A flow control device can be implemented to include an riser, a control valve, a simplified retaining rod, and a ball. The riser can include multiple threaded segments, one or more predetermined breakaway points, and a predetermined length and diameter. The control valve can include a first threaded
A flow control device can be implemented to include an riser, a control valve, a simplified retaining rod, and a ball. The riser can include multiple threaded segments, one or more predetermined breakaway points, and a predetermined length and diameter. The control valve can include a first threaded valve end for detachably connecting to the riser, a second threaded valve end for detachably connecting to a supply line, and a ball housing integrally connected to the first and second valve ends. The ball housing has a predetermined internal housing diameter. The ball is enveloped inside the ball housing, and the ball diameter is smaller than the internal housing diameter and larger than a first opening between the first valve end and the ball housing and a second opening between the second valve end and the ball housing. The retaining rod physically prevents the ball from obstructing the first opening.
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What is claimed is: 1. A flow control device comprising: a riser having a first end and a second end, wherein between the first end and the second end are disposed a plurality of threaded segments, each threaded segment having a top, a base, a predetermined inner diameter and a predetermined outer
What is claimed is: 1. A flow control device comprising: a riser having a first end and a second end, wherein between the first end and the second end are disposed a plurality of threaded segments, each threaded segment having a top, a base, a predetermined inner diameter and a predetermined outer diameter, wherein the predetermined inner diameter is substantially the same from the base of the threaded segment to the top of the threaded segment, and the predetermined outer diameter is wider at the base of the threaded segment than at the top of the threaded segment, further wherein the plurality of threaded segments, together, form a length of the riser, further wherein, the riser comprises a predetermined riser cut-off points spaced between the threaded segments to adjust a length of the riser; a control valve having a first threaded valve end for detachably connecting to the first end of the riser, a second threaded valve end for detachably connecting to a supply line, and a ball housing between the first threaded valve end and the second threaded valve end, wherein the ball housing has a predetermined inner housing diameter; a ball enveloped inside the ball housing, wherein the ball has a diameter smaller than the predetermined inner housing diameter and larger than a first opening between the first threaded valve end and the ball housing and a second opening between the second threaded end and the ball housing; and a retaining rod, physically separate from the ball, having a first retaining rod end, a body having a plurality of predetermined retaining rod cut-off points spaced between a first body end and a second body end of the body for adjusting a length of the retaining rod, wherein the retaining rod cut-off points correspond to the riser cut-off points, a plurality of connecting members each having a first connecting member end and a second connecting member end, and a second retaining rod end shaped to form an opening, wherein the first retaining rod end is connected to the first body end, the second body end is connected to each first connecting member end, and each second connecting member end is connected to the second retaining rod end, further wherein the first end of the retaining rod is configured to be disposed inside the ball housing, a portion of the body of the retaining rod and the plurality of connecting members are configured to be disposed inside the riser, and the second end of the retaining rod is shaped to have a second retaining rod end diameter or width that is greater than the predetermined inner diameter of the riser and configured to be disposed external to the second end of the riser so as to physically prevent the ball from obstructing the first opening and prevent the second end of the retaining rod from entering the riser, and allows for the flow of fluid through the second end of the retaining rod, and the second end of the retaining rod does not impede the flow of the fluid through the riser, further wherein the body of the retaining rod consists of non-spring like segments separated by the retaining rod cut-off points. 2. The flow control device of claim 1, wherein the riser is configured to break at the one or more predetermined riser cut-off points under a force insufficient to break any other point of the riser. 3. The flow control device of claim 1, wherein the first end of the retaining rod has a first end diameter that is smaller than the predetermined inner housing diameter and the first and second opening. 4. The flow control device of claim 1, wherein the second end of the riser is configured to be detachably connected to one or more particle dispensers. 5. The flow control device of claim 4, wherein the particle dispenser is configured to stabilize the retaining rod inside the riser when connected to the second end of the riser. 6. The flow control device of claim 4, wherein the particle dispenser comprises at least one of a sprinkler head, a fire sprinkler head, a gas pump and a fire hydrant. 7. The flow control device of claim 1, wherein the ball housing is configured to allow the ball to freely move inside the ball housing. 8. The flow control device of claim 1, wherein the second threaded valve end is detachably connected to a fluid supply line so that during operation fluid flows from the fluid supply line into the ball housing and causes the ball to obstruct the first opening when the retaining rod is in a broken state or absent from the riser. 9. The flow control device of claim 8, wherein the ball obstructing the first opening prevents fluid flow through the first opening. 10. The flow control device of claim 1, wherein the second threaded valve end is detachably connected to a gas supply line so that during operation gas flows from the gas supply line into the ball housing and causes the ball to obstruct the first opening when the retaining rod is in a broken state or absent from the riser. 11. The flow control device of claim 10, wherein the ball obstructing the first opening prevents gas flow through the first opening. 12. The flow control device of claim 1, wherein the riser, the control valve, the retaining rod, and the ball are composed of one or more materials. 13. The flow control device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the riser, the control valve, the retaining rod, and the ball is composed of a material different from the others. 14. The flow control device of claim 12, wherein the one or more materials comprises a plastic material. 15. The flow control device of claim 14, wherein the plastic material comprises one of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), crossliniked polyethylene plastic (PEX), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). 16. The flow control device of claim 12, wherein the one or more material is compliant to a code or a regulation. 17. The flow control device of claim 12, wherein the one or more materials comprises a non-plastic material. 18. The flow control device of claim 1, wherein the riser is made of a color so as to permit ease of detection. 19. The flow control device of claim 18, wherein the color of the riser is one of orange, yellow and purple. 20. A method for automatically controlling particle flow through from a supply line through an opening using a flow control device, wherein the flow control device has a control valve with a first threaded valve end detachably connected to the supply line and a second threaded valve end, a riser having an upstream end detachably connected to the second threaded valve end and a downstream end, the riser comprising a predetermined riser cut-off points spaced between threaded segments to adjust a length of the riser, a retaining rod positioned within the riser with a first end positioned in a ball housing of the control valve and a second end mechanically engaged between the downstream end of the riser and a particle dispenser, the retaining rod comprising a body with retaining rod cut-off points correspond to the riser cut-off points, wherein the body of the retaining rod consists of non-spring like segments separated by the retaining rod cut-off points, further wherein the ball housing is integrally connected between the first threaded valve end and the second threaded valve end of the control valve and has a predetermined internal housing diameter, further wherein the ball housing encapsulates a ball, physically separate from the retaining rod, having a ball diameter smaller than the internal housing diameter and larger than a first opening between the first threaded valve end and the ball housing and a second opening between the second threaded valve end and the ball housing, the method comprising: generating a particle flow; receiving the generated particle flow at the first threaded valve end of the control valve; and permitting the received particle flow to pass through the second threaded valve end of the control valve during a normal operation; or automatically stopping the received particle flow from passing through the second threaded valve end of the control valve during an abnormal operation. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the retaining rod comprises: a first rod end having a first rod diameter that is less than the predetermined inner diameter of the riser, the internal housing diameter and the first and second openings; and a second rod end having a second rod diameter that is greater than the predetermined inner diameter and allows for the flow of fluid through the second end of the retaining rod. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein permitting the received particle flow to pass through the second threaded valve end of the control valve during a normal operation comprises: moving the ball in the ball housing away from the first opening of the control valve towards the second opening of the control valve; and preventing the ball from obstructing the second opening of the control valve. 23. The method of claim 22, where preventing the ball from obstructing the second opening of the control valve comprises mechanically engaging the second end of the retaining rod between the downstream end of the riser and the particle dispenser so that the first end of the retaining rod remains rigidly within the ball housing of the control valve; and obstructing the ball towards the second opening of the control valve with the first end of the retaining rod. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the particle dispenser comprises at least one of a sprinkler head, a fire sprinkler head, a gas pump and a fire hydrant. 25. The method of claim 21, wherein the riser and retaining rod are configured to breakaway at the one or more retaining rod breakaway points under a force insufficient to break the rest of the flow control device. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the abnormal operation occurs when the retaining rod is broken or absent. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein automatically stopping the received particle flow from passing through the second threaded valve end of the control valve during an abnormal operation comprises moving the ball in the ball housing against the second opening of the control valve. 28. The method of claim 20 further comprising preventing backflow of particles from the riser into the supply line by applying the ball in the ball housing against the first opening of the control valve. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the particle dispenser comprises at least one of a sprinkler head, a fire sprinkler head, a gas pump and a fire hydrant.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (14)
Knapp Alfred Z. (Bozeman MT), Automatic shut-off valve.
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