Seismic safety valve and valve actuator

Abstract

A safety valve is positioned in supply plumbing that supplies a fluid medium such as natural gas to a point of use structure such as a home. A mechanical actuator is provided remote from the safety valve but mechanically connected to the safety valve. This allows the actuator to be positioned, for example, directly on the point of use structure, avoiding the need for separate bracing for the valve. The valve can be provided with a tee fitting or can be a separate gate valve. The mechanical actuator can be actuated by seismic disturbance, manually, or by activation by remote sensor or home security system.

1 . A valve arrangement comprising:
 a safety valve located in supply plumbing for supplying a fluid medium to a point of use structure; and   a mechanical actuator to actuate said safety valve, said mechanical actuator being mechanically connected to said safety valve and located remotely from said safety valve.   
     
     
         2 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A gate valve for mounting between pipe ends, comprising:
 a gate valve housing having a fluid flow passage for connection with the pipe ends and gate movable between an open position in which the fluid flow passage is open and a closed position in which said two supply pipes are closed off from each other; and   first and second connection arrangements for connecting said gate valve housing with the pipe ends to communicate said fluid flow passage with the pipe ends;   wherein at least one of said connection arrangements comprises a union nut threaded to said gate valve housing, an insert engaging said union nut and threads on the insert for engaging one of the pipe ends.   
     
     
         32 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A release mechanism, comprising:
 a rotor rotatably mounted in a rotor housing;   a first lever pivotally mounted on said rotor to be pivotal between a locking position and a release state;   a second lever pivotally mounted on said rotor to be pivotal between a latched position and a release state, wherein said first lever engages said second lever to hold said first lever in said locking position when said second lever is in said latched position; and   a latch operable to hold said second lever in said latched position and to release said second lever.   
     
     
         37 - 65 . (canceled)