Thermal sensing actuating device

Claim 2

Apparatus, comprising a body having an inlet thereto and an outlet therefrom, means providing a fluid passage in fluid communication with the inlet, valve means normally closing the fluid passage, the fluid passage providing means including means responsive to ambient temperature to move between a first position venting fluid from the inlet which might escape past said valve means, when the ambient temperature is at a normal level, and a second position closing said vent and connecting said fluid passage with the outlet to confine fluid from the inlet to the outlet, when the ambient temperature rises to a predetermined level, and means for causing said valve means to open after said fluid passage is connected with said outlet.

Claim 3

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 1, wherein the valve means comprises a check valve carried within the fluid passage in position to be urged into closed position by the pressure of fluid from the inlet.

Claim 4

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 2, wherein the check valve means is carried by the movable means, and the means for causing the check valve means to open is a part on the body engageable therewith following movement of said movable means into connecting position.

Claim 5

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 1, including means urging said movable means from said first toward said second position, and means for holding said movable means in said first position until the ambient temperature rises to said predetermined level and then releasing it for movement into said second position.

Claim 6

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 4, wherein the means urging said movable means comprises means responsive to the pressure of fluid from the inlet.

Claim 7

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 5, wherein the valve means comprises check valve means carried within the fluid passage in position to be urged to closed position by the pressure of fluid from the inlet.

Claim 8

Apparatus, comprising a body having a first end portion providing an inlet thereto, a second end portion providing an outlet therefrom, and a chamber connecting with the inlet, piston means sealably slidable within the chamber between first and second positions and having a rod extending from said chamber, means for holding said piston means in its first position when ambient temperatures are normal and releasing it for movement to its second position in response to fluid pressure in said chamber, when ambient temperatures rise to a predetermined level, said piston means and rod having a bore therethrough which fluidly connects with said chamber and check valve means carried within the bore in position to be urged to bore closing position by fluid pressure from the chamber, said rod being spaced from said outlet to vent fluid which might otherwise escape past said check valve means, when said piston means is in its first position, and being movable into sealed engagement with said outlet to close said space and provide a closed fluid path between said bore and outlet, upon movement of said piston means toward said second position, and means carried by the second end portion of the body for engaging said check valve means to move it to bore opening position upon further movement of said piston means into said second position.

Claim 9

Apparatus, comprising a body having a first end portion providing an inlet thereto, a second end portion providing an outlet therefrom, and a chamber connecting with the inlet, piston means sealably slidable within the chamber between first and second positions and having a rod extending from said chamber, means for holding said piston means in its first position when ambient temperatures are normal and releasing it for movement to its second position in response to fluid pressure in said chamber, when ambient temperatures rise to a predetermined level, said piston means and rod having a bore therethrough which fluidly connects with said chamber and check valve means carried within the bore in position to be urged to bore closing position by fluid pressure from the chamber, said rod being spaced from said outlet to vent fluid which might otherwise escape past said check valve means, when said piston means is in its first position, and being movable into sealed engagement with said outlet to close said space and provide a closed fluid path between said bore and outlet, upon movement of said piston means toward said second position, and means carried by the second end portion of the body for engaging said check valve means to move it to bore opening position upon further movement of said piston means into said second position.

Claim 10

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 7, wherein said holding means comprises a barrier disposed between portions of the rod and body, and said barrier is formed of a material which is solid at normal ambient temperatures and flowable upon increase of ambient temperatures to said predetermined lever.

Claim 11

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of said barrier material is exposed to the outside of said body.

Claim 12

Apparatus of the character defined in claim 7, wherein said rod is arranged coaxially of the outlet and adapted to move into telescoping relation therewith upon movement of said piston means toward said second position, and seal means is carried by onE of said rod and outlet to form a sliding seal between them as said rod moves into said telescoping relation and prior to engagement of the means carried by said second end portion with said check valve means.