Fire Hydrant Breaker Strap Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire hydrant breakable mechanisms, such as those using safety flange rings and hinges, face difficulties in maintaining proper alignment and securing the above-ground hydrant assembly after impact, leading to potential damage and water loss due to reliance on friction, which is challenging to achieve and maintain.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of breaker straps with aligned holes for breaker rings, a collision kit including straps, rings, a coupling, and coupling pins, ensures secure placement and separation of the hydrant assembly by matching the curve of the rings and using fasteners to prevent sliding, thereby enhancing the breakable mechanism's effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If safety flange rings rely on friction to maintain correct location, then the breaker mechanism can function with simple components, but the rings are difficult to get into place and are generally slightly skewed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces alignment pins as intermediary components that mediate between the breaker rings and the flange. These pins physically guide the rings into correct alignment during assembly, eliminating the reliance on friction alone and ensuring precise positioning without requiring high manufacturing precision of the rings themselves
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment pins are pre-installed on the flange before the breaker rings are attached. This preliminary action creates ready-made alignment references that guide the rings into correct position during assembly, making the assembly process easier and more accurate
2Device complexity
If breaker rings are held in place using friction only, then the structure remains simple, but the rings cannot be securely maintained after impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the securing function into two distinct components: alignment pins for positioning and set screws for securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively, with set screws providing reliable securing after impact while keeping the overall structure relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
Set screws act as intermediary fastening elements between the breaker rings and the flange. These screws provide the additional securing force needed to maintain ring position after impact, transforming the reliance from friction-only to a mechanical fastening system that is still relatively simple
3Reliability
If the above ground hydrant assembly does not separate cleanly from the standpipe, then internal parts may be damaged or water may be lost, but achieving clean separation requires complex breakable mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The breaker rings are pre-positioned around the standpipe with alignment pins installed beforehand. This preliminary positioning ensures that when separation occurs, the rings are already in the correct location to guide clean separation, preventing internal part damage and water loss without requiring complex active breakable mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The separation function is segmented into the breaker rings that remain on the standpipe and the above-ground assembly that separates. This segmentation creates a clear separation interface that ensures clean breakage and prevents damage to internal components
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 solution allows for clean separation of the hydrant assembly from the standpipe without internal damage, ensuring operational integrity and ease of repair post-impact, while maintaining water supply functionality.
Implementation Method 1
This prior art breaker assembly relies on friction to keep the safety flange rings correctly located
Data Source
AI summary
Breaker straps, preferably made of steel, include holes that line up with the holes in breaker rings, to keep the breaker rings in place on a fire hydrant. A collision kit includes breaker straps, the breaker rings, a coupling, and coupling pins.