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US 6,719,002 B2Granted
Pressure testing apparatus for gas service delivery systems
AssigneePresto-Tap, LLC
InventorJimmie B. Shaw
Life of this patent
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AssigneePresto-Tap, LLC
InventorJimmie B. Shaw
Estimating the term…
A gas delivery system for propane or natural gas includes a gas service line, a pressure regulator connected in the gas service line, and a flow control valve device permanently installed at a predetermined location in the gas service line, e.g., upstream of the regulator or downstream of a gas meter in the case of a natural gas system. The flow control valve device includes a valve body incorporating an integral pressure tap for enabling a measurement of gas pressure at the predetermined locations. The valve device also includes a valve operator having an open position in which flow takes place through the valve device and a closed position in which flow through the valve device is blocked and a locking mechanism with a specialized key issued only to service personnel for selectively locking the valve operator in the open and closed positions.
A liquid propane system including a propane tank, a tank service valve connected to the tank, a pressure regulator connected to the tank service valve, and a flow control valve device connected between said tank service valve and said pressure regulator, said flow control valve device including pressure tap means for enabling gauge measurement of tank pressure and including a flow restrictive orifice having a diameter of no greater than 0.054 inches.
A liquid propane system including a propane tank, a tank service valve connected to the tank, a pressure regulator connected to the tank service valve and comprising a first regulator stage, a second regulator stage, and a connection between said first and second stages, and a flow control valve device connected in the connection between said first regulator stage and said second regulator stage, said flow control valve device including pressure tap means for enabling gauge measurement of pressure in the connection between said first and second regulator stages and including a flow restrictive orifice having a diameter of no greater than 0.054 inches.
A kit for use in a propane tank system for enabling detection of escaping gas, the tank system including a propane tank, a tank service valve connected to the tank, and at least one regulator connected to the tank service valve, as well as at least one pressure port for enabling pressure in the system to be measured at the location of the port, and said kit comprising:
A pressure gauge device for use in a propane tank system, including a propane tank and a tank service valve, for enabling detection of propane escaping the propane tank system, said pressure gauge device comprising a pressure gauge including a connector for providing connection to a valve assembly, including a valve operator, connected in the propane tank system, and for, when connected to the valve assembly, providing actuation of the valve operator so that, in use with the tank service valve open, the gauge provides a reading of the pressure in the propane tank system at the valve assembly and, in use with the propane system pressurized and the tank service valve closed, the gauge provides an indication of the presence of a leak or open line in the propane tank system, said pressure gauge further comprising an indicating needle, a pressure scale, and an ambient temperature scale calibrated relative to said pressure scale so that the position of said needle that provides a reading of gauge pressure on said pressure scale also provides a reading of the corresponding minimum ambient temperature on said ambient temperature scale.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.