Fluid handling – Ambient condition change responsive – Atmospheric
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-20
2001-03-13
Chambers, A. Michael (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Ambient condition change responsive
Atmospheric
C137S078400, C137S078500, C137S552000, C137S357000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199573
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device and method for shutting off the flow of gas to a structure, such as a residence, when a fire is detected in the structure.
2. Description Of The Prior Art
In the prior art automated gas distribution systems for controlling the flow of gas to an appliance are disclosed. It is known to provide a closed loop delivery system in which gas is provided to an appliance only when that appliance sends a valid request for gas to a control/communications subsystem. It is also known to circumvent the closed-loop delivery of gas to the appliance in emergency conditions, such as in a fire or when a gas leak occurs.
Such gas distribution systems have disadvantages. For example, such systems are complex and/or costly. In addition, such systems do not provide means for protecting against failure of the system in the event of a power loss or power disturbance. Furthermore, such systems do not provide a secondary means for shutting off the flow of gas to the structure in the event that the automatic system fails. Finally, such systems do not provide an indication of the position of the shut-off valve for verifying whether gas is flowing to the structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a shut-off device and a method for shutting off the flow of gas to a structure, such as a residence, when a fire is detected in the structure. An object of the present invention is to provide such a shut-off device and a method which is less complex than shut-off systems disclosed in the prior art.
Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a means for alerting those near the structure and/or emergency personnel that a fire has been detected and that the gas has been shut off.
In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gas shut-off device and a method which includes means for keeping the shut-off device operating in the event of a power loss or power disturbance.
Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic gas shut-off device which includes a manually operated means for shutting off the flow of gas to the structure in the event that the automatic system fails.
Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gas shut-off device and method which provides an indication of the position of the shut-off valve for verifying whether gas is flowing to the structure.
Accordingly, a device according to the present invention is an automatic gas shut-off device which includes a fire detector for providing a status signal to indicate the presence of fire in a structure, such as a residence. The shut-off device of the present invention also includes an actuator in communication with the fire detector, and a shut-off valve located on a gas line and connected to the actuator. When the status signal is received by the actuator, the actuator causes the valve to close, thereby shutting off the flow of gas to the structure. The fire detector may send the status signal when it senses smoke or when it senses a temperature in excess of a threshold temperature. The actuator may include a solenoid or a motor for automatically moving the shut-off valve, and also may include a means for manually operating the shut-off valve.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the gas shut-off device includes an electricity supply line connected from a primary electric power source, such as a power supply line of a public utility power plant, to the fire detector or both the fire detector and the actuator. The electricity supply line provides electricity to the fire detector, or both the fire detector and the actuator. Furthermore, the present invention may include a secondary electric power source, such as a battery, connected to the electricity supply line for providing electricity in the event that the primary electric power source fails to provide electricity. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, disturbance prevention circuitry may be connected to the electricity supply line for preventing disturbances in the electricity provided by the primary electric power source from causing the gas shut-off device to fail to detect the presence of fire and/or close the shut-off valve.
Furthermore, the present invention may have a position indicator for indicating the position of the shut-off valve. The position indicator may use a light or may use a sound generator to indicate the shut-off valve position.
Finally, the present invention may have an alarm indicator which is in communication with the fire detector for receiving the status signal. Upon receiving the status signal, the alarm indicator indicates receipt of the status signal. The alarm indicator may indicate receipt of the status signal via a light or via a sound generator.
In the method of the present invention, fire is detected, a status signal indicating a presence of fire is provided to an actuator which then moves the shut-off valve from an open position to a closed position to prevent gas from flowing through the gas line. The method of the present invention also includes providing an indication of the position of the shut-off valve.
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Chambers A. Michael
Craft-Weld Enterprises, Inc.
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