Earthquake actuated horizontal valve with micro switch
OwnerPaul D. Engdahlinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An earthquake actuated device includes a flapper-valve adapted to block a gas flow and a micro switch for closing or opening a circuit. A seismic sensor responds to accelerations characteristic of an earthquake. The sensor cooperates with a magnet in a flapper arm to hold the flapper-valve open. When the sensor experiences sufficient motion, the flapper arm is released and the flapper-valve falls onto a seat, thereby closing and blocking the gas flow. The closing of the flapper-valve is further coupled into an actuation of the micro switch, thereby opening or closing the circuit.
Claims15
A motion actuated device comprising:
- a valve housing having an inlet and an outlet;
- a seismic sensor having a rest position and a disturbed position;
- a pivoting flapper-valve having an open position and a closed position, wherein the valve is adapted to be held in the open position when the seismic sensor is in the rest position, and the valve is adapted to fall into the closed position blocking a flow through the valve housing when the seismic sensor moves from the rest position to the disturbed position;
- and
- an electrical switch residing in the valve housing and mechanically connected to the valve, wherein the electrical switch is actuated if the valve moves between the open position and the closed position.
An earthquake actuated valve and switch comprising:
- a valve housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet;
- a seismic sensor having a rest position and a disturbed position;
- a pivoting flapper-valve having an open position and a closed position, wherein the flapper-valve is adapted to be held in the open position when the seismic sensor is in the rest position, and the flapper-valve is adapted to fall into the closed position blocking a flow through the valve housing when the seismic sensor moves from the rest position to the disturbed position;
- and
- an electrical switch residing in the valve housing and mechanically actuated by the flapper-valve, wherein the electrical switch is actuated if the flapper-valve moves between the open position and the closed position.
A method for closing a gas valve and actuating a switch in the event of an earthquake, the method comprising:
- aligning a seismic sensor to magnetically hold a pivoting flapper-valve residing inside a valve housing in an open position;
- coupling the seismic sensor to a structure that experiences accelerations during an earthquake;
- disturbing the seismic sensor when an earthquake occurs;
- allowing the flapper-valve to fall against a seat to block a flow of gas through the valve housing when the seismic switch is disturbed;
- coupling the fall of the flapper-valve to a switch actuator of an electrical switch residing inside the valve housing;
- and
- actuating the switch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.