GB2335254A

GB2335254A - Automatic gas powered valve

Info

Publication number: GB2335254A
Application number: GB9804750A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Alistair Hobbs
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-03-07
Filing date: 1998-03-07
Publication date: 1999-09-15
Also published as: GB9804750D0

Abstract

A sender unit comprises a body Y having at one end a CO2 cylinder A with a soft sealed exit B, and at the opposite end a chamber F containing sodium (or a material with similar properties) E. When sufficient heat is applied the sodium will expand and push spear D up cylinder Z such that hardened point C will penetrate the CO2 cylinder to release gas via the soft sealed head B. The escaping gas moves along small bore tubing G to reach a valve (see figures 2 and 3). The gas forces piston (C+S) down liner body (L) until it stops flow of fluid at V. A detent, comprising an O-ring R and indent O, prevents the piston being forced back by fluid pressure W+V. The valve has a union (N), a body (T) and a thread (U).

Description

2335254 AUTOMATIC GAS POWERED VALVE This invention relates to a Gas

Powered Valve. There are a number of valves with either a mechanical or electric shutting-off system to be operated either manually or automatically in the event of a fire. A mechanical system is operated either by a wire which is operated by a lead joint melting in the event of a fire and the valve being closed by a weight which is released by the wire, or the wire is pulled by hand to close the valve or conversely an electrical system which can be operated by a manual switch or a remote sender unit to a solenoid powered valve. Neither of these systems operate well in a crowded mechanical space such as a ships engine room. Because of the nature of the size of the small bore tubing connecting the gas sender unit to the valve shut off system, it means that both items can be placed in the most inaccessible parts of an engine space.

TECHNICAL FEATURES According to the present invention there is a sender unit with a thermostaticaly controlled hardened tip spear. Attached to the sender unit is a Co2 cylinder. When sufficient heat is applied 170 degrees F, the spear will be moved forward by the expanding material in the thermostatibulb. The spear will puncture the Co2 cylinder releasing the gas down a small bore tube to the the main valve which consists of a sliding piston which is pushed by the Co2 to close the aperture which will stop the flow of liquid/gas.

EXAMPLE

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- 001 Shows the thermostatically controlled spear facing the Co2 Cylinder 002 Shows the pistonlvalve in the open position 003 Shows the pistonlvalve in the closed position Refering to the drawings, the sender unit Drwg. 001, the body Y holds at one end a Co2 cylinder A. This has a soft sealed exit B. At the opposite end of the body Y is a chamber F containing Sodium E. When sufficient heat is applied to the chamber F, approx 170 Degrees F, the material within will expand E. This will push up the cylinder Z and push the spear D up the cylinder Z and when the spear has moved sufficiently approx one millimeter, the hardened point C will penetrate the Co2 cylinder A. The soft sealed head B will release the gas which can only escape up a small bore steel tubing G. The gas will flow through the tube until it reaches the valve Drwg. 002. This will force the piston C+S down the liner body L until it stops the flow of gas/liquid at V. Drg. 003 There is a seal/0 ring R which will act as a lock when the piston comes down the liner. The indent C will correspond to the 0 ring/seal R preventing the piston being forced back by pressure at W+V or if the pipe G is ruptured.

-1 4 CLAIMS

1. A sender unit comprising of a body with a gas cylinder at one end and a thermostatically controlled spear. at the oppsite end.

2 A sender unit as claimed in 1 whereby the thermostatically controlled spear will, when sufficient heat is applied to the thermostat bulb, push the spear, the head will penetrate the attached gas cylinder releasing gas.

Claims

3 A sliding piston that is operated by the gas supplied in Claim 1 & 2.

4 A sliding piston that when pushed by gas as supplied by Claim 1W will shut off an aperture stopping the flow of liquid/gas.

A sender unit substantially as described herein with reference to Claims 1W of the accompanying drawings.

6 A gas powered valve substantially as described herein with reference to Claims 3 & 4 of the accompanying drawing.

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