Gas flow and pressure regulation and control station

A gas flow and pressure regulation and control station to be connected directly between a distribution line of an urban gas distribution network and a user service line;

• the station comprising
• an inlet connector structured and disposed to be secured in leak resistant, fluid flow engagement directly with the distribution line,
• an outlet level connector disposed in fluid flow:
• communication with said inlet connector, said outlet level connector including an axial flow through passage having a first end and a second end wherethrough controlled levels of gas pass from said first end to said second end,
• a delivery connector connected in leak resistant, fluid flow communication with the user service line and structured and disposed to deliver regulated quantities of the gas to the user service line,
• an intermediary connection disposed between said outlet level connector and said delivery connector, said intermediary connector including an expansion chamber and having regulating means disposed therein,
• said regulating means being structured and disposed to limit and control the gas flow and gas pressure passing into said delivery connector such that a maximum flow rate, based upon a main line supply pressure, is established and a tolerable flow and pressure level of gas into the user service line is maintained in accordance therewith,
• said regulating means including a flow regulation member disposed adjacent said second end of said outlet level connector and structured to pivotally move between a normal flow stopping orientation and a flow passage orientation,
• said flow regulator member including a stopper end and a lever end and being disposed such that said stopper end is disposed in contacting, flow stopping relation with said second end of said outlet level connector upon said flow regulator member being in said normal flow stopping orientation, thereby blocking gas flow from said second end of said outlet level connector,
• pivot means structured and disposed to enable said flow regulator member to pivotally move from said normal, flow stopping orientation to said flow passage orientation upon a gas flow and pressure reduction in said intermediary connection due to the passage of gas through said delivery connector into the user service line, said pivotal movement into said flow passage orientation resulting in small, regulated quantities of gas flowing from said outlet level connector into said intermediary connection until said tolerable flow and pressure level corresponding said maximum flow rate is attained in said intermediary connection causing said flow regulator member to pivot back to said normal, flow stopping orientation,
• said regulating means further including level adjustment means structured and disposed to adjust said tolerable flow and pressure levels of gas in accordance with the main supply line pressure,
• said level adjustment means including a pivot rod having a distal end hingedly secured to said lever end of said flow regulator member such that pivotal movement of said flow regulator member results in axial movement of said pivot rod,
• said level adjustment means further including a regulator diaphragm, said regulator diaphragm being disposed in said expansion chamber of said intermediary connection so as to enable said regulator diaphragm to function in an atmosphere of closed venting,
• said regulator diaphragm being fixedly secured to said pivot rod so as to resist and regulate axial movement of said pivot rod, and accordingly pivoting movement of said flow regulator member, a quantity based upon flow and pressure levels of gas in said intermediary connection,
• adjustable tension biasing means disposed within said intermediary connection and secured to said regulator diaphragm so as to adjustably control the gas flow and pressure reduction in said intermediary connection necessary to enable movement of said regulator diaphragm and accordingly axial movement of said pivot rod and pivoting movement of said flow regulator member from said flow stopping orientation, resulting in small, regulated quantities of gas flow from said outlet level connector flowing into said intermediary connection until said tolerable flow and pressure level is attained in said intermediary connection, and
• a second, back-up diaphragm connected to said pivot rod such that if said regulator diaphragm ruptures, said back-up diaphragm will begin to function to allow minimal pivoting movement of said flow regulator member from said flow stopping orientation, thereby preventing high flow and pressure levels of gas from entering the user service line, providing a warning that said regulator diaphragm has ruptured due to the low flow and pressure levels of gas being provided to the user service line, and hermetically sealing the intermediary connection below said second, back-up diaphragm to prevent leakage.

A gas flow and pressure regulation and control station to be connected directly between a distribution line of an urban gas distribution network and a user service line;

• the station comprising:
• an inlet connector structured and disposed to be secured in leak resistant, fluid flow engagement directly with the distribution line,
• an outlet level connector disposed in fluid flow communication with said inlet connector, said outlet level connector including an axial flow through passage having a first end and a second end wherethrough controlled levels of gas pass from said first end to said second end,
• a delivery connector connected in leak resistant, fluid flow communication with the user service line and structured and disposed to deliver regulated quantities of the gas to the user service line,
• an intermediary connection disposed between said outlet level connector and said delivery connector, said intermediary connector including an expansion chamber and having regulating means disposed therein,
• said regulating means being structured and disposed to limit and control the gas flow and gas pressure passing into said delivery connector such that a maximum flow rate, based upon a main line supply pressure, is established and a tolerable flow and pressure level of gas corresponding the maximum flow rate into the user service line is maintained,
• said regulating means being pre-calibrated based on a particular users maximum consumption requirements so as to limit the gas flow to the user service line to the established maximum flow rate, while simultaneously regulating and controlling the tolerable flow and pressure level of gas passing into the user service line,
• said regulating means including a flow regulation member disposed adjacent said second end of said outlet level connector and structured to pivotally move between a normal flow stopping orientation and a flow passage orientation,
• said flow regulator member including a stopper end and a lever end and being disposed such that said stopper end is disposed in contacting, flow stopping relation with said second end of said outlet level connector upon said flow regulator member being in said normal flow stopping orientation, thereby blocking gas flow from said second end of said outlet level connector,
• pivot means structured and disposed to enable said flow regulator member to pivotally move from said normal, flow stopping orientation to said flow passage orientation upon a gas flow and pressure reduction in said intermediary connection due to the passage of gas through said delivery connector into the user service line, said pivotal movement into said flow passage orientation resulting in small, regulated quantities of gas flowing from said outlet level connector into said intermediary connection until said tolerable flow and pressure level is attained in said intermediary connection causing said flow regulator member to pivot back to said normal, flow stopping orientation,
• said regulating means further including level adjustment means structured and disposed to adjust said tolerable flow and pressure levels of gas in accordance with the main line supply pressure,
• said level adjustment means including a pivot rod having a distal end hingedly secured to said lever end of said flow regulator member such that pivotal movement of said flow regulator member results in axial movement of said pivot rod,
• said level adjustment means further including a regulator diaphragm, said regulator diaphragm being disposed in said expansion chamber of said intermediary connection so as to enable said regulator diaphragm to function in an atmosphere of closed venting,
• said regulator diaphragm being fixedly secured to said pivot rod so as to resist and regulate axial movement of said pivot rod, and accordingly pivoting movement of said flow regulator member, a quantity based upon flow and pressure levels of gas in said intermediary connection,
• adjustable tension biasing means disposed within said intermediary connection and secured to said regulator diaphragm so as to adjustably control the gas flow and pressure reduction in said intermediary connection necessary to enable movement of said regulator diaphragm and accordingly axial movement of said pivot rod and pivoting movement of said flow regulator member from said flow stopping orientation, resulting in small, regulated quantities of gas flow from said outlet level connector flowing into said intermediary connection, and
• a second, back-up diaphragm connected to said pivot rod such that if said regulator diaphragm ruptures, said back-up diaphragm will begin to function to allow minimal pivoting movement of said flow regulator member from said flow stopping orientation, thereby preventing high flow and high pressure levels of gas from entering the user service line, providing a warning that said regulator diaphragm has ruptured due to the low flow and pressure levels of gas being provided to the user service line, and hermetically sealing the intermediary connection below said second, back-up diaphragm so as to prevent leakage.