Description

A GAS LEAK CHECKING VALVE WITH BUTTON

Technical Field

[1] In general, in order to check a gas leak state, most of people stain bubbles of a detergent on a valve and a connected portion of a gas device and check and inspect bubbles generated by a gas leakage with naked eyes. Alternatively, in large-scaled buildings and work places, sensors are additionally installed. However, it is difficult to install such a sensor in general houses due to an expensive installation cost, and so, as described above, most of people manually check the gas leakage through the bubble generation method using the detergent, or many people do not check the gas leakage. So, to solve such a problem, it is necessary to develop devices, each of which is mounted integrally with an intermediate valve and can easily check a gas leak state. As a gas leak check valve invented to cope with such a demand, FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional gas leak check valve in which a gas leak checking device is formed integrally with the intermediate valve to check the gas leak state, if necessary.

[2] A water column tank 30 made of a transparent material is mounted on a conventional intermediate valve 20, in which a fuse cock 10 is embedded, and a predetermined amount of water is contained in the water column tank 30. Gas introduced from a gas supply line 40 makes gas bubbles as much as an amount of leaked gas when gas is leaked while passing water of the water column tank 30 through a check valve 140a. Thus, the one-touch type check valve 140a using a spring opens or closes a connection passageway 50 between the gas supply line 40 and the water column tank 30 so that a user can check the gas leakage by inspecting the gas bubbles with the naked eyes Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[3] However, since the one touch type gas leak check valve simply closes or opens only the connection passageway between the gas supply line and the water column tank, the structure and a control of a gas flow of the gas leak check valve are simple, but it is difficult to exactly check a gas leakage through an accurate control.

[4] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a button type gas leak check valve, which can be easily manipulated for a more accurate inspection and enhance a product value by providing a beautiful outward appearance and shape. Brief Description of the Drawings

[5] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a conventional gas leak check valve.

[6] FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a state where an intermediate valve of a button type gas leak check valve according to a first preferred embodiment of the present

invention is opened. [7] FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a state where the intermediate valve of the button type gas leak check valve according to the first embodiment is closed. [8] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an operation of the button type gas leak check valve according to the first embodiment. [9] FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a state where an intermediate valve of a button type gas leak check valve according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is opened. [10] FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a state where the intermediate valve of the button type gas leak check valve according to the second embodiment is closed. [11] FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing an operation of the button type gas leak check valve according to the second embodiment. [12] FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a state where an intermediate valve of a button type gas leak check valve according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention is opened. [13] FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a state where the intermediate valve of the button type gas leak check valve according to the third embodiment is closed. [14] FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing an operation of the button type gas leak check valve according to the third embodiment.

[15] <Explanation on essential reference numerals in drawings>

[16] 10: fuse cock 20: intermediate valve

[17] 30: water column tank 40: gas supply line

[18] 41: gas outlet 50, 51: connection passageway

[19] 60: switch 61: piston

[20] 70: button 80: piston part

[21] 90: supply passageway 100: first cutoff device

[22] 110: second cutoff device 120: discharge passageway

[23] 130: elastic member 131: cutoff diaphragm

[24] 132: gas pipe 133: flow path

[25] 134: valve housing 140: check valve

[26] 50b,51b: connection passageway

[27] 60b: switch 61b: piston

[28] 70b: button 80b: piston part

[29] 90b: supply passageway 100b: piston hole entrance

[30] HOb: cutoff device 120b: discharge passageway

[31] 130b: first O-ring 131b: second O-ring

[32] 132b: third O-ring 133b: flow path

[33] 140b: check valve 150b: gas pipe

[34] 50c: connection passageway

[35] 60c: button 70c: piston part

[36] 80c: supply passageway 90c: piston hole entrance

[37] 100c: cutoff device HOc: discharge passageway

[38] 120c: first O-ring 121c: second O-ring

[39] 122c: third O-ring 123c: flow path

[40] 130c: check valve 140c: gas pipe

[41] 150c: inspecting part

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[42] FIG. 2

Mode for the Invention

[43] Reference will be now made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.

[44] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a conventional gas leak check valve, FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a state where an intermediate valve of a button type gas leak check valve according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is opened, FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a state where the intermediate valve of the button type gas leak check valve according to the first embodiment is closed, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing an operation of the button type gas leak check valve according to the first embodiment.

[45] Referring to FIG. 1, an operation of the conventional gas leak check valve will be described. In a state where an intermediate valve is closed, when a switch 60 integrated or connected with a piston 61 performing a reciprocating motion by a spring is depressed to pull the piston 61, a connection passageway 50 for connecting a check valve 140a and a water column tank 30 with each other is opened, so that gas introduced into a gas supply line 40 flows toward the check valve 140a. In this instance, there is no change since gas does not flow and is stopped when gas leaks out of a gas appliance or a connected portion, but gas bubbles are generated as much as gas leaks out of the water column tank 30 while flowing toward a gas outlet 41 after passing through the check valve 140a and the water column tank 30 as much as gas introduced into the gas supply line 40 leaks out. So, a user can check that gas leaks out with naked eyes.

[46] So, the present invention has a structure in which a button 70 is formed on the outside of a check valve 140 and a piston part 80 is formed inside the check valve in such a manner as to be integrated or connected with the button 70 for opening or closing a connection passageway 51 located between a water column tank 30 and the check valve 140 in response to depression of the button 70.

[47] In addition, the piston part 80 operates in cooperation with the button 70, and a first cutoff device 100 for opening or closing a supply passageway 90 and a second cutoff device 110 for opening or closing a discharge passageway 120 are formed on a side of the piston part 80.

[48] The first cutoff device 100 is mounted inside the piston part 80 in such a manner as to shut off an entrance of the supply passageway 90 in a state where the button 70 is not depressed. The first cutoff device 100 includes an elastic member 130, such as a spring, located therein, and a cutoff diaphragm 131 protrudingly formed to shut off the entrance of the supply passageway 90 while operating in cooperation with the piston part by the elastic member, such as the spring.

[49] The second cutoff device 110 operates in cooperation with the piston part 80 and is mounted on a side of the lower end of the piston part 80 in such a manner as to shut off the connection passageway 51 located between the water column tank 30 and the discharge passageway 120 in a state where the button 70 is not depressed, whereby the connection passageway 51 located between the water column tank 30 and the discharge passageway 120 is shut off according to the operation of the button 70.

[50] The first cutoff device 100 and the second cutoff device 110 are mounted inside the piston part 80, perforated to allow gas to flow thereto as shown in FIG. 2, and connected with a flow path 133 formed inside the piston part 80 and a gas pipe 132 submerged under water filling the water column tank 30.

[51] The button type gas leak check valve according to the first preferred embodiment having the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, when the user wants to check a gas leakage while using gas, in a state where an intermediate valve 20 is opened as shown in FIG. 2, when the user closes the intermediate valve 20 as shown in FIG. 3, gas flowing toward the check valve 140 stops the flow by the first cutoff device 100. So, as shown in FIG. 4, when the button 70 located above the intermediate valve 20 is depressed in a state where the intermediate valve 20 is completely closed, the piston part 80 operating in cooperation with the button 70 lowers, and in this instance, the first cutoff device 100 moves and the cutoff diaphragm 131 is depressed by a valve housing 134, whereby the supply passageway 90 is opened. Also the second cutoff device 110 mounted below the first cutoff device 100 lowers in cooperation with the piston part 80, whereby the connection passageway 51 located between the discharge passageway 120 and the water column tank 30 is also opened. In this instance, if gas does not leak out, gas bubbles are not generated since gas introduced through the gas supply line 40 does not flow. However, if gas leaks out of a unknown portion, gas introduced through the gas supply line 40 escapes through the discharge passageway 120 while passing water contained in the water column tank 30 after passing through the check valve 140, and so, the gas bubbles are generated in the water

column tank 30 as much as gas escapes through the discharge passageway 120. So, the user can check the gas leakage by inspecting the gas bubbles with the naked eyes.

[52] Another configuration of the button type gas leak check valve according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[53] FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a state where an intermediate valve of a button type gas leak check valve according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is opened, FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a state where the intermediate valve of the button type gas leak check valve according to the second embodiment is closed, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing an operation of the button type gas leak check valve according to the second embodiment.

[54] The button type gas leak check valve according to the second preferred embodiment has a structure in which a button 70b is formed on the outside of an inspecting part 160b and a piston part 80b is mounted inside the inspecting part 160b in such a manner as to be integrated or connected with the button 70b for opening or closing a connection passageway 51b formed among the water column tank 30, a piston hole entrance 100b and a flow path 133b in response to depression of the button 70b.

[55] A piston part 80b is formed which operates in cooperation with the action of the button 70b. A cutoff device 110b is formed on a side of the piston part 80b for opening or closing a supply passageway 90b, the piston hole entrance 100b performing connection and separation actions and a discharge passageway 120b.

[56] When the button 70b is not depressed, the piston hole entrance 100b is separated from an entrance of the supply passageway 90b by a second O-ring 131b, so that gas of the supply passageway 90b does not flow to a gas outlet 41 after passing through the flow path 133b and the water column tank 30.

[57] The cutoff device 110b operates in cooperation with the piston part 80b, and is mounted below the piston part 80b in such a manner as to stop a connection passageway 51b located between the water column tank 30 and the discharge passageway 120b in a state where the button 70b is not depressed, whereby the connection passageway 51b located between the water column tank 30 and the discharge passageway 120b is cut off according to the operation of the button 70b.

[58] The piston hole entrance 100b and the cutoff device 110b are mounted in the piston part 80b, perforated to allow a flow of gas therein as shown in FIG. 5, and connected with the flow path 133b formed inside the piston part 80b and a gas pipe 132b submerged in water filling the water column tank 30.

[59] The button type gas leak check valve according to the second preferred embodiment having the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, when the user wants to check the gas leakage while using gas, in a state where the intermediate valve 20 is opened as shown in FIG. 5, when the user closes the intermediate valve 20 as

shown in FIG. 6, gas flowing toward the piston part 80b stops the flow by the second O-ring 131b and a third O-ring 132b. So, as shown in FIG. 7, when the button 70b is depressed in a state where the intermediate valve 20 is completely closed, the piston part 80b operating in cooperation with the button 70 lowers, and in this instance, also the piston hole entrance 100b, a first O-ring 130b, the second O-ring 131b and the third O-ring 132b are moved, so that the supply passageway 90b and the piston hole entrance 100b are connected with each other. The cutoff device 110b located at the lower part of the check valve also lowers in cooperation with the piston part 80b to open the connection passageway 51b located between the discharge passageway 120b and the water column tank 30. In this instance, if gas does not leak out, gas bubbles are not generated since gas introduced through the gas supply line 40 does not flow. However, if gas leaks out of a unknown portion, gas introduced through the gas supply line 40 escapes through the discharge passageway 120b while passing water contained in the water column tank 30 after passing through the piston hole entrance 100b and the flow path 133b, and so, the gas bubbles are generated in the water column tank 30 as much as gas escapes through the discharge passageway 120b. So, the user can check the gas leakage by inspecting the gas bubbles with the naked eyes.

[60] Another configuration of the button type gas leak check valve according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[61] FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a state where an intermediate valve of a button type gas leak check valve according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention is opened, FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a state where the intermediate valve of the button type gas leak check valve according to the third embodiment is closed, and FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing an operation of the button type gas leak check valve according to the third embodiment.

[62] The button type gas leak check valve according to the second preferred embodiment has a structure in which a button 60c is formed on the outside of an inspecting part 150c and a piston part 70c is mounted inside the inspecting part 150c in such a manner as to be integrated or connected with the button 60c for opening or closing a connection passageway 50c formed among the water column tank 30, a piston hole entrance 90c and a flow path 123c in response to depression of the button 60c.

[63] A piston part 70c is formed in such a manner as to operates in cooperation with the action of the button 60c. A cutoff device 100c is formed on a side of the piston part 70c for opening or closing a supply passageway 80c, the piston hole entrance 90c performing connection and separation actions and a discharge passageway HOc.

[64] When the button 60c is not depressed, the piston hole entrance 90c is separated from an entrance of the supply passageway 90c by a second O-ring 131c, so that gas of the supply passageway 90c does not flow to the gas outlet 41 after passing through the

flow path 133c and the water column tank 30.

[65] The cutoff device 100c operates in cooperation with the piston part 70c, and is mounted below the piston part 80b in such a manner as to shut off the connection passageway 50c located between the water column tank 30 and the discharge passageway 110c in a state where the button 60c is not depressed, whereby the connection passageway 50c located between the water column tank 30 and the discharge passageway 110c is cut off according to the operation of the button 60c.

[66] The piston hole entrance 90c and the cutoff device 100c are mounted in the piston part 70c, perforated to allow a flow of gas therein as shown in FIG. 8, and connected with the flow path 123c formed inside the piston part 70c and a gas pipe 122c submerged in water filling the water column tank 30.

[67] The button type gas leak check valve according to the third preferred embodiment having the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, when the user wants to check the gas leakage while using gas, in a state where the intermediate valve 20 is opened as shown in FIG. 8, when the user closes the intermediate valve 20 as shown in FIG. 9, gas flowing toward the piston part 70c stops the flow by the second O-ring 121c and a third O-ring 122c. So, as shown in FIG. 10, when the button 60c is depressed in a state where the intermediate valve 20 is completely closed, the piston part 70c operating in cooperation with the button 60c lowers, and in this instance, the piston hole entrance 90c, a first O-ring 120c, the second O-ring 121c and the third O- ring 122c are also moved, so that the supply passageway 80c and the piston hole entrance 90c are connected with each other. The cutoff device 100c located at the lower part of the check valve also lowers in cooperation with the piston part 70c to open the connection passageway 50c located between the discharge passageway 110c and the water column tank 30. In this instance, if gas does not leak out, gas bubbles are not generated since gas introduced through the gas supply line 40 does not flow. However, if gas leaks out of a unknown portion, gas introduced through the gas supply line 40 escapes through the discharge passageway 110c while passing water contained in the water column tank 30 after passing through the piston hole entrance 90c and the flow path 133c, and so, the gas bubbles are generated in the water column tank 30 as much as gas escapes through the discharge passageway 110c. So, the user can check the gas leakage by inspecting the gas bubbles with the naked eyes.

[68]

Industrial Applicability

[69] As described above, the button type gas leak check valve according to the present invention is not complicated in the outward appearance and not inconvenient in use since the button protrudes from the outer surface of the valve housing or the inspecting

part alone, whereby the button type gas leak check valve does not spoil the interior design when it is installed in a house or a restaurant, accurately checks the gas leakage, enhances precision in operation and performance and reduces its weight by simplifying the complicated structure of the conventional button type gas leak check valve, and enhance the product value by making the outward appearance compact.