Automatic valve shutoff device and methods

• US 9,151,022 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2013
• Issued: 10/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Washington
• Original Assignee: University of Washington
• Inventors: Patel, Shwetak N., Larson, Eric C., Cohn, Gabriel A., Campbell, Timothy B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bastianelli, John
• Application Number:
  US14/371,393
• Publication Number:
  US 20150013772A1
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 251/292, 251/129.04, 137/15.11, 137/312, 137/67, 137/68.18, 137/72
• 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 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 method of closing or opening a manual valve coupled to a conduit for flowing a fluid therethrough, the method comprising:

receiving a signal indicative of an instruction to close the manual valve;

in response to the signal, removing a barrier provided between a pneumatic pressure source and an actuator coupled to the manual valve, wherein the removing comprises puncturing the barrier using a puncture device or melting the barrier using a chemical process; and

rotating the manual valve using the actuator driven by the pneumatic pressure source.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving includes receiving the signal wirelessly using a controller.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining a controller coupled to the actuator in sleep mode and activating the controller responsive to flow through the conduit.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising monitoring the conduit to detect a flow therethrough, and activating the controller responsive to having detected said flow.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the monitoring comprises monitoring vibrations of the conduit using a tilt switch.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the rotating includes rotating the valve in a first direction to close the valve, the actuator being further configured to rotate the valve in a second direction opposite the first direction.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the signal in response to having detected a leak.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the signal in response to a user pushing a button coupled to a controller configured to activate the actuator.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the pneumatic pressure source comprises a container enclosing a pressurized gas.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the pneumatic pressure source comprises a CO₂ cartridge.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing comprises puncturing the barrier using a puncture device, and wherein the puncture device comprises a Schrader valve.