Abstract: A valve actuating mechanism has an actuator housing and an actuator drive. A spring is connected between them so that when the actuator drive is in a lock position, the spring biases the actuator drive toward an unlock position. A locking member is movable from a first position received in a locking aperture of the actuator drive and in a hole in the actuator housing so as to hold the actuator drive relative to the housing in the locking position and to a second position in which the locking member is outside of the locking aperture so that the spring can move the actuator drive to the unlocked position. A blocking device blocks movement of the locking member but can release the locking member to allow the actuator drive to turn.

Abstract: A valve actuating mechanism has an actuator housing and an actuator drive. A spring is connected between them so that when the actuator drive is in a lock position, the spring biases the actuator drive toward an unlock position. A locking member is movable from a first position received in a locking aperture of the actuator drive and in a hole in the actuator housing so as to hold the actuator drive relative to the housing in the locking position and to a second position in which the locking member is outside of the locking aperture so that the spring can move the actuator drive to the unlocked position. A blocking device blocks movement of the locking member but can release the locking member to allow the actuator drive to turn.

Abstract: A system (1) can retrofit a combustible fuel vehicle to form a plug-in electric hybrid vehicle An electric motor/generator unit (4) has an electric motor mode and an electric generator mode and can be switched between modes in response to a switching signal. A vehicle drive train interconnection (8) is connected with a drive shaft (5) of the motor generator (4) to connect the motor generator (4) to the vehicle drive train A sensor (32) determines an operating condition of the vehicle corresponding to movement of the vehicle. A rechargeable battery (2) is connected to the motor/generator (4) to provide electrical power to the motor for generator in the motor mode and to receive electrical power from the motor generator in the generator mode The battery (2) has a recharge plug (9) and a recharging circuit so that the battery (2) can be recharged by plugging it into a source of electrical power. A controller (3) is connected with the motor generator unit 4, the rechargeable battery (2) and the sensor (32).

Abstract: A safety valve is positioned in supply plumbing that supplies a fluid medium such as natural gas to a point of use structure such as a home. A mechanical actuator is provided remote from the safety valve but mechanically connected to the safety valve. This allows the actuator to be positioned, for example, directly on the point of use structure, avoiding the need for separate bracing for the valve. The valve can be provided with a tee fitting or can be a separate gate valve. The mechanical actuator can be actuated by seismic disturbance, manually, or by activation by remote sensor or home security system.

Abstract: A safety valve is positioned in supply plumbing that supplies a fluid medium such as natural gas to a point of use structure such as a home. A mechanical actuator is provided remote from the safety valve but mechanically connected to the safety valve. This allows the actuator to be positioned, for example, directly on the point of use structure, avoiding the need for separate bracing for the valve. The valve can be provided with a tee fitting or can be a separate gate valve. The mechanical actuator can be actuated by seismic disturbance, manually, or by activation by remote sensor or home security system.

Abstract: A gas meter installation including gas supply plumbing and point of use plumbing will have a gas meter therebetween. A valve can be installed with the gas meter for shutting off the flow of gas to the point of use. This valve is preferably a gate valve mounted with the a gas meter, and can be retrofitted into existing installations, or installed with the new plumbing installation. The valve can be shut off by remote activation for example due to a seismic sensor causing a controller to send a signal to activate the valve. The control can also interact with electricity shut off apparatus, automatic meter reading apparatus and point of use security systems.

Abstract: A gas meter installation including gas supply plumbing and point of use plumbing will have a gas meter therebetween. A valve can be installed with the gas meter for shutting off the flow of gas to the point of use. This valve is preferably a gate valve mounted with the a gas meter, and can be retrofitted into existing installations, or installed with the new plumbing installation. The valve can be shut off by remote activation for example due to a seismic sensor causing a controller to send a signal to activate the valve. The control can also interact with electricity shut off apparatus, automatic meter reading apparatus and point of use security systems.

Abstract: A gas meter installation including gas supply plumbing and point of use plumbing will have a gas meter therebetween. A valve can be installed with the gas meter for shutting off the flow of gas to the point of use. This valve is preferably a gate valve mounted with the a gas meter, and can be retrofitted into existing installations, or installed with the new plumbing installation. The valve can be shut off by remote activation for example due to a seismic sensor causing a controller to send a signal to activate the valve. The control can also interact with electricity shut off apparatus, automatic meter reading apparatus and point of use security systems.

Abstract: A gas meter installation including gas supply plumbing and point of use plumbing will have a gas meter therebetween. A valve can be installed with the gas meter for shutting off the flow of gas to the point of use. This valve is preferably a gate valve mounted with the a gas meter, and can be retrofitted into existing installations, or installed with the new plumbing installation. The valve can be shut off by remote activation for example due to a seismic sensor causing a controller to send a signal to activate the valve. The control can also interact with electricity shut off apparatus, automatic meter reading apparatus and point of use security systems.

Abstract: A gas meter installation including gas supply plumbing and point of use plumbing will have a gas meter therebetween. A valve can be installed with the gas meter for shutting off the flow of gas to the point of use. This valve is preferably a gate valve mounted with the a gas meter, and can be retrofitted into existing installations, or installed with the new plumbing installation. The valve can be shut off by remote activation for example due to a seismic sensor causing a controller to send a signal to activate the valve. The control can also interact with electricity shut off apparatus, automatic meter reading apparatus and point of use security systems.

Abstract: A seismic safety valve has a housing with a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a fluid passageway interconnecting the inlet and outlet. A recess is formed inside the housing along the fluid passageway, with a valve seat located adjacent to and below the recess. A valve member, made of a magnetic material, is in the fluid passageway and movable between a first position in the recess and a second position on the valve seat. The valve member closes the fluid passageway in the second position and opens the fluid passageway in the first position. The recess supports the valve member so that the valve member is movable from the recess upon the housing being subjected to a predetermined amount of seismic activity under forces generated by the predetermined amount of seismic activity and gravity. At least one electromagnet is on the housing outside of the fluid passageway.

Abstract: A gas flow valve is adapted to mimic an existing plumbing arrangement between the gas flow meter 10 and inlet and outlet plumbing at a point of use. By providing a similar arrangement of mating parts and union nuts, the gas flow valve 20 can be easily and quickly installed between the inlet and outlet plumbing and the gas flow meter without having to replumb the plumbing. The gas flow valve 20 can either directly connect between both the inlet and outlet plumbing and the gas flow meter, or could connect between either the inlet or the outlet plumbing and the gas flow meter 10, with the other connection being provided either by the original connection between the gas flow meter and the plumbing or by an additional inserted pipe.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for weighting pipe segments of the type that are interconnected to form a pipeline for transporting fluids such as natural gas and the like. The exterior surface of each segment is wetted with a friction reducing agent prior to forming a coating of weighting material along the length of the pipe segment, the friction reducing agent selected to prevent the adhering of the weighting material to the pipe. In the preferred embodiment, where a medial portion of the pipe segment is wrapped with an adhesive material prior to wetting the remaining portion of the pipe segment's external surface with the friction reducing agent, and encasing same with the weighting material. Preferably, the adhesive material is joint tape, the friction reducing agent is vegetable oil, and the weighting material is concrete.

Abstract: A seismic safety apparatus has a housing having an internal space and an external surface. A seismic safety activating mechanism is provided inside the housing for activating a seismic safety device. The seismic safety activating mechanism includes an inertia ball recess located in the internal space, an inertia ball in the housing that has an unactuated position on the recess and an actuated position displaced from the unactuated position on the recess. The inertia ball recess is formed so that when the inertia ball is in the valve member recess, vibrations or seismic shocks of a predetermined magnitude cause the inertia ball to move from the unactuated position to the actuated position. An engagement component inside the housing is provided as part of the seismic safety activating mechanism at the actuated position for engagement with the inertia ball when the inertia ball is displaced from the unactuated position.

Abstract: A device that will automatically shut-off the flow of a fluid when the device senses predetermined seismic and other shock forces. The device includes a housing having an inlet and outlet in communication with the flow of fluid. An inertia ball, which moves directly or indirectly from a resting position to block the flow of fluid, is held in a closed position by the force of an external magnet. When the external magnet moves about a given path, the inertia ball moves to a resting position, thus opening the flow of fluid. The movement of the external magnet along the given path forces the inertia ball to follow the magnet, thus providing an easy way of controlling the flow of fluid without the use of mechanical seals.

Abstract: A shock or vibration activated safety shut off apparatus includes a housing, an ON/OFF member drive mechanism, a first member movable rectilinearly from a first position to a second position, a second member movable rectilinearly from a third position to a fourth position, and an inertia responsive mechanism for forcing the first member into its second position in response to vibration or shock imparted to the housing. The inertia responsive mechanism includes an inertia cup having an indented upper surface, and an inertia ball normally resting on the indented surface, a lever pivotably mounted to the inertia cup and a permanent magnet mounted beneath the free end of the lever, such that when a shock or vibration causes the inertia ball to jump onto the lever and roll toward its free end, the inertia ball will be attracted to the permanent magnet and will cause the lever to be pivoted downwardly.

Abstract: A shock activated shut-off device which can be used in any position includes a housing, a drive member rotatably mounted within the housing, a first member movable rectilinearly from a first position to a second position and a second member movable rectilinearly from a third position to a fourth position. An inertia ball engages the first member to move it from the first position to the second position in response to a vibration or shock imparted to the housing, and movement of the first member causes movement of a trigger ball disposed between the first member and the second member. Movement of the trigger ball allows the second member to move from the third position to the fourth position and thus to release engagement between a locking ball and a locking ball receiving seat in the housing. A torsion spring is connected between the drive member and the housing, whereby the drive member can be rotated against the force of the torsion spring to load the device.

Abstract: An improved purging process in which purge gas is flowed through a flare system at a sufficient flow rate to minimize or at least acceptably control the rate of back flow of air migration into the exit port of the system. The flow of purge gas is periodically terminated (or reduced) for a predetermined interval of time during which air begins to migrate into the flare system. During this purge gas cessation interval, the flow rate of the flare gas is sensed, and depending upon predetermined flow rate ranges for the flare gas, the purge gas cessation is continued during the cessation interval or a partial purge gas flow is commenced to assure that the total gas flow rate in the system is maintained above a predetermined flow rate. In any event, once the cessation interval of time has lapsed, the full purge gas flow is re-established to assure that air migration is cleared from the system.

Abstract: A fuel conditioning process and apparatus for use where natural gas is compressed by a field compressor driven by a natural gas powered engine. The fuel portion of the compressed raw natural gas is passed through an adsorption vessel containing an adsorbent material capable of adsorbing impurities. The outlet gas from the adsorption vessel is accumulated and mixed for averaging and controlling the heating value of the outlet gas used for fuel. Regeneration of the adsorption material, when employing multiple adsorption vessels, is accomplished by connecting one adsorption vessel to the suction side of the compressor, purified gas from another adsorption vessel in adsorption service is backflowed through the loaded adsorption vessel to desorb the previously adsorbed impurities, the flow of the compressed raw natural gas to the other adsorption vessel is terminated and the pressure within the two adsorption vessels is equalized.

Abstract: An improved process for recovering hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon-carrier gas mixture wherein the mixture is passed through a solid adsorbent bed capable of selectively adsorbing the hydrocarbon and passing substantially hydrocarbon-free carrier gas. The hydrocarbon components are recovered by passing a hydrocarbon-rich flushing gas mixture through the adsorbent bed followed by subjecting the adsorbent bed to a change in pressure to desorb the hydrocarbon components and produce a hydrocarbon-rich product stream. Further hydrocarbon enrichment may be obtained by passing the product stream to another solid adsorbent bed to adsorb the hydrocarbon and pass further substantially hydrocarbon-free carrier gas. The hydrocarbon components are then recovered by subjecting the other adsorbent bed to a vacuum to desorb the hydrocarbon and produce a richer hydrocarbon product stream.