AUTOMATIC VALVE SHUTOFF DEVICE AND METHODS

• US 20150376875A1
• Filed: 09/10/2015
• Published: 12/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Washington
• Original Assignee: University of Washington
• Inventors: Patel, Shwetak N., Campbell, Timothy B., Larson, Eric C., Cohn, Gabriel A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,702,123 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/071 Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 20/005 Leakage; Spillage; Hose burst
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/21 Systems with pressure sources other than pumps, e.g. with a pyrotechnical charge
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/632 representing a flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/7107 the output members being mechanically linked
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/87 Detection of failures
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/8755 Emergency shut-down
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/8855 Compressible fluids, e.g. specific to pneumatics
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/40 with a fracturing member, e.g. fracturing diaphragm, glass, fusible joint valves opening on surplus pressure F16K17/14
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/02 electric F16K31/004 takes precedence; magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/12 actuated by fluid fluid-actuated lift valves F16K1/126 ; fluid-actuated check valves F16K15/00; fluid-actuated safety valves F16K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0075 For recording or indicating the functioning of a valve in combination with test equipment
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/16 using electric detection means G01M3/045, G01M3/06, G01M3/12, G01M3/20, G01M3/24, G01M3/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes

Abstract

Examples of automatic valve shutoff systems are described which may include an actuation device including an actuator and a valve attachment portion. The valve attachment portion may be configured for attachment with an existing valve the in a fluid or compressible gas supply line. The system may further include a controller coupled to the actuation device, wherein the controller is configured to initiate a valve shutoff process in response to a wireless signal. Wake-up circuitry may be coupled to the controller and configured to monitor the supply line for vibrations and activate the controller in response to the vibrations.

Claims

1. A valve actuation device comprising:

an actuator configured to be activated using an activation signal; and

a valve attachment portion configured for attaching the actuator to an existing valve, wherein the actuator, once activated, is operable to turn the existing valve via the valve attachment portion, and wherein the actuator is configured to be powered using pneumatic pressure.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the valve attachment portion is configured to engage with the existing valve without necessitating removal of the existing valve.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the valve attachment portion comprises a removable adapter configured for attachment with a select one of a plurality of valve types.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the valve attachment portion is configured to allow subsequent manual operation of the existing valve.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises one or more rotary actuators, the device further comprising a gearing mechanism coupling the one or more rotary actuators to the attachment portion.

6. The device of claim 5, further comprising a source of pneumatic pressure, and wherein the source of pneumatic pressure comprises a container of pressurized gas coupled to the rotary actuator using a barrier.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising a controller configured to remove the barrier in response to the activation signal.

8. The device of claim 6, further comprising a puncture device for puncturing the barrier and allowing the gas to flow to the actuator.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is operable to turn the existing valve in a first direction and in a second direction opposite the first direction.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the activation signal is a wireless signal.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a button configured to generate the activation signal when the button is depressed by a user.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a source of pneumatic pressure.

13. An automatic valve shutoff system for use with an existing valve in a fluid supply line, the system comprising:

an actuation device including a pneumatically-powered actuator configured to be retrofitted to an existing valve; and

a controller coupled to the actuation device and configured to initiate a valve shutoff process in response to an activation signal.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the activation signal is a wireless signal, and wherein the controller is operable to receive wireless transmissions when fluid is flowing through the supply line.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising a wake-up device coupled to the controller and configured to detect a flow through the supply line and activate the controller in response to said flow.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the wake-up device includes one or more of an accelerometer, a flow sensor, a vibration sensor, a ball switch, a reed switch, a hall effect sensor, or a combination thereof.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to remain in standby mode until activated by the wakeup device.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to remain in active mode while fluid is flowing through the supply line and for a predetermined period of time after the flow stops.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the actuator comprises a gas-powered rotary actuator and a compressed gas cartridge configured to drive the rotary actuator upon the removal of a barrier disposed between the actuator and the cartridge.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising one or more of a pressure regulator or a flow control valve for controlling a flow or pressure of the gas contained in the cartridge prior to providing said gas to the actuator.