Hydrant Hose Coupling Venting for Complete Residual Water Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrant systems face issues with incomplete drainage of residual water, leading to potential freezing and germ formation due to unfavorable negative pressure buildup caused by backflow preventers preventing air supply and pressure equalization.
Innovation Solution
A hose coupling with a ventilation device featuring a check valve that opens a flow path between the outside atmosphere and the hydrant interior when closed, and blocks it when the hydrant is under pressure, ensuring pressure equalization and preventing water from escaping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a backflow preventer is installed in the hose coupling to prevent water backflow and foreign matter penetration, then protection against contamination is improved, but the air supply to the hydrant interior is blocked, causing unfavorable negative pressure buildup
Solution Approach 1:
A ventilation device with a check valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the hose coupling and the hydrant interior. This check valve allows air to pass through during drainage operations to equalize pressure, while the backflow preventer continues to block water and contaminants in reverse flow directions. The ventilation device thus mediates between the need for contamination protection and pressure equalization.
2Reliability
If the backflow preventer remains closed to maintain protection functionality, then contamination prevention is maintained, but residual water cannot be completely drained from the hydrant interior
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation device incorporates a check valve that dynamically changes its state based on flow direction. During drainage operations, the check valve opens to allow air ingress and enable complete water evacuation. During normal operation, it remains closed to maintain the backflow preventer's contamination barrier. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between maintaining protection and achieving complete drainage.
3Reliability
If pressure equalization is prevented by the closed backflow preventer, then protection against water ingress is maintained, but residual water freezes and causes damage to the hydrant
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation device with check valve enables preliminary air admission before and during the drainage process. This preliminary action of introducing air prevents the formation of unfavorable negative pressure that would otherwise cause incomplete drainage and subsequent freezing damage. The backflow preventer's protection function is preserved while the ventilation device preemptively addresses the pressure equalization need.
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 reduces negative pressure inside the hydrant, allowing for complete drainage and preventing freezing and germ formation, while maintaining the backflow preventer's functionality to prevent water and foreign substances from entering.
Implementation Method 1
The ventilation device comprises a check valve, which is accommodated in a receptacle formed in an outer flange of the hose coupling... In a first operating state, in which the hydrant is closed, the ventilation device opens a flow path between the outside atmosphere and the interior of the hydrant. This enables pressure equalization
Implementation Method 2
In a second operating state, in which the hydrant is open, the ventilation device blocks the flow path... The difference between the pressure inside the hydrant and the outside atmosphere exceeds a predetermined threshold, whereby the ventilation device blocks the flow path
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a hose coupling (10) for a hydrant. The hose coupling (10) comprises a venting device (18) which includes a check valve (20) which is received in a receptacle (22) formed in an outer flange (24) of the hose coupling (10).