AU648186B1 - Automatic fluid flow shutoff device - Google Patents

Description

P/010O1 2atsm9 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 648186W

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: /A /Y PVy i A rA4!' SThe following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best *.:..*method of performing it known to me:- 1 1 1. .I 2. 1 J UN 1993 "AUTOMATIC FLUID FLOW SHUTOFF DEVICE" The present invention relates to a fluid flow shutoff device and in particular, an unattended gas appliance with a single switch that set in motion, multi-functions to the appliance burner/s. It is an automatic shut off device for field, domestic and commercial gas appliances, which ever option is required.

BACKGROUND ART Prior art gas systems such as those used in cylinders and gas supplies for L.P.gas Butane, town and natural gas, have disadvantages on continuous gas flow in the case of the gas going out, while being unattended, or having to be reset in a remote position, which could result in unbu-rnt and/or burning gas fuelling fires and/or explosions by actuating gas systems accidentally and/or unsupervised.

One existing device for partly overcoming this problem by shutting off with a sudden loss of pressure, would not shut off the gas if the flame was blown out or extinguished by an overflow from a utensil or an unilit appliance burner/s is accidentally left on, or the contents of a boil over, fuelling V the appliance burner.

The problems with this device are: That it would not shut of f the gas f low, if the :flame was blown out or, its utensil overflow had occurred extinguishing the flame.

That it would not shut off the gas flow if an unlit appliance burner/s is accidentally left on That it would niot shut off the gas flow if contents 000 of a boilover fuelling the appliance burner.

:30. That it would not shut off the gas flow, if the main gas supply was interrupted.

reote(5) It was necessary to depress a reset button in a reoteposition to allow the gas to flow again.

2 "DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION" It is therefore an objection of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above mentioned disadvantages.

According to one broad form of the present invention, there is provided a fluid flow shut off device using a single gas switch that actuares, the following sequence, being connected to the Main valve body interconnected to a Solenoid electromagnetic body N°21. The main body having an inlet for connecting the device to a fluid supply, the said inlet leading to a hollow shaft, the said hollow shaft having an outlet, defined by an orifice of the same cross section, and being the main turning on and off fluid flow valve N° 10,/ G3.

C Being connected to the main switch, when in the pressed in, and turned to any position, there by pushing in push rod

N

0 4, said shaft cam end engages the valve stem lifting the valve to an open position and/or said end pushes the valve open and/or said end engages a valve lifter, opening the valve.) The said valve passage way G3 communicates into a larger passage way G4, the said passage way communicates through a similar cross section hollow shaft G5, containing a valve and valve seat when opened manually or by a magnetic field, where in the fluid is able to flow through the valve, into a passage way G6, this communicating into a hollow shaft G7, said outlet end communicates to a larger chamber containing the main jet, at the said outlet end of the jet, the fluid flow mixes with air, carried through the main body of the appliance burner, expelled and lit, and/or hollow outlet end of G8, is adapted 30. to connect to a further fluid apparatus N 0 28 G1J, the said outlet end contains a remote jet N°26 and burner, as before said.

When the main switch N 0 1 is turned off, or the flame goes out, the thermocouple stops producing an electric current, 35. and/or the heat sensor cools down breaking the AC/DC electric circuit, and/or the excess radiation switch is tripped, collapsing the magnetic field supporting valve N'20 plunger 7 N° 42, from an open, to a closed position.

-3- "AUTOMATIC FLUID FLOW SHUTOFF DEVICE" Specification 1. Figures 1 The device incorporates an automatic shut off devices which will shut off the fluid flow, 1. If the flame is blown out, 2. A boil over occurs and extinguish's the flame.

3. If a spillage occurs fuelling the appliance burner/s.

4. Unlit appliance burner/s is accidentally left on.

If the main gas supply was interrupted externally.

The device has been designed to completely control the fluid flow rate to the appliance burner/s, as before said, it will override the main valve N10 and main switch N°1 in any on position, rotating between 30° and 1650, and cut off the fluid flow to the appliance burner/s, The device controls the fluid flow to the appliance burner to occur, only if the following procedure is followed.

1. Push in switch N°1 to profile N7. movement.

2. Keep switch pushed in and rotate to between 300/1650 (preferred 90°) fluid flow area.

3. As the fluid is flowing to the pilot and appliance burner/s the burner would now be lit by flame rectification, and/or by hand.

After lighting, the heat sensor and/or thermocouple will activate and direct an electric current to the solenoid and/or 25.electromagnet. The induced magnetic field will keep open valve S NO 20, Plunger No 42, to a fluid flow position.

Release the inward pressure on switch No1, it will return to rest on cam profile N6, valve No 20, Plunger No 42, will remain open, for as long as the appliance burner

N

0 30 remains alight, and/or if the excess radiation sensor is tripped, causing the magnetic field to collapse, closing S valve No20, Plunger No 42 to there shut off position.

when the main switch is in the off 0° position,

S

S" the pressure relief valve N'13 is open at 1500, releasing the back pressure on valve N 0 20, allowing for an immediate lighting sequence.

"AUTOMATIC FLUID FLOW SHUTOFF DEVICE" Specification 2. Mechanical Operation, (b).Figures 1 Depressing main switch Nl1, operates three function at once.

First function pushes back push rod N°4 on its gas seal 0 rings No11, said rod cam end engages the side cam on the valve stem, lifting valve N 0 20, to an open position and/or said end pushes the valve head to an open position, Second function with the valve open, using profile N°7, the depressed switch Nol, is rotated between 300/ 1650 (preferred 90°) allowing the fluid to flow directly to the appliance burner/s N 0 30, and pilot light N 0 31 if fitted.

The main body 12 (a),having an inlet for connecting the device to a fluid supply N 0 8, the said inlet leading to a hollow shaft G2 the said hollow shaft having an outlet, defined by an orifice of the same cross section, and being the main turning on and off fluid flow valve No 10,/ G3.

The said valve passage way G3 communicates into a larger passage way G4, the said passage way communicates through a similar cross section hollow shaft G5, containing a valve and seat, (and/or chamber leading through a valve seat and valve, into chamber G6, communicating through to hollow shaft G7) when opened manually or by a magnetic field, wherein the fluid is able to flow through the valve, into a passage way 6, this communicating into a hollow shaft G7, said outlet end communicates to a larger chamber G8, containing the main jet N26, at the said outlet end of the jet, communicating to G11, the fluid flow mixes with air, carried through the S main body of the appliance burner, expelled and lit, and/or hollow outlet end of G8, is adapted to connect to a further 30.fluid apparatus N"28 G10, the said outlet end contains a remote jet N 0 26 and burner, as before said.

3. When the main switch N°1 is turned off, or the flame goes out, the thermocouple stops producing an electric current, and/or the heat sensor cools down breaking the AC/DC electric circuit, and/or the excess radiation switch is tripped, I ,collapsing the magnetic field supporting valve N20, plunger Io 42, from an open, to a closed position.

0% Specification 2. continued. Figures 1 The main switch N°1 has two inward movements and five functions Combines two inward movements into one movement; 1st movement function, cam follower shaft N°3 engages cam profile N°7.

2nd inward movement function compresses spring N 0 2.

allowing push rod N°4 to penetrate further to give added valve clearance to valve N'20, Plunger No 42.

3rd function activates flame rectification switch N°36.

4th function opens relief valve N'13, when switch N1 is i off 0 position.

function, on and off switch.

Power sources that can be used Mains power.AC and/or AC/DC.

Battery power.

Thermoelectric power.

For the following items mentioned in this specification to their principle of operation to be. "As known".

1. Thermoelectric flame failure device.

20. 2. Solenoid, mains power AC/DC, battery power DC.

3. Excess radiation or flame sensor switch.

S: 4. Flame rectification flame conduction.

5. Heat sensor switch.

e *i* o*o -6- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred form of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein; Fluid flow Gl to G11 as shown 1/3.

There are 10 figures showing the operation of the invention each drawing refers to one or more function, and relates to specifications 1 and 2.

Page 1/3.Figure 1. shows a sectional view of one form of the device, being the 1st form of a high pressure valve 10-N'20, and seat, indicating the r-sition and numbered elements.

The main body having an inlet for connecting the device to a fluid supply G1, the said inlet leading to a hollow shaft G2, the said hollow shaft having an outlet, defined by an orifice of the same cross section, and being the main turning and off fluid flow valve N° 10,/ G3, (being connected to the main switch, in its pressod in to the 2nd position(a)and turned to 90°, there by pushing in push rod N 0 4, said shaft cam end engages the valve stem lifting the valve to an open flow position.) The said valve passage way G3 communicates into a larger passage way G4, the said passage way communicates through a similar cross section hollow shaft G5, containing a valve and valve seat, in the opened position, wherein the fluid is able to flow through the valve, into a passage way G6, this 25. communicating into a hollow shaft G7, said outlet end communicates to a larger chamber G8, adapted to connect to S a further fluid apparatus N°28 G10, the said outlet end contains a remote jet N26 and burner, The flame rectificition switch No36 is on, the 30. electromagnet N 0 24 is inactive.valve No13 in range (b).Figure 11.

Page 1/3.Figure 2. Sectional view through the inactive electromagnet N24, before said pressure valve N 0 20 closed,

S

push rod N4 in the retracted out position, outlet end of passage way G8 contains the main jet N 0 26 and appliance burner 35.No30.

Page 1/ 3. Figure 3. similar as before said for figure 1. except the main switch is in the out on 90° position on Vi cam profile 6. flame rectification switch is off, the induced ij active magnetic field is holding a before said pressure Drawings continued. valve N 0 20 in the fluid flow open position. Gas fluid flow direction and passage way marked G1 to Page 1/3.Figure 4. Sectional view through the inactive solenoid N°24, a before said pressure valve N°20 is closed, push rod N°4 in the retracted out position, outlet end of passage way G8 contains the main jet N°26 and burner Page 2/3. Figure 5. Elevation of a remote appliance burner with numbered elements. Heat sensor No32. Pilot burner 31.

Page 2/3. Figure 6. Elevation of a remote appliance burner with numbered elements. Thermocouple N°32, Igniter Excess radiation sensor N 0 40.situated outside normal heat range.

Page 3/3. Figure 7.Diagram of main switch N1 positions and fluid flow areas, relevant to cam profile 6 7.

Open closed position of high pressure relief valve N'13, releases the back pressure from valve N 0 20 in chambers G4 if the magnetic field collapses, closing valve No20, switch

N

0 1 will automatically reset to A. P. when moved to O"off position, allowing valve N'20 to be lifted, for relighting sequence.

Page 3/3. Figure 8. Sectional view through a solenoid/ electromagnet N°24, indicating; Solenoid with a hollow fluid flow core, containing a 2nd form high pressure ball valve N 0 43, with the plunger 25. N42 in the pushed in and/or active magnetic field held position.

Solenoid with a hollow moveable sleeve, containing a 3rd form high pressure valve, with a fluid flow centre passage way, held in the closed position by spring 23. the magnetic 30.field is inactive.

Page 3/3. Figure 9. Electrical circuit diagrams, 1,2, and 3. indicating the option range, for field or confined gas appliances, actuated by a single switch operation Page 3/3 Figure 10 Shows a sectional view of one form 35of the device, being the 1st form of a low pressure valve N 0 indicating the position and numbered elements, solenoid N°24 <°Xb inactive.

1.

2.

3.

4.

6.

7.

10.8.

9.

11.

12.

15.13.

14.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

25.23.

-8- "AUTOMATIC FLUID FLOW SHUTOFF DEVICE" Complete numbered elements.

Main switch. (Gas tap), 24. Solenoid Elec Spring. 25. Electrical conn Stem cam followers. 26. Main jet.

Push rod.(end flanged for 2).27. Connecting shaf Spring. 28. Remote fluid fl Cam profile. 29. Elbow.

Cam profile. 30. Appliance burne Fluid flow supply. 31. Pilot burner.

Screen. 32. Thermocouple Main switch valve. 33. Electrical circ Rubber 0 ring or seal. 34. Electronic cont Main body. 35. Sensor ignite Excess relief valve. 36. Flame rectifica Relief pressure pipe. 37. High tension le Washer retainer support. 38. To power supply Washer, (O ring seat). 39. To power supply R/O ring,/ Metal valve seat. 40. Excess radiatic Fluid direction symbol- 41. Diaphragm sea tromagnet.

ector/s.

t flow nut.

ow pipe.

r/s.

Heat sensor.

uit/s.

rol box.

r.

ition switch.

ad.

n sensor.

il.

.ifter.

nded shaft.

;ted to Body

S

9 *D S 9 9

S.

Plunger spring. 42.

Valve(hollow shaft'Fig 43.

Valve seat body. 44.

Magnetic direction symbol--.45.

Valve spring. 46.

47.

Plunger valve 1 Ball valve.

Circlip.

Main jet extz Body conner Sliding sleeve.

Atmospheric pressure symbol, eg; A. P. page 7 line 18.

Claims (5)

1. A fluid flow shut off device, comprising a main valve and solenoid valve assembly for controlling fJuid flow from a fluid source to a burner, manually operable control means for operating the main valve and solenoid valve assembly to enable fluid flow to the burner, and excess flame detection and control means for detecting the occurrence of excess flame from the fluid burner, wherein the solenoid valve assembly comprises a safety valve mechanism, the solenoid valve mechanism responsive to the excess flame detection and control means detecting that excess flame is occurring to cause fluid flow to be discontinued.

2. A fluid flow shut off device in accordance with claim 1. wherein the safety valve mechanism is fail- safe.

3. A fluid flow shut off device in accordance with claims 1, or 2 wherein the excess flame sensor has a threshold, means situated outside the normal heat range.

4. A fluid flow shut off device, comprising a main valve and solenoid valve assembly for controlling fluid flow from fluid source to a fluid burner, a manually operable control means for operating the main valve and solenoid valve assembly to enable fluid flow to the fluid burner, a heat sensor for detecting the existence of flame at the fluid burner, an excess flame sensor for detecting the occurence of excess flame from

25.the burner, the solenoid valve assembly comprising a safety valve mechanism which is responsive to the heat sensor detecting the absence of flame to cause fluid flow to the burner to be cut off and is responsive to the excess flame sensor determining excess flame to cause fluid flow to the burner to be cut off, manually operable control means comprising a single manually operable control operable to initiate the safety valve mechanism to move a safety valve of the safety valve mechanism from a Closed to an Open positions, to cause fluid flow to the fluid oo* o°* 10 burner and to initiate flame ignition by means of a heat rectification switch actuated by the manually operable control, the heat sensor being responsive to the existence of flame to operate control circuit to maintain the safety valve in the OPFN position until such time as there is an absence of flame or excess flame. A fluid flow shut off device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 0 4 4 4 44 J.P.BROWN. 13/7/92. ABSTRACT. "AUTOMATIC FLUID FLOW SHUTOFF DEVICE" An emergency fluid flow shut off device incorporated and actuates from a single switch for use primarily with domestic appliances, using L.P. Butane or natural gas. If the flame is blown out, a liquid overflows putting the flame out, a liquid boils over fuelling the gas appliance burner, if the main switch is accidentally left on unlit, if the main gas supply is interrupted externally the device, (20,24,32,40) will automatically shut off the gas flow, independent to the on fluid flow position of the main switch Due to this occurring, valve (20) located in the device, will completely close off the gas flow, valve plunger 20, 42 is directly influenced by the thermocouple heat activated switch (32), excess radiation switch (40) controlling the magnetic field in (24,Fig. 9) there by setting the valve plunger valve lifters position, by being in the heated open, or when over heated and tripped to a cold closed position, the off main switch will re-establish the gas flow. Figure 1. **o e 0 oo *1