Outdoor Wall Hydrant Employing Plastic Tubing
Inactive Publication Date: 2010-09-16
WCM IND INC
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Benefits of technology
[0007]It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a hydrant that employs a fluid inlet pipe made at least partially of a material that is resistant to pitting. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention replaces the copper pipe generally employed by wall hydrants with a pipe made of a plastic material. Another embodiment employs a traditional copper pipe having a segment made of a plastic material. For example, one embodiment of the present invention employs a pipe made of cross linked polyethylene (PEX). One of skill in the art will appreciate that other similar material such as high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated PVC (CPVC), or any combination thereof, may also be employed. Any similar materials that are resistant the aforementioned problem of pitting may also be employed. The contemplated pipe interconnects to common hydrant assemblies. Preferably, a coupling may be used to interconnect the hydrant assembly to the pipe wherein a band clamp is used to ensure that the pipe is firmly interconnected to the hydrant assembly. Such use of a band clamps, adhesives, sonic welding and spin welding, as opposed to sweating or otherwise interconnecting copper tubes, has the advantage of reducing the risk of fire and is less time consuming. One advantage of employing embodiments of the present invention is the cost savings associated with not using increasingly costly copper. More specifically, in recent years, the price of copper has increased dramatically. By eliminating some or all of the copper used in construction, building costs can be reduced. In addition, by omitting copper the occurrences of copper theft are necessarily reduced. In one embodiment a hydrant employing the contemplated erosion and corrosion resistant tubing weights about 14% less than similar hydrants of the prior art.
[0014]It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a sleeve or other member that alters the flow of fluid through the pipe. For example, a sleeve having a plurality of baffles or restrictions or other mechanisms to alter fluid flow is envisioned such that the areas of maximum turbulent flow are reduced, eliminated or altered. For example, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the pipe may include a thickened portion of copper material wherein the sleeve directs the flow such that impingements occur adjacent to the thickened areas of material, thereby increasing the lifespan of the hydrant.
Problems solved by technology
More specifically, in recent years, the price of copper has increased dramatically.
One of skill in the art will appreciate that joining different materials may pose a problem with respect to bonding and varieties of thermal expansion rates, for example.
Method used
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Embodiment Construction
[0032]Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a wall hydrant 2 of one embodiment of the present invention is shown wherein a pipe 6 is shown interconnected to a faucet assembly 10. The hydrant assembly 10 includes a vacuum breaker 14 and a fluid drain conduit 18. The fluid drain conduit 18 may contain threads 22 for receipt of a hose (not shown). A control rod 26 is positioned within the faucet assembly 10 and is interconnected to a handle 30 preferably by a screw 28. The handle 30 is also associated with the hydrant assembly 10 via a bushing 34. The control rod 26 is held in place by a packing washer 38. The hydrant assembly 10 is interconnected to a flange 42 for interconnection to a dwelling. The control rod 26 communicates with a valve body 46 that is adapted to transition by selective rotation of the handle 30 to contact a valve seat 50 of a valve fitting 54 that is interconnected to the water source 58 of a dwelling.
[0033]The pipe 6 provided in one embodiment of the present invention is m...
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A hydrant is provided that employs a pipe interconnected to a faucet assembly. The pipe is constructed of a material that is resistant to detrimental affects of corrosion and pitting. Corrosion and pitting of pipes made of copper, as opposed to the plastic material employed, tends to erode a portion of the outlet pipe circumferentially such that if the pipe is later exposed to expansive effects of ice, the pipe could burst, thereby causing damage to the dwelling.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to wall hydrants located on the outside of buildings that are resistant to damage associated with freezing.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]“Freezeless” wall hydrants, or faucets characteristically employ a fluid closure valve located in a pipe that is positioned within an exterior wall of a building. The fluid closure valve is opened and closed by an elongated rod connected to a handle that is operably associated thereto. Wall hydrants of this construction are “freezeless” since the closure valve that turns on and shuts off the flow of water through the pipe is located within the exterior wall and thus, maintained at a temperature above freezing. The pipe is angled downwardly from the fluid closure valve to allow gravity to pull any water within the pipe from the hydrant.[0003]The foregoing structure operates very successfully except, for example, in situations where a hose or the like is attache...
Claims
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CPCE03B7/10Y10T137/5485
InventorBALL, WILLIAM T.PILARCZYK, ERIC
OwnerWCM IND INC