Helping Linde develop valve breakthrough

42 Technology has helped Linde Gases develop its new EVOS Ci valve

We have been helping Linde Gases, a division of The Linde Group and one of the world’s leading industrial gas companies, to develop an innovative new valve for industrial gas cylinders. The EVOS Ci cylinder package, which comprises a specially-designed valve and protective guard, sets a new industry benchmark for cylinder safety and performance and is being rolled out to all sales regions over the next few months.

42 Technology was responsible for leading the mechanical engineering development team for EVOS Ci, which was developed and brought to market following extensive user research, competitor analysis and product trials spanning four countries.

The valve uses a unique, quick-action lever in place of the more traditional hand-wheel mechanism and at the same time allows users to see from a distance whether the valve is open or closed.

Additional features include:

• a safety ‘interlock’ system to reduce the risk of the valve being opened accidentally;
• a guard mechanism to protect the valve while providing easy access to attach or remove regulators;
• an ergonomically-designed grip so cylinders can be more easily manoeuvred and lifted;
• a live content gauge so users can read cylinder pressures at a glance – without having to connect a regulator.

42 Technology has provided Linde with mechanical engineering skills, as well as expertise in running multi-national projects to help design, develop and launch the innovative EVOS Ci valve. Their engineers worked closely with our in-house team and other partners and as a result we are planning additional joint projects in the near future.

The EVOS Ci cylinder package has been designed to work with all industrial gases – such as argon, acetylene, carbon dioxide mixes and hydrogen – and during hands-on trials proved to be the clear favourite with customers. Linde has filed over a dozen patents to protect all of its new design and technology innovations that have been integrated into the new valve and guard.