Adjustable Meter Box Couplings for Variable Water Meter Lengths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water meter boxes lack flexibility to accommodate meters of varying lengths, as standard connections do not allow for adjustments in length, making it difficult to install meters of unknown length without replacing the entire box or modifying internal components.
Innovation Solution
The meter box incorporates telescoping tubes in both the ball valve and outlet couplings, allowing for adjustable lengths to accommodate meters of different lengths, with features like seals, protrusions, and service nuts for easy extension and retraction, enabling the same box to fit meters ranging from 110 mm to 165 mm and beyond.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard sized connections are used in conventional meter boxes, then the box structure remains simple and manufacturing is easier, but the box cannot accommodate meters of varying lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure incorporates telescoping tubes that can dynamically adjust their length by extending and retracting, allowing the same coupling to accommodate meters of different lengths. The telescoping mechanism includes movable inner tubes within outer tubes, with sealing elements and locking features that maintain fluid integrity while enabling length adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling is divided into multiple telescoping segments that can independently extend or retract. Each coupling consists of an outer tube and an inner telescoping tube, creating modular segments that can adjust to different length requirements while maintaining a unified fluid connection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If telescoping tubes are added to allow adjustable lengths, then flexibility to accommodate various meter lengths is improved, but the coupling structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping coupling employs a nested tube structure where an inner tube is housed within an outer tube. The inner tube can slide in and out of the outer tube to adjust length, with sealing elements and retaining features nested within the tube structure. This nesting approach allows length adjustment while maintaining a compact form when retracted.
3Adaptability or versatility
If telescoping tubes are used for adjustable length, then the same box can fit meters of different lengths, but sealing integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping coupling incorporates flexible sealing elements such as O-rings, gaskets, or elastomeric seals that conform to the mating surfaces of the telescoping tubes. These flexible sealing members maintain fluid integrity while accommodating the relative movement between extending and retracting tube sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling design includes pre-positioned sealing elements and retaining features that are installed beforehand to prevent leakage during telescoping operation. The sealing structures are designed to maintain contact and prevent fluid escape before any telescoping movement occurs, ensuring reliability throughout the adjustment range.
Data Source
AI summary
Illustrative embodiments of a meter box and couplings, either separately or in combination, are provided. An illustrative embodiment provides a valve coupling that is disposed through a wall of the meter box such that a first portion of the valve coupling extends exterior of the meter box and a second portion of the valve coupling extends interior of the meter box. An outlet coupling is disposed through the wall of the meter box such that a first portion of the outlet coupling extends exterior of the meter box and a second portion of the outlet coupling extends interior of the meter box. A telescoping tube is located in the meter box, extended into and movable relative to, and in fluid communication with, at least one of the second portion of the valve coupling and/or the second portion of the outlet coupling. The telescoping tube varies a distance between the valve coupling and the outlet coupling within the meter box.