Fluid handling – Control by change of position or inertia of system – By pendulum or swinging member
Patent
1998-04-20
1999-11-02
Michalsky, Gerald A.
Fluid handling
Control by change of position or inertia of system
By pendulum or swinging member
137 38, F16K 1736
Patent
active
059751053
ABSTRACT:
A seismic actuator for initiating various actions and/or changes to a system in response to seismic activity above a predetermined threshold level. In an embodiment of the invention, the actuator comprises a seismic valve for shutting off gas flow through a pipe upon seismic activity above a predetermined threshold level, and for resetting the valve to reestablish gas flow through the pipe. The seismic valve according to embodiments of the present invention may be seated within a pipe in any orientation. The valve includes a stopper capable of alternatively allowing and blocking gas flow, a locking ball capable of restraining the stopper in a position allowing gas flow, and a plunger for securing the locking ball in a location where the ball restrains the stopper in the position allowing gas flow. The valve further includes a pendulum adjacent to the plunger. During seismic activity, the pendulum swings, thereby moving the plunger to a location where the locking ball does not restrain the stopper in the position allowing gas flow. When not restrained by the locking ball, the stopper moves to the position blocking gas flow. Embodiments of the valve further include a system for manually resetting of the valve without opening the valve or pipe.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4353383 (1982-10-01), Kiesel
patent: 4960147 (1990-10-01), Diamond
patent: 5325881 (1994-07-01), Hunter et al.
patent: 5482074 (1996-01-01), Hanson
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