AUTOMATIC OVERFLOW CONTROL APPARATUS FOR A PIPELINE

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic overflow control apparatus for a pipeline passage. Specifically, this invention is suitable for use in a pipeline having a low pressure flow. The apparatus is of the type having a housing, an inlet port connected to an external flow supply, an outlet port, a flow channel being positioned between, and in communication with the inlet port and the outlet port and a safety valve having a ball member disposed in the flow channel, to prevent overflow through the apparatus. The safety valve has a valve seat having an elastic annular shell wherein the ball member may be seated, deforming the shell and being circumferentially gripped therein, thereby sealing the flow channel automatically controlling overflow which can rupture the pipeline.

Description: This invention relates to an automatic overflow control apparatus or safety valve suitable for a pipeline which operates to shut off the flow of fluid in the pipeline when it reaches an excessive rate. It is suitable for use in connections between a main supply line and a subsidiary user system, particularly between a gas supply main and a domestic gas system. Recently, the use of natural gas in private homes has become widespread. Ideally, the most convenient method to convey the natural gas to the private home is by direct connection to the natural gas main pipeline. However, a serious potential for danger exists in such arrangement. When the source of gas is bottled propane gas, the amount of gas contained in the gas cylinder is limited, so even if the gas supply line develops a leak due to breakage, corrosion or other reasons, it is relatively easy to handle and control. However, when the connection is to a natural gas pipeline, the natural gas is supplied continuously making the potential loss from leakage unlimited. Obviously, this creates a danger that is much more serious than that encountered when using bottled propane gas. Furthermore, since domestic gas supply systems operate at low pressure, then if the reducing pressure station became out of order, the unreduced high pressure natural gas flow would rupture the low pressure pipe resulting in a serious problem. The object of this invention is to provide an automatic overflow control apparatus which will automatically shut off a pipeline in the event of an unusually high rate of fluid flow developing in it, e.g. in the event of a leak in the supply conduit due to breakage, corrosion or other occurence. The present invention provides an automatic overflow control apparatus comprising a housing having an inlet port for connection to a supply of fluid, an outlet port, a flow channel between the two ports, and a ball freely disposed in the flow channel, the diameter of the ball in relation to that of the flow channel being such that normal flow of fluid can pass through the flow channel around the ball but an abnormal flow of fluid will urge the ball towards the outlet port, the inner face of the outlet port being provided with a flexible annular ring in which the ball can seat when urged to the outlet port by the abnormal flow, the ball when seated in the ring forming a seal to shut off the abnormal flow. Preferred embodiments of the invention particularly suitable for use in gas supply systems are now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view, in cross-section of a first embodiment of this invention, showing an apparatus as operating with normal gas flows; Figure 2 is a side view, in cross-section, showing the apparatus of Figure 1 operating to shut off the gas flow; Figure 3 is a side view, in cross-section, showing a second embodiment of this invention operating to shut off the gas flow; Figure 4 is an enlarged side view, in cross-­ section, of the valve seating for the shut-off ball, shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3; In Figures 1 and 2 there is illustrated an apparatus for automatically shutting off the flow channel therein when unusually high gas flows occur. This apparatus may be inserted between a main gas supply line and a domestic system. The apparatus comprises a housing 1 having an inlet port 2, an outlet port 3 and a flow channel 4 therebetween. This housing is shown as a separate component suitable for connecting between a natural gas main pipeline and a domestic gas supply system. Alternatively, it may be formed integrally with said main natural gas pipeline. In either case, as a further alternative, the outlet port 3, instead of being connectable to a domestic gas supply system, may be provided with a tap and a nipple for receiving a rubber gas tube or connector. Located within the housing 1 is a ball 5 which is of a diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the flow channel 4, the gap between the ball and the inner wall of the flow channel being sufficient to permit normal flows of gas past the ball without undue drop of pressure. The ball is preferably of stainless steel. Near the outlet port 3 is a hollow cylindrical bushing 6, the axis of which is aligned with that of the flow channel. Its rearward end (i.e. the end nearest the outlet port 3 of the housing) is a frictional tight fit within the rebate 7 in the flow channel. Its forward end is rebated to provide an annular gap between that end of the bushing and the inner wall of the flow passage at which position there is a further rebate 8 in the inner wall. In the space between rebates 7 and 8 is located in gas tight manner, one end of a valve seating 9. As shown in more detail in Figure 4, the valve seating 9 is of a hollow cylindrical shape. One end 10 is of internal and external diameters suitable for fitting onto the bushing to provide the gas tight seal between the bushing and the flow channel. The other end 11 is tapered outwardly at its inner surface and rebated in its outer surface to provide a thin annular lip 12. The annular lip 12 is of smaller diameter than that of the ball 5. The valve seating (9) may be of natural or synthetic rubber or of resilient plastics material. Inserted in the inlet port 2 of the housing 1 is a wire coil 13 which serves to retain the ball 5 within the flow channel 4 without significantly impeding the gas flow. The ball is freely disposed in the flow channel and can roll between the inlet and outlet ports. When the apparatus is fitted horizontally then at normal gas flows the ball 5 sits on the bottom of the flow channel between the ports and the gas flows past it. However, if the gas flow increases to an abnormal degree, the high flow of gas urges the ball towards the outlet of the housing and into the thin annular lip 12 in which it becomes seated. The lip, being flexible, conforms to the ball and with it forms a gas-tight seal. This halts the flow of gas through the flow channel but the ball is held in place in the annular lip by the grip of the lip and the gas supply pressure in the flow channel. In order that a normal gas flow can be resumed when the leak, or whatever caused the abnormally high gas flow, has been rectified, the housing is provided with ball release means. This release means comprises a T-­ piece in the side of the housing comprising a short tubular section 14 mounted in gas-tight manner in an aperture in the wall of the housing. Within the tubular section is a piston 15 having a head 16 and a stem 17 which is a sliding fit in an internal collar 18 in the tubular section. At the end of the stem is a cap 19 and between the cap and the head of the piston is a helical spring 20 under compression. Around the stem adjacent the head of the piston is a rubber ring seal 21. The spring 20 normally urges the head 16 toward the collar 18 and the ring 21 therebetween provides a gas-tight seal. When the ball 5 is positioned in the annular lip 12 to close the flow channel it may be dislodged from the lip by depressing the cap 19 whereupon the head of the transversely arranged piston contacts the ball and knocks it down to its normal free position in the flow channel. In another embodiment shown in Figure 3, the ball-­ retaining coil 13 is replaced by an orifice plate 22. The orifice in the plate, which orifice is of smaller diameter than that of the ball 5, is offset from the center of the plate and is aligned with the ball 5 when it is freely positioned on the lower part of the flow channel. Thus, the gas flow into the flow channel is directed at the ball and when the flow becomes abnormally high the ball is urged onto the annular lip 12 to shut off the flow. Although the apparatus has been described with reference to use for controlling gas flows the invention can be applied to control of liquid flows in similar manner.

Claims: 1. An automatic overflow control apparatus comprising a housing (1) having an inlet port (2) for connection to a supply of fluid, an outlet port (3), a flow channel (4) between the two ports, and a ball (5) freely disposed in the flow channel (4), the diameter of the ball in relation to that of the flow channel being such that normal flow of fluid can pass through the flow channel around the ball but an abnormal flow of fluid will urge the ball towards the outlet port, the inner face of the outlet port (3) being provided with a flexible annular ring (12) in which the ball (5) can seat when urged to the outlet port by the abnormal flow, the ball when seated in the ring forming a seal to shut off the abnormal flow. 2. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which the flexible annular ring (12) is provided by a hollow cylinder (9) of flexible material, one end (10) of which is positioned on the inner end of a bushing (6) having an axial channel aligned with flow axis through the flow channel the outer end of the bushing being located in the outlet port (3), the end (10) of cylinder (9) forming a fluid-tight seal between the bushing and the outlet port, the other end (11) of cylinder (9) facing the ball (5) and being tapered to form the flexible annular ring (12). 3. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 in which the end (11) of the cylinder (9) is tapered by outward divergence of the inner surface of the cylinder (9) to form the seat for receiving the ball (5). 4. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3 in which the flexible annular ring (12) is of rubber. 5. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the inlet port (2) is provided with a wire coil (13) to retain the ball (5) in the flow channel. 6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 in which the inlet port (2) is provided with an orifice plate (22) in which the orifice, which permits flow of fluid into the flow channel, is of smaller diameter than that of the ball (5) and is so positioned in the plate to direct the fluid flow towards the ball (5) when it is freely disposed in the flow channel. 7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim provided with a ball release means (14) comprising a transversely arranged piston (15) which extends through a fluid-tight seal (21) in the housing (1), the external end of the piston being depressable where upon the internal end of the piston may dislodge the ball (5) when it is seated in the annular ring (12).

Inventors: CHUANG, RONG-CHAO
Applicants: CHUANG, RONG-CHAO
Application year: 1986
Main classification: F16K1
IPC codes: F16K17