Abstract: A thermally responsive slam shut valve assembly includes a generally tubular body member having an internal valve seat at one end, a spider member connected to the other end of the body member, a cup shaped valve inside the body member, a valve stem connected to the valve and extending through a central opening in the spider member, a coil spring surrounding the stem between the valve and the spider member, and fusible means surrounding the stem outside the body member for preventing the valve from moving into sealing contact with the valve seat until the temperature of the fusible means goes above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An air/smoke/fire damper including a frame and a pair of damper blades pivoted for rotation within the frame between an open and a closed position, and comprising a heat responsive latch including mounting straps associated with each of the damper blades; a fusible link engaging one of the mounting straps; and a hook pivotally associated with the other mounting strap and extending over the edges of the damper blades and into engagement with the fusible link. Also, a locking mechanism for restraining the blades in the closed position upon release of the heat responsive latch, and a retaining lug for preventing blade buckling in the closed position.

Abstract: A damper operator for use with a damper having a frame and a damper blade pivotally associated with the frame, which damper operator comprises a drive rod; a pair of lever arms which are pivotally associated with each and which extend between the drive rod and a pivoting mechanism associated with the blade of the damper; and a latching mechanism which extends between portions of each of the lever arms, and which permits selective engagement and disengagement between those portions of the lever arms, and accordingly, selective respective rotation of the lever arms, so that the blade of the damper can be urged toward a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: A fire-damper has a support adapted to be secured in the duct and having a pair of pivots defining respective parallel and spaced-apart pivot axes traversing the duct. Respective damper flaps are pivotal on the pivots about the respective axes between an open position extending generally parallel to and spaced from each other in line with the duct and a closed position generally coplanar transverse to the duct. Thus the flaps define in the open position open flow spaces between and to both sides of the flaps and in the closed position the flaps substantially block flow through the duct. A spring urges the damper flaps continuously into the closed position. A fusible link is connected between the flaps offset from the axes for retaining the flaps in the open position unless the link is heated beyond a predetermined temperature. This link extends across the flow space formed between the two flaps.

Abstract: A safety pressure regulator employing a diaphragm actuator that upon exposure to high temperature an element melts to release the valve from the actuator to effect its automatic closing.

Abstract: A temperature sensitive locking mechanism is provided for a fluid pressure actuator which will hold the shaft of the actuator in a spring compressing position until the occurrence of a pre-selected temperature in the vicinity of the actuator. Locking threads are provided on the exterior of the actuator, and a latching collet, having a plurality of peripherally spaced, internally threaded, latching arms cooperates with such threads and prevent movement of the actuator shaft by abutting a surface of a stop block which is in abutment with the actuator shaft. The radial faces of the threads are sufficiently angled so as to exert an outwardly directed camming force on the collet latching arms to permit the release of the latch under the axial forces produced by the spring bias on the actuator shaft. The collet latching arms are forcably retained in locked position by an encircling spring wire, the ends of which are connected by a fusible link.

Abstract: An improved control line blow out preventer valve is provided, having a fluid pressure chamber interposed in a control line extending from a surface control panel to a downhole safety valve in a subterranean well. Axially spaced inlet and outlet openings are provided in the pressure chamber and a piston is reciprocally mounted intermediate the inlet and outlet openings. A sealing plug carried by the piston cooperates with a seal surrounding the inlet opening. A bypass passage through the piston mounts a check valve which permits free fluid flow in the direction from the control panel to the subsurface safety valve but only a restricted fluid flow in the opposite direction. A check valve is mounted in the outlet passage to prevent fluid flow from the subsurface safety valve to the control panel. A fusible link normally maintains this check valve off its seat so that it does not close until the occurrence of an elevated temperature caused by fire.

Abstract: A liquid level valve for use in filling a liquid storage tank to control (in response to increased air pressure within the liquid level valve) the tank emergency loading valve which is held open by pressurized air.The liquid level valve has an air control cavity connected to the pressurized air and an actuating cavity which exhausts to the atmosphere and is disposed above the air control cavity and connected to it via an actuating passageway. An air control diaphragm divides the air control cavity into upper and lower portions and controls the flow of pressurized air into such lower portion which exhausts to the atmosphere. The air control diaphragm has a small air control passageway (of smaller diameter than the actuating passageway) allowing pressurized air into the air control cavity upper portion, thus permitting the pressurized air to act on both sides of the air control diaphragm.

Abstract: A reciprocating pneumatic actuator moves the damper of an air diffuser between open and closed positions and is automatically vented to atmosphere if fire or high heat occurs in the vicinity of the diffuser. When the actuator is vented, the return spring of the actuator snaps the damper to its closed position. A heat responsive latch automatically holds the damper in its closed position and prevents the damper from dropping open in the event the return spring is weakened by heat.

Abstract: Improved valve mountings with rotational limiting stops for self-closing breakaway valve assemblies comprising two frangibly connected valve housings each having a rotatable valve member and trigger means holding the valve members open until the valve housings separate. The rotatable valve members have slotted trunnion shafts respectively rotatably received in trunnion bearings mounted to the valve housings. A coil spring is deployed about each trunnion shaft and has one tang end received in the slot of the trunnion shaft to bias the rotatable valve member to its closed position. Indicator shafts keyed with the trunnion shafts are rotatably mounted in the trunnion bearings, the ends of the indicator shafts being exposed to indicate the positions of the valve members.

Abstract: The invention is with respect to a fail-safe system for stopping damage to water boilers, whose thermostats are not in working order.In an automatic combustion control system of the sort having an elastic thermostat bellows element placed within an outer shell within the water space of a boiler and joined by a chain or the like with the air door for controlling the air inlet rate at some point in the connection between the thermostat element and the door, there is a temperature-sensitive part, for example in the form of a plug of fusible metal or collapsing material, or in the form of a soldered join using a special fusible solder.In one form of the invention, this temperature-sensitive part may take the form of a ring of temperature-sensitive material placed at one end of a spring which is forced together on the temperature increasing.

Abstract: A damper assembly is provided which comprises a duct having an opening and a blade movable between a closed position in covering relation to a portion of the opening and an open position. A fusible retainer holds the blade in its open position and releases the blade when the retainer is sufficiently heated. When released, the blade is urged to its closed position by a hinge member which connects the blade to the duct. The blade in its closed position cooperates with the hinge member to substantially prevent flow of fluid through the opening.

Abstract: In combination with a relatively non-extendible emergency cable mechanically placed under tension and including a rigidly supported link having a fuse element and manual pull handle which are suggestive of their purpose and operation in the cable for alert and quck actuation of cut-off flow control valves of varying types of sensitivities to prevent serious escape of liquefied petroleum gas under high pressures, and also serving as a remote manual shut off control for terminating a delivery truck tank filling operation.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a fluid damper with movable blades which is contained in a duct. On the outside of the duct there is a blade release mechanism. A fusible actuating cartridge is arranged to act on the blade release mechanism to release the blades from their normal postions if and when fire breaks out. The cartridge projects through an opening in the duct so as to be readily removable from the duct.

Abstract: Improved valve mountings with rotational limiting stops for self-closing breakaway valve assemblies comprising two frangibly connected valve housings each having a rotatable valve member and trigger means holding the valve members open until the valve housings separate. The rotatable valve members have slotted trunnion shafts respectively rotatably received in trunnion bearings mounted to the valve housings. A coil spring is deployed about each trunnion shaft and has one tang end received in the slot of the trunnion shaft to bias the rotatable valve member to its closed position. Indicator shafts keyed with the trunnion shafts are rotatably mounted in the trunnion bearings, the ends of the indicator shafts being exposed to indicate the positions of the valve members.

Abstract: A quick-disconnect coupling with a heat-sensitive cutoff feature for use in connecting a tank of pressurized gas (e.g., natural or LP gas) with a gas appliance, such as an outdoor gas grill. The coupling comprises interengageable plug and socket components, the latter component having a passage therethrough, a valve seat in the passage and a poppet valve in the passage comprising a valve stem and a sealing member soldered on the stem and engageable with the valve seat. A spring is engageable with the sealing member for biasing the poppet valve to a closed position for blocking flow through the passage. When inserted into the socket chamber, the plug component engages the valve stem for forcing the poppet valve open. In the event the temperature of the coupling rises to a temperature above the melting point of the solder bond between the sealing member and the valve stem, the sealing member is slidable on the stem into engagement with the valve seat for cutting off flow therepast.

Abstract: A valve actuator provides preselected automatic spring-powered actuation of a rotary-actuated valve in response to fire, or other occurrence of a specific exigent type. The actuator is secured to a valve having a shaft extending from the valve body and rotatable through a predetermined rotational extent, e.g. 90.degree., for moving a valve element between open and shut portions. The actuator comprises a coiled or spiral torsion spring in an enclosure protectively covering the spring. One end of the spring is secured relative to the cover. A coupling is operatively connected to the other end of the spring and biased by spring force for being drivingly rotated for valve actuation. A camming arrangement holds the coupling against rotation by camming force against the spring force, a releasable link being operatively interconnected with the camming arrangement for maintaining the camming force.

Abstract: A fire safe valve having a valve body with a flow passage therethrough and a valve chamber intersecting the flow passage a valve closure member having a stem and being slidable in the valve chamber to open or close flow through the flow passage, a shoulder on the stem, a bonnet connected to the body, said bonnet having a bore through which the stem extends, a seat surrounding the stem and adapted to be engaged by the stem shoulder on backseating, means sealing between the stem and the bonnet bore outward of said seat, an actuator connected to move said stem and said valve closure member, a sleeve surrounding a portion of the stem, fusible material supporting the sleeve in a normal stop position to limit the outward movement of the stem to prevent backseating, melting of the fusible material allowing the sleeve and stem to move so that the stem backseats, and means associated with said sleeve to control the actuator whereby on movement of the sleeve the valve closure member is moved to closed position.

Abstract: A valve actuator unit is adapted to be removably mounted in a fixed operating relation with respect to the housing of a valve unit having a rotatable valve element by the utilization of an angle-shaped mounting bracket that is adapted to fit over a pair of bolts or studs of the valve housing that are used to maintain it in an assembled relation. The actuator has a rotatable bottom part that is adapted to be secured on the stem of the valve in place of its ordinary manual operating means or handle, and without disturbing its operating mechanism. Turning a handle of the actuator unit to move the valve to an open or closed position builds up spring tension which is employed to provide a smooth spring-actuated return movement. The actuator utilizes a helical return spring within its housing.

Abstract: A vapor pressure equalizing valve disposed in a vapor return conduit between a storage tank and a liquid receiving tank to provide the same volume of flow but at a higher rate and greater fluidity than that of liquid flow volume in a preferably larger liquid conduit, and providing an excess flow shut off response that can be triggered manually or by the danger of a hose rupture or in case of fire or a break in the vapor return conduit, to protect either tank, or with two valves protect both tanks, with great quickness of action. The valve serves as a manual vapor flow shut off valve which may be latched open; and is unlatched to close by a local or remote control or fire, but while latched open provides an excess flow arresting action.

Abstract: A heat sensitive locking device is preferably provided for a fluid actuator of the type which is moved in a direction to one position through the application of fluid pressure and remains in such position unless temperature conditions surrounding the device reach a level indicating that the actuator should be shifted to another position. The locking device comprises a core attachable to an exposed end of, for example, the piston shaft, and an annular collar surrounding such core and attached to the cylinder. A plurality of annular segmental shaped locking members are disposed between the core and collar and pivotally mounted so as to be movable to a locking position or to an unlocked position, each relative to the core. The annular locking elements are held in their locking position by being wrapped by a resilient spring wire, the ends of which are anchored to the locking members by means including a minimal size fusible link.

Abstract: A valve operator for a normally open valve is maintained in a cocked, ready to close mode by an arrangement which includes a radially contracted, self-expansible split retainer ring backed by a body of fusible material. Should the vicinity of the associated valve be subjected to the heat of a fire, the fusible body will melt out of blocking relation, permitting the split ring to expand free of the operator stem. A cocked spring recovers, axially moving the stem both to shut the valve and to engage a metal-to-metal back seat between the valve stem and valve bonnet. The latter event ensures against leakage even if the fire or wear has ruined the integrity of the usual valve stem packing.

Abstract: A pressure fitting formed of fire resistant material, preferably stainless steel, contains a chamber communicating through an opening with a pressure responsive switch or other assembly formed at least in part of a less fire resistant material, such as aluminum, with a movable seal member being provided for transmitting force to a movable part of the assembly, and with a valve member which is also high temperature resistant being provided to automatically close off fluid flow from the chamber through the opening in the event of fire. The temperature response may be obtained by release of the valve resulting from melting down of part of the pressure responsive assembly, or by melting of a fusible element retaining the valve in open condition, or by both of these effects.

Abstract: A thermal responsive valve including a valve body in which a member is movable between a first position and a second position but normally restrained from such movement by restraining means including a pair of pins held into contact with such member by means of a frame. The frame is of a generally closed planar configuration and includes a base portion to which a pair of spaced portions are interconnected by means of a pair of flexible rods. The spaced portions are in turn interconnected to each other by a link which is separable, such as by being fusible upon reaching a predetermined temperature level, or frangible in response to some form of external signal. The frame is positioned with respect to the valve body or a housing outwardly extending therefrom in such a manner that the pins are laterally held by the frame into contact with the movable member and block such member from moving to its second position by the action of a spring.

Abstract: A thermal responsive valve including a housing in which a valve member is normally urged from a first to a second position but restrained from such movement by restraining means including a pair of pins adapted to engage a portion of the member and be laterally spread apart against the frictional action of retaining means. The retaining means are in turn supported by a portion of a fusible link so when the temperature reaches a predetermined level, the fusible link melts and no longer supports the retaining means so that the pins may fall from restraining contact with the member by gravity and thus permit the member to move to the second position. The above indicated frictional coaction enables a relatively lightweight or weak fusible link to restrain a member against a relatively strong urging force by the mechanical advantage brought about by the coaction of the pins against the retaining means.

Abstract: A fluid mixing valve construction having a housing provided with a pair of inlets respectively interconnected by a pair of valve seats to an outlet and with a valve member operated by a condition responsive unit for controlling the valve seats in accordance with the condition of fluid passing to the outlet and sensed by the condition responsive unit. A second condition responsive unit is operatively interconnected to the valve member to close one of the valve seats with the valve member if the first mentioned condition responsive unit does not close the one valve seat with the valve member even though the same is sensing a condition that would require the first mentioned condition responsive unit to close the one valve seat whereby the fluid mixing valve construction is substantially fail-safe.

Abstract: A butterfly damper with a plurality of blades which can be locked in the open position, and which, when released, rotate about a hinge to the closed position. A pawl member, attached to one blade, extends away from the blade and through an opening in a second blade when the blades are in the open position. A mounting member attached to the second blade restrains the pawl member thereby holding the blades in the open position. A bimetallic link attached to the mounting member causes the pawl member to be released when the temperature of the air passing through the duct increases beyond a preselected level. A closure spring attached to the blades acts on the blades tending to force them apart against the action of the mounting member and the pawl member when the blades are restrained in the open position. The damper blades can be insulated to prevent the heat from a fire on one side of the damper from being conducted by the damper to the other side when the blades are in the closed position.

Abstract: The device comprises an annular case having a first portion which projects from the wall and a second portion which is embedded in the wall. A tubular element connected to two pipes of the piping defines a passage through the case. The tubular element has a first section and a second section respectively located in the first portion and second portion of the case. The tubular element is of a material which is rigid at ordinary temperature and softens under the action of heat. At least the first section is of a fusible material having a distinct point of fusion. The first portion of the case is provided with means for instantaneously closing the passage as soon as the first section has disappeared. The second portion of the case is filled with a material which swells radially under the action of heat.

Abstract: A shutoff valve installed on the discharge side of a pump to automatically shutoff hazardous liquid flow in the event of a rupture on the downstream side of the shutoff valve. The shutoff valve operates in response to a predetermined pressure drop across a valve and may also function to stop the driver of the pump and close the shutoff valve in response to excessive temperature conditions. Various installational arrangements may be provided in order to associate the shutoff valve with the hazardous fluid flow line.

Abstract: Fusible low-temperature alloy is used to secure a flanged sleeve to an adjusting stem which adjusts the tension on a spring-biased diaphragm which actuates a normally-closed valve. If a predetermined temperature is reached, the alloy melts, displacing the sleeve and removing the compressive force on the spring, thereby closing the valve.

Abstract: A fluid mixing valve construction having a housing provided with a pair of inlets respectively interconnected by a pair of valve seats to an outlet with a valve member operated by a condition responsive unit for controlling the valve seats in accordance with the condition of fluid passing to the outlet and sensed by the condition responsive unit. A second condition responsive unit is operatively interconnected to the valve member to close one of the valve seats with the valve member if the first mentioned condition responsive unit does not close the one valve seat with the valve member even though the same is sensing a condition that would require the first mentioned condition responsive unit to close the one valve seat whereby the fluid mixing valve construction is substantially fail-safe.

Abstract: A thermally activatable safety valve apparatus is provided with a timing assembly and valve means operationally associated with the timing assembly. First and second fluid transmission means are provided through the apparatus, with one of the first and second fluid transmission means being isolatable by activation of the timing assembly. A thermally activatable trigger means isolates the other of the said first and second fluid transmission means and also initiates the closure of the valve means associated with the timing assembly.

Abstract: A combined airing valve and fire protection valve comprising an adjustable valve head and a fusible element which is easily influenced by heat so as automatically to induce closing of the valve when fire or overheating occurs. In order to avoid maladjustment of the valve head and possible consequent destruction of the fusible element, the fusible element which takes the form of a fusible nut, is disposed on a valve stem of the valve head so as to follow the valve head if the latter is inadvertently rotated by unauthorized persons.

Abstract: The valve device adjustably controls air flow through a mechanical ventilation duct, blocks propagation of flames through the duct, and selectively exhausts smoke through the duct. An air extraction terminal sleeve communicates with the ventilation duct and is provided with an outwardly facing valve seat. A support is mounted in the sleeve inwardly of the valve seat and an elongated guide extends adjustably through the support. An obturator is mounted on the guide outwardly of the support for adjustably controlling the flow area into the terminal sleeve, and includes an outwardly convex dome member fixedly secured to the outer end of the guide, and an inwardly convex valve member having conforming seating engagement with the dome member and arranged to conformingly engage the valve seat to block flow into the terminal sleeve.

Abstract: An air control apparatus is provided comprising a frame housing a plurality of extendable metal curtains spaced from one another in parallel planes, said curtains being extendable between a folded open condition and an unfolded closed condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the development of a protective oxide on the surface of porous, positive Mi-electrodes for galvanic cells with alkaline electrolyte.

Abstract: This invention is a valve for isolating a fluid such as petroleum, oil or gas, in a fluid system, in the event of fire breaking out. A fusible cap containing a valve element collapses at a lower temperature than the material in the rest of the system, allowing the valve element to seal the system under pressure of a spring.