Fluid handling – Control by change of position or inertia of system
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-03
2001-08-28
Chambers, A. Michael (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Control by change of position or inertia of system
C137S039000, C137S045000, C137S351000, C137S354000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279596
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to safety shut-off systems for motor vehicles, airplanes and any powered vehicle of the type adapted to carry at least one person. More specifically, the present invention relates to an impact responsive control system for shutting off the fuel and the electricity to a motor vehicle in order to reduce the likelihood of fire or explosion when the vehicle is involved in an accident situation.
CROSS REFERENCE
The following patents are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,304 issued Apr. 14, 1998 and entitled Emergency Aircraft Fuel System. U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,354 issued Nov. 15, 1999 also entitled Emergency Aircraft Fuel System.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Inertia operated safety devices for vehicles are well known. Such a device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,840,036 dated Oct. 8, 1974 wherein a magnetic field is set up between two plates that are normally spaced apart, but which come together in the event of impact where the plates are held in contact by magnetic attraction. This attraction continues after the impact to maintain a fuel shut-off valve in the closed condition, and to also achieve opening of an electrical circuit.
In accordance with present invention a multi-directional inertia device is provided without the need for magnetic attraction as in the above-mentioned patent, and the present device achieves both the shut off of a fuel line, and disabling of the vehicle's electrical system.
The general object of the present invention is to provide a unit which when properly installed in a vehicle offers significant protection against fires, explosions and electrical fire caused by head-on collision, side impact, and any other conditions that occur all too often on America's present day highway system. The advantages can also be realized in other vehicles such as boats and airplanes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is intended for use in a vehicle having fuel lines for delivering ignitable fuel to an engine, as well as an electrical system having branch circuits that include electrical wiring in close proximity to these fuel lines and to the engine itself. For example the ignition wiring in most automotive vehicles generally derives its electrical input from the vehicles electrical system, and is necessarily provided in close proximity to the engine itself.
In accordance with present invention, a control box or housing has electrical connections for the vehicle's electrical system, and further the housing includes fuel inlet and outlet connections for connection to the vehicle's fuel lines. Electrical switches are provided in the housing for normally closing the electrical system circuit until and unless an impact should occur. These switches are provided in electrical series with one another so that activating any one of said switches disables the electrical system.
Fuel valves are provided in the housing as well for normally allowing fuel to flow through the fuel lines which are connected to the housing. These valves are provided in series with one another so that activating either of the valves interrupts fuel flow in the vehicle fuel lines.
A bi-directional inertia responsive means is provided for activating the switches and the valves, and the presently preferred form for this inertia responsive means includes a single mass in the form of rectangular block that is movable on a horizontal surface provided for this purpose in the housing. Means is provided for biasing this mass in primary longitudinal direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle so that an impact force with a component of pre-determined magnitude that is in said one direction overcomes the biasing force and activates at least one electrical switch and at least one valve.
The mass is also likely biased in both lateral directions, that is transversly of the primary longitudinal direction so that a lesser lateral component of any impact force on the vehicle will activate at least one electrical switch independently of the above described component of force in the longitudinal direction.
In this presently preferred form the mass is restrained by a threaded shaft oriented in the longitudinal direction at least in under normal conditions, and the biasing means preferably is in the form of coiled compression spring acting between the shaft and an abutment provided in the housing. The abutment will allow the shaft to swing in pendulum fashion but in a horizontal plane, and to allow for longitudinal movement of the mass in response to an impact on the vehicle's longitudinal axis.
The two valves are normally held open by gas pressure from a source of pressure independent of the housing, and the valves are mechanically activated so as to be movable from a normal open condition under the pressure of the gas, which gas pressure can be overridden by action of a mechanical linkage and a connecting inertial mass with the mechanically activated valve itself. The mechanical linkage is also provided for activating one or both of the switches to affect shut off of the vehicle's electrical system under either a lateral impact of relatively low magnitude or a head-on impact of somewhat greater magnitude.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3840036 (1974-10-01), Renk
patent: 3888271 (1975-06-01), Pettit
patent: 4960145 (1990-10-01), Schlotzhauer
patent: 6148849 (2000-11-01), Green et al.
Chambers A. Michael
McCormick Paulding & Huber LLP
McShane Thomas L.
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