Anchor Valve Backflow Prevention for Fire Hydrants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire hydrants are vulnerable to contamination as they can be easily accessed and tampered with, allowing contaminants to enter the water supply, and existing solutions do not provide effective tamper-resistant and maintenance-free backflow prevention.
Innovation Solution
An anchor valve with a flapper check valve is integrated into the piping system, featuring standard mechanical joint ends for easy installation and tamper-resistance, preventing backflow and contamination by using a flapper that seals when pressure decreases, ensuring contaminants are flushed out upon next water usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional dry-barrel fire hydrant is used, then water can be dispensed for fire suppression and other purposes, but the hydrant is vulnerable to contamination as anyone can open the cap with simple tools and deposit contaminants into the water supply
Solution Approach 1:
An anchor valve is installed in the ground between the hydrant and the water main. This intermediary device includes a check valve that allows water to flow from the main to the hydrant but prevents backflow, and a drain line that flushes contaminants out. The anchor valve acts as a mediator that maintains ease of hydrant operation while blocking the contamination pathway to the water supply.
2Ease of operation
If the hydrant cap is removed to access the hydrant, then water flow can be controlled, but contaminants can be easily deposited into the system
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor valve serves as an intermediary barrier that protects water supply integrity while allowing hydrant operation. The check valve mechanism ensures that even when the hydrant cap is opened, contaminants cannot reach the water main because the anchor valve blocks backward flow and includes a dedicated drain for contaminant removal.
3Reliability
If a check valve is installed to prevent backflow and contamination, then water supply integrity is protected, but the device requires maintenance and may impact hydrant operation
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor valve incorporates a drain line that enables self-flushing of contaminants. When the hydrant is operated, water flow through the system automatically flushes contaminants out through the drain line without requiring manual intervention or maintenance. This self-service mechanism protects water supply integrity while minimizing device complexity and maintenance requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The anchor valve effectively prevents contamination of fluid supplies by ensuring that contaminants are contained within the system and flushed out, maintaining the integrity of the water supply without impacting the operation of the hydrant or requiring maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
maintaining a portion of the fluid on the exit side of the anchor valve after the desired amount of fluid is withdrawn from the fluid source
Data Source
AI summary
A system for protecting a fluid supply from a contaminant includes an anchor check valve having an inlet end and an exit end, the anchor check valve adapted to allow fluid flow through the anchor check valve from the inlet end to the exit end but prevent fluid flow through the check valve from the exit end to the inlet end; a dry-barrel fire hydrant in proximate fluid communication with the anchor check valve, the dry-barrel fire hydrant having a valve operating mechanism; and a hydrant shoe coupled to the anchor check valve, the hydrant shoe having a valve assembly adjustably connected to the valve operating mechanism of the dry-barrel fire hydrant.