Patents Assigned to Safe-Crossings, LLC
  • Patent number: 12196375
    Abstract: A valve system for controlling a flow of material includes a pipeline including an upstream portion a downstream portion. The system includes a variable flow restrictor configured for providing a restrictive orifice within the pipeline and creating a pressure differential in the flow of material high-pressure material in the upstream portion and low-pressure material in the downstream portion. The system includes a low-pressure tube connected to the downstream portion and a low-pressure chamber connected to the tube and receiving low-pressure material. The chamber includes a secondary flapper configured for selectively blocking the tube. The system includes a primary flapper disposed between the upstream portion and the low-pressure chamber and configured to be disposed in one of a first and second position. The flapper is held in the first position by the pressure differential. The flapper moves to the second position blocking the pipeline when a leak occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Safe Crossings, LLC
    Inventors: R. Dale Moretz, Derek J. Moretz
  • Publication number: 20240125438
    Abstract: A valve system for controlling a flow of material includes a pipeline including an upstream portion a downstream portion. The system includes a variable flow restrictor configured for providing a restrictive orifice within the pipeline and creating a pressure differential in the flow of material high-pressure material in the upstream portion and low-pressure material in the downstream portion. The system includes a low-pressure tube connected to the downstream portion and a low-pressure chamber connected to the tube and receiving low-pressure material. The chamber includes a secondary flapper configured for selectively blocking the tube. The system includes a primary flapper disposed between the upstream portion and the low-pressure chamber and configured to be disposed in one of a first and second position. The flapper is held in the first position by the pressure differential. The flapper moves to the second position blocking the pipeline when a leak occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Safe Crossings, LLC
    Inventors: R. Dale Moretz, Derek J. Moretz
  • Patent number: 11835184
    Abstract: A petroleum pipeline safety system for preventing contamination of an environmentally sensitive area close to a pipeline is provided. The system includes a first portion of the pipeline including an upstream portion of the pipeline supplying a flow of fluid material and a flow restriction downstream of the first portion of the pipeline. The system further includes a second portion of the pipeline downstream of the flow restriction, receiving the flow of fluid material from the first portion and conveying the flow of fluid material through the environmentally sensitive area to a downstream portion of the pipeline. The flow restriction is configured to create a lower pipeline internal pressure within the second portion as compared to a pipeline internal pressure within the first portion. The system further includes a third portion of the pipeline downstream of the environmentally sensitive area and including the downstream portion of the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Safe Crossings, LLC
    Inventor: R. Dale Moretz
  • Publication number: 20230017448
    Abstract: A petroleum pipeline safety system for preventing contamination of an environmentally sensitive area close to a pipeline is provided. The system includes a first portion of the pipeline including an upstream portion of the pipeline supplying a flow of fluid material and a flow restriction downstream of the first portion of the pipeline. The system further includes a second portion of the pipeline downstream of the flow restriction, receiving the flow of fluid material from the first portion and conveying the flow of fluid material through the environmentally sensitive area to a downstream portion of the pipeline. The flow restriction is configured to create a lower pipeline internal pressure within the second portion as compared to a pipeline internal pressure within the first portion. The system further includes a third portion of the pipeline downstream of the environmentally sensitive area and including the downstream portion of the pipeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Safe Crossings, LLC
    Inventor: R. Dale Moretz
  • Patent number: 11454353
    Abstract: A petroleum pipeline safety system for preventing contamination of an environmentally sensitive area close to a pipeline includes an upstream portion of the pipeline supplying a flow of fluid material, a crossing portion of the pipeline receiving the flow of fluid material from the upstream portion and conveying the flow of fluid material through the environmentally sensitive area to a downstream portion of the pipeline, the downstream portion, a pipeline pressure activated valve selectively capable of blocking the flow of fluid material from entering the crossing portion based upon a change in pressure within the crossing portion, and a fluid capacitor connected to the upstream portion configured to filter out a pressure spike in the upstream portion associated with the valve blocking the flow of fluid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Safe Crossings, LLC
    Inventor: R. Dale Moretz
  • Patent number: 7384017
    Abstract: A retractable gate comprising a movable arm gate having multiple sections which nest or telescope into each other when parked (e.g. upright), and extends into a full length blocking position as it is deployed. The gate arm sections are deployed by the movement of one of the arms, e.g. the outer one section, relative to the ground or a stationary support member and is joined to the stationary support member by a pivot point or bearing, and is connected to the stationary support or ground by a cable connection (or equivalent) which powers the arm sections into extended or retracted positions by movement of the gate about the pivot bearing. A novel corresponding counterweight system provides selectable balance and torque requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Safe-Crossings, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Burke, John Dinunzi