Recreational vehicle safety system

Claim 2

In a recreational vehicle having a cabin, at least one appliance, a high-pressure fuel tank to supply fuel to said appliance, a fuel line interconnecting the fuel tank with said appliance and a high-pressure regulator located in the fuel line between the fuel tank and said appliance the improvement including a safety system comprising; a first automatic valve means coupled directly to said high-pressure fuel tank for shutting off the flow of fuel from said high-pressure fuel tank when a predetermined drop in fuel pressure occurs downstream from said first automatic valve means; a second automatic valve means coupled to said fuel line downstream from said high-pressure regulator for shutting off the flow of fuel in said fuel line when a predetermined pressure differential occurs across said second automatic valve member; electrical means for resetting said second automatic valve means, and means for indicating when said second automatic valve means has shut off the flow of fuel in said fuel line.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1 further including; means for manually shutting off the flow of fuel from said high-pressure fuel tank, and means for resetting said first automatic valve means when said manual shutoff means is activated.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 2 further including pressure relief means for allowing fuel to escape from said high-pressure tank after it has been shut off by said first automatic valve means when pressure in said high-pressure tank increases to a predetermined pressure.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 1 further including means for holding said second automatic valve means closed until intentionally reset.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 1 further including at least one warning light actuated by said indicator means when said second automatic valve means shuts off the flow of fuel.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 1 further including at least one audible alarm actuated by said indicator means when said second automatic valve means shuts off the flow of fuel.

Claim 8

In a recreational vehicle having a housing, at least one appliance, a fuel tank to supply fuel to said appliance, a fuel line interconnecting the fuel tank with said appliance, and a pressure regulator connector to the fuel line, the improvement comprising a recreation vehicle safety system having; a smoke and gas detector mounted inside the housing of the recreational vehicle for indicating the presence of at least one of a gas or smoke condition within the housing, and means operatively connected to the smoke and gas detector, to shut off the flow of fuel in said fuel line when said smoke and gas detector indicates the presence of a predetermined amount of an oxidizable gas in the recreation vehicle including an electrical power source operatively connected to the smoke and gas detector so that the said detector electrically signals the presence of a predetermined amount of an oxidizable gas and wherein the means to shut off the flow of fuel further includes a valve assembly having; a housing member with an interior passageway interconnected to said fuel line; a valve seat through which the fuel must flow mounted in the interior of said housing member; a valve member mounted in the interior of said housing member and upstream from said valve seat; means for biasing said valve member to an open position upstream from said valve seat including a first solenoid assembly operatively connected with said valve member and electrically connected with said smoke and gas detector and said power source such that when said smoke and gas detector signals the presence of an oxidizable gas, said first solenoid is actuated so that said valve member closes against said valve seat, thereby shutting off the flow of fuel in said fuel line, and means to permit said valve member to be closed against said valve seat when a predetermined pressure differential develops between the upstream and downstream ends of said housing member.

Claim 9

In a recreational vehicle having a housing, at least one appliance, a fuel tank to supply fuel to said appliance, a fuel line interconnecting the fuel tank with said appliance, and a pressure regulator connector to the fuel line, the improvement comprising a recreation vehicle safety system having; a smoke and gas detector mounted inside the housing of the recreational vehicle for indicating the presence of at least one of a gas or smoke condition within the housing, and means operatively connected to the smoke and gas detector, to shut off the flow of fuel in said fuel line when said smoke and gas detector indicates the presence of a predetermined amount of an oxidizable gas in the recreation vehicle including an electrical power source operatively connected to the smoke and gas detector so that the said detector electrically signals the presence of a predetermined amount of an oxidizable gas and wherein the means to shut off the flow of fuel further includes a valve assembly having; a housing member with an interior passageway interconnected to said fuel line; a valve seat through which the fuel must flow mounted in the interior of said housing member; a valve member mounted in the interior of said housing member and upstream from said valve seat; means for biasing said valve member to an open position upstream from said valve seat including a first solenoid assembly operatively connected with said valve member and electrically connected with said smoke and gas detector and said power source such that when said smoke and gas detector signals the presence of an oxidizable gas, said first solenoid is actuated so that said valve member closes against said valve seat, thereby shutting off the flow of fuel in said fuel line, and means to permit said valve member to be closed against said valve seat when a predetermined pressure differential develops between the upstream and downstream ends of said housing member.

Claim 10

The invention of claim 7 further including at least one warning light and means for activating said warning light when said solenoid assembly shuts off the flow of fuel in said fuel line.

Claim 11

The invention of claim 8 further including a switch electrically connected to said electrical power source, a second solenoid electrically connected to said switch and said power source and operatively connected to said valve member so that when said switch is closed, said second solenoid assembly drives said valve member away from its valve seat.

Claim 12

The invention of claim 7 further including at least one audible alarm and means for activating said audible alarm when said shutoff means shuts off the flow of fuel in said fuel line.

Claim 13

The invention of claim 7 further including means for resetting said solenoid assembly to allow fuel to flow in said fuel line.

Claim 14

The inventionl of claim 7 wherein said biasing means comprises a spring operatively connected to said valve member.

Claim 15

The invention of claim 7 wherein said means to permit said valve member to be closed against said valve seat when a predetermined pressure differential exists includes a valve member mounting means for guiding said valve member to said valve seat and for allowing fuel to flow around said valve member until said valve member is seated on said valve seat.

Claim 16

The invention of claim 7 further including a valve shut detector means for detecting when said first solenoid assembly has shut off the flow of fuel in said fuel line.

Claim 17

In a recreational vehicle having a housing, at least one appliance, a fuel tank to supply fuel to said appliance, a fuel line interconnecting the fuel tank with said appliance, and a pressure regulator connector to the fuel line, the improvement comprising a recreation vehicle safety system having; a smoke and gas detector mounted inside the housing of the recreational vehicle for indicating the presence of at least one of a gas or smoke condition within the housing, and means operatively connected to the smoke and gas detector, to shut off the flow of fuel in said fuel line when said smoke and gas detector indicates the presence of a predetermined amount of an oxidizable gas in the recreation vehicle including an electrical power source operatively connected to the smoke and gas detector so that the said detector electrically signals the presence of a predetermined amount of an oxidizable gas and wherein the means to shut off the flow of fuel further includes a valve assembly having; a housing member with an interior passageway interconnected to said fuel line; a valve seat through which the fuel must flow mounted in the interior of said housing member; a valve member mounted in the interior of said housing member and upstream from said valve seat; means for biasing said valve member to an open position upstream from said valve seat including a first solenoid assembly operatively connected with said valve member and electrically connected with said smoke and gas detector and said power source such that when said smoke and gas detector signals the presence of an oxidizable gas, said first solenoid is activated so that said valve member closes against said valve seat, thereby shutting off the flow of fuel in said fuel line; a switch electrically connected to said electrical power source, and a second solenoid electrically connected to said switch and said power source and operatively connected to said valve member so that when said switch is closed, said second solenoid assembly drives said valve member away from its valve seat.

Claim 18

In a recreational vehicle having a housing, at least one appliance, a fuel tank to supply fuel to said appliance, a fuel line interconnecting the fuel tank with said appliance, and a pressure regulator connector to the fuel line, the improvement comprising a recreation vehicle safety system having; a smoke and gas detector mounted inside the housing of the recreational vehicle for indicating the presence of at least one of a gas or smoke condition within the housing, and means operatively connected to the smoke and gas detector, to shut off the flow of fuel in said fuel line when said smoke and gas detector indicates the presence of a predetermined amount of an oxidizable gas in the recreation vehicle including an electrical power source operatively connected to the smoke and gas detector so that the said detector electrically signals the presence of a predetermined amount of an oxidizable gas and wherein the means to shut off the flow of fuel further includes a valve assembly having; a housing member with an interior passageway interconnected to said fuel line; a valve seat through which the fuel must flow mounted in the interior of said housing member; a valve member mounted in the interior of said housing member and upstream from said valve seat; means for biasing said valve member to an open position upstream from said valve seat including a first solenoid assembly operatively connected with said valve member and electrically connected with said smoke and gas detector and said power source such that when said smoke and gas detector signals the presence of an oxidizable gas, said first solenoid is activated so that said valve member closes against said valve seat, thereby shutting off the flow of fuel in said fuel line; a switch electrically connected to said electrical power source, and a second solenoid electrically connected to said switch and said power source and operatively connected to said valve member so that when said switch is closed, said second solenoid assembly drives said valve member away from its valve seat.

Claim 19

The invention of claim 15 wherein said valve member is made of resilient material.

Claim 20

The invention of claim 15 further including means actuated by said switch for causing said first solenoid assembly to force said valve member against said valve seat.

Claim 21

The invention of claim 15 further including at least one warning light and means activated by said switch to light said warning light.

Claim 22

The invention of claim 15 further including at least one audible alarm and means actuated by said valve shutoff detector for sounding said audible alarm.

Claim 23

In a recreational vehicle having a housing, at least one appliance, a fuel tank to supply fuel to said appliance, a fuel line interconnecting the fuel tank with said appliance, and a pressure regulator connector to the fuel line, the improvement comprising a recreation vehicle safety system having; a smoke and gas detector mounted inside the housing of the recreational vehicle for indicating the presence of at least one of a gas or smoke condition within the housing, and means operatively connected to the smoke and gas detector, to shut off the flow of fuel in said fuel line when said smoke and gas detector indicates the presence of a predetermined amount of an oxidizable gas in the recreation vehicle including an electrical power source operatively connected to the smoke and gas detector so that the said detector electrically signals the presence of a predetermined amount of an oxidizable gas and wherein the means to shut off the flow of fuel further includes a valve assembly having; a housing member with an interior passageway interconnected to said fuel line; a valve seat through which the fuel must flow mounted in the interior of said housing member; a valve member mounted in the interior of said housing member and upstream from said valve seat; means for biasing said valve member to an open position upstream from said valve seat including a first solenoid assembly operatively connected with said valve member and electrically connected with said smoke and gas detector and said power source such that when said smoke and gas detector signals the presence of an oxidizable gas, said first solenoid is activated said valve member closes against said valve seat, thereby shutting off the flow of fuel in said fuel line; a shaft mounted in the wall of said housing member; a nonconducting pin movably mounted in said shaft such that a first end extends into said interior passageway so that said valve member contacts the first end of said pin and forces it radially outward along said shaft; a flexible diaphragm connected to the nonconducting pin; a metallic coating affixed to a side of said diaphragm and providing electrical contact with said housing member, and an adjustable conducting pin mounted above said diaphragm such that when said valve member forces said nonconducting pin radially outward, said pin forces said diaphragm radially outward to contact said conducting pin, thereby bringing said housing member into electrical contact with said conducting pin to indicate the closing of the valve member.

Claim 24

In a recreational vehicle having a housing, at least one appliance, a fuel tank to supply fuel to said appliance, a fuel line interconnecting the fuel tank with said appliance, and a pressure regulator connector to the fuel line, the improvement comprising a recreation vehicle safety system having; a smoke and gas detector mounted inside the housing of the recreational vehicle for indicating the presence of at least one of a gas or smoke condition within the housing, and means operatively connected to the smoke and gas detector, to shut off the flow of fuel in said fuel line when said smoke and gas detector indicates the presence of a predetermined amount of an oxidizable gas in the recreation vehicle including an electrical power source operatively connected to the smoke and gas detector so that the said detector electrically signals the presence of a predetermined amount of an oxidizable gas and wherein the means to shut off the flow of fuel further includes a valve assembly having; a housing member with an interior passageway interconnected to said fuel line; a valve seat through which the fuel must flow mounted in the interior of said housing member; a valve member mounted in the interior of said housing member and upstream from said valve seat; means for biasing said valve member to an open position upstream from said valve seat including a first solenoid assembly operatively connected with said valve member and electrically connected with said smoke and gas detector and said power source such that when said smoke and gas detector signals the presence of an oxidizable gas, said first solenoid is activated said valve member closes against said valve seat, thereby shutting off the flow of fuel in said fuel line; a shaft mounted in the wall of said housing member; a nonconducting pin movably mounted in said shaft such that a first end extends into said interior passageway so that said valve member contacts the first end of said pin and forces it radially outward along said shaft; a flexible diaphragm connected to the nonconducting pin; a metallic coating affixed to a side of said diaphragm and providing electrical contact with said housing member, and an adjustable conducting pin mounted above said diaphragm such that when said valve member forces said nonconducting pin radially outward, said pin forces said diaphragm radially outward to contact said conducting pin, thereby bringing said housing member into electrical contact with said conducting pin to indicate the closing of the valve member.

Claim 25

The invention of claim 20 further including a conducting spring attached to the contact end of said conducting pin.

Claim 26

The invention of claim 20 wherein said diaphragm is mounted to independently flex outward to contact said conducting pin when a predetermined fuel pressure exists in the interior passageway of said housing member, and means responsive to same to cause said first solenoid to force said valve member against said valve seat.

Claim 27

A safety system for the detection of gases and the control of fuel from a supply source of the type used in recreational vehicles, comprising: a smoke and gas detector capable of being mounted inside the housing of the recreational vehicle for indicating the presence of at least one of a gas or smoke condition within the housing with a first electrical signal; valve means operatively connected to the smoke and gas detector, to shut off the flow of fuel in said fuel line in response to said first electrical signal from said smoke and gas detector indicating the presence of a predetermined amount of an oxidizable gas in the recreational vehicle; pressure indicator means operatively connected to said valve means and to said fuel line to monitor and generate a second electrical signal indicative of the existence of fuel pressure beyond a predetermined limit, said valve means also responsive to said second electrical signal to shut off the flow of fuel and electrical means for resetting said valve means to a flow condition.

Claim 28

A safety system for the detection of gases and the control of fuel from a supply source of the type used in recreational vehicles, comprising: a smoke and gas detector capable of being mounted inside the housing of the recreational vehicle for indicating the presence of at least one of a gas or smoke condition within the housing with a first electrical signal; valve means operatively connected to the smoke and gas detector, to shut off the flow of fuel in said fuel line in response to said first electrical signal from said smoke and gas detector indicating the presence of a predetermined amount of an oxidizable gas in the recreational vehicle; pressure indicator means operatively connected to said valve means and to said fuel line to monitor and generate a second electrical signal indicative of the existence of fuel pressure beyond a predetermined limit, said valve means also responsive to said second electrical signal to shut off the flow of fuel and electrical means for resetting said valve means to a flow condition.

Claim 29

The invention of claim 23 wherein said valve means further includes a valve seat, a valve member and at least one solenoid assembly operatively connected with said valve member to control its position relative to said valve seat.

Claim 30

The invention of claim 23 further including at least one warning light activated by any one of the smoke and gas detector and the pressure indicator means whereby a fuel leak or an overpressure condition is indicated.

Claim 31

The invention of claim 25 further including an audible alarm activated by any one of the smoke and gas detector and the pressure indicator means.

Claim 32

A safety system for the detection of gases and the control of fuel from a supply source of the type used in recreational vehicles, comprising: a smoke and gas detector capable of being mounted inside the housing of the recreational vehicle for indicating the presence of at least one of a gas or smoke condition within the housing with a first electrical signal; valve means operatively connected to the smoke and gas detector, to shut off the flow of fuel in said fuel line in response to said first electrical signal from said smoke and gas detector indicating the presence of a predetermined amount of an oxidizable gas in the recreational vehicle; and pressure indicator means operatively connected to said valve means and to said fuel line to monitor and generate a second electrical signal indicative of the existence of fuel pressure beyond a predetermined limit, said valve means also responsive to said second electrical signal to shut off the flow of fuel, the pressure indicator means including, a pressure responsive diaphragm, a switch assembly operatively connected to the diaphragm and an adjustable pin member for controlling the amount of diaphragm displacement that is necessary before closing of the switch assembly.

Claim 33

A safety system for the detection of gases and the control of fuel from a supply source of the type used in recreational vehicles, comprising: a smoke and gas detector capable of being mounted inside the housing of the recreational vehicle for indicating the presence of at least one of a gas or smoke condition within the housing with a first electrical signal; valve means operatively connected to the smoke and gas detector, to shut off the flow of fuel in said fuel line in response to said first electrical signal from said smoke and gas detector indicating the presence of a predetermined amount of an oxidizable gas in the recreational vehicle; and pressure indicator means operatively connected to said valve means and to said fuel line to monitor and generate a second electrical signal indicative of the existence of fuel pressure beyond a predetermined limit, said valve means also responsive to said second electrical signal to shut off the flow of fuel, the pressure indicator means including, a pressure responsive diaphragm, a switch assembly operatively connected to the diaphragm and an adjustable pin member for controlling the amount of diaphragm displacement that is necessary before closing of the switch assembly.