John W Clove from 6484 Dobson Way, Pacific House, CA 95726, age 87, Phone: 408 710-6877

John Clove Phones & Addresses

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Apparatus For Detecting Opening In Fluid Flow Passageway And Shutting Off Flow In Response Thereto
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US Patent:

59506679, Sep 14, 1999
Filed:

Apr 2, 1998
Appl. No.:

9/054283
Inventors:

Mark R. Nicewonger - Aptos CA
John W. Clove - Santa Clara CA
Assignee:

Proteus Industries, Inc. - Mountainview CA
International Classification:

F16K 1720
US Classification:

137459
Abstract:

An apparatus detects an opening in a fluid flow passageway such as occurs when a resistance welding cap which is cooled by the fluid flow becomes accidently detached from a welding machine. Upon detection of an opening, an air-actuated pinch lever is activated to quickly pinch shut flexible fluid inlet and outlet hoses and thereby shut off the fluid flow. Inlet and outlet flow rate sensors provide periodic outputs to a digital computer which determines directions of inlet and outlet flow acceleration. If either the inlet or outlet acceleration changes direction, a baseline inlet or outlet flow rate is set equal to the corresponding current flow rate value to prevent erroneous opening detection due to normal flow fluctuations. If the inlet and outlet accelerations are in the same direction, the baseline values are similarly updated. If the inlet acceleration is positive and the outlet acceleration is negative, it indicates a probable opening.