Break-Away Check Valve With Fast Locking for Hydrant Detachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dual-plate check valves are complex, expensive to install, and lack a fast-locking mechanism, making them unsuitable for use above grade or in emergency situations, particularly for fire hydrants and pipelines, as they do not effectively prevent water loss or contamination.
Innovation Solution
A dual-plate check valve system with a fast-locking mechanism, constructed from stainless steel, featuring an actuation assembly with keeper pins that automatically close the valve upon detachment from the passageway, incorporating electronic sensors for real-time data and an emergency warning system, and designed for easy installation and reinstallation above grade.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional check valves are used, then they can prevent backflow, but they lack fast-locking mechanism and are complex to install below grade
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is divided into two separate plates (first valve plate and second valve plate) that can operate independently. Each plate has its own sealing surface and can be actuated separately, allowing one plate to provide fast-locking while the other maintains normal flow control, thus improving reliability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The valve plates are pre-positioned and spring-loaded to automatically close upon detection of detachment or backflow conditions. This preliminary positioning and spring pre-tensioning enables instant response without complex actuation mechanisms during emergency situations
2Reliability
If check valves are installed below grade in water main piping, then they can control flow, but installation is expensive and requires water main shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve assembly is designed to function both as a flow control device and as a rapid shutdown device for above-grade installations. The universal design allows it to be installed in various locations (above grade, below grade, in-line) and serves multiple purposes including backflow prevention, emergency shutdown, and water hammer protection, eliminating the need for specialized below-grade installation
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism is extracted from the traditional below-grade water main installation and repositioned to operate above grade. This extraction allows installation on existing infrastructure without requiring excavation or water main shutdown, significantly reducing installation costs and complexity while maintaining flow control functionality
3Reliability
If conventional check valves are used, then they can prevent backflow, but they allow water hammer damage and are not resettable in the field
Solution Approach 1:
The valve plates are designed with dynamic movement capabilities, allowing them to be manually repositioned between open and closed states. The keeper pins and release mechanisms enable the valve to be dynamically adjusted and reset in the field without removal, providing both backflow prevention and ease of repair
Solution Approach 2:
The valve plates can be discarded (moved to closed position) during emergency shutdown and then recovered (returned to open position) after the emergency is resolved. This discarding and recovering mechanism allows the valve to protect against water hammer by closing during damage events and then being reset for normal operation
4Object-affected harmful factors
If fire hydrants are damaged by vehicles, then water loss occurs, but existing devices cannot provide emergency warning or fast response
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded valve plates are pre-positioned and tensioned to automatically close upon detachment detection. This preliminary anti-action mechanism prevents water loss by having the valve ready to close instantly when vehicle damage occurs, without requiring external activation or complex sensing systems
Solution Approach 2:
The detachment detection mechanism provides immediate feedback to the valve actuation system. When the first or second detachment is detected through the release mechanism, this feedback instantly triggers the corresponding valve plate to close, providing reliable emergency response to vehicle damage events
Data Source
AI summary
A break-away check valve is disclosed. The check valve may be configured between two passageways and may regulate the flow of liquid between the passageways. The check valve may include an actuation assembly that may actuate the check valve upon the system becoming dislodged or otherwise dislocated from at least one of the passageways.