US5713387A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conduit fluid containment system with automatic shut-off
Assignee: Innovative Research & Development Corp
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Filing: 1996-09-05
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Granted: 1998-02-03
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Expires: 2016-09-05
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a conduit that is at least partially encased within a containment housing. The containment housing provides structure for containment of fluids from a leaking or totally failed conduit and for automatically shutting off the flow of fluid through the leaking conduit. More particularly, the apparatus comprises at least one conduit that is at least partially received within a containment housing. A valve is attached to the conduit so that it is in fluid flow relationship with the conduit. The valve is biased toward a closed position, but is held in the open position by a block located within the containment chamber defined by the space between the exterior of the conduit and the interior of the containment housing. When a predetermined fluid leaks from the conduit into the containment chamber the fluid structurally alters the block and the valve moves to the closed position blocking the flow of fluid through the conduit.
Inventors
- 👤 John G. Armenia
- 👤 Alfred L. Calciano
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:17
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L39/00; F16L39/02; D; D06; D06F; D06F39/00; D06F39/08; D06F39/081; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/001; F16K31/44; F16K31/56; F16K31/563; F17; F17D; F17D5/00; F17D5/02; F17D5/04; G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/042; G01M3/045; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1624; Y10T137/5762; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86863; Y10T137/86871; Y10T137/87265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
294 words
Apparatus for conducting fluids from a fluid source to a fluid receiver and for controlling fluid loss therefrom, said apparatus comprising: at least one conduit having an outer surface, an inlet end and an outlet end; at least one containment housing having an inner surface, a first end and a second end, said containment housing being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of said conduit therein, such that a containment chamber is defined between said outer surface of said conduit and said inner surface of said containment housing; a valve attached in fluid flow relationship to said conduit; an arm having a first end attached to said valve for movement of said valve from an open position, defined as when a fluid is able to pass through said valve, to a closed position, defined as when a fluid is unable to flow through said valve; means for biasing said valve to said closed position being attached to said valve; an air vent formed in said containment housing such that when a fluid enters said containment chamber at least a portion of the air is vented from said containment chamber; and a block, having a first end and a second end, said block inserted within said containment chamber such that said first end of said block engages and holds said arm in said open position and said second end of said block being connected to said containment housing, said block being structurally alterable by a fluid whereby when said fluid enters said containment chamber through a breach in said conduit, said fluid at least partially immerses said block so that said block is structurally altered releasing said arm, so that said valve is moved to said closed position by said biasing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
294 words
Apparatus for conducting fluids from a fluid source to a fluid receiver and for controlling fluid loss therefrom, said apparatus comprising: at least one conduit having an outer surface, an inlet end and an outlet end; at least one containment housing having an inner surface, a first end and a second end, said containment housing being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of said conduit therein, such that a containment chamber is defined between said outer surface of said conduit and said inner surface of said containment housing; a valve attached in fluid flow relationship to said conduit; an arm having a first end attached to said valve for movement of said valve from an open position, defined as when a fluid is able to pass through said valve, to a closed position, defined as when a fluid is unable to flow through said valve; means for biasing said valve to said closed position being attached to said valve; an air vent formed in said containment housing such that when a fluid enters said containment chamber at least a portion of the air is vented from said containment chamber; and a block, having a first end and a second end, said block inserted within said containment chamber such that said first end of said block engages and holds said arm in said open position and said second end of said block being connected to said containment housing, said block being structurally alterable by a fluid whereby when said fluid enters said containment chamber through a breach in said conduit, said fluid at least partially immerses said block so that said block is structurally altered releasing said arm, so that said valve is moved to said closed position by said biasing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said block is comprised of fluid soluble material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said block is comprised of fractured material whose parts are bound to one another by a fluid soluble adhesive.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said block is comprised of material that is deformable when immersed in a predetermined fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a valve stem attached to said valve such that rotation of said valve stem moves said valve from said open position to said closed position, said biasing means urging said valve stem to said closed position; said first end of said arm being attached to said valve stem and said arm having a second end extending therefrom; and said block engaging said second end of said arm so that said arm and said valve stem are prevented from pivoting, whereby said valve is held in said open position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
142 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, said conduit comprising; a first section, that includes said outlet end, said first section being comprised of a rigid material; a third section, that includes said inlet end, said third section being comprised of a rigid material, and a second section interposed between and connected in fluid flow relationship with said first and third sections, said second section being comprised of a flexible material; and said containment housing comprising a first part, including said first end, said first part being comprised of a flexible material and a second part, including said second end, said second part being comprised of a rigid material, said first and second parts being attached to one another in fluid flow communication; and said valve being inserted in said third section of said conduit and attached to said second part of said housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 6, said apparatus further comprising said third segment of said conduit being contiguously formed with said second part of said containment housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a drain line having a first end attached to said vent and a second end connectable to a drain pipe, whereby the fluid overflowing said containment chamber through said vent is captured by said drain pipe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising; a bypass conduit having a first end and a second end, said first end being attached to said valve and extending outwardly therefrom, said bypass conduit passing through and being sealed to said containment housing, when said valve is in said open position in relation to said conduit, said valve is closed in relation to said bypass conduit such that no fluid may pass through said valve into said bypass conduit, when said valve is closed in relation to said conduit said conduit is in fluid flow relationship with said valve and thereby in fluid flow relationship with said inlet end of said conduit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus as in claim 9, further comprising a Y-shaped connector having a first inlet branch, a second inlet branch, and an outlet branch, said first inlet branch being attached in fluid flow relationship with said outlet end of said bypass conduit, said second inlet branch being attached in fluid flow relationship with said second end of said conduit and said outlet branch of said connector having an outlet end, said outlet end of said outlet branch being connectable to a fluid receiver.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as in claim 10, further comprising a first backflow preventer being attached to said connector within said first outlet branch of said connector, such that fluid flowing in said conduit is prevented from entering said bypass conduit from said Y-shaped coupling.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as in claim 10, further comprising a second backflow preventer being attached to said connector within said second outlet branch of said connector, such that fluid flowing in said bypass conduit is prevented from entering said conduit from said Y-shaped coupling.
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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) | 2001-02-02 | 2001-08-04 | 2002-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-02-02 | 2005-08-04 | 2006-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-02-02 | 2009-08-04 | 2010-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |