Abstract:
Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for remotely shutting off gas flow at a consumer location. A gas pressure regulator is configured to respond to communication signals from a central facility via a communications infrastructure to override normal pressure regulation functions such that the gas pressure regulator outlet pressure is reduced to zero.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject mater relates to gas flow control. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to gas pressure regulators with integrated remote disconnect capabilities. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Disconnection of gas flow to a residential or business location may be desired for many reasons. In previous circumstances, disconnection of service typically required at least a visit to the service location and, in many instances, particularly involving residential location access to such residence. Depending on the reason for the disconnection, required access might be made more difficult by a resident, such as if the resident were away or the disconnect was for lack of payment of services by the resident/customer. In other instances, disconnection of services may be deemed necessary for customer safety or if a user requires a physical disconnection of gas flow given a standing company policy. 
     Previous gas cutoff devices have been provided involving pneumatically controlled gate valves and thermally activated valves that are initiated with handheld RF devices. Use of either of such types of devices typically requires a visit to the location, and in the case of the thermally activated vales, a replacement of components to reestablish gas flow. 
     Some gas shut off solutions have involved the use of short-range wireless control of separately installed gas valves. Such type of installation alleviates certain problems such as that of having physical assess to a residence, but still requires a visit to the location to effect disconnection. 
     While various implementations of gas disconnection systems have been developed, and while various combinations of remote valve control have been offered, no design has emerged that generally encompasses all of the desired characteristics as hereafter presented in accordance with the subject technology. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the recognized features encountered in the prior art and addressed by the present subject matter, improved method and apparatus for controlling gas flow to a location have been provided. 
     In an exemplary configuration, an existing gas flow controlling device has been configured to provide remote control of a gas supply. 
     In one of its simpler forms, a gas pressure regulator has been enhanced to provide shut off capabilities by taking advantage of operational characteristics of the pressure regulator. 
     Another positive aspect of the present subject matter is that remote disconnection of service may be effected from a central location without requiring a personnel intensive drive by event or closer visit to a service location. 
     In accordance with aspects of certain embodiments of the present subject matter, methodologies are provided to enable shut off control of a gas service making use of established or otherwise existing communications infrastructure. 
     In accordance with certain aspects of other embodiments of the present subject matter, methodologies have been developed to enable overriding a normal operation of a gas pressure regulator to provide a new gas shut off capability. 
     In accordance with yet additional aspects of further embodiments of the present subject matter, apparatus and accompanying methodologies have been developed to enable gas pressure regulation and flow control without requiring insertion of multiple devices in a gas line. 
     One present exemplary embodiment relates to a remote disconnect enabled gas pressure regulator, comprising a pressure sensing element; an orifice positioned between a gas inlet and a gas outlet; a valve seat configured to be controllably spaced from such orifice; a control lever having a first end coupled to such sensing element and a second end coupled to such valve seat; an electrically controllable valve or external control, which is configured to cause pressure to be applied to such first end of such control lever; and an encoding-receiver-transmitter (ERT) module. Preferably, such module is configured to receive a transmitted command and to activate such electrically controllable valve or external control, so that activation of such electrically controllable valve or external control causes such control lever to positively seat such valve seat against such orifice. 
     In some further embodiments and variations of such pressure regulator, a plunger may be coupled to such electrically controllable valve such that activation of such electrically controllable valve causes such plunger to apply pressure to such control lever. In some alternatives, such electrically controllable valve may include an electric motor. Still further optionally, in some embodiments a pinion gear may be coupled to such motor; and a gear train coupled to such plunger, so that activation of such motor produces rotation of such pinion gear and movement of such gear train to produce pressure by such plunger upon such control lever. 
     Another present exemplary embodiment relates to a method for operating a gas pressure regulator having an inlet and an outlet. Such method may include sensing outlet pressure; controlling outlet pressure based on the sensed outlet pressure; monitoring a communications infrastructure; and overriding control of the outlet pressure control to reduce outlet pressure to zero upon receipt of commands to cut off gas flow between the inlet and the outlet of the pressure regulator. 
     In variations of the foregoing methodology, such monitoring may include integrating an encoding-receiver-transmitter (ERT) module within the gas pressure regulator; and monitoring a communications infrastructure for command instructions. In still other present variations, such controlling may include providing an orifice and valve seat between the inlet and outlet; and controlling spacing between the orifice and the valve seat. Further, overriding may include forcing the spacing between the orifice and valve seat to zero. 
     Yet another present exemplary embodiment relates to an automatic meter reading (AMR) infrastructure having a central control facility and a communications infrastructure. Such infrastructure preferably is operative with a presently disclosed gas pressure regulator, comprising a gas pressure controlling valve; an electrically controllable valve; and an encoding-receiver-transmitter (ERT) module configured to receive a command from the central control facility to activate such electrically controllable valve. Per such arrangement, such electrically controllable valve is configured to override operation of such gas pressure controlling valve. 
     In some present alternatives, such gas pressure regulator may further include a gas inlet positioned upstream of such gas pressure controlling valve; a gas outlet positioned downstream of such gas pressure controlling valve; a gas pressure sensor responsive to gas pressure at such gas outlet and configured to apply mechanical pressure to such gas pressure controlling valve; and a mechanical pressure producing override device coupled to such electrically controllable valve and configured to apply mechanical pressure to such gas pressure controlling valve. 
     Additional objects and advantages of the present subject matter are set forth in, or will be apparent to, those of ordinary skill in the art from the detailed description herein. Also, it should be further appreciated that modifications and variations to the specifically illustrated, referred and discussed features and elements hereof may be practiced in various embodiments and uses of the present subject matter without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter. Variations may include, but are not limited to, substitution of equivalent means, features, or steps for those illustrated, referenced, or discussed, and the functional, operational, or positional reversal of various parts, features, steps, or the like. 
     Still further, it is to be understood that different embodiments, as well as different presently preferred embodiments, of the present subject matter may include various combinations or configurations of presently disclosed features, steps, or elements, or their equivalents (including combinations of features, parts, or steps or configurations thereof not expressly shown in the figures or stated in the detailed description of such figures). Additional embodiments of the present subject matter, not necessarily expressed in the summarized section, may include and incorporate various combinations of aspects of features, components, or steps referenced in the summarized objects above, and/or other features, components, or steps as otherwise discussed in this application. Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of such embodiments, and others, upon review of the remainder of the specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present subject matter, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended FIGURE, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary combination gas pressure regulator with an integrated remotely operable disconnect capability constructed in accordance with present subject matter. 
     
    
    
     Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present specification and appended drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features, elements, or steps of the present subject matter. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As discussed in the Summary of the Invention section, the present subject matter is particularly concerned with improved apparatus and methodology for controlling gas flow to a location. 
     Selected combinations of aspects of the disclosed technology correspond to a plurality of different embodiments of the present subject matter. It should be noted that each of the exemplary embodiments presented and discussed herein should not insinuate limitations of the present subject matter. Features or steps illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used in combination with aspects of another embodiment to yield yet further embodiments. Additionally, certain features may be interchanged with similar devices or features not expressly mentioned which perform the same or similar function. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the subject gas pressure regulator with integrated remote disconnect. Referring now to the drawing,  FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary combination gas pressure regulator with an integrated remotely operable disconnect capability constructed in accordance with present subject matter. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , the basic operation of a pressure regulator generally  10  is a well understood technology that is used to control the flow and pressure of a supplied gas. In an exemplary configuration, the gas pressure regulator component used in combination with the present subject matter may correspond in general to a Model B42 gas pressure regulator manufactured by Itron, Inc., the owner of the present subject matter. 
     The presently combined features of present exemplary pressure regulator  10  comprise four main elements: sensing element (diaphragm)  12 , control lever  14 , restricting orifice  16 , and loading spring  18 . One end of lever  14  passes through an opening in a first end of operator rod  22  while the other end of operator rod  22  is coupled to diaphragm  12 . Lever  14  is mounted on pivot  24  such that up and down motion of lever  14  results in side-to-side or lateral motion of valve seat  26 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that such respective motions are stated in relative terms, and that movement descriptions in absolute terms depends on the orientation of pressure regulator  10  in a given embodiment or installation. 
     As also understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, during normal pressure regulation operation, movement of diaphragm  12  from outlet pressure gas in opposition to the spring force of loading spring  18  results in lateral displacement of valve seat  26  toward and away from orifice  16 . Such results in a regulated gas pressure at gas outlet  34  as the gas from gas inlet  32  passes through orifice  16 . 
     In accordance with present technology, an encoder-receiver-transmitter (ERT) module generally  40  is mounted within housing  42  coupled to pressure regulator  10 . ERT  40  is coupled to a valve controlling printed circuit board (PCB)  44  that, in turn, is connected by a wired connection to a representative exemplary control valve or external control  46 . ERT  40  may be powered by battery  48  and is based on otherwise existing automatic meter reading (AMR) technology that permits bidirectional communication between remote devices and a central control system and/or mobile devices over known communications infrastructure, details of which form no particular aspects of the present subject matter. 
     In accordance with present subject matter, when gas shutoff is required, a control signal may be sent from a central facility via a communications infrastructure to ERT  40 . ERT  40  receives the control signal and causes valve or external control  46  to actuate, which in turn causes control lever  14  to use pressure regulator  10 &#39;s mechanical advantage to positively close the flow of gas through restricting orifice  16 . As illustrated by the exemplary disclosure herewith, such may be accomplished by energizing valve or external control  46 , which is illustrated for present example as a motor. Such motor rotates a pinion gear  50  and actuates an associated gear train, resulting in raising piston  52 . An end portion of piston  52  contacts and applies mechanical pressure to one end of lever  14  causing valve seat  26  to close and seat firmly against orifice  16 , thereby positively closing the flow of gas through orifice  16 . Such operation in accordance with present subject matter otherwise overrides the normal operation of pressure regulator  10  to provide additional functionality, permitting it to operate as a remotely controllable gas cutoff device. 
     It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that other force generating mechanisms may be used to force movement of the end of lever  14 . For example, and without limitation, an electrically operated latching solenoid may be employed to apply pressure to the end of lever  14 . Also, it is to be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present subject matter encompasses embodiments wherein additional signals from the central facility may be used to instruct ERT  40  to again permit gas flow through pressure regulator  10  by reversing the operation of valve  46 . 
     While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject disclosure and appended claims are not intended as precluding inclusion of such modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.