Gas distribution system
First Claim
1. A gas distribution system for delivery of gaseous fuel from a source into and throughout a dwelling in the absence of emergency conditions such as gas leaks and fires to a plurality of appliances, at least one of the appliances being capable of generating digital signals including periodic gas request signals, said system also inputting electrical power from a power source, comprising:
- means for inputting gaseous fuel into a dwelling to cause a gas flow;
means for splitting said input gaseous fuel into a plurality of gas flow paths;
first electrically operable valve means disposed between said inputting means and said splitting means for controlling gas flow between said inputting means and said splitting means;
outlet means for connectable attachment of gas and said digital signals to an appliance, said outlet means comprising;
a gas inlet connected to at least one of said plurality of gas flow paths,a gas outlet connectable an appliance, second electrically operable gas valve means disposed between said gas inlet and said gas outlet for controlling said gas flow between said gas inlet and said gas outlet, andan outlet communication channel providing an electrical path for said digital signals from a connected appliance; and
means for electronically controlling said first and second valve means, said controlling means electrically connectable to an appliance through said outlet communication channel and electrically connected to said first valve means opens to allow gas flow only after said controlling means receives said gas request signal from a connected appliance.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automated gas distribution system for safely and reliably controlling the flow of gaseous fuel to gas appliances. The system implements a "closed-loop" delivery of gas, i.e., the gas is provided to a recongnized appliance only when that appliance sends a valid request for gas to a control/communications subsystem. Certain conditions preclude the supply of gas despite a valid request for gas and include an appliance or system malfunction, or a command from the system operator instructing the system to ignore certain gas requests. In addition, emergency conditions, such as a fire or gas leak will also circumvent the closed-loop delivery of gas to appliances.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A gas distribution system for delivery of gaseous fuel from a source into and throughout a dwelling in the absence of emergency conditions such as gas leaks and fires to a plurality of appliances, at least one of the appliances being capable of generating digital signals including periodic gas request signals, said system also inputting electrical power from a power source, comprising:
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means for inputting gaseous fuel into a dwelling to cause a gas flow; means for splitting said input gaseous fuel into a plurality of gas flow paths; first electrically operable valve means disposed between said inputting means and said splitting means for controlling gas flow between said inputting means and said splitting means; outlet means for connectable attachment of gas and said digital signals to an appliance, said outlet means comprising; a gas inlet connected to at least one of said plurality of gas flow paths, a gas outlet connectable an appliance, second electrically operable gas valve means disposed between said gas inlet and said gas outlet for controlling said gas flow between said gas inlet and said gas outlet, and an outlet communication channel providing an electrical path for said digital signals from a connected appliance; and means for electronically controlling said first and second valve means, said controlling means electrically connectable to an appliance through said outlet communication channel and electrically connected to said first valve means opens to allow gas flow only after said controlling means receives said gas request signal from a connected appliance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A gas distribution system for the delivery of a gaseous fuel from a source into a dwelling to at least one gas-consuming appliance of the type that provides a gas-request signal, comprising:
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means for inputting a gaseous fuel into a dwelling for distribution therein; means for splitting the gaseous fuel from said inputting means into a plurality of gas flow paths; electrically operable valve means between said inputting and splitting means for selectively controlling the gas flow therebetween in response to an electric signal; an electric/gas connection interface coupled to each of said gas flow paths for effecting an electric/gas connection with a gas-consuming appliance, said connection interface including a gas port for delivering gas to a gas-consuming appliance and an electrical connector for effecting an electrical connection with a gas-consuming appliance, and normally closed electrically operable valve means for selectively controlling the gaseous flow to said gas port; and means for controlling said first-mentioned and second-mentioned valve means for supplying gas to said gas-consuming appliance connected to said electric/gas connection interface in response to gas-request signal provided by said appliance through said connection interface, said means for controlling at least providing an electric signal to said second-mentioned valve to effect opening thereof. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A gas distribution system for the delivery of a gaseous fuel from a source into a dwelling to at least one gas-consuming appliance, comprising:
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means for inputting a gaseous fuel into a dwelling for distribution therein along at least one gas flow path; electrically operable valve means in said gas flow path for selectively controlling the gas flow therein in response to an electric signal; an electric/gas connection interface coupled to said gas flow path for effecting an electric/gas connection with said gas-consuming appliance, said connection interface including a gas port for delivering gas to said gas-consuming appliance and an electrical connector for effecting an electrical connection with said consuming device, and electrically operable valve means for selectively controlling the gas flow to said gas port; an adaptor for connection between said gas-consuming appliance and said electric/bas connection interface, said adaptor including a gas-flow through-path for connection between said gas port and the gas-consuming appliance and a signal generator for providing a gas-request signal and means for controlling said first-mentioned and second-mentioned valve means for supplying gas to said gas-consuming appliance connected through said electric/gas connection interface and said adaptor in response to said gas-request signal provided by said signal generator. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification