Patent US4640303A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4640303A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Seismic activated valve
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1985-05-20
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Granted: 1987-02-03
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Expires: 2005-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A seismic activated valve having a sphere of magnetic material held above a valve seat by a magnet located at the apex of a dome, whereby the inertia of the sphere will cause it to roll along the curvature of the dome to move it vertically away from the magnet and out of axial alignment with it when the valve experiences a horizontal thrust.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald S. Greenberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:10
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K17/00; F16K17/36; F16K17/366; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0753
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A seismically actuated valve comprising a. a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, and a normally horizontal valve seat located between said inlet and said outlet, b. a closure member located above said valve seat, said closure member being spherical and made of ferromagnetic material, c. a cavity located above said valve seat, said cavity being sufficiently large that said closure member may reside within it, d. a dome located at the upper end of said cavity, said dome forming the continuous and concave upper surface of said cavity, e. a magnet located above said dome.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A seismically actuated valve comprising a. a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, and a normally horizontal valve seat located between said inlet and said outlet, b. a closure member located above said valve seat, said closure member being spherical and made of ferromagnetic material, c. a cavity located above said valve seat, said cavity being sufficiently large that said closure member may reside within it, d. a dome located at the upper end of said cavity, said dome forming the continuous and concave upper surface of said cavity, e. a magnet located above said dome.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The valve of claim 1 including a baffle within said cavity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein, said dome seals the interior of said valve from the atmosphere.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein the distance between said magnet and said dome is adjustable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said dome is a spherical segment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said magnet is a permanent magnet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said magnet is an electromagnet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said magnet includes both a permanent magnet and an electromagnet coil that, when energized, acts to weaken or eliminate the magnetic field through said closure member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said dome is lined with resilient material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein reset means is located beneath said valve seat.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein said closure member is coated with a layer of resilient material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The valve of claim 10 wherein said reset means includes a cradle having a major dimension smaller than the opening of said valve seat, having means to support said valve member, and having means to move said cradle vertically a distance sufficient to move said valve member into contact with the apex of said dome.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-02-02 | 1990-08-04 | 1991-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-02 | 1994-08-04 | 1995-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-02 | 1998-08-04 | 1999-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |