Butterfly valve for fluid flow line

Claim 1

A valve means for application within a fluid flow line, and when maintained in open position providing for substanially free flow of fluid through said flow line, and when actuated into a closed position providing for obstruction of further flow of fluid through the flow line, said valve means comprising a butterfly valve, said fluid flow line comprising a fuel line normally accommodating the flow of fuel therethrough, a coupling means incorporating into the said fuel flow line, said coupling means comprising a breakaway coupling of separable ports and contained within the said fuel flow line, and said coupling means containing the said butterfly valve means therein, said butterfly valve of the valve means including a retainer means, a valve disk mounted for pivotal movement within said retainer means, a valve seat provided within said retainer means and operatively associated with the said valve disk, said valve retainer having a pair of opposing grooves formed therein, means holding said valve disk into its opened position during normal fuel flow, said means holding said valve disk into its open position comprising a wirelike means extending across the coupling, and means for releasing said valve disk from said holding means when said breakaway coupling separates and under the pressure of the flow of fuel urging the said valve disk into its sealing closure against its respective valve seat, means also biasing said valve disk into closure, said means comprising a springlike means, projections formed extending from each side of the said valve disk, said projections being multiple offset mounted in their extension from each side of the valve disk, said retainer means at the entrance to each groove having a shoulder formed thereat, whereby the valve disk projections resting upon the shoulders during normal fuel flow, and the projections entering into said grooves to attain closure of the valve disk upon its valve seat.