Hydrant Flushing Device Chute Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Water hydrant flushing poses safety risks to pedestrians and vehicles due to uncontrolled high-pressure water discharge, and causes environmental damage to landscaping, necessitating measures to reduce the force and directionality of the water flow.

Innovation Solution

A portable water hydrant flushing device with a flexible, waterproof chute that can be attached to a hydrant diffuser, allowing for controlled direction and dissipation of water flow, featuring a securing mechanism, handles for manual redirection, and optional air flow tubes to prevent chute collapse.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hydrant valves are actuated to full open position for maximum water flow, then flushing efficiency is improved, but safety risks to pedestrians and vehicles increase due to uncontrolled high-pressure water discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflushing efficiencyVSAvoidsafety risks to pedestrians and vehicles

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A portable flushing device is introduced as an intermediary component between the hydrant and the environment. This device includes a chute or conduit that redirects the high-pressure water flow from the hydrant discharge point away from pedestrians, vehicles, and surrounding areas, while still allowing maximum water flow through the hydrant for efficient flushing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If hydrant valves are actuated to full open position for maximum water flow, then flushing efficiency is improved, but environmental damage to landscaping occurs due to high-pressure water flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflushing efficiencyVSAvoidenvironmental damage to landscaping

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The portable flushing device serves as a mediator that protects landscaping from direct impact of high-pressure water flow. The chute or conduit directs water away from vulnerable areas such as flower beds, grass, and trees, preventing erosion, washout damage, and sediment buildup while maintaining effective flushing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If hydrant flushing is performed without blocking traffic, then ease of operation is improved, but safety risks increase due to uncontrolled water discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of hydrant flushing operationVSAvoidsafety risks from water discharge

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The portable flushing device with its chute or conduit acts as a safety intermediary that allows hydrant flushing to be performed without blocking traffic. The device redirects high-pressure water flow away from the hydrant discharge point, eliminating the need to block streets or sidewalks while maintaining operator safety and public safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If portable flushing device with chute is used to control water flow direction, then safety and environmental protection are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety and environmental protectionVSAvoidcomplexity of flushing device

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The portable flushing device utilizes a flexible chute or conduit made from durable, flexible materials that can be easily deployed and stored. This flexible shell design allows the device to be lightweight and simple in structure while still effectively directing water flow, avoiding the need for complex rigid mechanisms or multiple components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 device safely reduces the kinetic energy and noise of water discharge, minimizing damage to surroundings and allowing for controlled direction of water flow, thereby enhancing safety and reducing environmental impact during hydrant flushing.

Implementation Method 1

The chute is preferably of a longitudinal dimension sufficiently large to provide dissipation of kinetic energy in water discharged from a water hydrant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKinetic energy dissipation:

Implementation Method 2

The at least one aperture may allow air flow into the chute through said at least one aperture upon water flowing from the first end towards the second end of the chute

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow:

Data Source

PatentUS9010656B2Hydrant flushing device

Publication Date: 2015.04.21 COWIN BOB

AI summary

A water hydrant flushing device is disclosed. The device handles a flow of water from a water hydrant as it is being flushed, and allows the flushing to take place in a safer manner without destroying surrounding landscaping or other objects. The device comprises a chute that is open on both ends, and an opening on one end that is removably connected to a diffuser by means of a securing mechanism.