Abstract: A device for controlling an earthquake-vulnerable or other operation according to seismic activity, such as the flow of water from a reservoir or natural gas to users, includes a control unit for controlling the operation when actuated by a predetermined triggering movement, an actuator unit for producing the triggering movement when the actuator unit is subjected to a threshold level of seismic activity, and a coupling unit for coupling the triggering movement from the actuator unit to the control unit. Mounting components are provided for mounting the coupling unit on the control unit and the actuator unit on the coupling unit so that a user can adjustably set the position of the actuator unit relative to the control unit in order to level the actuator unit in two different directions.

Abstract: A valve includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway that connects the inlet and the outlet in fluid communication. A valve member on the housing for opens and closes the passageway and an actuator on the housing that is responsive to movement such as may accompany an earthquake causes the valve member to close the passageway automatically in the event of such movement. The actuator may include a spring for driving the valve member from an open position to a closed position, and a trigger mechanism responsive to movement such as may accompany an earthquake for holding the valve member in the open position until the occurrence of such movement and then enabling the valve member to move to the closed position under influence of the driving means.

Abstract: A programmable, closed-loop control system that provides for control under normal and seismic conditions. The present system integrates monitoring and control functions and provides for reconfigurable control of these functions. The seismic monitoring and control system optimally controls valve-type fluid flow systems. Separate control algorithms may be programmed by a user to control the system under both normal and seismic conditions. In its broadest aspects, the present system comprises a sensor for sensing a predetermined condition and for providing output signals indicative thereof, a switch, and a programmable controller coupled to the sensor and switch. The controller includes a seismic sensor for detecting a seismic disturbance and providing output signals indicative of the seismic disturbance.