gas

Fig. 2 illustrates a system for holding and releasing gas

Fig. 3 illustrates a system for holding and releasing gas

Fig. 4 illustrates a device for releasing gas

Fig. 5 illustrates a system for holding and releasing gas

Fig. 6 illustrates a first connector of a pressure signaling unit

Fig. 7a illustrates a pointed tip

Fig. 7b illustrates a pointed tip

Fig. 8a illustrates a system for holding and releasing gas

Fig. 8b illustrates a system for holding and releasing gas

Fig. 8c illustrates a system for holding and releasing gas

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In cooperation with attached drawings, the technical contents and detailed description of the present invention are described thereinafter according to preferable embodiments, being not used to limit the claimed scope. This invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person.

In the following a number of examples of devices 1 for releasing a gas from a gas container 2 are given. For illustrative reasons, the devices 1 are presented as comprising either a pressure signaling unit 10 or a temperature signaling unit 110. However, it should be understood that the pressure signaling unit 10 and temperature signaling unit 110 in the examples may be interchangeable. In the cases where only a pressure signaling unit 10 is discussed, it should be understood that the pressure signaling unit 10 may be seen as the signaling unit 200. Similarly in the cases where only a temperature signaling unit 110 is discussed, it should be understood that the temperature signaling unit 110 may be seen as the signaling unit 200.

Figs. 1 , 2 and 3 illustrate examples of devices 1 for releasing a gas from a gas container 2. In the figures, the respective device 1 is connected to a gas container 2. In Figs. 1-3 the illustrated gas container 2 is a gas cylinder 2. However, other types of gas containers may alternatively be used, as previously discussed. In each of Figs. 1-3, the gas container 2 and the device 1 together form a system 100 for holding and releasing gas.

The device 1 comprises a pressure signaling unit 10 and a piercing unit 30. The pressure signaling unit 10 of the device 1 is configured to transfer a pressure signal representing a pressure in the gas container 2 to the piercing unit 30.

In Fig. 1 and 2 the pressure signaling unit 10 comprises a pipe 16 configured to transfer the pressure from the gas container to the piercing unit. Thus, the pressure signal representing a pressure in the gas container is the pressure itself. However, as previously described, the pressure signal representing a pressure in the gas container 2 may alternatively be e.g. an electrical signal or a mechanical signal. Fig. 3 illustrates a device 1 wherein the pressure signal representing a pressure in the gas container 2 is an electrical signal. Thus, the pressure signaling unit 10 of the device 1 in Fig. 3 comprises an electrical wire 60 configured to transfer an electrical signal representing the pressure in the gas container 2 to the piercing unit 30.

The piercing unit 30 comprises a pushing element 34 and a pointed tip 32. Further, the pushing element 34 is configured to push the pointed tip 32. This may be implemented in many different ways. Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate that the piercing unit 30 may comprise a cartridge wherein the pointed tip 32 is the bullet of the cartridge and the pushing element 34 is the explosive 38 in the cartridge case. Fig. 3 illustrates that the pushing element 34 alternatively may comprise a compressed spring 36. In Fig. 3, the pointed tip 32 is a rod with a tapered front end.

The device 1 is configured to pierce a wall 3 to release the gas from the gas container 2, by the pushing element 34 pushing at least part of the pointed tip 32 through the wall 3, when a triggering condition is met. In Figs. 1 -3 the wall 3 is a wall of the gas container 2. There are many different ways to configure the device to pierce the wall 3 when the triggering condition is met. For example, as illustrated in Figs. 1-3, the piercing unit 30 may comprise a release mechanism 31 which releases pointed tip 32 to allow it to pierce the wall 3. The release mechanism 31 may e.g. be an actuator which, based on the triggering condition being met, releases the pointed tip 32.

A first triggering condition for piercing the wall is the pressure signal exceeding a threshold. Thus, the release mechanism 31 may be configured to, as illustrated in Figs. 1-3 receive the pressure signal and release the pointed tip 32 when the received pressure signal exceeds the threshold. In the following Figs. 1-3 will be described in further detail.

Fig. 1 illustrates the device 1 mounted on a gas cylinder 2. Fig 1 also illustrates a system 100 for holding and releasing gas.

As previously mentioned, in Fig.1 the pressure signaling unit 10 comprises a pipe 16 configured to transfer the pressure from the gas container to the piercing unit. Thus, the pressure signal representing a pressure in the gas container is the pressure itself. Fig. 1 further illustrates that such a pipe 16 of the pressure signaling unit 10 of the device 1 may be connected to a threaded opening of the gas container 2, e.g. to a threaded valve connector of the gas container. This is illustrated in Fig. 1 , wherein the pressure signaling unit 10 of the device 1 comprises a first connector 11 in the form of a valve 50. The first connector 11 comprises a thread 14 configured to engage a threaded opening 5 of the gas container 2.

The first connector 11 comprises a thread 14 configured to engage a threaded opening 5 of the gas container. The first connector 11 of the pressure signaling unit 10 is connected to the valve connector 5 of the gas cylinder 2. A threaded valve connector 5 of the gas container may be configured to comply with e.g. the DIN (Deutsches Institut fur Normung) standards or the CGA (Compressed Gas Association) standards. Alternatively, the first connector may be configured to not include a valve. The first connector may be connected to a threaded opening of the gas container, for example a threaded opening of the gas container that has been added to the gas container.

In Fig. 1 the valve 50 comprises a channel 58 having an inlet 52, an outlet 54 and a closing mechanism between the inlet and outlet. The closing mechanism comprises a valve seat 55 and a valve member 56 of the valve 50. The closing mechanism is configured to close the channel of the valve. The inlet 52 of the valve 50 is configured to connect to the gas container by the thread 14 of the first connector 11 of the pressure signaling unit 10.

In Fig. 1 the piercing unit 30 is connected to the body 4 of the gas cylinder 2, e.g. by welding the piercing unit 30 to the body 4 of the gas cylinder 2. The wall 3 to be pierced is a wall of the body 4 of the gas cylinder 2. A pressure signal, representing the pressure in the gas container, is transferred to the piercing unit 30, a first triggering condition for piercing the wall 3 being the pressure signal exceeding a threshold. The pressure is transferred from the first connector 11 of the pressure signaling unit 10, via a pipe 16, to the piercing unit 30.

In Fig. 1 the piercing unit 30 comprises a release mechanism 31 , a pointed tip 32 and a pushing element 34. The pointed tip 32 and the pushing element 34 are in figure 1 a cartridge. The pushing element 34 comprising an explosive 38, in figure 1 illustrated by the cartridge comprising black powder. The pushing element may alternatively be another explosive such as a chemically pure compound, such as nitroglycerin, or a mixture of a fuel and an oxidizer. Any type of tapering should be construed as a pointed tip.

In Fig. 1 the piercing unit 30 is configured to, when a triggering condition is met, release the pointed tip by detonating the explosive 38. The release mechanism 31 may be mechanical or electrical.

Fig. 2 illustrates the device 1 mounted on a gas cylinder 2. Fig 2 also illustrates a system 100 for holding and releasing gas.

As previously mentioned, in Fig. 2 the pressure signaling unit 10 comprises a pipe 16 configured to transfer the pressure from the gas container to the piercing unit. Thus, the pressure signal representing a pressure in the gas container is the pressure itself. Fig. 2 further illustrates that such a pipe 16 of the pressure signaling unit 10 of the device 1 may be directly connected to the body of the gas container 2. Herein, the pipe 16 may be welded to the body of the gas container 2 at the location of an opening 7 in the body of the gas container. Thus, the pressure of the gas container 2 may be transferred via the opening 7 and the pipe 16 welded to the body of the gas container 2, further to the piercing unit 30.

In Fig. 2 the pipe 16 of the pressure signaling unit 10 has an inlet, wherein the inlet of the pipe 16 forms a second connector 19.

The pressure signaling unit 10 is configured to be connected to the gas container by welding the inlet of the pipe of the second connector 19 to the opening 7 of the gas container 2. An opening 7 may, for example, be a drilled hole in the gas container 2.

In Fig. 2 the pipe 16 of the pressure signaling unit 10 is connected to the body 4 of the gas cylinder 2. The pipe 16 may be a pitot tube or any other pipe that can be configured to facilitate gas pressure measurements.

In Fig. 2 a pressure signal, representing the pressure in the gas container 2, is transferred to the piercing unit 30, a first triggering condition for piercing the wall 3 being the pressure signal exceeding a threshold. The pressure is transferred via the second connector 19 of the pressure signaling unit 10, through a pipe 16, to the piercing unit 30.

In Fig. 2 the piercing unit 30 comprises a strap 70 and is connected to the body 4 of the gas cylinder 2 by the strap 70. The strap 70 is strapped around a part of the gas container 2. The strap 70 connects the piercing unit 30 to the gas container 2 by pressing the piercing unit 30 against said part of the gas container 2. The strap 70 is configured to connect the piercing unit 30 to the gas container 2 by pressing the piercing unit 30 against said part of the gas container 2. The strap 70 facilitates positioning the pointed tip 32 of the piercing unit 30 such that the pointed tip 32, when pushed by the pushing element 34, pierces a wall 3 of the gas container.

In Fig. 2 the pushing element 34 comprises an explosive 38. The explosive may be a chemically pure compound, such as nitroglycerin, or a mixture of a fuel and an oxidizer, such as black powder and air. Alternatively, the pushing element 34 may be a compressed spring configured to, when released, push at least part of the pointed tip through the wall.

In Fig. 2 the pressure signaling unit 10 comprises a pipe 16 and the release mechanism 31 . The release mechanism 31 is configured to, when a triggering condition is met, release the pointed tip by detonating the explosive 38. The release mechanism 31 may be mechanical or electrical.

Fig. 3 illustrates the device 1 mounted on a gas cylinder 2. Fig 2 also illustrates a system 100 for holding and releasing gas. As previously mentioned, Fig. 3 illustrates a device 1 wherein the pressure signal representing a pressure in the gas container 2 is an electrical signal. Thus, the pressure signaling unit 10 of the device 1 in Fig. 3 comprises an electrical wire 60 configured to transfer an electrical signal representing the pressure in the gas container 2 to the piercing unit 30. In Fig. 3, the pressure signaling unit 10 of the device 1 comprises a first connector 11 in the form of a valve 50. The first connector 11 comprises a thread 14 configured to engage a threaded opening 5 of the gas container 2. Fig. 3 further illustrates that the pressure signaling unit comprises a pressure sensor 18. The pressure sensor 18 may be connected at the first connector 11 , as illustrated in Fig. 3. The pressure sensor 18 may be configured to measure the pressure in the gas cylinder 2 and transfer an electrical signal representing the pressure in the gas container 2 to the piercing unit 30. The electrical signal representing the pressure in the gas container 2 being the pressure signal and the pressure signal exceeding a threshold being a first triggering condition for piercing the wall 3.

As stated previously, Fig. 3 illustrates an electrical signal representing the pressure in the gas container 2 is sent to the piercing unit 30 via an electrical wire 60. Alternatively, the signal representing the pressure in the gas container may be sent in the form of a mechanical signal, or a radio signal or the signal may be transferred to the piercing unit by transferring the pressure of the gas cylinder via a tube to the piercing unit 30.

The piercing unit 30 is connected to the body 4 of the gas cylinder 2 by a strap 70 in a similar manner as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The piercing unit 30 comprises a pointed tip 32 and a pushing element 34. The pushing element 34 comprises a compressed spring 36. When a triggering condition is met, the compressed spring 36 is released such that the released compressed spring pushes at least part of the pointed tip 32 through the wall 3

Alternatively, the pushing element may be an explosive such as a chemically pure compound, such as nitroglycerin, or a mixture of a fuel and an oxidizer, such as black powder and air. Any type of tapering should be construed as a pointed tip.

The release mechanism 31 of the piercing unit 30 may be configured to receive a trigger signal 15, wherein a second triggering condition for piercing the wall 3 may be the trigger signal 15 being received. As illustrated in Fig. 3 the piercing unit 30 may be configured to receive a trigger signal 15 in the form of a radio signal. Alternatively, the trigger signal may be a mechanical signal, or an electrical signal. The electrical signal or the radio signal may be encrypted or coded.

The release mechanism 31 is configured to, when a triggering condition is met, release the pointed tip by releasing the compressed spring 36.

The device may further comprise an interlock mechanism 80. The interlock mechanism 80 may have a first and a second state. The first state being configured to block the piercing unit from piercing the wall, and the second state being configured to allow the piercing unit to pierce the wall.

An interlock mechanism 80 may comprise a blocking element 82. In the first state the blocking element may be configured to block the piercing unit 30 from piercing the wall 3, and in the second state, the blocking element may be configured to allow the piercing unit 30 to pierce the wall 3. The interlock mechanism 80 may be mechanical or electrical. The blocking element 82 in a mechanical interlock mechanism may, for example, be a pin or a needle or a mechanical lock. A blocking element 82 in a mechanical blocking mechanism 80 may, in the first state of the interlock mechanism 80, prevent the pushing element 34 from pushing the pointed tip 32. If the pushing element 34 is a spring 36, as illustrated in Fig. 3, a pin or a needle may, for example, be placed in the mechanism of the release mechanism 31 such that the release mechanism 31 , in the first state of the interlock mechanism 80, is jammed and therefore cannot release the spring 36. A mechanical lock may lock some component of the release mechanism 31 such that the mechanism, when the interlock mechanism 80 is in the first state, does not work. An electrical interlock mechanism may comprise an electrical blocking element 82 that blocks the signal. The electrical blocking element may for example electrically block the release mechanism 31 , if the release mechanism 31 is electrically controlled, by turning off the release mechanism 31 , or by turning off a receiver of the trigger or pressure signal. If the release mechanism 31 is mechanically controlled, the electrical blocking element 82 may be an actuator which may block the release mechanism 31 similarly to how a mechanical blocking element may block the release mechanism 31 , as previously described.

The device may, as illustrated in Fig. 3, comprise a temperature sensor 20. The temperature sensor 20 comprises a transmitter 26 which is configured to send a temperature signal. The temperature signal may be sent from the temperature transmitter 26 to a receiver 22 via an electrical wire 60, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Alternatively, the temperature signal may be transmitted in the form of a radio signal. The electrical signal or the radio signal may be encrypted or coded. The receiver 22 of the temperature signal may be an external system. The receiver may comprise a display that display data comprised in the transmitted temperature signal. In another example the receiver may be an external automated safety system or be part of an external automated safety system.

Fig. 4 illustrates the device 1 , configured to be connected to a gas container 2, as previously described in Fig 2.

Fig. 4 illustrates, similar to what was illustrated in Fig. 2, that the pressure signaling unit 10 comprises a pipe 16 configured to transfer the pressure from a gas container to the piercing unit. Thus, the pressure signal representing a pressure in the gas container is the pressure itself. In Fig. 4 the pipe 16 of the pressure signaling unit 10 has an inlet, wherein the inlet of the pipe 16 forms a second connector 19.

Fig. 4 further illustrates that such a pipe 16 of the pressure signaling unit 10 of the device 1 may be directly connected to the body of a gas container, by the second connector 19. Herein, the second connector 19 may be welded to the body of the gas container at the location of an opening in the body of the gas container. Thus, the pressure of the gas container may be transferred via the opening 7 and the pipe 16 welded to the body of the gas container, further to the piercing unit 30.

The pipe 16 is also connected to the release mechanism 31 . The pressure signaling unit 10 is configured to transfer a pressure signal, representing the pressure in the gas container, to the piercing unit 30 by transferring the pressure of a gas container from the second connector 19 of the pressure signaling unit 10, via a tube 16, to the piercing unit 30. Alternatively, a pressure sensor may be configured to transfer an electrical signal representing the pressure in the gas container, via e.g. an electrical wire or wirelessly, to the piercing unit 30.

The device may, in a similar manner as illustrated in Fig. 3, comprise a temperature sensor 20. The receiver 22 is connected to the release mechanism 31 by an electrical wire 60. Alternatively, the receiver 22 may be connected to the release mechanism mechanically or by a radio signal. The receiver 22 may e.g. be configured to, at a certain received temperature reading, send a trigger signal to the release mechanism 31. The electrical signal or the radio signal may be encrypted or coded.

The piercing unit 30 comprises a release mechanism 31 , a pointed tip 32 and a pushing element 34. The pointed tip may be made of metal, e.g. steel, or any hard material, type of tapering should be construed as a pointed tip.

The pushing element 34 comprises an explosive 38. The explosive may be a chemically pure compound, such as nitroglycerin, or a mixture of a fuel and an oxidizer, such as black powder and air. Alternatively, the pushing element may be a compressed spring configured to, when released, push at least part of the pointed tip through the wall.

A strap 70 is attached to the device 1 and can be strapped around a part of a gas container, in a similar manner as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The device may further comprise an interlock mechanism 80, in a similar manner as illustrated in Fig. 3.

In the previous examples the piercing unit 30 of the device 1 has been configured to pierce a wall 3 of the gas container. Alternatively, the piercing unit 30 of the device 1 may be configured to pierce a sacrificial wall 6 of the device 1 .

Fig. 5 illustrates a device 1 for releasing a gas from a gas container 2, the device 1 comprising a channel 58, a pressure signaling unit 10, and a piercing unit 30. The channel 58 is configured to, when the device 1 is connected to the gas container 2, be in fluid connection with the gas from the gas container 2. The device 1 of Fig. 5 is a gas cylinder valve connected to a gas container 2 in the form of a gas cylinder 2.

To elaborate: Fig. 5 illustrates the device 1 being configured to be connected to the gas cylinder by a first connector 11 in a similar manner to what has been described in the previous illustrations, e.g. Fig 1. Fig. 5 illustrates a cross section of the top part of the system 100.

Fig. 5 illustrates a device 1 with a piercing unit 30 configured to pierce a sacrificial wall 6 of the device 1 .

The device 1 is connected to an outlet of a gas container 2. The first connector 11 of the pressure signaling unit 10 is connected to the valve connector of the gas cylinder 2. The device 1 comprises the pressure signaling unit 10 as an integrated part, also comprising the piercing unit 30.

The valve 50 comprises a channel 58 having an inlet 52, an outlet 54 and a closing mechanism between the inlet and outlet. The closing mechanism comprises a valve seat 55 and a valve member 56 of the valve 50. The inlet 52 of the valve 50 is configured to connect to the gas container by the thread 14 of the first connector 11 of the pressure signaling unit 10.

In Fig. 5 the wall 3 to be pierced is a sacrificial wall 6 of the device 1 . The sacrificial wall 6 may, as illustrated, be a wall of the channel of the valve between the inlet and the closing mechanism of the valve 50. Thus, when the sacrificial wall 6 is pierced, the gas is released, even if the closing mechanism of the valve 50 is closed. In Fig. 5 a pressure signal, representing the pressure in the gas container, is transferred to the piercing unit 30 by transferring the pressure of the gas container 2 from the first connector 11 of the pressure signaling unit 10, via a pipe 16, to the piercing unit 30. Alternatively, a pressure sensor may be configured to transfer an electrical signal representing the pressure in the gas container, via e.g. an electrical wire or wirelessly, to the piercing unit 30.

The piercing unit 30 comprises a pointed tip 32 and a pushing element 34. The pushing element 34 comprises a compressed spring 36. Alternatively, the pushing element may be an explosive such as a chemically pure compound, such as nitroglycerin, or a mixture of a fuel and an oxidizer, such as black powder and air. Any type of tapering should be construed as a pointed tip.

The release mechanism 31 is configured to, when a triggering condition is met, release the pointed tip by releasing the compressed spring 36, a first triggering condition for piercing the wall being the pressure signal exceeding a threshold. The released pointed 32 tip is configured to, after its release, pierce the sacrificial wall 6.

The piercing unit may be further configured to receive a trigger signal, wherein a second triggering condition for piercing the wall may be the trigger signal being received. The piercing unit may be configured to receive a trigger signal in the form of an electrical signal, a mechanical signal, or a radio signal. The electrical signal or the radio signal may be encrypted or coded.

The device may further comprise a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature and form a temperature signal representing the measured temperature, and a transmitter configured to transmit the temperature signal to a receiver at a distance from the device.

The device may further comprise an interlock mechanism. An interlock mechanism may comprise a blocking element. The interlock mechanism has two states. The first state being configured to block the piercing unit 30 from piercing the wall 6, and the second state being configured to allow the piercing unit 30 to pierce the wall 6. The interlock mechanism may be mechanical or electrical.

It should be understood that the first connector 11 of the pressure signaling unit 10 does not necessarily need to be a valve 50, as illustrated in Figs. 1 ,3 and 5. As an alternative, the first connector 11 of the pressure signaling unit 10 may comprise a peripheral connector 17 configured to connect peripherals to the gas container 2 via the first connector 11 of the pressure signaling unit 10. For example, a valve 50 may be connected to the peripheral connector 17. Thus, the peripheral connector 17 may comprise a thread, e.g. a female thread, configured to receive the thread of a valve.

In Fig. 5, the device 1 comprises a pressure signaling unit 10 and the (first) triggering condition is the pressure signal exceeding a pressure threshold. However, it should be understood that the device may alternatively, or additionally, comprise a temperature signaling unit 110 and an alternative, or additional, (second) triggering condition may be the temperature signal exceeding a temperature threshold. Temperature signaling units 110 are discussed in more detail in conjunction with Fig. 8. The temperature signaling units 110 discussed in conjunction with Fig. 8 are equally applicable to the device of Fig. 5.

A gas pipe valve may be constructed in a manner similar to the gas cylinder valve of Fig. 5. As previously described, the gas cylinder valve may be connectable to a gas cylinder, e.g. by a thread at the inlet 52 of the valve 50 configured to engage a thread of a threaded valve connector of the gas cylinder. Similarly, a gas pipe valve may be connectable to a gas pipe, e.g. by a thread at the inlet 52 of the valve 50 configured to engage a thread of a gas pipe. Thus, the gas cylinder valve of Fig. 5 may be modified into a gas pipe valve by modifying the thread 14 at the inlet 52 of the valve 50 into a thread that is configured to engage a thread of a gas pipe. The gas pipe valve may further be configured to be connected to a second gas pipe at the outlet 54 of the gas pipe valve.

It should be understood that anything in the description related to the gas cylinder valve is equally applicable to the gas pipe valve.

Figs 8a and 8b each illustrate a cross section of the top part of the system 100. The system 100 herein comprises a gas container 2 in the form of a gas cylinder. The illustrated system 100 of Figs 8a and 8b each comprise a device 1 for releasing a gas from a gas container 2, the device 1 comprising a channel 58, a signaling unit 200, and a piercing unit 30.

In Fig. 8a the signaling unit 200 is in the form of a pressure signaling unit 10, and in Fig. 8b the signaling unit 200 is in the form of a temperature signaling unit 110. The channel 58 is configured to, when the device 1 is connected to the gas container 2, be in fluid connection with the gas in the gas container 2. Each device 1 of Figs 8a and 8b may be seen as a gas connector connected to the outlet 54’ of the gas valve 50’ of a gas cylinder 2. The channel 58 of the device 1 comprises a thread at the inlet 52” of the channel 58 which fits to the thread of the outlet 54’ of the gas cylinder valve 50’. When the thread of the channel 58 has engaged the thread of the outlet 54’ of the gas cylinder valve 50’ and when the gas cylinder valve 50’ is open, the channel 58 is in fluid connection with the gas in the gas cylinder 2. Each device 1 of Figs 8a and 8b comprise a valve 50” that may be used to open and close the channel 58. Thus, the channel 58 may be in fluid connection with the gas in the gas cylinder 2 when the gas valve 50 of the gas cylinder is opened, whereby the device 1 may be activated. Then the valve 50” of the device 1 may be used to turn the gas flow from the gas cylinder 2 on and off while the gas cylinder valve 50’ is left opened. However, it should be understood that the illustrated gas valve 50” of the device 1 is optional. As illustrated, the channel 58 of the device 1 may further comprise an outlet 54”, e.g. as an outlet 54” of the valve 50” of the device 1 . The outlet 54” of the channel 58 of the device 1 may be threaded such that a gas pipe or hose may be connected.

The device 1 of Fig. 8a may be seen as working analogously to the device of Fig. 5.

The device 1 of Fig. 8b comprises a temperature signaling unit 110 configured to transfer a temperature signal representing a temperature to the piercing unit 30. In the illustrated case the temperature signaling unit 110 comprises a temperature sensor 20 and an electrical wire 114. The temperature sensor 20 may be configured to measure the temperature and transfer, via the electrical wire 114, an electrical signal representing the temperature to the piercing unit 30. Such an electrical signal may trigger the piercing unit 30 in a manner analogous to the electrical signal of a pressure signaling unit 10. The temperature sensor 20 may, as illustrated, be a contact-temperature sensor. The temperature sensor 20 may be configured to measure the temperature of the wall 3 of the channel 58. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 20 may be configured to measure the temperature of the gas cylinder 2, or of the ambient air of the gas cylinder 2, or of the gas in the channel 50, or of the gas in the gas cylinder 2.

In the examples of Figs 5, 8a and 8b the wall 3 to be pierced is a wall of the channel 58 of the device 1 .

Fig 8c each illustrates a cross section of the top part of the system 100. The system 100 herein comprises a gas container 2 in the form of a gas cylinder.

The illustrated system 100 comprises a device 1 for releasing a gas from a gas container 2, the device 1 comprising a signaling unit 200 in the form of a temperature signaling unit 110, and a piercing unit 30. The device 1 further comprises a strap 70. The strap 70 is strapped around the gas cylinder valve 50 of the gas cylinder 2. The strap 70 may be a hex worm drive or a hose clamp. As illustrated, when the strap 70 is strapped around the gas cylinder valve 50 of the gas cylinder 2, it presses the piercing unit 30 against the gas cylinder valve 50; and positions the pointed tip 32 of the piercing unit 30 such that the pointed tip 32, when pushed by the pushing element 34, pierces the wall 3 of the gas cylinder valve.

The devices of Figs 8a-c may advantageously be used as an add-on to an existing gas cylinder 2 and gas cylinder valve 50. These add-ons may be directly connected to the gas cylinder valve 50. Thus, minimal adjustments may be needed to an existing gas arrangement. The gas arrangement may comprise gas pipes and machines which are supplied by gas from gas cylinders 2. The gas cylinders may be tightly packed at a manifold. However, the gas cylinders need to be replaced and therefore there is often available space in the arrangement around the gas cylinder valves. The devices 1 of Figs 8a-c may be arranged in such available space and therefore the gas arrangement may not need to be further modified. For example, there is often a flexible gas connector between the gas cylinder valve and the gas pipe or the manifold. The device 1 in the form of a gas connector in Figs 8a and 8b may be arranged between the gas cylinder valve and such a flexible gas connector.

Fig. 6 illustrates a first connector 11 of a pressure signaling unit 10 of the device 1. The illustrated first connector 11 comprises a male thread configured to connect to a threaded valve connector of the gas container. A pipe 16 is connected to the first connector 11 and configured to transfer a pressure signal representing a pressure in the gas container 2 to the piercing unit 30. Further, the first connector 11 comprises a peripheral connector 17 in the form of a female thread configured to receive the thread of a valve. Thus, the first connector 11 may be screwed to a threaded valve connector of the gas container 2 by the thread 14 of the first connector 11 and a valve may subsequently be screwed to the peripheral connector 17. Once assembled, the gas container 2 may be connected both to the valve 50, via the peripheral connector 17, and to the piercing unit, via the pipe 16.

The device 1 may be configured to stop the pointed tip 32 before it passes completely through the wall. Such a configuration of the device 1 may ensure that the gas is released via a channel 90 of the pointed tip.

The pointed tip 32 may be configured to release the gas from the gas container to an exterior of the gas container via the channel 90 of the pointed tip 32 when the pointed tip 32 has pierced the wall.

Figure 7 illustrates alternatives of when the pointed tip 32 is placed with the inlet 92 of the channel 90 at an interior side of the wall 3 and the outlet 94 of the pointed tip 32 at an exterior side of the wall 3.

Fig. 7a illustrates a pointed tip 32 with a channel 90. The channel has an inlet 92 and an outlet 94. The pointed tip may stop in this position e.g. if a less powerful pushing device is used.

Fig. 7b illustrates a pointed tip 32 with a channel 90. The channel has an inlet 92 and an outlet 94. The part of the pointed tip surrounding the outlet 94 has a larger circumference than the part of the pointed tip 32 surrounding the inlet 92. The larger circumference may stop the pointed tip 32 from further piercing the wall.

In the above the inventive concept has mainly been described with reference to a limited number of examples. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other examples than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the inventive concept, as defined by the appended claims.