Hydrant Hose Coupling with Integrated Backflow Preventer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hose couplings for hydrants suffer from issues such as contamination of water, laborious installation and maintenance due to poor accessibility, excessive size leading to space problems, and vulnerability to unauthorized manipulation and theft.
Innovation Solution
A hose coupling with a compactly integrated backflow preventer featuring semicircular sealing plates biased by a torsion spring, which can be inserted into the hydrant's outlet line, providing a reliable fluid-tight seal and preventing backflow without protruding from the hydrant, allowing for easy installation and use in both underground and above-ground hydrants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional backflow preventer with flange and screw connection is used, then backflow protection is achieved, but installation and maintenance become laborious due to poor accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The hose coupling and backflow preventer are merged into a single integrated unit. The backflow preventer is installed in an internal line of the hose coupling, eliminating the need for separate flange connections and screw fastenings. This integration allows the entire assembly to be easily attached to and detached from the hydrant outlet, solving the accessibility problem while maintaining backflow protection functionality.
2Reliability
If a traditional backflow preventer is mounted on the hydrant outlet, then backflow protection is provided, but the device becomes excessively large and creates space problems
Solution Approach 1:
The backflow preventer is nested within the hose coupling structure. Specifically, the backflow preventer is installed in an internal line of the hose coupling, allowing it to be accommodated within the overall dimensions of the hose coupling assembly. This nesting approach eliminates the excessive external extension while maintaining the backflow protection function.
3Reliability
If a traditional backflow preventer is installed, then backflow protection is achieved, but the device becomes vulnerable to unauthorized tampering, damage, and theft
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the backflow preventer with the hose coupling into a single integrated unit, the device becomes part of the standard hydrant equipment that is already secured to the hydrant. This integration reduces the number of separate components that could be easily removed or tampered with, thereby reducing vulnerability to unauthorized access and theft.
4Reliability
If different sized backflow preventers are installed on hydrants, then backflow protection is provided, but aesthetic appearance is compromised and space constraints arise
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated hose coupling with built-in backflow preventer serves as a universal component that can be installed on various hydrant types without requiring different sized backflow preventers. The standardized design maintains aesthetic appearance and avoids space constraints while providing reliable backflow protection across different applications.
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 ensures a compact and aesthetically pleasing design that prevents backflow and contamination, simplifies installation and maintenance, and enhances security by eliminating unauthorized access and theft, while maintaining the hydrant's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the return device is designed to resiliently preload the closing body into sealing engagement against the sealing seat
Implementation Method 2
the return device comprises a torsion spring with two legs, wherein the two legs each resiliently prestress the two sealing plates into sealing engagement against the sealing seat
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to a backflow preventer (12) designed for installation in an internal pipe of a hose coupling (10) of a hydrant. The backflow preventer (12) includes a check valve (14) comprising a closing element (16), a sealing seat (18), and a return mechanism (20). The return mechanism (20) is designed to spring-load the closing element (16) into a sealing position against the sealing seat (18).