Gas line safety valve system

• US 7,210,495 B1
• Filed: 01/21/2005
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vaughn F. Olson
• Original Assignee: Vaughn F. Olson
• Inventors: Olson, Vaughn F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hepperle; Stephen M.
• Application Number:
  US11/038,800
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 137/38, 137/39, 137/65, 137/66, 137/357, 137/561.A, 137/561.R, 137/601.18, 251/129.04
• US Class Current: 137/39
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/06 using electric or acoustic means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0777 With second control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6969 Buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8593 Systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/85938 Non-valved flow dividers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87539 Having guide or restrictor

Abstract

A safety valve system includes a control valve connected to a gas meter and intersecting a gas flow path downstream of the gas meter and upstream of an entry point of a building. The control valve is adaptable between open and closed positions based upon received stimuli. A main gas supply line is mated to the control valve and includes auxiliary lines branching to appliances. A plurality of sensors are coupled in series to the appliances and are in communication with the control valve. A mechanism is included for transmitting a control signal to the control valve and for eliminating a fully charged gas line when the stimuli are detected by one of the sensors such that the control valve can allow and restrict gas flow to the appliances during operating and non-operating modes. Each of the sensors generates a unique control signal when the stimuli are detected.

Claims

1. A system for selectively toggling a gas line between operating and non-operating modes, said system comprising:

a control valve operably connected to a gas meter, said control valve intersecting a gas flow path downstream of the gas meter and upstream an entry point of a building, said control valve being adaptable between open and closed positions based upon stimuli received from at least one gas-powered appliance located with the building;

a main gas supply line mated to said control valve and including a plurality of auxiliary lines branching to selected ones of the appliances;

a plurality of sensors operably coupled to the appliances and being in communication with said control valve; and

means for transmitting a control signal to said control valve and eliminating a fully charged gas line when the stimuli are detected by at least one said sensors such that said control valve can selectively allow and restrict gas flow to the appliances during operating and non-operating modes respectively.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensors are operably disposed intermediately of the appliances and a plurality of 110-volt power supply sources, the stimuli being defined by an electric current such that when a user control interface of the appliances is toggled to an on position an associated one of said sensors will transmit the control signal to said control valve for allowing gas to flow to at least one of the appliances.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensors are wirelessly connected to said control valve.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensors are electrically mated to said control valve.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an auxiliary sensor disposed exterior of the building and operably connected to said control valve for detecting alternate stimuli defined by at least one parameter selected from the group including a seismic fluctuation, a pressure fluctuation, a temperature fluctuation and any combination thereof.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said control valve further comprises:

a two-way solenoid operably mated thereto; and

a bypass line in fluid communication with said two-way solenoid and one of the appliances wherein said two-way solenoid selectively allows a predetermined volume of gas to flow into one of the appliances while said control valve contemporaneously restricts gas flow to remaining ones of the appliances.

7. A system for selectively toggling a gas line between operating and non-operating modes, said system comprising:

a control valve operably connected to a gas meter, said control valve intersecting a gas flow path downstream of the gas meter and upstream an entry point of a building, said control valve being adaptable between open and closed positions based upon stimuli received from at least one gas-powered appliance located with the building;

a main gas supply line mated to said control valve and including a plurality of auxiliary lines branching to selected ones of the appliances;

a plurality of sensors operably coupled in series to the appliances and being in communication with said control valve; and

means for transmitting a control signal to said control valve and eliminating a fully charged gas line when the stimuli are detected by at least one said sensors such that said control valve can selectively allow and restrict gas flow to the appliances during operating and non-operating modes respectively.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said sensors are operably disposed intermediately of the appliances and a plurality of 110-volt power supply sources, the stimuli being defined by an electric current such that when a user control interface of the appliances is toggled to an on position an associated one of said sensors will transmit the control signal to said control valve for allowing gas to flow to at least one of the appliances.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said sensors are wirelessly connected to said control valve.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein said sensors are electrically mated to said control valve.

11. The system of claim 7, further comprising:

an auxiliary sensor disposed exterior of the building and operably connected to said control valve for detecting alternate stimuli defined by at least one parameter selected from the group including a seismic fluctuation, a pressure fluctuation, a temperature fluctuation and any combination thereof.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein said control valve further comprises:

a two-way solenoid operably mated thereto; and

a bypass line in fluid communication with said two-way solenoid and one of the appliances wherein said two-way solenoid selectively allows a predetermined volume of gas to flow into one of the appliances while said control valve contemporaneously restricts gas flow to remaining ones of the appliances.

13. A system for selectively toggling a gas line between operating and non-operating modes, said system comprising:

a control valve operably connected to a gas meter, said control valve intersecting a gas flow path downstream of the gas meter and upstream an entry point of a building, said control valve being adaptable between open and closed positions based upon stimuli received from at least one gas-powered appliance located with the building;

a main gas supply line mated to said control valve and including a plurality of auxiliary lines branching in parallel to selected ones of the appliances;

a plurality of sensors operably coupled in series to the appliances and being in communication with said control valve; and

means for transmitting a control signal to said control valve and for eliminating a fully charged gas line when the stimuli are detected by at least one said sensors such that said control valve can selectively allow and restrict gas flow to the appliances during operating and non-operating modes respectively, each said sensors generating a unique control signal when the stimuli is detected.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said sensors are operably disposed intermediately of the appliances and a plurality of 110-volt power supply sources, the stimuli being defined by an electric current such that when a user control interface of the appliances is toggled to an on position an associated one of said sensors will transmit the control signal to said control valve for allowing gas to flow to at least one of the appliances.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein said sensors are wirelessly connected to said control valve.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein said sensors are electrically mated to said control valve.

17. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

an auxiliary sensor disposed exterior of the building and operably connected to said control valve for detecting alternate stimuli defined by at least one parameter selected from the group including a seismic fluctuation, a pressure fluctuation, a temperature fluctuation and any combination thereof.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein said control valve further comprises:

a two-way solenoid operably mated thereto; and

a bypass line in fluid communication with said two-way solenoid and one of the appliances wherein said two-way solenoid selectively allows a predetermined volume of gas to flow into one of the appliances while said control valve contemporaneously restricts gas flow to remaining ones of the appliances.