The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 24, 1994
Filed:
Mar. 18, 1993
Spencer M Nimberger, Houston, TX (US);
Precision General, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A propane gas distribution system according to the present invention substantially enhances safety by providing a gas lockout device within the enclosure containing the distribution lines to the propane appliances for closing off a gas distribution line in response to either a sensed low pressure level or a sensed high pressure level. The closure member within the lockout device is biased closed, but is normally prevented from closing by a stop member which in turn is held in position until the unsafe low pressure or unsafe high pressure condition exists. A security control member is utilized for restricting the re-opening of the lockout device to select personnel, which typically would be a propane company representative. According to the method of the present invention, gas from the high pressure source is regulated and output to a low pressure gas distribution line. The gas pressure within the distribution line is sensed, and the gas line is automatically closed in response to a sensed low pressure level or a high sensed high pressure level. The gas distribution line is normally prevented from closing when gas pressure is above the low pressure level and below the high pressure level.