US3726299A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heat responsive safety valve
Assignee: Tom Wheatley Valve Co
•
Filing: 1971-01-21
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Granted: 1973-04-10
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Expires: 1991-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A valve assembly for use in a pipeline which is to be closed in response to the occurrence of high temperature conditions such as a fire. The valve is of a type which effectively closes the pipe without the use of seal forming elements likely to be rendered ineffective by fire. The assembly includes means for yieldingly urging the valve toward closed position and heat responsive means is provided for releasably holding the valve in open position and for releasing the same when the temperature rises above a predetermined value. Means is also provided for arresting the opening movement of the valve when the valve reaches its fully closed position.
Inventors
- 👤 T Wheatley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:15
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K17/00; F16K17/36; F16K17/38; F16K17/386; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1624; Y10T137/1797; Y10T137/1819
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
A valve that is adapted to be mounted in a flow line and that is movable between first and second valving positions to control flow through the flow line, comprising a housing having a flow way therethrough, and also having means for connection in a flow line so that the valve controls flow through the flow line; a spherical valve element disposed in said housing; means for positioning said valve element for movement in said housing between said first and second positions; a conforming internal surface in said housing co-aCting with said spherical valve element to close said flow way to fluid flow; actuating means co-acting with said housing and said valve element for urging said valve element to move from the first position to the second position; temperature responsive lock means cooperatively arranged with said housing and said valve element to engage said valve element for holding said valve element in the first position, said means being sufficiently responsive to temperatures above a predetermined level to permit said valve element to move to the second position; a stem connected to said spherical valve element and rotatably supporting said element for movement between the first position and the second position; a stop means; a shoulder co-acting with said stop means; and said shoulder and said stop means being cooperatively arranged between said spherical valve element and said housing to permit rotation of said spherical valve element between the first and the second position whereupon said stop means engages said shoulder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
250 words
A valve that is adapted to be mounted in a flow line and that is movable between first and second valving positions to control flow through the flow line, comprising a housing having a flow way therethrough, and also having means for connection in a flow line so that the valve controls flow through the flow line; a spherical valve element disposed in said housing; means for positioning said valve element for movement in said housing between said first and second positions; a conforming internal surface in said housing co-aCting with said spherical valve element to close said flow way to fluid flow; actuating means co-acting with said housing and said valve element for urging said valve element to move from the first position to the second position; temperature responsive lock means cooperatively arranged with said housing and said valve element to engage said valve element for holding said valve element in the first position, said means being sufficiently responsive to temperatures above a predetermined level to permit said valve element to move to the second position; a stem connected to said spherical valve element and rotatably supporting said element for movement between the first position and the second position; a stop means; a shoulder co-acting with said stop means; and said shoulder and said stop means being cooperatively arranged between said spherical valve element and said housing to permit rotation of said spherical valve element between the first and the second position whereupon said stop means engages said shoulder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said stop means protrudes into a groove concentriC with an axis of rotation of said valve element, and said shoulder comprises a portion of said groove.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said groove is in said valve element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
241 words
A valve that is adapted to be mounted in a flow line and that is movable between first and second valving positions to control flow through the flow line, comprising a housing having a flow way therethrough, and also having means for connection in a flow line so that the valve controls flow through the flow line; a spherical valve element disposed in said housing; means for positioning said valve element for movement in said housing between said first and second positions; an internal surface in said housing co-acting with said valve element to close said flow way to fluid flow; actuating means co-acting with said housing and said valve element for urging said valve element to move from the first position to the second position; temperature responsive lock means cooperatively arranged with said housing and said valve element to engage said valve element for holding said valve element in the first position, said means being sufficiently responsive to temperatures above a predetermined level to permit said valve element to move to the second position; a flow way formed in said spherical valve element; a stem connected to and supporting said spherical element for rotation about an axis perpendicular to its flow way; and an opening means formed part-way into said spherical valve element, said temperature responsive lock means including a rod of fusible material in said opening means and an opening means in said housing, said rod also extending thereinto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
241 words
A valve that is adapted to be mounted in a flow line and that is movable between first and second valving positions to control flow through the flow line, comprising a housing having a flow way therethrough, and also having means for connection in a flow line so that the valve controls flow through the flow line; a spherical valve element disposed in said housing; means for positioning said valve element for movement in said housing between said first and second positions; an internal surface in said housing co-acting with said valve element to close said flow way to fluid flow; actuating means co-acting with said housing and said valve element for urging said valve element to move from the first position to the second position; temperature responsive lock means cooperatively arranged with said housing and said valve element to engage said valve element for holding said valve element in the first position, said means being sufficiently responsive to temperatures above a predetermined level to permit said valve element to move to the second position; a flow way formed in said spherical valve element; a stem connected to and supporting said spherical element for rotation about an axis perpendicular to its flow way; and an opening means formed part-way into said spherical valve element, said temperature responsive lock means including a rod of fusible material in said opening means and an opening means in said housing, said rod also extending thereinto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said rod is surrounded by a second housing sealed to said housing and said rod is adapted to be melted by heat applied to said rod for disengaging said rod from said valve element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 4 including a centrally positioned heat transfer member in said rod.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said rod is approximately perpendicular to said stem.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-09 | 1976-10-09 | 1977-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-09 | 1980-10-09 | 1981-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-09 | 1984-10-09 | 1985-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |