Fluid handling – With casing – support – protector or static constructional... – Vehicle
Patent
1998-03-03
1999-08-10
Chambers, A. Michael
Fluid handling
With casing, support, protector or static constructional...
Vehicle
1373842, 1373848, 251 68, 70242, F16K 3500
Patent
active
059343133
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a fluid flow control valve and, in preferred aspects, to a fluid flow control valve in combination with an immobilizing system for a motor vehicle, and to a method of protecting against theft a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine.
It is known to provide a motor vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine with a fuel flow shut-off valve, whereby operation of the engine is inhibited until the valve has been opened. In an attempt to make it significantly more difficult for an unauthorised person to start the engine of the vehicle, there have been proposals to fit such a valve with a key-operated mechanism, whereby opening and closing of the valve may be achieved only by use of an appropriate key for the mechanism. Though in principle this will increase the security against theft of the vehicle, it does have the disadvantage that a driver of the vehicle has to insert the key into the lock mechanism and operate that mechanism to close the valve, when the vehicle is to be left for any significant period of time. Though it may be simple and take only a relatively short time to effect closing of the valve with a key, experience shows that people are reluctant to undertake this extra step on leaving a vehicle, and so the vehicle often will not benefit from having a security fuel flow shut-off valve fitted to the engine.
In an attempt to overcome the above disadvantage associated with the use of the known kind of fuel flow shut-off valve fitted with a key-operated lock mechanism, the present invention provides a fluid flow control valve including a fluid passage in which is provided valve seat, a valve member and a spring urging the valve member to a closed position where the valve member seals against the valve seat, the valve further comprising a key-actuated setting mechanism arranged upon operation with a key to move the valve member away from the closed position to an open position, latch means to-restrain the valve member in the open position when moved there by the setting mechanism, and electrically-operable release means for the latch means whereby operation of the release means frees the valve member to move under the action of the spring from the open position to the closed position.
Though it will be appreciated that the fluid flow control valve of the present invention may be used in a variety of situations where a security fluid flow valve may be required, the valve is particularly suitable for use as a fuel flow shut-off valve for an internal combustion engine. The engine may be installed in a motor vehicle, such as a car, truck or lorry; equally, the engine could be installed to power a boat or aeroplane. The term "vehicle" as used herein should thus be interpreted broadly, to cover all of these possible internal combustion engine powered modes of transport.
With the fluid flow control valve of the present invention, once the valve has been closed by the electrically-operable release means, a key has to be used to cause actuation of the setting mechanism if fluid flow is required once more. In the case of the valve being installed to control the fuel flow to an internal combustion engine of a vehicle, the valve may be opened only by use of the key whenever the engine is to be operated, following closing of the valve by the release means. It is therefore preferred for the electrically-operable-release means to be connected to the electric circuits associated with the vehicle in which the engine is installed so that closing of the valve is performed automatically, whenever at least one pre-determined electrical system of the vehicle is turned off. In this way, the valve may be arranged to ensure a driver of the vehicle cannot prevent closing of the valve on leaving the vehicle, and the driver and must take positive action with the appropriate key, whenever the vehicle is thereafter to be started.
In one particular embodiment of the fluid flow control valve of this invention, the valve member is in the form of a spool arranged for linear sliding movement towar
REFERENCES:
patent: 3670836 (1972-06-01), Tonkowich et al.
patent: 3747378 (1973-07-01), Hiatt
patent: 3776263 (1973-12-01), Hubenthal
patent: 3792712 (1974-02-01), Fontana
patent: 3838587 (1974-10-01), Good
patent: 4891994 (1990-01-01), Barba
Brothers Andrew Mark
Horton David John
Chambers A. Michael
Coryea Paul
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