Granted Patent B2

US 6,926,023 · App. 10/768,551 · Granted Aug 9, 2005

Abstract

Claims (55)

1. An apparatus for preventing leaks from an air release valve on a fluid-filled plumbing system, comprising:

an air release valve coupled to a fluid-filled plumbing system;

a liquid sensitive valve coupled to said air release valve, said liquid sensitive valve being designed to remain open until said liquid sensitive valve is closed due to action of a liquid sensitive switch;

a liquid sensitive switch coupled to said liquid sensitive valve;

a container for collecting fluid flow that passes from said air release valve;

a constrained path coupled to said air release valve, said constrained path allowing fluid to flow from said air release valve through said constrained path and into said container; and

wherein said constrained path comprises said liquid sensitive valve.

2. An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluid-filled plumbing system is a fire sprinkler or standpipe system.

3. An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said liquid sensitive valve is a WAGS valve.

4. An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said liquid sensitive valve is coupled to said air release valve via a generally U-shaped pipe.

5. An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said liquid sensitive switch is selected from the group including, a float switch, a chemical switch, and a soluble switch.

6. An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said liquid sensitive switch is triggered upon the leakage of a predetermined amount of fluid from said air release valve during a predetermined amount of time.

7. An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said liquid sensitive switch is triggered upon the collection in the container of a predetermined amount of collected fluid, wherein said predetermined amount of collected fluid remains in said container for a predetermined amount of time.

8. An apparatus of claim 1 wherein the triggering of said liquid sensitive switch causes said liquid sensitive valve to close.

9. An apparatus of claim 1 wherein the closure of said liquid sensitive valve prevents fluid from passing from said air release valve through said constrained path into said container.

10. An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said container has an open top.

11. A method for preventing damage resulting from a failed air release valve on a fluid-filled plumbing system, comprising:

providing an apparatus comprising:

an air release valve coupled to a fluid-filled plumbing system;

a constrained path coupled to said air release valve through which fluid may flow from said air release valve into a container; and

a container coupled to said fluid-filled plumbing system for containing fluid flow that passes from said air release valve through said constrained path;

accumulating liquid in said container upon the failure of said air release valve; and

preventing damage resulting from a failed air release valve through containment of the accumulated liquid.

12. A method for preventing damage of claim 11 , further comprising:

providing an apparatus further comprising:

a liquid sensitive valve coupled to said air release valve, said liquid sensitive valve being designed to remain open until said liquid sensitive valve is closed due to action of a liquid sensitive switch;

a liquid sensitive switch coupled to said liquid sensitive valve; and

wherein said constrained path comprises said liquid sensitive valve;

triggering said liquid sensitive switch due to the accumulation of liquid in said container;

closing said liquid sensitive valve as a result of the triggering of said liquid sensitive switch;

stopping fluid flow through said constrained path upon the closure of said liquid sensitive valve;

preventing leakage from said air release valve by stopping fluid flow through said constrained path; and

preventing damage resulting from a failed air release valve through the prevention of leakage from said air release valve.

13. A method of claim 12 wherein said liquid sensitive valve is a WAGS valve.

14. A method for preventing damage of claim 11 , further comprising:

providing an apparatus further comprising:

a liquid sensitive valve coupled to said air release valve, said liquid sensitive valve being designed to remain open until said liquid sensitive valve is closed due to action of a liquid sensitive switch;

a liquid sensitive switch coupled to said liquid sensitive valve; and

wherein said constrained path comprises said liquid sensitive valve;

triggering said liquid sensitive switch due to leakage of a predetermined amount of fluid from said air release valve during a predetermined amount of time;

closing said liquid sensitive valve as a result of the triggering of said liquid sensitive switch;

stopping fluid flow through said constrained path upon the closure of said liquid sensitive valve;

preventing leakage from said air release valve by stopping fluid flow through said constrained path; and

preventing damage resulting from a failed air release valve through the prevention of leakage from said air release valve.

15. A method of claim 14 wherein said liquid sensitive valve is a WAGS valve.

16. A method for signaling the failure of an air release valve on a fluid-filled plumbing system, comprising:

providing an apparatus comprising:

an air release valve coupled to a fluid-filled plumbing system;

a constrained path coupled to said air release valve through which fluid may flow from said air release valve into a container;

a container coupled to said fluid-filled plumbing system for containing fluid flow that passes from said air release valve through said constrained path; and

a liquid sensitive switch within said container;

accumulating liquid in said container upon the failure of said air release valve;

triggering said liquid sensitive switch due to the accumulation of liquid in said container; and

signaling the failure of the air release valve as a result of the triggering of said liquid sensitive switch.

17. A method of signaling of claim 16 wherein the step of signaling further comprises use of at least one of a visual signal, an electrical signal, and an auditory signal.

Assignments (12)