Gas shut-off device

Abstract

Gas shut-off device 1 comprising a housing section 2 including a gas sensor 4 for detecting gas, a pipe section 3 connected to the housing section, a valve 13 moveable between open and closed position

Description

The present invention relates to a device for shutting off a supply of gas when a gas leak is detected, particularly in a building such as a house or an apartment block or a hotel. Existing systems for shutting off a supply of gas when a gas leak is detected can be unreliable. They can also use much energy. In addition, it may not be that simple to install such a system and may take some time to install the system. Such systems may not be cheap, and may require high pressure seals. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which alleviates at least one of the above problems. According to the present invention there is provided a gas shut-off device comprising: a housing or a housing section or portion including a gas sensor for detecting gas; a pipe section connected to the housing section; a valve configured to be moved between an open position and a closed position, the valve in the closed position configured to prevent gas flowing through the pipe section; and a motor for moving the valve between the open position and the closed position, the motor being activated to move the valve from the open position to the closed position when the gas sensor detects the level of gas passing a threshold or gas threshold or first threshold. Using the motor to move the valve between the open position and the closed position provides reliability. The motor may move the valve between the open position and the closed position when the gas sensor detects the level of gas to be above the threshold. The gas shut-off device may comprise or consist of a standalone unit or device or an integral unit or device. This enables installation of the device to simply involve inserting the pipe section of the device between two pipe sections of a gas pipeline and connecting the device pipe section to the two gas pipeline sections. Thus, the device can be quickly and easily installed which provides an economical benefit. The device may have a low cost per unit. The gas shut-off device can be used, for example, in boilers, fireplaces, gas meters, gas cookers and gas pipe junctions where potential gas leakage may occur. The housing section may include the motor. The gas shut-off device may include a computerized processor. The housing section may include the computerized processor. The computerized or automated processor may comprise an electronic control processor or processing device or processor unit or controller or microcontroller or control unit. The threshold may be configured to be set at / adjusted to the required level. The gas sensor may include a threshold part for storing the threshold or being set to provide the threshold. The threshold part may be configured to be accessed to set / adjust the threshold. The threshold part may comprise a potentiometer which is configured to be set to provide the threshold. The threshold may be set to be within a range. This range may be set by a national authority such as that of Brazil or a regional authority such as that of the European Union. The computerized processor may have an energy saving state, and an active state. The gas sensor may be configured to cause the computerized processor to switch from the energy saving state to the active state. This may be when the gas sensor detects a level of gas passing the threshold. The computerized processor may be configured to activate the motor to move the valve from the open position to the closed position. This may be when the gas sensor detects a level of gas passing the threshold. This may be when the computerized processor is in the active state. The computerized processor may enable the motor to have sufficient power to move the valve when the computerized processor is in the active state. The gas sensor may be configured to send a signal or command to the computerized processor when the gas sensor detects a level of gas passing the threshold. When in an energy saving state, the computerized processor may not or cannot activate the motor. The computerized processor may be configured to communicate with at least one remote or external device which may be an electronic device. The gas shut-off device may include a communication part connected to the computerized processor to enable the computerized processor to communicate with the at least one external device. The computerized part may comprises a transmitter / receiver. The computerized processor may include the communication part. The valve may comprise a ball valve. The ball valve may be located in the pipe section. A ball valve requires lower pressure sealing than other forms of valves such as a gate valve. The ball valve provides a low-pressure drop and high flow capacity as well as long service life. The motor may be connected to a shaft for rotating the ball valve. The device may include a gearing system between the motor and the ball valve. The device may include a valve position sensor for detecting the position of the valve. The valve position sensor may provide feedback of the position of the ball valve to the computerized processor. The valve position sensor may be connected to the shaft. The device may include a potentiometer connected to the shaft for providing feedback of the position of the ball valve to the computerized processor. The valve position sensor may comprise the potentiometer. The computerized processor may be configured to switch from the active state to the energy saving state when the valve has moved from the open position to the closed position. The gas shut-off device may include a power source. The power source may comprise a rechargeable battery. The computerized processor may be configured to activate the motor to move the valve from the open position to the closed position when the computerized processor detects that charge received from the power source or the charge of the power source has fallen below a set level or threshold or charge threshold or second threshold. The computerized processor may be configured to switch from the energy saving state to the active state when the computerized processor detects that charge received from the power source or the charge of the power source has fallen below a set level or threshold or charge threshold or second threshold. The gas shut-off device mainly only requires power for opening or closing the valve. The housing section may have a release actuator for activating the motor to move the valve from the closed position to the open position. The release actuator may be actuated to activate the motor. The release actuator may be configured to cause the computerized processor to switch from the energy saving state to the active state. The computerized processor may be configured to activate the motor to move the valve from the closed position to the open position when the release actuator is actuated. The housing section may include a sound alarm, such a buzzer, configured to be activated when the gas sensor detects a level of gas passing the threshold. The sound alarm may be connected to the computerized processor, the sound alarm configured to be activated when the computerized processor receives the signal from the gas sensor. The housing section may include a display or display screen for displaying at least one gas reading from the gas sensor. The gas sensor may be configured to detect at least one of the following: carbon monoxide, natural gas and liquified petroleum gas. The device may be or comprise a gas monitor. The gas monitor may be called “GasMo”. The gas shut-off device may include a memory which stores a value that represents the threshold. The memory that store to be set at / adjusted to the required level. The memory may form part of the gas sensor. The threshold part may comprise the memory. The memory may be accessible by the computerized processor. The computerized processor may include the memory. The housing section may include an input device. The input device may be configured to change what is shown on the display. The input device may be connected to the computerized processor. The input device may be connected to the gas sensor. The gas sensor may have an input device. The release actuator may comprise at least part of the input device. The input device may be configured to set / adjust the threshold of the gas sensor. The display may comprise at least part of the input device. The display may comprise a touch screen. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gas shut-off device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 is a block diagram of the device. Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a gas shut-off device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention forms an integral unit and comprises a housing 2 and a pipe section 3 connected to the housing 2. The housing 2 has a gas sensor 4, a release actuator comprising a button 5, a display screen 6, a buzzer 7, and a light emitting diode (LED) 34. The release actuator button 5 may be flush with the surface of the housing 2 when it is not being pressed. The gas sensor 4 is configured to detect natural gas (methane), liquified petroleum gas (butane), and high concentrations of carbon monoxide. The gas sensor 4 may also be configured to detect combustible gases such as hydrogen and alcohol vapor and concentration of smoke. The pipe section 3 has a through bore 8. Each opposite end of the pipe section 3 may have a nut 9. Referring to Figure 2, opposite ends 10 of the through bore 8 are threaded so that a threaded end of a pipe 11 can be screwed into respective ends of the pipe section 3. The central section of the through bore 8 comprises a seat 12 which holds a ball valve 13. There is a seal 14 between the ball valve 13 and the part of the through bore 8 on either side of the ball valve 13. The ball valve 13 is configured to be rotated between an open position wherein a bore 15 through the ball valve 13 is aligned with the through bore 8 of the pipe section 3, and a closed position wherein the ball valve bore 15 is perpendicular to the through bore 8 of the pipe section 3. A motor 16, which may be a DC motor, is connected to the ball valve 13 via a reduction gearbox 17 wherein the motor 16 and the gearbox 17 are located in the housing 2. The motor 16 has a shaft 18 that extends into the gearbox 17 wherein the shaft 18 has a motor pinion 19 in the gearbox 17. The reduction gearbox 17 has an intermediate shaft 20 and an output shaft 21. The output shaft 21 is supported by main bearings 22 in the gearbox 17. The intermediate shaft 20 has a large gear 23 which engages the motor pinion 19 and a small gear 24 which engages a larger gear 25 on the output shaft 21. One end of the output shaft 21 is fixed to the ball valve 13 in the pipe section 3, and the opposite end of the output shaft 21 is connected to a feedback potentiometer 26 in the housing 2. The feedback potentiometer 26 is connected to a computerized processor 27 in the housing 2 wherein the computerized processor 27 has a power unit 33. The motor 16, the gas sensor 4, the release actuator button 5, the display screen 6, and the buzzer 7 are also connected to the computerized processor 27. A transmitter / receiver 29 in the housing 2 is also connected to the computerized processor 27. The gas sensor 4 has a potentiometer 28 which can be set to provide a gas threshold. The gas threshold can be set or adjusted by inserting a tool into a hole or aperture 31 in the housing 2 which provides access to the potentiometer 28. Thus, the sensitivity of the gas sensor 4 may be adjusted. Separate gas thresholds may be set for carbon monoxide, natural gas and liquified petroleum gas, respectively. The gas shut-off device 1 is powered by at least one battery 30, which may be rechargeable, and the battery 30 is housed in the housing 2. The battery 30 provides power to at least the computerized processor 27 and the motor 16. To install the gas shut-off device 1, the pipe section 3 of the device 1 is simply connected to a gas pipeline by having a threaded end of a pipe 11 of the pipeline screwed into respective threaded ends 10 of the through bore 8 of the pipe section 3. In use, the computerized processor 27 is initially in an energy saving state, which may also be referred to as being in hibernating mode, to conserve power. The ball valve 13 is set to be in the open position. The gas sensor 4 monitors the level of gas. If the gas sensor 4 detects the level of gas to be above the gas threshold, which may indicate that there is a gas leak, then the gas sensor 4 sends a signal or command to the computerized processor 27 to wake it from its hibernating mode so that it is in an active state. The computerized processor 27 in its active state activates the motor 16 to rotate the ball valve 13 from the open position to the closed position. The ball valve 13 in its closed position, together with the seals 14, form a block in the through bore 8 of the pipe section 3 to prevent gas flowing through the pipe section 3. At the same time, the computerized processor 27 activates the buzzer 7 so that an audible signal is produced indicating that a gas leak has been detected. The LED 34 starts to flash. The level of gas detected is displayed on the display screen 6. The computerized processor 27 also transmits, via the transmitter / receiver 29, to a remote electronic device 32, such as a computer system or a portable electronic device such as a smart phone or a tablet PC, a message that a gas leak has been detected and provides the level of gas detected which can be displayed on the remote electronic device 32. The potentiometer 26 connected to the output shaft 21 provides feedback to the computerized processor 27 so that the computerized processor 27 knows when the ball valve 13 has reached the closed position. When the ball valve 13 has been rotated to the closed position, the computerized processor 27 switches back to its hibernating mode. The computerized processor 27 may have a timer which specifies how long after the ball valve 13 has reached the closed position that the computerized processor 27 switches back to its hibernating mode. The LED 34 remains flashing. The power unit 33 of the computerized processor 27 is connected to the battery 30 and is also connected to an outside source of power such as the power supply to a building that the gas shut-off device 1 is located in. When the computerized processor 27 is in hibernating mode it still has sufficient power for its power unit 33 to monitor the charge of the battery 30. If the charge or voltage of the battery 30 falls below a set level, then this power unit 33 wakes the computerized processor 27 from its hibernating mode so that the motor 16 is activated to rotate the ball valve 13 from the open position to the closed position. This provides a failsafe system. Also, if the charge of the battery 30 falls below a set level, the power unit 33 enables the battery 30 to be recharged from the outside source of power. When it is clear that the gas leak is fixed or that there is not a gas leak or that the battery 30 is fine, the release actuator button 5 is pressed to reset the gas shut-off device 1. The pressed release actuator key 31 sends a signal or command to the computerized processor 27 to wake it from its hibernating mode and cause the computerized processor 27 to activate the motor 16 to rotate the ball valve 13 from the closed position to the open position. The flashing LED 34 is switched off. When the computerized processor 27 has detected that the ball valve 13 is in its open position it switches back to its hibernating mode. Alternatively, a signal or command may be sent from the remote electronic device 32 to the computerized processor 27 to reset the gas shut-off device 1. A combination of the remote electronic device 32 and the release actuator button 5 may be used to reset the gas shut-off device 1. The remote electronic device 32 may have application software to enable it to display the level of gas detected by the gas sensor 4 on the remote electronic device 32. A building may have a plurality of gas shut-off devices 1 wherein the devices 1 may be able to communicate with a remote computer system / local server and / or with each other. The remote computer system may have a database which may store the thresholds for the devices 1 and readings received from the devices 1. Whilst a particular embodiment has been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. The feedback potentiometer 26 may be connected to a servo controller which may form part of the computerized processor 27. The ball valve 13 may be magnetic or comprise magnetic material and a magnet may be used as a release actuator to rotate the ball valve 13 from the closed position to the open position. The threshold of the gas sensor 4 may be set or adjusted to the required level by the remote electronic device 32 which communicates with the gas sensor 4 via transmitter / receiver 29 and the computerized processor 27. The remote electronic device 32 may have application software to enable this. 07 08 25

Claims

1. A gas shut-off device comprising:a housing section including a gas sensor for detecting gas, and a 5 computerized processor;a pipe section connected to the housing section;a ball valve located in the pipe section, the ball valve configured to be rotated between an open position and a closed position, the ball valve in the closed position configured to prevent gas flowing through the pipe section;10 a motor for rotating the ball valve between the open position and theclosed position, the motor being activated to rotate the ball valve from the open position to the closed position when the gas sensor detects the level of gas passing a threshold, the motor being connected to a shaft for rotating the ball valve by a gearing system;15 a rechargeable battery, the computerized processor being configured toactivate the motor to rotate the ball valve from the open position to the closed position when the computerized processor detects that charge received from the rechargeable battery has fallen below a threshold; anda potentiometer connected to the shaft for providing feedback of the 2 0 position of the ball valve to the computerized processor,wherein the device forms an integral unit.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gas sensor is configured to cause the computerized processor to switch from an energy saving state to an2 5 active state when the gas sensor detects a level of gas passing the threshold.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the computerized processor is configured to activate the motor to move the ball valve from the open position to the closed position when the gas sensor detects a level of gas passing the3 0 threshold and when the computerized processor is in the active state.07 08 254. The device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the computerized processor is configured to switch from the active state to the energy saving state when the ball valve has rotated from the open position to the closed position.

55. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the computerized processor is configured to activate the motor to rotate the ball valve from the open position to the closed position when the gas sensor detects a level of gas passing the threshold.

106. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the gas sensor is configured to send a signal to the computerized processor when the gas sensor detects a level of gas passing the threshold.15 7. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the computerizedprocessor is configured to communicate with at least one external device.

8. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the computerized processor is configured to switch from an energy saving state to an active state 2 0 when the computerized processor detects that charge received from the rechargeable battery has fallen below the threshold.

9. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the gas threshold is configured to be set at a required level.2510. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing section has a release actuator for activating the motor to rotate the ball valve from the closed position to the open position.3 0 11. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the gas sensor isconfigured to detect at least one of the following: carbon monoxide, natural gas and liquified petroleum gas.

12. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing 5 section includes a sound alarm configured to be activated when the gas sensor detects a level of gas passing the threshold.

13. The device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing section includes a display for displaying at least one gas reading from the gas 10 sensor.LOCXICO

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