Fluid leak detector and shut-off device

• US 5,966,076 A
• Filed: 03/13/1998
• Issued: 10/12/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kevin E. Cantrell
• Original Assignee: Kevin E. Cantrell
• Inventors: Cantrell, Kevin E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LIEU, JULIE BICHNGOC
• Application Number:
  US09/039,105
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 340/605, 340/603, 73/40.5 R, 73/40, 137/247.13, 137/247.15, 251/68, 251/74, 251/251, 251/262, 251/267
• US Class Current: 340/605
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/18 for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/22 for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves; for welds; for containers, e.g. radiators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/4478 Line condition change responsive

Abstract

The invention is a shut-off device for a gas or liquid conduit that closes the conduit upon receiving a signal from a leak detector. The shut off device is a spring biased full flow ball valve positioned in the fluid conduit that closes upon receiving a signal from the leak detector that a fluid leak has occurred. The detector may be a conductivity detector for liquids or a specific gas detector, and may be hard wired or remote signaling in operation. Multiple detectors may be used in the system. An audible alarm is also activated when a leak is detected.

Claims

1. An apparatus for interrupting flow of fluid in a fluid-carrying conduit upon detection of a dangerous condition associated with said fluid, comprising;

a) a full flow valve member positioned in said fluid-carrying conduit, said valve member having external mechanical operating means for orientating said valve member between a full open orientation and a full closed orientation;

b) biasing means secured to said valve member external mechanical operating means, said means biasing said valve member toward a full closed orientation;

c) releasable latch assembly means secured to said valve member external mechanical operating means, said assembly latching said valve member in a full open orientation, said releasable latch assembly means comprising a manual release lever member fastened to said valve member external mechanical operating means, said manual release lever member latching said valve member in a full open orientation, said manual release lever member magnetically connected to a magnetic latch means secured to a solenoid actuator, said solenoid actuator responding to a signal from a detector means to disconnect said magnetic latch means from said manual release lever member, thereby allowing said valve member to move to a full closed orientation; and

d) detector means in communication through communication means with said releasable latch assembly means, said detector means, upon sensing a dangerous condition associated with said fluid, signaling said releasable latch assembly through said communication means, thereby releasing said valve member external mechanical operating means attached thereto, allowing said biasing means attached to said operating means to move said valve member to a closed orientation, thereby interrupting fluid flow in said fluid carrying conduit.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said external mechanical operating means for said valve member is a valve member handle.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said biasing means secured to said operating means is a spring member secured to said valve member handle at an end furthest from said valve member.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said biasing means secured to said operating means is a spring member.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said detector means is selected from the group consisting of conductivity detector, gas specific detector and hydrocarbon liquid detector.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said communication means comprises;

a) a remote transmitter means attached to said detector means for transmitting an alarm signal;

b) a remote receiver means for receiving said alarm signal; and

c) circuit means connecting said remote receiver means to said releasable latch assembly means for relaying said alarm signal thereto.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said communication means comprises a hard wired circuit between said detector means and said releasable latch assembly means.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said detector means, communication means and releasable latch assembly means are operated by self-contained power units.

9. An apparatus for interrupting flow of fluid in a fluid-carrying conduit upon detection of a dangerous condition associated with said fluid, comprising;

a) a full flow valve member positioned in said fluid-carrying conduit, said valve member having external mechanical operating means for orientating said valve member between a full open orientation and a full closed orientation;

b) biasing means secured to said valve member external mechanical operating means, said means biasing said valve member toward a full closed orientation, said full flow valve member with external mechanical operating means and said biasing means attached thereto enclosed within a control box member;

c) releasable latch assembly means secured to said valve member external mechanical operating means, said releasable latch assembly means comprising a manual release lever member fastened to said valve member external mechanical operating means, said manual release lever member latching said valve member in a full open orientation, said manual release lever member extending from interior said control box member through an aperture therein, exterior said control box member said manual release lever member magnetically connected to a magnetic latch means secured to a solenoid actuator, said solenoid actuator responding to a signal from a detector means to disconnect said magnetic latch means from said manual release lever member, thereby allowing said valve member to move to a full closed orientation; and

d) detector means in communication through communication means with said releasable latch assembly means, said detector means, upon sensing a dangerous condition associated with said fluid, signaling said releasable latch assembly through said communication means, thereby releasing said valve member external mechanical operating means attached thereto, allowing said biasing means attached to said operating means to move said valve member to a closed orientation, thereby interrupting fluid flow in said fluid carrying conduit.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said biasing means secured to said orienting means is a spring member secured to said valve member handle at an end furthest from said valve member.

11. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said detector means is selected from the group consisting of conductivity detector, gas specific detector and hydrocarbon liquid detector.

12. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said communication means comprises;

a) a remote transmitter means attached to said detector means for transmitting an alarm signal;

b) a remote receiver means for receiving said alarm signal; and

c) circuit means connecting said remote receiver means to said releasable latch assembly means for relaying said alarm signal thereto.

13. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said communication means comprises a hard wired circuit between said detector means and said releasable latch assembly means.

14. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said detector means, communication means and releasable latch assembly means are operated by self-contained power units.