Certified Backflow Valve Assembly With Spool Spacer Replacement Fit

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing backflow prevention assemblies require certification from certifying authorities, but manufacturers do not produce replacement valves to standard lengths or footprints, leading to inefficiencies in installation as contractors must retrofit new assemblies to fit existing fluid lines, potentially voiding certification.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a replacement backflow prevention assembly with a spool spacer of predetermined length, allowing the assembly to be certified and pre-manufactured to match the footprint of the existing assembly, ensuring proper fit and certification without on-site retrofitting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If contractors retrofit new certified assemblies to fit existing fluid lines by machining flanged spools, then the assembly can be installed in existing lines with different valve lengths, but the certification may be voided and excessive installation time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different valve lengthsVSAvoidcertification validity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the backflow prevention assembly into modular components including a replaceable valve body and a separate certified assembly portion. This segmentation allows the certified portion to maintain its certification while the valve body can be replaced with different lengths to accommodate various existing fluid lines, thus preserving both adaptability and certification validity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention pre-configures the backflow prevention assembly with a valve body of specific length during manufacturing, before installation. This preliminary action ensures the assembly is pre-adapted to match specific existing valve footprints, eliminating the need for on-site machining or retrofitting that would void certification, while maintaining both adaptability and certification integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If contractors retrofit new certified assemblies by machining flanged spools, then the assembly can accommodate different valve footprints, but excessive installation time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different valve footprintsVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention pre-configures the backflow prevention assembly with a valve body of specific length during manufacturing, before installation. This preliminary action ensures the assembly is pre-adapted to match specific existing valve footprints, eliminating the need for on-site machining or retrofitting that would void certification, while maintaining both adaptability and certification integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a disposable or replaceable valve body component that is pre-fabricated to specific lengths. Instead of modifying the certified assembly during installation, the entire valve body can be replaced as a unit, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining adaptability to different footprint requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If manufacturers produce valves to non-standard lengths, then the valves can fit existing fluid lines, but certified replacement assemblies cannot be obtained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit to existing fluid linesVSAvoidavailability of certified assemblies

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the backflow prevention assembly into modular components including a replaceable valve body and a separate certified assembly portion. This segmentation allows the certified portion to maintain its certification while the valve body can be replaced with different lengths to accommodate various existing fluid lines, thus preserving both adaptability and certification validity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a universal certified assembly design that can work with multiple valve body lengths. The certified portion serves multiple functions and can be paired with different valve bodies to fit various existing fluid lines, making the certified assembly universally applicable while maintaining certification integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11384853B2Backflow prevention and method of manufacture

Publication Date: 2022.07.12 ZURN WATER LLC

AI summary

A backflow prevention assembly is disclosed including a backflow prevention valve having a valve housing including a valve inlet end and a valve outlet end; a spool spacer of predetermined length having a first end and a second end; an inlet shut-off valve; and an outlet shut-off valve, wherein the spool spacer extends between the backflow prevention valve and one of the inlet shut-off valve and the outlet shut-off valve. The entire assembly, including the backflow prevention valve, the spool spacer, the inlet shut-off valve, and the outlet shut-off valve, is a certified assembly, certified by a certifying authority prior to installation. Methods of manufacturing a backflow prevention assembly and replacing a backflow prevention assembly are also disclosed.