Fire Hydrant Valve Linear Actuator Frost Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fire hydrant valves are prone to frost damage, require complex and costly maintenance, and can experience water hammer phenomena due to their multi-part design and high stress components, especially in cold climates.
Innovation Solution
A fire hydrant valve with a fixed and displaceable valve body, and an actuator assembly that allows linear displacement between closed and open configurations, reducing the need for multiple parts and minimizing exposure to frost, while using seals and a drainage aperture to manage water flow and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a multi-part design with operating nut and stem is used, then the valve can be operated to control water flow, but the valve becomes vulnerable to frost damage and requires costly maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the operating nut and stem components into an integrated actuator assembly that is fully contained within the valve body. This eliminates separate aboveground parts that are exposed to frost, while maintaining the ability to operate the valve for water flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator assembly is nested within the valve body, with the operating mechanism contained inside the sealed valve housing. This nesting protects the operating components from external frost exposure while preserving full operational capability.
2Ease of operation
If a multi-part design with operating nut and stem is used, then the valve can be operated to control water flow, but the number of parts increases making maintenance costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (operating nut, stem, and associated parts) into a single integrated actuator assembly. This reduction in part count simplifies maintenance operations while preserving the valve's operational functionality.
3Strength
If a rigid stem with strong section is used, then the valve can withstand significant pressure when opening, but the valve becomes subject to water hammer phenomena
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sealed chamber filled with compressible fluid (such as oil or air) as an intermediary between the actuator and the valve closure elements. This fluid cushion mediates the pressure transmission, allowing the valve to withstand high pressures while preventing water hammer by absorbing pressure shocks.
Data Source
AI summary
A flow control valve for a liquid conduit, such as a fire hydrant valve for insertion in a fire hydrant conduit, comprises a fixed valve body mountable inside the liquid conduit, a displaceable valve body, and an actuator assembly operatively engageable with the displaceable valve body. The fixed valve body has a peripheral wall and defines a longitudinal passageway, and at least one upstream port and a downstream port. The displaceable valve body is inserted into the longitudinal passageway of the fixed valve body and is linearly displaceable therealong between a closed configuration and at least one open configuration. The actuator assembly is operable to linearly displace the displaceable valve body along the longitudinal passageway of the fixed valve body between the closed configuration and the at least one open configuration.