Ernest C Gonzalez

US Patent:

50781723, Jan 7, 1992

Filed:

Mar 20, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/672362

Inventors:

Ernest R. Gonzalez - Dana Point CA

International Classification:

F16K 1736

US Classification:

137 38

Abstract:

A device for controlling an earthquake-vulnerable or other operation according to seismic activity, such as the flow of water from a reservoir or natural gas to users, includes a control unit for controlling the operation when actuated by a predetermined triggering movement, an actuator unit for producing the triggering movement when the actuator unit is subjected to a threshold level of seismic activity, and a coupling unit for coupling the triggering movement from the actuator unit to the control unit. Mounting components are provided for mounting the coupling unit on the control unit and the actuator unit on the coupling unit so that a user can adjustably set the position of the actuator unit relative to the control unit in order to level the actuator unit in two different directions. One embodiment includes a first clamped flange for mounting the coupling unit on the control unit so that a user can pivot the position of the coupling unit relative to the control unit about a first axis, and a second clamped flange for mounting the actuator unit on the coupling unit so that a user can pivot the position of the actuator unit relative to the coupling unit about a second axis. Hydraulic or electrical control units may be used.

US Patent:

49710940, Nov 20, 1990

Filed:

Dec 15, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/451751

Inventors:

Ernest R. Gonzalez - Dana Point CA

International Classification:

F16K 1736

US Classification:

137 38

Abstract:

A valve includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway that connects the inlet and the outlet in fluid communication. A valve member on the housing for opens and closes the passageway and an actuator on the housing that is responsive to movement such as may accompany an earthquake causes the valve member to close the passageway automatically in the event of such movement. The actuator may include a spring for driving the valve member from an open position to a closed position, and a trigger mechanism responsive to movement such as may accompany an earthquake for holding the valve member in the open position until the occurrence of such movement and then enabling the valve member to move to the closed position under influence of the driving means. A solenoid may also be provided on the housing for moving the valve member from the closed position to the open position in order to reopen the passageway, and a battery-powered microprocessor may be included on the housing for enabling a user to control the solenoid with a central computer that communicates over telephone lines with a plurality of valves located throughout the community.

US Patent:

RE363006, Sep 14, 1999

Filed:

Jul 29, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/686969

Inventors:

Ernest R. Gonzalez - San Juan Capistrano CA

International Classification:

H04B 1700

US Classification:

367 13

Abstract:

A programmable, closed-loop control system that provides for control under normal and seismic conditions. The present system integrates monitoring and control functions and provides for reconfigurable control of these functions. The seismic monitoring and control system optimally controls valve-type fluid flow systems. Separate control algorithms may be programmed by a user to control the system under both normal and seismic conditions. In its broadest aspects, the present system comprises a sensor for sensing a predetermined condition and for providing output signals indicative thereof, a switch, and a programmable controller coupled to the sensor and switch. The controller includes a seismic sensor for detecting a seismic disturbance and providing output signals indicative of the seismic disturbance. The controller responds to the output signals from the sensor and seismic sensor, and provides first control signals that are applied to the switch in the absence of a seismic disturbance and second control signals that are applied to the switch in the presence of a seismic disturbance to control the operation of the system. The safety monitoring and control system may further comprise a host computer coupled to the controller for programming it in response to operator inputs.