Gas leak sensor shutoff valve and method for installation

Abstract

A gas leak sensor shutoff valve includes a cylindrical body having a connector nipple secured in an inlet port and adapted to be secured to a gas supply pipe. An internal bore extends within the body and joins the inlet port in coaxial fashion. The internal end surface of the connector nipple includes a pair of diametrically opposed slots. A valve assembly is translatably disposed within a stepped valve chamber in the bore. The valve assembly includes a cylindrical sidewall closed at one end, and a pair of opposed holes extending through the sidewall. A gasket is secured to the closed end of the valve assembly., the periphery of the gasket extending outwardly from the valve assembly to impinge on an annular shoulder within the bore. A flow path extends from the connector nipple, through the slots in the internal end of the connector nipple, past the gap between the sealing gasket and the annular shoulder, and through the holes in the cylindrical sidewall to the distal end of the internal bore. An outlet passage extends diametrically in the valve body to join the distal end of the internal bore. An access port may be provided in the valve body in diametrical opposition to the outlet passage. A reset mechanism includes a spindle translatably disposed in the distal end of the internal bore and a pin extending from the spindle to impinge on the valve assembly and urge the gasket away from the annular shoulder. The valve is configured to replace the T connector of a standard gas line setup, function ally as well as spatially. A breakaway nipple may be secured between the outlet connector of the valve and the customer delivery pipe to be the first point to break in the event of earthquake or the like.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.