Automated Flushing Hydrant with Biased Translational Actuation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Standard fire hydrants require labor-intensive manual flushing operations to ensure adequate flow and pressure, and to remove sediment from piping systems, which can be inefficient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A flushable fire hydrant system featuring a biased translational actuation system powered by compressed gas, allowing for automated or remote operation, including a piston assembly and biasing element to open the valve, enabling electronic flushing while maintaining a manual override for operational flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual flushing operation is used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but labor intensity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation system with an automated actuation system that uses compressed gas stored in the hydrant to automatically open the valve for flushing. This substitution eliminates the need for manual labor while maintaining operational simplicity through automatic activation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrant system performs self-service by storing compressed gas within its own structure that automatically actuates the valve when needed. The system uses its own internal resources (stored gas) to execute the flushing operation without requiring external manual intervention, thereby improving productivity while keeping the operation simple.
2Productivity
If automated actuation system is implemented, then labor requirements are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuation mechanism with the existing hydrant valve stem and body structure. The actuator is integrated into the valve assembly, sharing common components and space, which reduces overall device complexity while achieving automated operation. The compressed gas storage is also incorporated within the hydrant structure rather than as a separate external system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic principles by storing compressed gas to drive the actuation mechanism. This approach simplifies the actuation system compared to electrical or mechanical motor systems, as it uses straightforward gas pressure expansion to move the piston and open the valve, reducing complexity while maintaining high productivity.
3Extent of automation
If compressed gas storage is added, then automated operation capability is achieved, but hydrant volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the compressed gas storage chamber within the existing hydrant body structure. The gas storage is integrated into the internal volume of the hydrant, utilizing otherwise empty space, which minimizes the increase in external hydrant dimensions while achieving automated operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the pressure and volume parameters of the compressed gas storage to achieve the necessary actuation force with minimal storage capacity. By using high-pressure compressed gas, the system requires smaller storage volumes to generate sufficient force for valve actuation, thereby reducing the impact on hydrant size while maintaining full automation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for flushing a hydrant includes a stem connected to a valve of the hydrant; and an actuation system including a biased translational system coupled to the stem. An actuation system for flushing a hydrant includes a fluid; a piston assembly movable by the fluid; and a biasing element at least indirectly biasing the piston assembly towards a stop position. A method of flushing a hydrant includes operating an actuation system coupled to the hydrant, the actuation system including a stored energy device, a piston assembly coupled to a stem of the hydrant; and a biasing element coupled to the stem, the stem connected to a valve of the hydrant; and opening the valve of the hydrant by releasing energy from the stored energy device against a piston plate of the piston assembly.