Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
  • F16K17/00—Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves
  • F16K17/20—Excess-flow valves
  • F16K17/22—Excess-flow valves actuated by the difference of pressure between two places in the flow line
  • F16K17/24—Excess-flow valves actuated by the difference of pressure between two places in the flow line acting directly on the cutting-off member
  • F16K17/28—Excess-flow valves actuated by the difference of pressure between two places in the flow line acting directly on the cutting-off member operating in one direction only
  • F16K17/30—Excess-flow valves actuated by the difference of pressure between two places in the flow line acting directly on the cutting-off member operating in one direction only spring-loaded

Definitions

• invention relates to excess flow valves which prevent the flow of fluid or gas through a port
• valves are intended to regulate the flow of
• valve will
• a gas supply system comprises a bottle or utility gas line, or other high
• pressure gas source connected directly or through a pipe, or similar gas delivery means, to a
• the regulator unit supplies the gas at a low pressure rate to its final
• the excess flow valve is typically placed at the low-
• a typical excess flow valve comprises a sliding poppet inside a chamber capable of
• a spring is often used to urge the poppet to its open position away from the opening.
• an excess-flow check valve comprising a poppet member and a retainer member
• orifice determines the flow area for the fluid passing through the valve.
• the differential pressure increases.
• the differential pressure increases.
• Sumner patent employs a cam member which, upon rotation, adjusts the distance between its poppet member and an orifice.
• the ability to adjust said distance is limited by
• the preselected settings provided on the cam member i.e., lobes and flats. That is, for any
• shut off rate determined by the cam member might be much greater
• valve also
• Another type of externally adjustable valve referred to as a velocity fuse for a
• the Maldavs fuse includes a poppet valve assembly having an adjustment screw
• the shielded body helps to divert the flow of fluid
• the sensitivity of the valve depends on limited preset threshold
• the present invention provides an excess flow rate valve system and method for
• the excess flow rate valve is adjustable to actuate within a wide range of flow rates.
• valve system is designed to shut down the flow of the fluid, vapor, or gas if the flow rate
• the valve system is responsive
• valve system is precisely and accurately adjustable within
• valve system prevents the flow of the fluid or gas in the event of a break in a fuel line, hose,
• valve or gas substantially completely, except for a minimal allowable back pressure.
• valve can be used in
• the preferred valve comprises a sliding poppet within a chamber which can be
• a coiled spring is used to urge the poppet
• the adjustment mechanism comprises a threaded member extending through the
• the threaded member is externally
• the cam is provided on the threaded member and can be moved laterally in relation to the
• the spring keeps the poppet in its open position against the cam until the flow rate
• the valve is configured to substantially limit the rotation of the
• the top of the poppet is also provided with support arms that extend to the walls of the poppet
• spacers can be provided to adjust
• the threaded member can be adapted to be positioned on multiple fixed
• the length of the poppet can also be varied
• valve also contemplates using a tamper resistant break-
• the plug can be used to cover the head to prevent unauthorized adjustments.
• FIGURE 1 shows a longitudinal cross-section of an exemplary configuration of the
• FIGURE 2 shows a longitudinal cross-section of an exemplary configuration of the
• FIGURE 3 shows a longitudinal cross-section of an exemplary configuration of the
• FIGURES 4a, 4b and 4c show a top view, side view and bottom view, respectively, of
• FIGURES 5a, 5b and 5c show an end view, top view and side view, respectively, of
• FIGURES 6a and 6b show a side view and end view, respectively, of an exemplary
• FIGURES 7a shows a cross-section view of an exemplary configuration of a cap with
• FIGURES 7b shows a cross-section view of an exemplary configuration of a sealing cap used in the excess flow valve of the present invention
• FIGURES 8a and 8b show spacers of various widths that can be used in the excess flow valve of the present invention
• FIGURE 9 shows an exemplary assembly having multiple settings with a long poppet
• FIGURE 10 shows an exemplary assembly having multiple settings with a long
• FIGURE 11 shows an exemplary assembly having multiple settings with a long
• FIGURE 12 shows an exemplary assembly having multiple settings with a short
• FIGURE 13 shows an exemplary assembly having multiple settings with a short
• FIGURE 14 shows an exemplary assembly having multiple settings with a short
• valve system and method to regulate the flow of fluid, vapor, or gas therethrough In the
• the valve system comprises a single-chamber housing body 1 , as shown
• the body is a chamber 4 with an orifice 5 at one end.
• the orifice 5 is formed in a narrow
• portion 7 of the housing body 1 through which fluid or gas can pass from one end 2 to the
• the narrow portion 7 has a receiving portion 8 adjacent the wider portion 9 of the
• the body 1 is preferably
• each end 2 and 3 externally threaded on each end 2 and 3 so that it can be secured to a threaded pipe system
• the body 1 has an opening or bore 10 through which a threaded member 31, as
• multiple bores 10 can be provided, as will be discussed, to enable the location of the
• the housing body 1 is preferably
• a sliding poppet 11 Within the chamber 4, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, is a sliding poppet 11 and a
• coiled spring 25 extending in the longitudinal direction in relation to the axis of the housing body 1.
• the poppet 11 and spring 25 are preferably co-axially oriented within the
• the spring 25 is preferably situated in the chamber 4 such that its lower end
• the upper end 28 of the spring 25 preferably cooperates with
• spring 25 can be any conventional type, i.e., made of metal, and can be provided with a
• pre-calibrated tension as is known in the art.
• the poppet 11 is generally configured to slide within the chamber 4, preferably
• the poppet 11, shown in Figures 4a, 4b and 4c, preferably has a
• portion 12 is adapted to slide within the orifice 5 and be positioned in relation to the
• the poppet seat 15 extends outward at the top of the flange portion 12 and is preferably
• fluid or gas can pass from one end 2 to the other 3.
• the shaft portion 13 which is preferably relatively thin to reduce the overall weight of the poppet so that gravity does not
• Ribs 24 can be provided along the shaft
• the poppet 11 can be made either longer or shorter, to
• the poppet top 14 has one or more support arms 19, as shown in Figures 4a-4c.
• the support arms 19 preferably extend outward laterally to provide support for the poppet
• the support arms 19 also brace the poppet against
• the poppet's angled engagement surface Preferably located on the poppet top 14 is the poppet's angled engagement surface
• the engagement surface 17 is provided along substantially the same incline as the cam's engagement surface 39, located on adjustment cam 37 shown in Figures 5a-5c.
• the width 20 between the two support arms 19 is preferably only slightly wider than the
• chamber or orifice can also be used.
• the threaded member 31 is the threaded member 31.
• the threaded member 31, as shown in Figures 6a-6b, is the threaded member 31.
• shaft has a head 35 at one end 34 and terminates at the other end 36.
• the terminating end 36 is inserted into the notch 29 on the side of the chamber
• the head 35 is
• the head 35 is preferably an alien head, but can be a screw head, hex head, or other type
• cam 37 Positioned on the threaded member 31, as shown in Figure 3, is the cam 37.
• cam 37 as shown in Figures 5a-5c, has a threaded bore 41 adapted for rotational
• the cam's engagement surface 39 extends from the
• the angle of the two surfaces 17 and 39 and the inclined plane 60 is preferably about 45
• cam retains the movement of the poppet upward, adjusting the cam 37 in this manner sets
• Both the poppet 11, including the poppet top 14, and cam 37, can be made of
• DelrinTM made by Dupont. The material preferably withstands extreme changes in
• the poppet 11 and member 31 can be
• a sealing cap 45 is provided, as shown in Figure 7a, to seal the bore 10. It
• cap 45 can be inserted within the bore and secured thereto to provide an airtight seal.
• cap 45 is adapted with a cavity 47 adjacent to which the head 35 can be positioned wherein
• the cap helps secure the threaded member 31 within the chamber, preventing the member
• bore 49 is provided through the cap 45 so that the head 35 of the threaded member 31 can
• a bushing 50 shown in Figure 9, is
• the access bore 49 preferably has internal threads so that a separate break away
• screw 51 can be inserted therein to prevent unauthorized adjustments of the threaded
• break away screw 51 has a separate head 55, such as a screw head, alien head, hex head,
• the head 55 is supported
• a thin stem 56 which can be broken off after the valve is set and the screw 51 inserted.
• Spacers 57, 59 and 61 as shown in Figures 8a and 8b, can be provided to widen
• the spacers are preferably annular in shape to match the
• One or more spacers can be inserted into the chamber adjacent the spring,
• the spacers help to adjust the threshold flow rate by compressing the spring and adjusting its tension for any given travel
• 61 can come in various widths depending on the desired Threshold Rate ranges. Any
• system can be a multi-phase excess flow valve system.
• valve system is similar to the valve system of the first embodiment, except that it has a
• housing design 70 is shown to demonstrate the multi-phase excess flow valve system.
• system may be adjusted to accommodate for insertion of the threaded member 31 in one of
• Each position comprises a bore 10 and associated notch 29, as shown in Figures 9-
• Each position 63, 64 and 65 is located at a
• multiple phase design valve system can be used to achieve virtually any desired range of
• Threshold Rates Although three positions are illustrated herein, it will be appreciated that 2, 4, 5 or more positions can similarly be provided, depending on the range of desired flow
• valve system In its open position, the valve system regulates the flow of the fluid or gas from an
• the cam 37 can be laterally displaced in a direction
• engagement surface 39 is designed to slide in relation to the poppet's
• the valve system can be set to virtually any Threshold Rate.
• valve system may be used to regulate the flow of gas into a house
• the maximum gas consumption rate (the rate at which all gas-
• Rate is set to a desired level, e.g., about 10% higher than the maximum consumption rate. This is preferably done by a professional using a flowmeter. Hence, if the maximum
• Threshold Rate is set at around 110,000 BTUs by adjusting a pre-calibrated threaded
• valve system causing the valve system to shut down the supply of gas into the house, thereby
• Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary configuration of the excess
• the poppet 11 is guided by the two or more guiding fins 16 and/or support arms 19.
• the support arms 19 on the poppet top 14 ensure that the poppet slides longitudinally inside
• the support arms 19 also help to stabilize the housing body 1 during its up and down motion.
• the support arms 19 also help to stabilize the housing body 1 during its up and down motion.
• poppet top 14 can cause the support arms 19 to bind with the chamber 4 wall, when setting
• valve care should be taken to release the poppet by reversing the threaded member 31
• the range of threshold flow rates for natural gas can be extended from between about 30,000 BTU's to about 1.5 million BTU's.
• Assembly No. 1 The assembly shown in Figure 9 employs a standard size poppet
• BTU's for natural gas and about 47,000 to 944,000 BTU's for liquid petroleum.
• Assembly No. 2 The assembly shown in Figure 10 employs a standard size poppet
• Assembly No. 3 The assembly shown in Figure 11 employs a standard size poppet
• Assembly No. 4 The assembly shown in Figure 12 employs a shorter poppet 69
• the operating range using the adjustment mechanism of the present invention for this assembly is about 75,000 to 980,000
• BTU's for natural gas and about 119,000 to 1,561,000 BTU's for liquid petroleum.
• Assembly No. 5 The assembly shown in Figure 13 employs a shorter poppet 69
• Assembly No. 6 The assembly shown in Figure 14 employs a shorter poppet 69
• adjustment mechanism of the present invention for this assembly is about 54,000 to 851,000
• BTU's for natural gas and about 86,000 to 1,354,000 BTU's for liquid petroleum.
• threshold ranges can be varied further by changing the position of the threaded member 31 .
• the adjustment mechanism can also be adjusted, if desired.
• Threshold Rate as in standard valves, one or more of the adjustment steps discussed above can be employed.
• one or more spacers can be employed.
• the multiple-phase settings can also be used to widen
• Threshold Rates that are possible for any given size of housing body.
• the poppet itself can be changed to adjust the travel distance of the poppet and
• the valve is then set using the adjustment mechanism to the
• Threshold Rate by turning the threaded member 31 to a predetermined position, i.e.,
• the system was designed to simulate conditions
• Threshold Rate set at approximately 64,000 BTU's for natural gas (or 50 SCFH), the valve
• Threshold Rate was set at approximately 128,000 BTU's for
• the valve typically shuts off when the hole is smaller, i.e., half the size as the one
• present valve is able to detect small as well as large leaks without confusing small leaks

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Lift Valve (AREA)
• Safety Valves (AREA)
• Mechanically-Actuated Valves (AREA)
• Feeding And Controlling Fuel (AREA)
• Preventing Unauthorised Actuation Of Valves (AREA)

Priority Applications (7)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=27366164

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (9)

Cited By (3)

Families Citing this family (7)

Citations (9)

• 1998
  • 1998-04-01 BR BR9807910-7A patent/BR9807910A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1998-04-01 CN CNB988038609A patent/CN1134603C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-04-01 TR TR1999/03301T patent/TR199903301T2/xx unknown
  • 1998-04-01 EP EP98913312A patent/EP0972151A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1998-04-01 WO PCT/US1998/006274 patent/WO1998044283A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1998-04-01 KR KR1019997009025A patent/KR20010005948A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1998-04-01 NZ NZ500060A patent/NZ500060A/en unknown
  • 1998-04-01 AU AU67894/98A patent/AU6789498A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1998-04-01 IL IL13213098A patent/IL132130A0/xx unknown

Patent Citations (9)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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