Adjustable Meter Flange Coupling for Easier Water Meter Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The tight fit between the valve and outlet couplings of water meters in meter boxes makes installation and removal challenging due to the lack of tolerance, causing difficulty in handling the water meters.
Innovation Solution
The meter box incorporates adjustable flange couplings with movable extension assemblies that create a space or tolerance between the couplings and the water meter, allowing for easier installation and removal by linearly moving the neck of the extension assembly relative to the coupling body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the valve and outlet couplings are fixed in place to maintain fluid communication, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of tolerance for meter installation and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The flange coupling is designed with a movable extension assembly that includes a neck portion capable of linear movement relative to the coupling body. This dynamic structure allows the flange to move closer to or farther from the meter flange, providing the necessary tolerance for installation and removal operations while maintaining a stable connected state during normal operation. The slot and collar mechanism enables this controlled movement while preserving structural integrity.
2Reliability
If the flange coupling is made tight to ensure proper fluid sealing, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in meter installation and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The extension assembly with movable neck allows the flange coupling to dynamically adjust its position. During installation, the neck can move to create clearance for meter insertion. Once installed, the neck moves to its normal position to create a tight seal between flanges, ensuring reliable fluid sealing. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between tight sealing and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension assembly acts as an intermediary element between the fixed coupling body and the meter flange. It provides the necessary movement and tolerance while maintaining the sealing function, effectively mediating between the requirement for tight sealing and the need for operational ease during installation and removal.
Data Source
AI summary
A meter box that illustratively includes a first coupling is provided. The first coupling is located adjacent the meter box. The first coupling includes a coupling body. The first coupling includes an extension assembly. The extension assembly includes a neck that is in fluid communication with the coupling body. The neck of the extension assembly is movable with respect to the coupling body and configured to selectively create a space. The extension assembly includes a collar, a portion of which is spaced apart from the neck with a slot located therebetween. A portion of the coupling body is located within the slot. The space is sufficient to allow a fluid meter to be installed or removed between the first coupling and the second coupling.