Shock actuated responsive mechanism with improved safety means to prevent over-rotation of the valve reset mechanism
US6789560B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 14, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 14, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 14, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/0777
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vertical shock responsive fluid valve assembly capable of automatically closing a fluid valve in response to earthquake forces or other shock forces of a predetermined magnitude. The vertical shock responsive valve assembly has a flow control mechanism having a cradle that holds a movable ball in a recess at a point perpendicular in relation to a horizontal base plate, where the ball can be rotated 360° in any direction during seismic actions or other shock forces and rolls out of its recess at a predetermined force such that it ricochets off a housing cover covering the cradle and pushes a trip fork mechanism having elongated walls to provide additional leverage when the force strikes the trip fork mechanism that is mounted on a pivoting mechanism, thereby releasing a swing arm which has a disc on the end that functions as a plug for the hole in the valve body to interrupt gas or fluid flow therein.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.