Hydrant Backflow Preventer Spring Seal Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrants lack effective mechanisms to prevent accidental or malicious introduction of wastewater or hazardous substances into the water supply network, compromising the reliability of the water supply and requiring costly retrofits to address this issue.
Innovation Solution
A hydrant design incorporating a backflow preventer with a mechanical arrangement supported by a spring, which includes a sealing surface that closes to prevent backflow and a ventilation valve for automatic drainage, ensuring that the system can be efficiently retrofitted and maintains operational reliability across different variants of upper parts for both underground and above-ground installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrants are equipped with backflow preventers to prevent introduction of contaminants into the water supply network, then water supply reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the backflow preventer function with the existing hydrant valve structure by integrating a sealing element and spring mechanism into the valve assembly. The sealing element is positioned within the valve body and works in conjunction with the valve stem and actuating mechanism, merging multiple functions (flow control and backflow prevention) into a single integrated component rather than adding a separate backflow preventer device.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrant valve is designed to perform multiple functions: normal water flow control, backflow prevention, and automatic drainage. The sealing element can operate in different modes - preventing backflow during normal operation, allowing controlled drainage when needed, and maintaining system reliability across various operational states, making the valve a multi-functional component.
2Reliability
If a backflow preventer with sealing element and spring mechanism is integrated into the hydrant valve, then backflow prevention effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backflow prevention mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a sealing element, a spring mechanism, and integration points within the valve body. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using standard machining processes, then assembled into the final valve assembly, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The design utilizes parameter changes in the spring mechanism (compression and expansion) to achieve backflow prevention without requiring complex active control systems. The spring's mechanical properties are optimized to provide sufficient sealing force during backflow conditions while maintaining normal operation, simplifying manufacturing by relying on passive mechanical behavior rather than complex actuation systems.
3Ease of repair
If automatic drainage mechanism is added to the hydrant system, then system maintainability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage mechanism is designed to operate automatically using the existing water pressure and gravity. When the valve is closed, water pressure differential automatically opens the drainage path, allowing the system to drain itself without external intervention. This self-service capability improves maintainability by enabling automatic emptying and inspection while avoiding complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage function operates periodically based on operational cycles - draining automatically when the valve closes after use, and remaining closed during normal operation. This periodic action pattern simplifies the mechanism by only requiring drainage capability at specific moments rather than continuous active control, reducing overall device complexity.
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 effectively prevents the introduction of contaminants into the water supply network while allowing for efficient automatic drainage, enhancing the reliability and maintainability of hydrants without significant additional equipment costs, and accommodating various configurations of upper parts for hydrants.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanical device with a spring-loaded seal (33), designed to close a sealing surface (360) in the flow path to the water supply network (9)
Implementation Method 2
when water is drawn from the outlet nozzle (11), the seal (33) is moved away from the sealing surface (360) by the flow pressure
Implementation Method 3
a drain valve (60) is provided in the riser pipe (6) for the automatic emptying of water that accumulates when the hydrant is shut off
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The hydrant, configured as an underground or aboveground hydrant for installation in a water supply network (9), has a top section (1). Each top section (1) has at least one outlet (11) for water extraction. The top section (1) includes at least one backflow preventer (3, 4) in the form of a mechanical device with a spring-supported seal (33, 43) designed to close a sealing surface (16, 360) located in the flow path to the water supply network (9). The aboveground hydrant can be configured either as a single-spindle hydrant with the at least one outlet (11) or as a three-spindle hydrant with two outlets (11) and two side valves (left, right) for separately opening or closing the two outlets (11).The backflow preventer (3,4) is arranged in the respective outlet nozzle (11) of the upper part (1) or in the respective side valve (SVleft,SVright) of the upper part (1).