Automatic valve closer

• US 4,488,567 A
• Filed: 07/05/1983
• Issued: 12/18/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Willie T. Grant
• Original Assignee: Willie T. Grant
• Inventors: Grant, Willie T.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US06/510,756
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 251/133, 251/134, 361/178, 307/118, 137/78.1, 137/312, 340/604, 340/605
• US Class Current: 137/78.1
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/00 Safety valves; Equalising valves, e.g. pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/04 using a motor
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 19/1051 for domestic hot water
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1842 Ambient condition change responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5762 With leakage or drip collecting

Abstract

Valve closure means having a low rpm motor with a shaft coupled to the stem of a shutoff valve located in the supply line of a water heater or like device; said motor having support means attaching to the supply line is energized to rotate said shutoff valve to a closed position when the tank of said water heater or like device ruptures, thereby terminating flow in the supply line.

Claims

1. Closure means having translatory motor means, said closure means automatically rotating a valve to a closed condition upon detection of a leak or rupture in a device having fluid flow controlled by said valve;

said closure means, having covering means, comprising in combination;

(a) detection means, sensing the presence of said fluid outside the confines of said device;

said detection means having a liquid containment receptacle receiving a portion of said fluid;

normally open electrical contacts mounting in said receptacle, energizing relay means and said motor means coincident with a leak or rupture in said device;

(b) electrical means having secondary circuit energizing relay means and controlling a primary circuit operating motor means;

said motor means comprising a low rpm motor, energized through said contacts of said relay means and de-energized through contacts operable by said motor means;

(c) coupling means interconnecting and providing translational and rotational continuity between said motor and a rotating element of said valve;

said coupling means attaching to said shaft of said motor means and to said rotating element of said valve;

(d) support means attaching said motor means and coupling means to a flow line and to said valve controlling said fluid flow;

said support means comprising a bracket and connecting means interconnecting said flow line and providing for translatory movement of said motor means when said rotating element of said valve moves to an open of closed position.

2. The means defined in claim 1 wherein said motor means having translator means and operating means;

said operating means actuating electrical contacts in a primary and a secondary circuit and concurrently controlling both said circuits.

3. The means defined in claim 1 wherein said electrical means having manual switch means, operating said motor means and having said relay means connecting said motor means to a voltage source.