摘要 |
<p>The invention relates to a multifunctional valve unit ( 10 ) for use on a gas cylinder to which it is attached for the controlled filling of the cylinder and for the controlled discharge of gas therefrom. The unit has a unitary or monolithic valve body ( 32 ) providing a filling port ( 12 ) and a cylinder connector ( 14 ) in gas flow communication with the filling port ( 12 ), for releasable attachment of the unit to a gas cylinder. The unit further comprises a manually operable manual shut-off valve ( 16 ), a gas pressure regulator ( 18 ), a minimum retention valve ( 20 ), a pressure gauge ( 22 ), a flow control device ( 24 ), and a pressure relief safety valve ( 26 ), all of which are mounted on the valve body. The flow control device is, as a whole, replaceably removable from the remainder of the multifunctional valve unit while the cylinder connector is connected to a gas cylinder containing gas and the manual shut-off valve is closed.</p> |