Patent · US Expired

Full flow mechanical fail safe

US6655259B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
21References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 1, 2002
Grant dateDec 2, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 18, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/7785
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A full-flow mechanical failsafe is composed of a cylindrical shell having a movable sealing plug therein, for attachment to a reaction tube of a fluid treatment system, such as a gas clean up system in a power plant. The sealing plug rests on locking spheres within the shell during normal operation. Upon reaction tube failure or breakage, the flow of fluid will be substantially increased, causing an increase in upward pressure against the sealing plug, forcing it upward off the spheres and into a sealing contact with a flow aperture, shutting off fluid flow. The spheres move downward into a locking position upon movement of the sealing plug, to secure the sealing plug in its upward sealing position. The failsafe can be used in fluid flow control systems other than fluid filtering systems, such as oil or gas pipelines, and can be used to prevent improper reverse fluid flow.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.