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:
Sep. 05, 2000
Filed:
Jul. 28, 1997
Paul D Engdahl, Costa Mesa, CA (US);
Roger P Engdahl, Costa Mesa, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A flapper-type gas valve automatically closable by accelerations characteristic of earthquakes. The arm is held up in the 'valve open' position by a magnet attracting a soft ferromagnetic armature. The armature can be displaced to release the flapper to close the valve, either by seismic accelerations or manually by novel magnetic means--the latter for testing or for non-seismic emergencies. The latter employ movable permanent magnets or electromagnets. Additional magnets are provided to hold the valve closed. Indicating means on the flapper shaft can be viewed through a window to see the valve status--open or closed. The electromagnetic modification provides remote status indication via a magnetically-actuated switch.