US7111638B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Excess flow shutoff
Assignee: Safety Flow Co LLC
•
Filing: 2003-05-06
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Granted: 2006-09-26
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Expires: 2023-05-06
Abstract
Abstract A flexible connector incorporates an excess flow shutoff at its inlet to prevent uncontrolled flow in the event of a failure such as rupture or separation of the connector. A shutoff sleeve moves in a body between an upstream, open position and a downstream, closed position. A spring biases the shutoff sleeve toward the open position. The sleeve includes a flow metering passage, and a pressure drop resulting from excess flow through the passage moves the sleeve to the closed position against a shutoff seat. A time delay is provided by a damping system including a variable volume damper chamber defined in part by a flexible bladder. Upstream pressure is communicated to the damper chamber by a restricted flow passage provided by metal to metal contact of a washer against a body surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Dwight N. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:54
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K17/00; F16K17/20; F16K17/34; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7723; Y10T137/7726; Y10T137/7727; Y10T137/7781; Y10T137/7784; Y10T137/7785; Y10T137/7792; Y10T137/7834; Y10T137/7837; Y10T137/785
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
An excess flow shutoff comprising: a body having a flow path including an inlet passage, a enlarged central cavity, and an outlet extending from said cavity; a shutoff seat in said flow path between said inlet passage and said outlet; a shutoff sleeve mounted in said body for movement between an upstream open position and a downstream closed position and having an upstream stem portion slideably received in said inlet passage with a clearance defining a damper flow path; said shutoff sleeve having a downstream closure portion engageable with said shutoff seat to block flow through said flow path in said closed position; a spring in said cavity biasing said shutoff sleeve toward said open position; a flow metering passage through said shutoff sleeve for developing a flow responsive pressure drop urging said shutoff sleeve against the biasing force of said spring from said open position to said closed position in response to excess liquid flow; a resilient damper bladder; a variable volume damper chamber defined in part by said resilient damper bladder; and a restricted passage extending from said damper flow path to said damper chamber for increasing the pressure in said damper chamber in response to increasing flow through said flow path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
An excess flow shutoff comprising: a body having a flow path including an inlet passage, a enlarged central cavity, and an outlet extending from said cavity; a shutoff seat in said flow path between said inlet passage and said outlet; a shutoff sleeve mounted in said body for movement between an upstream open position and a downstream closed position and having an upstream stem portion slideably received in said inlet passage with a clearance defining a damper flow path; said shutoff sleeve having a downstream closure portion engageable with said shutoff seat to block flow through said flow path in said closed position; a spring in said cavity biasing said shutoff sleeve toward said open position; a flow metering passage through said shutoff sleeve for developing a flow responsive pressure drop urging said shutoff sleeve against the biasing force of said spring from said open position to said closed position in response to excess liquid flow; a resilient damper bladder; a variable volume damper chamber defined in part by said resilient damper bladder; and a restricted passage extending from said damper flow path to said damper chamber for increasing the pressure in said damper chamber in response to increasing flow through said flow path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
An excess flow shutoff as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cavity includes a metal surface surrounding said inlet passage, and further comprising a metal washer between said shutoff sleeve and said surface, the interface between said metal surface and said metal washer defining said restricted passage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An excess flow shutoff as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a shutoff member including said shutoff seat, said spring comprising a coil spring in compression between said shutoff member and said shutoff sleeve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An excess flow shutoff as claimed in claim 3 , said flexible damper bladder surrounding and enclosing said spring in said chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An excess flow shutoff as claimed in claim 4 , said body including a base portion and a cap, said bladder including a flange portion clamped in sealing relation between said base portion and said cap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An excess flow shutoff as claimed in claim 4 , said damper chamber being defined between the outside of said bladder and the wall of said cavity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An excess flow shutoff as claimed in claim 6 , said bladder being normally spaced away from said spring, and collapsing toward and upon said spring as the volume of said damper chamber increases.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
An excess flow shutoff as claimed in claim 7 wherein said cavity includes a metal surface surrounding said inlet passage, and further comprising a metal washer between said shutoff sleeve and said surface, the interface between said metal surface and said metal washer defining said restricted passage.
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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) | 2009-09-25 | 2010-03-27 | 2010-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-09-25 | 2014-03-27 | 2014-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-09-25 | 2018-03-27 | 2018-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |