US 5,313,975 A · Gas lockout system

Abstract

A propane gas distribution system according to the present invention substantially enhances safety by providing a gas lockout device within the enclosure containing the distribution lines to the propane appliances for closing off a gas distribution line in response to either a sensed low pressure level or a sensed high pressure level. The closure member within the lockout device is biased closed, but is normally prevented from closing by a stop member which in turn is held in position until the unsafe low pressure or unsafe high pressure condition exists. A security control member is utilized for restricting the re-opening of the lockout device to select personnel, which typically would be a propane company representative. According to the method of the present invention, gas from the high pressure source is regulated and output to a low pressure gas distribution line. The gas pressure within the distribution line is sensed, and the gas line is automatically closed in response to a sensed low pressure level or a high sensed high pressure level. The gas distribution line is normally prevented from closing when gas pressure is above the low pressure level and below the high pressure level.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A method of supplying a combustible gas to one or more burners of gas consuming equipment each positioned within an enclosure, the gas being supplied from a storage vessel positioned exterior of the enclosure and passing through a distribution line extending to the one or more gas consuming equipment, the method comprising:

regulating high pressure gas from the storage vessel to output low pressure gas to the gas distribution line;
sensing gas pressure within the distribution line;
automatically closing the gas distribution line within the enclosure in response to one of a sensed low gas pressure level and a sensed high gas pressure level;
automatically preventing reopening of a closed gas distribution line in response to the subsequent upstream gas pressure changes within the distribution line;
normally preventing closing of the gas distribution line when gas pressure through the distribution line is above the low gas pressure level and below the high gas pressure level;
and
providing a security control member for restricting to selected personnel the reopening of the gas distribution line.

4 more elements

A combustible gas distribution system for supplying a combustible gas to one or more burners of gas consuming equipment each positioned within an enclosure, the gas being supplied from a storage vessel positioned exterior of the enclosure, the system comprising:

a gas regulator positioned exterior of the enclosure for receiving high pressure gas from the storage vessel and outputting low pressure gas to the gas consuming equipment;
a gas distribution line extending from the gas regulator to the one or more gas consuming equipment;
and
a gas lockout device positioned within the enclosure and downstream from the gas regulator and upstream from the one or more gas consuming equipment, the lockout device including a low gas pressure sensor responsive to gas pressure within the distribution line below a low gas pressure level, a high gas pressure sensor responsive to gas pressure within the distribution line above a high gas pressure level, a closure member for automatically closing the gas distribution line in response to either one of the low gas pressure sensor and the high gas pressure sensor, a stop member for normally preventing actuation of the closure member when gas pressure through the distribution line is above the low gas pressure level and below the high gas pressure level, and a reset member for repositioning the stop member to re-open a closed gas lockout device, the stop member, the reset member, and the closure member cooperating to automatically prevent re-opening of the gas distribution line closed by the closure member unless the stop member is repositioned by the reset member.

1 more element

A lockout device for a combustible gas distribution system supplying a combustible gas via a distribution line to one or more burners of gas consuming equipment, the lockout device comprising:

a low gas pressure sensor responsive to an unsafe low gas pressure within the distribution line;
a high gas pressure sensor responsive to an unsafe high gas pressure within the distribution line;
a closure member for automatically closing the gas distribution line in response to either one of the low gas pressure sensor and a high gas pressure sensor;
a stop member for normally preventing actuation of the closure member when gas pressure through the distribution line is maintained within a safe level;
a movable sealing member responsive to gas pressure within the lockout device and separating a flow chamber from an isolation chamber;
a tripping member responsive to movement of the sealing member for releasing the stop member to automatically close the closure member;
a check valve for normally sealing the isolation chamber from the exterior of the lockout device;
and
a reset member for repositioning the stop member to re-open a closed gas lockout device.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Gas lockout system

Life of this patent

Gas lockout system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22