Heat Destructible Or Fusible Patents (Class 137/72)
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Patent number: 8794254Abstract: High pressure gas vessels can have a sensitivity to temperature of the compressed gas. Over-temperature conditions in particular may cause decreased durability and/or vessel damage, including gas leakage to the environment. Articles of manufacture, methods, and systems are provided for over-temperature protection using a passive device. The passive closing device does not require electrical power and no controller, sensors, or wiring is needed. This affords cost savings in comparison to other systems. Pressure vessels using the passive closing device can protect themselves, independent of the compressed gas fueling station configuration.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Oliver Maier, Jurgen Thyroff
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Patent number: 8752571Abstract: The valve assembly includes a body having a communication passage with an inlet and an outlet and a combustion chamber having a propellant and one or more openings, an igniter in communication with the propellant, and a valve means movable within the body. The igniter is adapted to ignite the propellant to provide a force to move the valve means from a closed position to an open position. The valve means has a first restricting element to restrict and permit passage of a pressurized gas through the outlet and a second restricting element to restrict and permit passage of heat from the burned propellant through the openings of the body, wherein the heat/gases cause a pressurized gas within the receptacle to expand causing the gas to quickly expunge from the receptacle. A biasing means may be used with the valve means to retain the valve means in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2010Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Inventor: Carl E. Balkus, Jr.
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Patent number: 8726923Abstract: A safety valve coupled to a container to release liquid within the container. The container defines an opening surrounded by a container surface. The safety valve includes a housing defining an interior containing a fusible member for actuating a plug between a closed position and an open position to release the liquid upon melting the fusible member. A main body has a first end for coupling to the housing and a second end for coupling to the opening of the container. The main body second end includes a main body surface defining axial bores for receiving screws to fix the main body to the housing. Upon coupling the safety valve to the container, a small gap is formed between the container surface and the main body surface to limit loosening of the screws.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2008Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Fujikin IncorporatedInventors: Kunihiko Daido, Toshio Kita
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Patent number: 8720722Abstract: The presently disclosed device provides a method and means for ensuring that containers of all types and sizes are vented or purged to atmospheric or environmental conditions upon the interior or exterior of the container reaching a critical temperature pressure, or humidity. Specifically, the presently disclosed invention integrates shape memory polymer (SMP) based, thermally activated fasteners into the venting systems. The result is a venting system that increases munitions safety without compromising the venting effectiveness, structural integrity, or the required bullet/fragment impact resistance requirements of the system.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2010Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Cornerstone Research Group, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Brian Sunday, Michael Jeffrey Fisher
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Patent number: 8714180Abstract: A thermal triggering element for sprinklers, valves or the like including an enclosed compartment with a container filled with a highly temperature-sensitive shattering fluid for precise and reproducible adjustment of a triggering temperature within the range of a few degrees Celsius. The invention increases the accuracy of the triggering temperature and identifies shattering liquids that allow precise sensitive triggering action in terms of temperature of the triggering element and open up further triggering temperatures ranges. The triggering fluid contains or consists of a hydrocarbon compound selected among one of the following substance groups or a mixture thereof: d) a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having a OH, NH or NH2 group bonded to a carbon atom; e) a hydrocarbon having at least one benzene ring with an OH group bonded to one of the carbon atoms of the benzene ring; f) a phosphate with at least one hydrocarbon moiety.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2012Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Job Lizenz GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Rüdiger Klug, Tino Schmalfuss
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Patent number: 8684101Abstract: A temperature-activated valve for a conventional fire sprinkler utilizing a hyperelastic single-crystal shape memory alloy is described. The shape-memory element expands as it is heated, forcing a bolt to break, thereby opening the sprinkler valve. The devices described are less susceptible to accidental breakage than conventional actuators, and have fewer moving parts. Transition temperature of the shape memory alloy can be tuned to a narrow range.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2008Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: TiNi Alloy CompanyInventors: Alfred David Johnson, Roger Graham Gilbertson, Valery Martynov
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Patent number: 8678024Abstract: The present application is directed to an assembly for sealing an opening of a container, comprising (1) a first member operationally configured to connect to the container at the opening; (2) a second member operationally configured to abut the first member in a manner effective to cover the opening of the container; and (3) a temperature-sensitive fastening means operationally configured to releasably secure the second member to the first member in a manner effective to form a seal there between; wherein at least part of the fastening means is positioned apart from the second member.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Inventor: John Freiler
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Patent number: 8602048Abstract: Apparatus for use in delivery of gas capable of combustion that incorporates a safety valve unit. The safety valve unit closes the flow path of the gas from the source upon occurrence of a fire. The safety valve unit has a valve body, a valve head resiliently biased towards a valve-closure position and a fusible retainer that holds the valve member in a valve open position. The valve body defines a fluid flow passage between an outlet and the valve head. Within the fluid flow passage there is an elongate link member which extends from the valve head to the foot. The foot engages the fusible retainer.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2009Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: BPR Medical LimitedInventors: Richard Radford, David Edgar Peel
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Patent number: 8596290Abstract: A pressure discharge valve for storage tanks on land or trucks including a valve body having a through hole therein adapted to mate and communicate with a through hole in a wall of the storage tank, a first vent means comprised of a eutectic composition which automatically provides a partial release of storage tank liquid at a first predetermined temperature lower than critical combustion and/or explosive temperatures of liquid in the storage tank, to provide a visual signal and warning to firefighters of these hazardous conditions, and a second vent means comprised of a eutectic composition to automatically vent liquid in the storage tank through the hole in the valve body when the liquids therein reach a predetermined critical temperature. In addition, the pressure discharge valve preferably comprises a eutectic solder material disposed between the valve body and the second vent means, which changes phase (i.e.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Inventors: Stojan Kotefski, Eugene R Reda
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Patent number: 8596291Abstract: A venting lifting plug is provided for an unfuzed munition having a fuze cavity with internal threads, the venting lifting plug is formed of a threaded ring having both internal and external threads together with a lifting plug having a lifting ring, a neck and a round portion having external threads, external threads on the threaded ring being in threaded engagement with internal threads on the fuze cavity of the munition, internal threads on the threaded ring being in threaded engagement with external threads on the lifting plug, and a threaded joint formed between the lifting plug and threaded ring is soldered together with one or more eutectic materials having a melting point lower than a predetermined critical temperature of cook-off gases from the munition.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2012Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Inventors: Stojan Kotefski, Ductri Nguyen, Dominick DeMella, Paul Manz, William Morelli, Philip J Magnotti, Lidija Kotevska
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Publication number: 20130291754Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a pressure discharge mechanism for closed vessels having an internal chamber designed to hold volatile and/or explosive substances in a sealed manner comprised of an at least one eutectic composition and a threaded joint designed to open or vent the closed vessel when the contents of the closed vessel reaches a predetermined temperature while maintaining full structural integrity during normal operation. In one aspect, the closed vessel is a munitions casing which functions as intended under normal operating environments, but then when exposed to extreme temperatures, reduces the munition's high order explosion capability, and is transformed into a safe, low order reaction with significantly less reactive potential. In one aspect, the closed vessel is a transport tanker which should not release substances contained therein. However, if the tanker catches fire, the pressure relief mechanism of the present invention reduces risk of explosion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Stojan Kotefski, Nikola Kotevski
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Patent number: 8550105Abstract: A valve system includes a fusible plug valve that functions as a fusible plug valve and as a manual valve. When functioning as a fusible plug valve, the fusible plug valve opens at a high temperature to release gas from a high pressure tank to outside. When functioning as a manual valve, the fusible plug valve is opened manually to release the gas from the high pressure tank to the outside.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tsukuo Ishitoya, Eiji Okawachi, Kazushi Numazaki, Hisanori Kondo, Koji Koide
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Patent number: 8490639Abstract: Provided is a temperature-sensitive fluid flow interruption device for use in operational connection with a normally-closed poppet openable by overcoming a closure force. The device may comprise an elongated housing, an elongated displacement member, a spring, and a retention cap. An elongated housing may comprise an elongated first channel. An elongated displacement member may be engaged with said elongated first channel and may comprise a longitudinal axis, a first spring retention surface, and a poppet engageable end. The poppet engageable end may be adapted for engagement with said poppet and may be engaged with the housing in a manner determined by the temperature of the temperature-sensitive fluid flow interruption device with respect to a predetermined temperature. A spring may be engaged with the first retention surface. A retention cap may be engaged with the housing and may comprise a second retention surface engaged with the spring.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Enerco Group, Inc.Inventor: Brian J. Vandrak
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Patent number: 8439063Abstract: A valve (10) is disclosed which is operable to automatically transition from a closed state to an open state in response to heat. The valve (10) includes: a cover (12) having at least one opening (12a) therein; at least one adhesive layer (32, 36) for sealing a perimeter of the cover (12) to a wall (22) of a food cooking package (20) on which the valve (10) is positioned; and, a deformable element (14) that shrinks in response to being exposed to heat, the deformable element (14) having a perimeter which is sealed by an adhesive when the valve (10) is in its closed state, wherein shrinking of the deformable element (14) pulls the perimeter of the deformable element (14) away from a site where it is sealed by the adhesive, thereby breaking the seal about the perimeter of the deformable element (14) and transitioning the valve (10) from its closed state to its open state.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2010Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Avery Dennison CorporationInventors: David W. Seline, Richard L. Sandt, Mary Beth Rusin, Nicholas Greco
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Patent number: 8434507Abstract: A safety valve device has a safety valve body and is configured to open at a temperature of or over a preset reference temperature. The safety valve device also includes a gas flow path arranged to make a flow of hydrogen flowing out of a hydrogen tank via the safety valve body in a valve open position, and a discharge pipe configured to have a hydrogen discharge opening and arranged to discharge the hydrogen flowing through the gas flow path to the outside. The hydrogen discharge opening of the discharge pipe is formed to discharge the hydrogen in an oblique direction relative to a direction of an axial center of the gas flow path. The discharge pipe also has a groove formed to apply an input rotational force to the discharge pipe and thereby rotate the discharge pipe around the axial center of the gas flow path.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Fujikin IncorporatedInventors: Yasuyuki Iida, Yasuhiro Yamamoto, Yutaka Tano, Kunihiko Daido
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Patent number: 8402985Abstract: A thermal release element for valves in the form of a completely enclosed inner space with a container filled with a release liquid in which the release liquid contains a hydrocarbon selected from one of the following substance groups or containing a mixture of the hydrocarbons of an aliphatic bromide, a hydrocarbon with a nitro group, a singly halogenated benzene ring, and an aliphatic ester compound with two double-bonded oxygen atoms.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Job Lizenz GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Tino Schmalfuss
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Publication number: 20130032221Abstract: A thermal pressure relief device (TPRD) including a housing having a movable member and a retainer disposed therein. The movable member is movable between an open position and a closed position. A trigger mechanism is disposed between the movable member and the retainer. The trigger mechanism holds the movable member in the closed position and includes a substantially spherical shaped body and a temperature sensitive material disposed in the body. The temperature sensitive material volumetrically expands with an increase in temperature until a predetermined temperature is attained and a breakage of the body occurs. When the body of the trigger mechanism breaks, the movable member is displaced from the closed position to the open position, allowing a fluid to flow through the TPRD.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2011Publication date: February 7, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Patrick Breuer, Stefan Nettesheim
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Publication number: 20130019957Abstract: The invention relates to a gas-dispensing device for connecting a plurality of pressurized gas sources (E1, E2, E3, E4) to a user, the device including a housing provided with a plurality of gas inlets to be connected to respective gas sources (E1, E2, E3, E4) and an outlet to be connected to a user member, a dispensing member that selectively movable, relative to the body, into separate dispensing positions for selectively putting each inlet in communication with the outlet in turn, while the other inlets are isolated from the outlet, characterized in that the device comprises an emergency discharge system that is movable into an operative position in which all the gas inlets are simultaneously forcedly connected to a gas discharge outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2011Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventor: Laurent Allidieres
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Publication number: 20130008521Abstract: A thermal triggering element for sprinklers, valves or the like including an enclosed compartment with a container filled with a highly temperature-sensitive shattering fluid for precise and reproducible adjustment of a triggering temperature within the range of a few degrees Celsius. The invention increases the accuracy of the triggering temperature and identifies shattering liquids that allow precise sensitive triggering action in terms of temperature of the triggering element and open up further triggering temperatures ranges. The triggering fluid contains or consists of a hydrocarbon compound selected among one of the following substance groups or a mixture thereof: d) a heterocyclic hydrocarbon having a OH, NH or NH2 group bonded to a carbon atom; e) a hydrocarbon having at least one benzene ring with an OH group bonded to one of the carbon atoms of the benzene ring; f) a phosphate with at least one hydrocarbon moiety.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: JOB LIZENZ GMBH & CO. KGInventors: Rüdiger Klug, Tino Schmalfuss
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Patent number: 8282134Abstract: An apparatus and method of assembling a thermally responsive fluid coupling of a pressure reducing fuel regulator is provided. The fuel regulator includes an inlet conduit having a longitudinally extending ridge. A generally annular bushing is positioned over the inlet conduit. The bushing includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced figures and a cutout dimensioned to receive the ridge of the inlet conduit. A fluid-carrying member is positioned at least partially within the inlet conduit. A collar is positioned over the inlet conduit. The collar includes a first end adapted to be releasably connected to a cooperative fluid coupling and a second end. The second end of the collar is secured between the plurality of fingers of the bushing and the inlet conduit for preventing axial movement between the collar and the fluid-carrying member.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Cavagna GroupInventor: Savio Cavagna
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Patent number: 8261517Abstract: A fuel tank cap including a body, a seal carrier movably positioned within the body, a first seal positioned on the seal carrier and configured for sealably engaging a filler tube opening of a fuel tank, and a second seal positioned on the seal carrier and configured for sealably engaging the body.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2009Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Evan Waymire, Kenneth A. Watson
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Patent number: 8235249Abstract: A carbon dioxide cartridge is triggered when a lance with a piercing tip punctures its burst disc. The cartridge has a cap that has an outlet and a passage for the lance and puncturing tip to travel. The lance is pushed into the burst disc when a heat expanding substance which is stored hermetically the cap in such a way that the only direction to expand is to displace and push the lance right into the burst disc. Once the burst disc is pierced, the cartridge empties its contents quickly out the outlet. In at least one embodiment the cartridge and the cap are attached by screw threads.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2010Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Inventors: Anthony S. Hollars, Thomas F. Janecek
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Patent number: 8230938Abstract: A fire prevention assembly comprises a main body, a first connective unit, a tubular piece, a sensor unit, a second connective unit, a first flexible piece, a movable piece and a second flexible piece. The fire prevention assembly is installed to a fire prevention gate. In use, the sensor unit would melt at a high temperature. In such case, the tubular piece moves rearwards along with the movable piece. Therefore, the movable piece will no longer limit the movement of the position limiting plate of the fire prevention gate and the protective plates will be allowed to rotate to open or close the fire prevention gate. Consequently, the fire prevention assembly can provide protection against fires and smoke in a swift and precise manner.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2009Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Uangyih-Tech Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chun-Chien Huang
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Patent number: 8196786Abstract: A dispensing closure for a container that includes closure walls, at least one dispensing aperture, at least one closing element that is movable between a position where the aperture is closed, and a position where the aperture is open. This closure includes at least one actionable member that surrounds the closure walls and the closing element, and at least one connection element located between the actionable member and the closing element. The connection element is made of a material that is sufficiently rigid below a predetermined safety temperature, to connect the actionable member and closing element, thus allowing opening of the dispensing aperture by moving the actionable member and fluid above temperature so that the actionable member and closing element are disconnected.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2007Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Christophe Jean-Marie Yves Charlier, Bruno Sadi Henri Delande, Jean-Francois Andre Aime Delaunay, Pierre Henri Lebrand
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Patent number: 8156961Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly including a pressurized gas storage tank and a control device for filling the tank with gas and/or extracting gas therefrom. The aforementioned tank includes: a hole which communicates with the interior of the tank, a filling and distribution head which is disposed at the hole and which includes a pre-expansion device which is at least partially integrated inside the volume of the tank, and a connection interface which is removably engaged with the gas supply and/or extraction control device such as to co-operate therewith. The invention is characterized in that the head includes an isolation member, such as a valve, which is housed at least partially inside the volume of the head and which can be accessed by an opening member that is external to the head through an access hole that is provided in the head.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2006Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Arnaud Denis, Renaud Ligonesche, Philippe Pisot
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Patent number: 8141574Abstract: The housing is attachable to a high pressure fluid containing structure. A piston is provided within the housing, with the piston having a closed position and an open position. The closed position blocks an outlet vent of the relief device, with the open position allowing high pressure fluid to escape through the vent. The piston is biased toward the open position by the high pressure fluid, but is held in the closed position by a slide. The slide has a first position and a second position, with the first position holding the piston in the closed position. A spring biases the slide toward a second position, with a eutectic mass resisting movement of the slide to the second position. The eutectic mass is selected to have a melting point matching a maximum design temperature for the high pressure fluid containing structure. Should the eutectic mass melt, the high pressure fluid escapes.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2008Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Pacific Consolidated Industries, LLCInventors: Haldon L. Weatherly, Jason M. Burns
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Patent number: 7958906Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a thermally induced single-use valve is provided including a silicon wafer having a top surface and a bottom surface and at least one cavity formed in the bottom surface of the wafer, a thermally deformable membrane suspended across the cavity on the top surface of the wafer and at least one resistive element patterned on top of the thermally deformable membrane.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2007Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: University of South FloridaInventors: Andres M. Cardenas-Valencia, Jay Dlutowski, Michelle Cardenas, John Bumgarner, Weidong Wang, Larry Langebrake
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Publication number: 20100307605Abstract: A thermal release element for valves in the form of a completely enclosed inner space with a container filled with an explosive liquid in which the release liquid contains a hydrocarbon selected from one of the following substance groups or containing a mixture of the hydrocarbons of an aliphatic bromide, a hydrocarbon with a nitro group, a singly halogenated benzene ring, and an aliphatic ester compound with two double-bonded oxygen atoms.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: JOB LIZENZ GMBH & CO. KGInventor: Tino Schmalfuss
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Publication number: 20100276005Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic valve (10) comprising a microchannel (30), a membrane (40) arranged so as to seal off said microchannel (30) and equipped with resistive means (60). Said resistive means (60) are arranged in a groove (50) formed on one face (41) of the membrane (40) and are capable, when an electric control current flows through them, of expanding sufficiently under the effect of the heat produced by the flow of said electric current to cause the rupture of at least one part of said membrane (40).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicants: Comm. a I'energie atom. et aux energies alterna., UNIVERSITE JOSEPH FOURIERInventors: Marjolaine ALLAIN, Skandar Basrour, Jean Berthier, Patrick Pouteau
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Patent number: 7814925Abstract: Under emergency, a valve body displaced from a closed position to an open position in association with melting of a fuse member receives resultant of pressing forces of a primary pressure of gas guided through a primary port in an opening direction in a state where the valve body is disposed at the position closer to the open position including a fluid driving start position between the closed position and the open position. The valve body receives smaller resultant of the pressing forces of the primary pressure in the opening direction in a state where the valve body is disposed at the position closer to the closed position than to the fluid driving start position than the resultant of the pressing forces received by the valve body in the state where the valve body is disposed at the position closer to the open position including the fluid driving start position.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2004Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kawasaki Precision MachineryInventors: Kaoru Nomichi, Seiji Ishii, Makoto Ninomiya
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Patent number: 7766252Abstract: A dry pipe sprinkler assembly is provided including a sprinkler body having a thermally responsive trigger mounted thereto. A housing, including an inlet end and an outlet end is provided with the outlet end being connected to the sprinkler body. A seal member is disposed at the inlet end of the housing, and a load mechanism extends between the thermally responsive element and the seal member. The load mechanism may include a support portion, a passage tube portion, and an outlet orifice portion slidably received within the housing and movable within the housing upon activation of the thermally responsive trigger to allow the seal member to be dislodged from the inlet end of the housing to allow suppressant fluid to flow therethrough. The dry pipe sprinkler assembly allows the use of different outlet orifice members to provide dry pipe sprinkler assemblies having different K factors while utilizing common components for the remaining dry pipe sprinkler assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2006Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: The Viking CorporationInventors: Eldon D. Jackson, Shawn J. Feenstra
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Patent number: 7748399Abstract: A vehicle (1) equipped with a tank (2) for storage of a fluid under pressure on the vehicle, the tank being connected to at least one vent channel (3 and 33), the vent channel leading to a discharge orifice (34), the vent channel being connected to the tank by means of at least one safety valve, wherein in that the safety valve is a thermal release valve (5), normally closed and capable of opening spontaneously under the effect of a rise in temperature, the safety valve being installed in a predefined zone of the vehicle and the discharge orifice being remote from the predefined zone.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Michelin Recherche Et Technique S.A.Inventors: Antonio Delfino, Daniel Laurent, Philippe Macherel
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Patent number: 7721750Abstract: A heat pipe is disclosed, the heat pipe capable of transferring heat to actuate a pressure relief device by heat transfer through either capillary action involving a wicking material and a working fluid, or by a consumable fuse in the case of leakage of the working fluid from the heat pipe.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2007Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventor: Markus Lindner
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Publication number: 20100078078Abstract: The present invention provides a safety valve with improved safety which is to be mounted to a container for releasing gas within the container if the temperature rises. A main body 3 includes a mounting portion 6 inserted in an opening provided in a container T, and a large-diameter portion 5 having an outer diameter larger than that of the mounting portion 6 and being brought into contact with the surface of the container T at an outer peripheral edge portion 5a. A housing 2 is abutted, at a lower surface thereof, against an upper surface of the outer peripheral edge portion 5a of the large-diameter portion of the main body 3. The outer peripheral edge portion 5a of the large-diameter portion of the main body 3 is provided with a plurality of axial through holes 32, and the housing 2 is provided, from the lower surface, with male screw portions 33 conforming to the respective axial through holes 32.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: FUJIKIN INCORPORATEDInventors: Kunihiko Daido, Toshio Kita
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Patent number: 7677262Abstract: A safety valve for a compressed gas storage tank (12) includes a relief conduit (16, 18) provided for fluid connection to an interior chamber (14) of the compressed gas storage tank (12), and a closing member (22) sealing the relief conduit (16, 18); a retaining device (24) being provided which, in a normal condition, locks the closing member (22) in place and which, in safety-critical conditions, opens a cross-sectional flow area (30) in such a manner that the relief conduit (16, 18) is open to the atmosphere. In accordance with the present invention, the closing member (22) is connected to an adjustor (26) which adjusts the cross-sectional flow area (30) of the relief conduit (16, 18) as a function of an upstream interior pressure.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2007Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Daimler AGInventors: Steffen Maus, David Wenger
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Patent number: 7568493Abstract: An improved thermal relief vent for a fuel tank, and a method of manufacturing the same, includes a thermal relief ring that is used to create a mechanical seal within the vent. The thermal relief ring, at room temperature, is crimped in place by use of the vent cap itself. The crimped thermal relief ring creates a mechanical seal between the vent and the vent cap, up until a predetermined thermal relief point, at which time the thermal relief ring will soften and/or yield and release the vent cap from the vent body.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2006Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson, John A. Loffink
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Patent number: 7392766Abstract: A liquid heating appliance, representatively a water heater, is provided with protective apparatus for preventing rupture of its liquid storage tank portion caused by overheating of pressurized liquid therein. Illustratively, the protective apparatus includes a length of thermoplastic tubing, preferably polybutylene tubing, whose interior is exposed to the tank interior so as to be pressurized by heated liquid therein. In the event of a liquid overheating condition in the tank, the tubing is heat-softened in a manner reducing its burst pressure and causing it to burst, at a pressure substantially below the tank burst pressure, and thereby form a pressure relief outlet passage for the tank. A shield structure with at least one fluid outlet opening therein extends outwardly around the thermoplastic tubing to diffuse pressurized fluid escaping from the burst tubing.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2006Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Rheem Manufacturing CompanyInventor: Barry N. Jackson
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Patent number: 7309022Abstract: There is provided a substance shutoff device for shutting down the communication of at least one of an inflammable substance and an oxidizer when the inflammable substance and the oxidizer are brought into contact with each other to thereby prevent further contact between the inflammable substance and the oxidizer. The substance shutoff device comprises a catalyst portion provided in contact with one of an inflammable substance flow path and an oxidizer flow path; and a shutoff means, which operates by heating through a reaction between the inflammable substance and the oxidizer in the catalyst portion to shut down the communication of at least one of the inflammable substance and the oxidizer. A fuel cell using the inflammable substance shutoff device is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2006Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toru Nakakubo
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Patent number: 7290556Abstract: A fire collar or fire damper for location within a concrete slab of a building. The device incorporates a damper arrangement (12) and a heat detector (18, 19) comprising a metal alloy or lead which melts when a present temperature is reached, causing the damper arrangement to seal off associated pipework or ducting.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2005Date of Patent: November 6, 2007Assignee: IG6 Pty LtdInventor: James Walter George Truss
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Patent number: 7185668Abstract: A valve device for automatically closing a gas pipe when a fire breaks out. The valve device includes a gas thermosensitive generating composition, which decomposes and generates a large amount of gas within a short period when exposed to a high temperature. The valve body is driven with pressure of the gas generated by the gas generating composition.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2004Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: NOF CorporationInventors: Koji Ochi, Sakichi Hotta
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Patent number: 7175772Abstract: An actuator assembly and method for making and using an actuator assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes an actuator body having an actuator channel with a first region and a second region. An actuator is disposed in the actuator channel and is movable when in a flowable state between a first position and a second position. A heater is positioned proximate to the actuator channel to heat the actuator from a solid state to a flowable state. A source of gas or other propellant is positioned proximate to the actuator channel to drive the actuator from the first position to the second position. The actuator has a higher surface tension when engaged with the second region of the channel than when engaged with the first region. Accordingly, the actuator can halt upon reaching the second region of the channel due to the increased surface tension between the actuator and the second region of the channel.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Jerome M. Eldridge
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Patent number: 7150287Abstract: A safety valve comprises a main body, fixed body, meltable body, movable body, biasing member, movable plug and plug holding means. The fixed body has a small passageway communicating with the interior of a container, and an upper large passageway. The movable plug has a small portion fitting in the upper end of the small passageway of the fixed body, an intermediate portion providing a clearance therearound inside a lower end portion of the large passageway of the fixed body, and a large portion slidably fitting in an intermediate portion of the large passageway of the fixed body. The large rod portion of the movable plug has a passage extending from its upper end to its lower end, and the intermediate portion of the plug is provided with communication passageways having openings in its peripheral surface and communicating with the lower end of the passage.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2004Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: Fujikin IncorporatedInventors: Toshio Kita, Kunihiko Daido
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Patent number: 7017599Abstract: An improved thermal relief vent for a fuel tank, and a method of manufacturing the same, includes a thermal relief ring that is used to create a mechanical seal within the vent. The thermal relief ring, at room temperature, is crimped in place by use of the vent cap itself. The crimped thermal relief ring creates a mechanical seal between the vent and the vent cap, up until a predetermined thermal relief point, at which time the thermal relief ring will soften and/or yield and release the vent cap from the vent body.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2003Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson, John A. Loffink
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Patent number: 7017944Abstract: A multiple-chamber inflator (10) for a vehicle occupant protection system. The inflator (10) includes a housing (12) having a first end and a second end, and a divider disc (18) positioned in an interior of the housing (12) intermediate the housing ends to form a first (primary) propellant chamber (20) and a second (secondary) propellant chamber (22) within the interior of the housing (12). The divider (18) has a first surface (59) in communication with the first propellant chamber (20), a second surface (57) in communication with the second propellant chamber (22), and at least one aperture (60) extending between the first and second surfaces to provide fluid communication between the first propellant chamber (20) and the second propellant chamber (22). A pressure-resistant shim (62) fabricated from a low-melting point material is fixed on the divider first surface (59) over the at least one aperture (60) to block the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2005Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.Inventors: Paul C. Edwards, II, Graylon K. Williams, Donald B. Patterson
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Patent number: 6994101Abstract: Pressure relief valve including an annular nut of relatively high thermal conductivity including a first end portion providing an inwardly extending axial cylindrical surface and an internal annular surface extending radially outwardly from the cylindrical surface and including an internally threaded second end portion, and a fusible disc including a cylindrical first end portion provided with frictional enhancement means in frictional engagement with the cylindrical surface to mount the fusible disc frictionally in the annular nut and including an annular second end portion engaging the annular surface to position the fusible disc in the annular nut.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2003Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Girard Equipment, Inc.Inventor: John L. Freiler
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Patent number: 6959719Abstract: A fire collar or fire damper for location within a concrete slab of a building. The device incorporates a damper arrangement (12) and a heat detector (18, 19) comprising a metal alloy or lead which melts when a preset temperature is reached, causing the damper arrangement to seal off associated pipework or ducting.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2002Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Inventor: James Walter George Truss
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Patent number: 6862852Abstract: The invention releases to a sealing system comprising a cylindrical tube of a material that is capable of deformation under the influence of a temperature increase, and a gasket of an at least partially elastic material for sealingly retaining the tube in a lead-through housing coaxial with the tube by forming a collar therearound, wherein said gasket is made of a fire-retardant material with a base of a cross-linkable material and an expandable material, in such an amount and of such a composition that a temperature increase above the plasticizing point of the tube will cause the gasket to expand to such an extent that the tube is compressed and a medium-tight seal of the lead-through housing and the tube is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2000Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Beele Engineering, B.V.Inventor: Johannes A. Beele
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Patent number: 6814097Abstract: A pressure relief device comprising a body including an exterior surface, a cavity, an inlet, an outlet, and an aperture, each of the inlet, the outlet, and the aperture opening into the cavity, a temperature sensitive bonding element and a valve, disposed within the cavity and extending through the aperture, including a sealing member and a cap, the cap being joined to the exterior of the body by the temperature sensitive bonding element, and the sealing member being configured to seal the inlet when the cap is joined to the exterior surface of the body. The pressure relief device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the body further includes a retainer configured to prevent the valve from separating from the body when the cap becomes disengaged from the body.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2002Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Teleflex GFI Control Systems L.P.Inventor: Erick Girouard
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Publication number: 20040159349Abstract: An improved thermal relief vent for a fuel tank, and a method of manufacturing the same, includes a thermal relief ring that is used to create a mechanical seal within the vent. The thermal relief ring, at room temperature, is crimped in place by use of the vent cap itself. The crimped thermal relief ring creates a mechanical seal between the vent and the vent cap, up until a predetermined thermal relief point, at which time the thermal relief ring will soften and/or yield and release the vent cap from the vent body.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2003Publication date: August 19, 2004Inventors: Neal L. Keefer, Kenneth A. Watson, John A. Loffink
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Patent number: 6776181Abstract: The valve is intended to be opened at a predetermined temperature in order to release the pressurized fluid from the tank and its opening is triggered by melting of a meltable material. It comprises a body in the shape of a socket (10), the open end of which is exposed to the gas pressure and the bottom of which is closed except for a minuscule orifice (12). The side wall of the body (10) comprises at least one radial opening (14) and the body (10) is engaged, by its bottom, by sliding, in a cap (16) of complementary shape and is fastened thereto by means of the meltable material (18). The cap (16) comprises at least one access (20) to the atmosphere and, after melting of the meltable material (18), can be moved with respect to the body (10) until each access (20) communicates with a side opening (14) in the body (10).Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Luxembourg Patent Company S.A.Inventor: Léon Kerger