Fire Hydrant Nozzle Check Valve Automatic Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire hydrant protection systems require a key or disabling device for access, leading to potential delays in firefighting and inadequate protection against contamination, as they can be lost or not reinstalled after emergencies, and existing security measures fail to address the risk of sabotage through easily accessible fire hydrants.
Innovation Solution
A protection system featuring a nozzle with a disc that moves from a normally closed to an open position in response to increasing pressure within the hydrant, allowing fluid flow while preventing contaminant introduction, utilizing pivot pins and a bracket system to facilitate this movement without the need for a key or separate operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a key or disabling device is used to protect the fire hydrant, then the protection against unauthorized access is improved, but the time required to access the water supply increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection system automatically opens the valve when pressure is applied to the hydrant, eliminating the need for manual key operation. The system serves itself by using the fire suppression action (water pressure) to trigger the opening mechanism, thus providing both protection and rapid access without requiring firefighter intervention to manipulate a key or disabling device.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is pre-configured in a locked closed position that prevents unauthorized access. The locking mechanism is designed to automatically transition to an open state when pressure is applied, so the protective action is already in place before any emergency occurs, and the opening action is triggered automatically during the emergency response.
2Reliability
If a key or disabling device is used to protect the fire hydrant, then the protection against contamination is improved, but the device may be lost or not reinstalled after emergencies
Solution Approach 1:
The protection function and the valve operation are merged into a single integrated system. The valve body itself contains the locking mechanism and the opening mechanism, eliminating the need for separate keys or disabling devices that could be lost. The system combines the protective closure function with the pressure-actuated opening function in one unified structure that remains permanently installed on the hydrant.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically returns to its protected closed state after use, eliminating the need for manual reinstallation. When pressure is applied and the valve opens to allow water flow, the system is designed to automatically return to its locked closed position after the emergency is resolved, ensuring continuous protection without requiring firefighter intervention to reinstall any components.
3Reliability
If the valve is held closed by a spring, then the protection against contaminant introduction is improved, but the force required to open the valve increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system uses a dynamic balance between spring force and pressure force. The spring provides a closing force that maintains the valve in the closed protected position during normal conditions. When pressure is applied to the hydrant during fire suppression, the pressure force dynamically overcomes the spring force, automatically opening the valve. This dynamic interaction allows the valve to remain securely closed during protection while opening automatically when needed.
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
Enables rapid access to the water supply while preventing contaminant entry, reducing the risk of sabotage and ensuring continuous protection without the need for a key or separate operation, thus enhancing firefighting efficiency and security.
Implementation Method 1
the disc is configured to move axially and rotationally from a normally closed position to an open position in response to an increase in pressure within the pipeline
Data Source
AI summary
A protection system for protecting a fire hydrant is disclosed having an interior, the protection system including a nozzle having a first end to be secured to the hydrant and a second end configured to engage a fire hose coupling, the nozzle defining a bore that is in fluid communication with the interior of the fire hydrant, wherein the nozzle defines a seat disposed in the bore; and a disc disposed within the bore and configured to move axially and rotationally from a normally closed position to an open position in response to an increase in pressure within the interior of the fire hydrant.