Patent ID: 7434595

Claim:
A valve assembly comprising: a housing extending between an inlet and an outlet; an excess flow shut-off mechanism contained within the housing, the excess flow shut-off mechanism is normally biased to an open position allowing fluid flow through the housing and is adapted to move to a closed position preventing fluid flow through the housing when upstream pressure between the inlet and the shut-off mechanism is greater by at least a predetermined amount than downstream pressure between the shut-off mechanism and the outlet, the excess flow shut-off mechanism including, a valve seat; a valve member movable between an open position allowing fluid flow through the housing and a closed position wherein the valve member contacts the valve seat and prevents fluid flow through the housing; a spring biasing the valve member to the open position, wherein the shut-off mechanism is positioned within the housing such that the valve member is move to the closed position against the biasing force of the spring when upstream pressure between the inlet of the housing and the shut-off mechanism is greater by at least a predetermined amount than downstream pressure between the shut-off mechanism and the outlet of the housing; and a set mechanism that, when actuated, reduces the downstream pressure between the shut-off mechanism and the outlet and allows the shut-off mechanism to be moved to the closed position.