Patent ID: 7051951

Claim:
A control device for a fluid flow line for automatically shutting off fluid flow in response to a predetermined increase in force of fluid flow, comprising: a housing having an interior flow path including an upstream opening and a downstream opening; a valve seat located at the downstream opening in the flow path; an adjustable ball stop assembly located in the housing spaced between the upstream opening and the downstream opening, wherein the adjustable ball stop assembly has an adjustable size opening defined by at least one adjustable stop member extending through the housing from an exterior of the housing to an interior of the housing for adjustment thereof from the exterior of the housing; a compressible ball located in the interior flow path in the housing and being positioned during normal operation behind the adjustable ball stop assembly at the upstream end; and whereby a predetermined fluid flow force will cause the ball to be compressed to a shape and size allowing the ball to pass through the opening in the adjustable ball stop assembly and engage the valve seat at the downstream end stopping fluid flow through the control device.