THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. A fluid flow safety device comprising; a body, having an inlet for connection to a fluid supply, a inlet passageway leading to a selective fluid flow sensor chamber, and locate at the outlet end of the said sensor chamber is a sealing means which encircle an outlet orifice and this outlet orifice is of smaller cross section than tha of the sensor chamber, said outlet orifice leading from the sensor chamber int a pressure chamber within the body; a movable piston which makes a sliding and sealing contac with the pressure chamber, and whose sliding movement from a rest positio increases or decreases the volume of the said pressure chamber; a passageway extending from the pressure chamber to a outlet aperture which is connectable to further fluid transport mechanisms; and a movable plug which is positioned within the selectiv fluid flow sensor chamber and can move between the inlet passageway end sto of the sensor chamber and the outlet orifice, and the movable plug is of greate diameter than the sensor chamber outlet orifice and is able to form a seal wit the sealing means.
2. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 1 wherein, th opposite end of the movable piston to that which is located within the bounds o the sliding and sealing contact of the pressure chamber, experiences the effect of atmospheric pressure.
3. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein, the movable piston's central axis is substantially aligned with the central axis of the sensor chamber.
4. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, the diameter of the movable plug in relation to the internal diameter of the sensor chamber allows a predetermined quantity of fluid to flow to the outlet orifice wherein an increase in the fluid flow above that predetermined quantity, draws the movable plug into a sealing contact with the sealing means at the outlet orifice.
5. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, the sealing means located between the movable plug and the end of the sensor chamber is an 0-ring which encircles the outlet orifice.
6. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, a plunger is incorporated into the base of the movable piston.
7. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, the diameter of the plunger is of smaller diameter than the
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (Role 26) diameter of the outlet orifice.
8. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, when the movable piston is moved fully towards the sensor chamber, the plunger extends through the outlet orifice sufficiently far to deny a seal to occur between the movable plug and the sealing means at the outlet orifice.
9. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, the movable piston is biased away from the sensor chamber.
10. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 9 wherein, the biasing means is a spring.
11. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein, if there is no additional force acting upon the movable piston, the biasing means returns the movable piston to a rest position.
12. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 11 wherein, when the movable piston travels from its rest position to its extended position a biasing mechanism is compressed.
13. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 12 wherein, the biasing mechanism is a spring.
14. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 10 to 13 wherein, the biasing means and the biasing mechanism is the one and the same spring.
15. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, a sufficient build up of pressure in the pressure chamber moves the movable piston from the rest position to its fully extended position.
16. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, the movable piston includes an extension which is of sufficient length to protrude proud of the body.
17. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, an indicator mark is present on the movable piston extension and it is totally visible when the movable piston is in its fully extended position.
18. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, the indicator mark is not visible when the movable piston is in its rest position
19. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, an outlet passageway is incorporated into the movable piston.
20. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 19 wherein, the outlet aperture is incorporated into the extension from the movable piston which protrudes proud of the body.
21. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, the inlet for connection to a fluid supply, the sensor chamber and the outlet aperture have their central axes aligned to a common datum.
22. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 1 to 20 wherein, the axis of the inlet for connecting to a fluid supply and the axis of the outlet aperture are aligned to a common datum while the axis of the sensor chamber is at an angle to that datum.
23. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 1 20 or wherein, the axis of the inlet for the connection to a fluid supply and the axis of the outlet aperture do not share a common datum.
24. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, the axis of the inlet passageway and the axis of the inlet for connection to a fluid supply are not aligned to a common datum.
25. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, a groove is present in the body in the internal chamber walls, adjacent to the movable piston, which can accommodate a compression clip ring.
26. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 25 wherein, the height of the groove in the chamber wall is sufficient to allow the movable piston to move to a point where the plunger can be inserted through the outlet orifice to disallow the seal between the sealing means and the movable plug.
27. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, the groove in the chamber wall and the compression clip ring are replaced by a circular internal push-on fastener which locates itself onto the chamber wall.
28. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 14 to 27 wherein, the single spring is located between two spacing ring stops and is pretensioned by a circlip positioned in a groove on the movable piston.
29. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 27 or claim 28 wherein, the movable piston is located in its rest position due to the positioning of the single spring and the two spacing ring stops between a step in the bore of the pressure chamber and a circular internal push-on fastener.
30. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, an increase of fluid pressure in the pressure chamber above a predetermined value compresses the spring fully which limits the travel of the movable piston to its fully extended position.
31. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, a bypass passageway leads from the inlet passageway and bypasses the sensor chamber outlet and connects to the outlet passageway.
32. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 31 wherein, a valve is installed within the bypass passageway.
33. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the precedin claims wherein, a filtering material is installed within the inlet passageway.
34. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, a one way valve is installed in the outlet passageway.
35. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, part of the bore of the sensor chamber passageway is tapered to a smaller diameter as it nears the sealing means.
36. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 35 wherein, the tapered sensor chamber passageway is a separate unit which can provide a location means for holding the 0-ring in place.
37. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, the sensor chamber can be separated from the body.
38. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, the sensor chamber and the inlet for connection to a fluid supply is separate from, and connectable to, the body.
39. A fluid flow safety device comprising; a body, having an inlet orifice and an inlet passageway leading to a selective fluid flow sensor chamber, and located at the outlet end of the said sensor chamber is a sealing means which encircles an outlet orifice and this outlet orifice is of smaller cross section than that of the sensor chamber, said outlet orifice leading from the sensor chamber into a pressure chamber within the body; a guide for the movable piston is located by the body to form part of the pressure chamber and has its axis is aligned to the axis of the outlet orifice; a movable piston which makes a sliding and sealing contact with the guide, and whose sliding movement from a rest position increases or decreases the volume of the pressure chamber; a passageway extending from the pressure chamber to an outlet aperture which is connectable to further fluid transport mechanisms; and a movable plug which is positioned within the selective fluid flow sensor chamber and can move between the inlet passageway end stop of the sensor chamber and the outlet orifice, and the movable plug is of greater diameter than the sensor chamber outlet orifice and is able to form a seal with the sealing means.
40. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 39 wherein, an inlet assembly with a fluid passageway and a mating connection forms a fluid tight seal with the body inlet orifice and further provides a connection to a fluid supply source.
41. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 39 or claim 40 wherein, the opposite end of the movable piston to that which is located within the bounds of the sliding and sealing contact inside the pressure chamber, experiences the effect of atmospheric pressure.
42. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 to 41 wherein, the movable piston's central axis is substantially aligned with the central axis of the sensor chamber.
43. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 to 42 wherein, the diameter of the movable plug in relation to the internal diameter of the selective fluid flow sensor chamber allows a predetermined quantity of fluid to flow to the outlet orifice wherein an increase in the fluid flow above that predetermined quantity, draws the movable plug into sealing contact with the sealing means at the outlet orifice.
44. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 or claim 43 wherein, the sealing means located between the movable plug and the end of the sensor chamber is an 0-ring which encircles the outlet orifice.
45. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 to 44 wherein, a plunger is incorporated into the base of the movable piston.
46. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 to 45 wherein, the diameter of the plunger is of smaller diameter than the diameter of the outlet orifice.
47. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 to 46 wherein, when the movable piston is moved fully towards the sensor chamber, the plunger extends through the outlet orifice sufficiently far to deny a seal to occur between the movable plug and the sealing means at the outlet orifice.
48. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 to 47 wherein, the movable piston is biased away from the sensor chamber.
49. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 48 wherein, the biasing means is a spring.
50. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 48 or claim 49 wherein, if there is no additional force acting upon the movable piston, the biasing means returns the movable piston to a rest position.
51. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 50 wherein, when the movable piston travels from its rest position to its fully extended position a biasing mechanism is compressed.
52. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 51 wherein, the biasing mechanism is a spring.
53. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 48 to 52 wherein, the biasing means and the biasing mechanism is the one and the same spring.
54. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 to 52 wherein, a sufficient build up of pressure in the pressure chamber moves the movable piston from the rest position to its fully extended position.
55. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 to 54 wherein, the movable piston includes an extension which is of sufficient length to allow that extension to protrude proud of the guide.
56. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 to 55 wherein, an indicator mark is present on the movable piston extension which is totally visible when the movable position is in its fully extended position.
57. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 to 56 wherein, the indicator mark is not visible when the movable piston is in its rest position.
58. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 52 to 57 wherein, the single spring is located between two spacer rings and is pretensioned by a circlip positioned in a groove on the movable piston.
59. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 to 58 wherein, the movable piston is located in its rest position due to the positioning of the single spring and the two spacer rings between a step in the bore of the guide and a vented plug located onto the base of the guide.
60. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 to 59 wherein, an additional step is incorporated into the internal bore of the guide such that an increase of fluid pressure in the pressure chamber above a predetermined value compresses the spring and the spring spacer adjacent to the circlip on the movable piston engages with the additional step which limits the outward travel of the movable piston.
61. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 to 60 wherein, the outlet orifice and the sealing means of the sensor chamber are removable from the body.
62. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 61 wherein, the removable outlet orifice and the sealing means are held in position by the vented plug in the base of the guide.
63. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 to 62 wherein, the bore of the sensor chamber passageway is tapered to a smaller diameter as it nears the sealing means.
64. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 63 wherein, the tapered sensor chamber passageway is a separate unit and can provide a location means for holding the 0-ring in place.
65. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 to 64 wherein, the sensor chamber can be separated from the body.
66. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 40 to 65 wherein, a filtering material is installed within the inlet assembly fluid passageway.
67. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 to 66 wherein, a one way valve is installed in the outlet passageway.
68. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 to 67 wherein, the body has a mating relationship with the inlet assembly such that the body can be rotated around the axis of the inlet assembly.
69. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 68 wherein, when the body has been rotated into a fully inverted position, the movable plug forms a seal with the sealing means of the sensor chamber.
70. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 to 69 wherein, a bypass passageway leads from the inlet passageway and bypasses the sensor chamber outlet.
71. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 to 70 wherein, a valve is installed within the bypass passageway.
72. A fluid flow safety device comprising; an inlet assembly with a fluid passageway for connection to a fluid supply, a body having an inlet passageway leading to a selective fluid flow sensor chamber, and located at the outlet end of the of the said sensor chamber is a sealing means which encircles an outlet orifice and this outlet orifice is of smaller cross section than that of the sensor chamber, said outlet orifice leading from the sensor chamber to a pressure chamber within the body; a movable piston which makes a sliding and sealing contact within the pressure chamber, and whose sliding movement from a rest position increases or decreases the volume of the pressure chamber; a passageway extending from the pressure chamber to an outlet aperture which is connectable to further fluid transport mechanisms; a movable plug which is positioned within the selective fluid flow sensor chamber and is located between the inlet passageway and the outlet orifice, and the movable plug is of greater diameter than the sensor chamber outlet orifice; and a separate shut-off mechanism to provide an independent control for terminating the fluid flow.
73. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 72 wherein, the diameter of the movable plug in relation to the internal diameter of the sensor chamber allows a predetermined quantity of fluid to flow to the outlet orifice wherein an increase in the fluid flow above that predetermined quantity, draws the movable plug into a sealing contact with the sealing means at the outlet orifice.
74. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 72 or claim 73 wherein, the sealing means located between the movable plug and the end of the sensor chamber is an 0-ring which encircles the outlet orifice.
75. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 72 to 74 wherein, the opposite end of the movable piston to that which is located within the bounds of the sliding and sealing contact of the pressure chamber, experiences the effect of atmospheric pressure.
76. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 72 to 75 wherein, the movable piston's central axis is substantially aligned with the central axis of the sensor chamber.
77. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 72 to 76 wherein, the separate shut-off mechanism can also initiate the fluid flow.
78. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 72 to 77 wherein, the separate shut-off mechanism is located upstream of the sensor chamber.
79. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 72 to 78 wherein, the separate shut-off mechanism is biased towards the closed position.
80. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 72 to 79 wherein, the separate shut-off mechanism which is biased towards the closed position is held in the open state by a triggering system.
81. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 72 to 80 wherein, the triggering system is responsive to vibration movement.
82. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 72 to 80 wherein, the triggering system is responsive to heat.
83. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 72 to 80 wherein, the triggering system is responsive to an electrical impulse.
84. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 72 to 80 wherein, the triggering system incorporates a sensing chamber which will activate the trigger in responsive to a change in the fluid pressure.
85. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 72 to 84 wherein, the separate shut-off mechanism causes the movable plug in the sensor chamber to form a seal with the sealing means which encircles the outlet orifice .
86. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 72 to 77 wherein, the separate shut-off mechanism is located downstream of the sensor chamber outlet orifice.
87. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 86 wherein, the separate shut-off mechanism valve seat encircles the outlet side passageway of the sensor chamber outlet orifice.
88. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 86 or claim 87 wherein, the separate shut-off mechanism valve plug is located such that it forms a fluid seal with the separate shut-off mechanism valve seat.
89. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 88 wherein, the separate shut-off mechanism valve plug is incorporated onto the base of the movable piston.
90. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 86 to 89 wherein, the movable piston is propelled into its closed position by the action of a spindle mechanism.
91. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 86 to 90 wherein, the axes of the separate shut-off mechanism valve plug, spindle, valve seat and sensor chamber share a common datum. *
92. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 86 to 91 wherein, the movable piston is biased from its rest position by a sufficient build up of pressure in the pressure chamber.
93. A fluid flow safety device according the claim 92 wherein, when the spindle has been retracted to its open position and there is a sufficient build up of pressure in the pressure chamber, the movable piston moves the separate shut-off mechanism valve plug to an open state.
94. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 72 to 93 wherein, the separate shut-off mechanism valve plug includes a protrusion pin which extends through an oversized orifice from the base of the valve plug.
95. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 72 to 94 wherein, the protrusion pin extending from the base of the valve plug is of smaller diameter than that of the outlet orifice.
96. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 72 to 95 wherein, as the separate shut-off mechanism valve plug approaches its closed position, the protrusion pin denies a seal to occur between the movable plug and the sealing means.
97. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 90 to 93 wherein, within the movable piston is a cylindrical chamber whose axis is aligned with that of the movable piston.
98. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 97 wherein, one end of the reset plunger pin makes a sliding, sealing contact within the cylindrical chamber while the other end is located within an oversized orifice in the centre of the separate shut-off mechanism valve plug.
99. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 97 or claim 98 wherein, the reset plunger pin within the cylindrical chamber is biased to a retracted position.
100. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 97 to 99 wherein, the end of the reset plunger pin which makes a sliding and sealing contact within the cylindrical chamber experiences the effect of atmospheric pressure.
101. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 99 or claim 100 wherein, the biasing means for the reset plunger pin is a sufficient build up of pressure in the cylindrical chamber which moves the reset plunger to a retracted state.
102. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 97 to 101 wherein, the spindle has a central guide hole present which extends longitudinally through its central axis.
103. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 90 to 102 wherein, a reset shaft is located within the spindle's guide hole.
104. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 90 to 103 wherein, the reset shaft is biased towards a rest position.
105. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 104 wherein, the biasing means is a spring.
106. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 97 to 105 wherein, when the reset shaft is moved to its reset position it engages with the reset plunger pin and extends it through the separate shut-off mechanism valve seat to its reset position.
107. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 106 wherein, as the separate shut-off mechanism valve plug approaches its closed position, the reset plunger pin denies a seal to occur between the movable plug and the sealing means.
108. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 103 to 107 wherein, the reset shaft has a second biasing means which locates it into a rest position.
109. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 108 wherein, the second biasing means is a spring.
110. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 103 to 109 wherein, the reset shaft includes an extension which protrudes past the outside end of the spindle.
Ill. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 103 to 110 wherein, an indicator mark is present on the reset shaft extension which is only visible when the reset shaft is in its fully extended position.
112. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 110 or claim
111 wherein, when there is sufficient pressure built up around the oversized orifice of the plug, yalve the reset plunger pin moves -to its fully retracted state and compresses the second biasing means which causes the indicator mark on the reset shaft extension to become visible.
113. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 72 to 112 wherein, a bypass passageway leads from the inlet passageway and bypasses the sensor chamber outlet and connects to the outlet passageway.
114. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 113 wherein, a valve is installed within the bypass passageway.
115. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 114 wherein, the valve is a solenoid valve.
116. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 72 to 115 wherein, a filtering material is installed within the inlet passageway.
117. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 72 to 116 wherein, a one way valve is installed in the outlet passageway.
118. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 72 to 117 wherein, the bore of the sensor chamber passageway is tapered to a smaller diameter as it nears the sealing means.
119. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 118 wherein, the tapered sensor chamber passageway is a separate unit which can provide a location means for holding the 0-ring in place.
120. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the preceding claims wherein, the sensor chamber and the sealing means can be separated from the body.
121. A fluid flow safety device comprising; a body having an inlet end for connection to a fluid supply and an outlet end for connecting to further fluid transport mechanisms, an inlet passageway leading to a valve orifice passageway which leads to a primary valve seat and primary valve pressure chamber which connects via the outlet passageway to the outlet end; a primary valve mechanism is located within the primary valve pressure chamber such that it can form a fluid tight seal between the inlet and the outlet passageways by engaging with the primary valve seat; a selective fluid flow sensor chamber positioned between the inlet end and the primary valve seat and located at the outlet end of the said sensor chamber is a sealing means which encircles an outlet orifice and this outlet orifice is of smaller cross section than that of the sensor chamber said outlet orifice leading from the sensor chamber to the valve orifice; a sensor chamber shield which encircles the sensor chamber by forming, defining and separating the internal length of the sensor chamber passageway from that of the inlet or any other passageway; a movable plug which is positioned within the fluid flow sensor chamber and can move between the inlet passageway end of the sensor chamber and the outlet orifice, and the movable plug is of greater diameter than the sensor chamber outlet orifice and is able to form a seal with the sealing means.
122. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 121 wherein, the movable plug in its open position is located in the centre of the inlet end of the sensor chamber.
123. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 122 wherein, three or more detents or fingers supported by the sensor chamber shield provide the open position for the movable plug.
124. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 123 wherein, a safety valve passageway extends from the inlet passageway to a safety valve mechanism which has been designed to vent to the atmosphere that fluid .from the safety valve passageway should the pressure in that passageway raise above a predetermined value.
125. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 124 wherein, the safety valve passageway encircles the sensor chamber shield.
126. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 125 wherein, the diameter of the movable plug in relation to the internal diameter of the sensor chamber allows a predetermined quantity of fluid to flow to the outlet orifice wherein an increase in the fluid flow above that predetermined quantity, draws the movable plug into a sealing contact with the sealing means at the outlet orifice.
127. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 126 wherein, the responsiveness of the closing ability of the movable plug remains unaltered regardless of any discharge from the safety valve.
128. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 127 wherein, the sealing means located between the movable plug and the end of the sensor chamber is an 0-ring which encircles the outlet orifice.
129. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 128 wherein, part of the bore of the sensor chamber passageway is tapered to a smaller diameter as it nears the sealing means.
130. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 129 wherein, the tapered sensor chamber passageway is a separate unit which can provide a location means for holding the 0-ring in place.
131. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 130 wherein, he opposite end of the primary valve to that which is located within the bounds of the sliding and sealing contact of the primary valve pressure chamber, experiences the effect of atmospheric pressure.
132. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims
121 to 131 wherein, the primary valve's central axis is substantially aligned with the central axis of the sensor chamber.
133. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 132 wherein, a separate shut-off mechanism is located upstream of the sensor chamber.
134. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 133 wherein, the separate shut-off mechanism can also initiate the fluid flow.
135. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 134 wherein, the separate shut-off mechanism is biased towards the closed position.
136. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 135 wherein, the separate shut-off mechanism which is biased towards the closed position is held in the open state by a triggering system.
137. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims
121 to 136 wherein, the triggering system is responsive to vibration movement.
138. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 137 wherein, the triggering system is responsive to an external signal.
139. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 138 wherein, the triggering system incorporates a sensing chamber which will activate the trigger in responsive to a change in the fluid pressure.
140. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 139 wherein, the separate shut-off mechanism causes the movable plug in the sensor chamber to form a seal with the sealing means which encircles the outlet orifice.
141. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 140 wherein, the primary valve seat encircles the outlet passageway side of the sensor chamber outlet orifice.
142. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 141 wherein, the primary valve is propelled into its closed position by the action of a spindle mechanism.
143. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 142 wherein, the axes of the primary valve, spindle, primary valve seat and sensor chamber share a common datum.
144. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 143 wherein, when the spindle has been retracted to an open position, it moves the primary valve to an open state.
145. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 143 wherein, when the spindle has been retracted to its open position and there is a sufficient build up of pressure in the pressure chamber, the pressure moves the primary valve to an open state.
146. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 145 wherein, the primary valve includes a protrusion pin which extends from the base of the primary valve.
147. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 1321 to 146 wherein, the protrusion pin extending from the base of the primary valve is of smaller diameter than that of the outlet orifice.
148. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 147 wherein, as the primary valve approaches its closed position, the protrusion pin denies a seal to occur between the movable plug and the sealing means.
149. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 148 wherein, within the primary valve is a cylindrical chamber whose axis is aligned with that of the movable piston.
150. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 149 wherein, within the cylindrical chamber is a reset pin, one end of which makes a sealing and sliding contact with the cylindrical chamber while the other end is located an oversized orifice in the centre of the primary valve.
151. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 149 or claim
150 wherein, when the reset pin has been moved to the bottom of the cylindrical chamber, the other end of the reset pin protrudes proud of the base of the primary valve.
152. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 149 to 151 wherein, as the primary valve approaches or is at its closed position, the reset pin can be moved to the bottom of the cylindrical chamber which allows the other end of the reset pin to deny a seal to occur between the movable plug and the sealing means.
153. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 153 wherein, the selective fluid flow sensor chamber and/or the sensor chamber shield are removable from the body.
154. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 121 to 153 wherein, when the pressure in the pressure chamber is above a predetermined valve, an external indicator registers the pressure increase.
155. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the previous claims wherein, the movable plug is a metal ball.
156. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the previous claims wherein, the movable ball is biased towards the open position.
157. A fluid flow safety device according to claim 156 wherein, the biasing means is a magnetic force.
158. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the previous claims wherein, when the movable piston is in the rest position, the free flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet passageway is severely restricted.
159. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the previous claims wherein, the internal passageways include a flashback arrester.
160. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 1 to 38 and claims 121 to 159 wherein, the body is mounted vertically.
161. A fluid flow safety device according to any of the claims 39 to 120 and claim 159 wherein, the body is mounted in a horizontal orientation.
162. A fluid flow safety shut-off mechanism comprising; an attaching guide housing which is connectable with a fluid flow safety device body, said attaching guide housing containing a central guide hole and a mating connection for a spindle mechanism; a movable piston which makes a sealing and sliding contact within the central guide hole in the attaching guide housing, said movable piston containing a cylindrical chamber and a valve plug; a reset plunger pin, one end of which makes a sliding, sealing contact within the cylindrical chamber while the other end is located within an oversized orifice in the centre of the valve plug; a spindle mechanism which makes a mating connection with the attaching guide housing and which, when rotated towards its closed position, urges the movable piston from the attaching guide housing and the said spindle contains a central guide hole which extends longitudinally through its central axis; a handle which combines with the spindle to transmit the rotational movement to the spindle.
163. A fluid flow safety shut-off mechanism according to claim 162 wherein, a reset shaft is located within the spindle's guide hole.
164. A fluid flow safety shut-off mechanism according to claim 162 and claim 163 wherein, the reset shaft is biased towards a rest position.
165. A fluid flow safety shut-off mechanism according to any of the claims 162 to 164 wherein, the biasing means is a spring.
166. A fluid flow safety shut-off mechanism according to any of the claims 162 to 165 wherein, when the reset shaft is moved to its reset position, it engages with the reset plunger pin and extends it through the valve plug to its reset position.
167. A fluid flow safety shut-off mechanism according to claim 164 wherein, when it is installed into a matching fluid flow safety device as previously described, and as the valve plug approaches or is at its closed position and the reset shaft is depressed, the reset plunger pin denies a seal to occur between the movable plug and the sealing means.
168. A fluid flow safety shut-off mechanism according to any of the claims 162 to 167 wherein, the reset shaft has a second biasing means which locates it into a rest position.
169. A fluid flow safety shut-off mechanism according to claim 168 wherein, the biasing means is a spring.
170. A fluid flow safety shut-off mechanism according to any of the claims 162 to 169 wherein, the reset shaft includes an extension which protrudes past the outside end of the spindle.
171. A fluid flow safety shut-off mechanism according to any of the claims 162 to 170 wherein, an indicator mark is present on the reset shaft extension which is only visible when the reset shaft is in its fully extended position.
172. A fluid flow safety shut-off mechanism according to claim 170 or claim 171 wherein, when there is a sufficient build up of pressure around the oversized orifice of the valve plug, the reset plunger pin moves to its fully retracted state and compresses the second biasing means which causes the indicator mark on the reset shaft extension to become visible.
173. A fluid flow safety shut-off mechanism according to any of the claims 121 to 172 wherein, an inter-lock is included on the primary valve mechanism which requires a specific form of manual manipulation to establish a fluid flow after the primary valve has been turned off thus providing "child safe" protection.
174. A fluid flow safety device, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.