Fire Hydrant Sensor Support Structure for Stable Valve Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor units in fire hydrants with longer lower standpipes experience unwanted movement due to increased conduit flexibility, leading to improper positioning and potential dislodgement during water flow, which affects monitoring accuracy and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with a rigid support structure, such as a clamp assembly using the operating valve stem or a solid support rod, and a series of rigid tubes surrounding the conduit, maintains the sensor unit in position within the fire hydrant by resisting upward fluid forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the lower standpipe length is increased to extend below ground surface by 6-10 ft, then the sensor unit can be positioned at appropriate depth for monitoring, but the conduit flexibility increases causing the sensor unit to move or become dislodged during water flow
Solution Approach 1:
A support structure acting as an intermediary element is introduced between the sensor unit and the conduit. This support structure provides additional mechanical stabilization to prevent the sensor unit from moving or becoming dislodged during water flow, while still allowing the extended lower standpipe configuration to maintain the sensor at the appropriate monitoring depth.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameters of the conduit are modified by adding a support structure that changes the mechanical properties of the conduit-sensor assembly. This support structure reduces the effective flexibility of the conduit over the critical section, preventing excessive movement of the sensor unit while maintaining the required conduit length for deep installation.
2Length of moving object
If the conduit length is increased to match the extended lower standpipe, then the sensor unit can communicate with electronic components above ground, but the increased conduit flexibility causes the sensor unit to move away from the desired position adjacent the valve
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure serves as an intermediary mechanical element that compensates for the increased conduit flexibility. It provides a stable mounting point for the sensor unit, ensuring precise positioning adjacent to the valve despite the longer conduit length required for communication with above-ground electronic components.
3Ease of operation
If the conduit is made more flexible to accommodate the extended standpipe length, then the conduit can be installed more easily, but the sensor unit becomes prone to movement and dislodgement during hydrant operation
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure acts as a mediator that decouples the installation flexibility requirement from the operational reliability requirement. It allows the conduit to remain flexible for easy installation while providing a rigid support point that ensures the sensor unit remains securely positioned during hydrant operation.
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 rigid support structure ensures the sensor unit remains accurately positioned adjacent the valve, maintaining monitoring functionality during water use and preventing dislodgement, even with extended lower standpipes.
Implementation Method 1
maintains the sensor unit in position within the fire hydrant by resisting upward fluid forces
Data Source
AI summary
A method for installing a sensor assembly in a fire hydrant includes sequentially feeding components of the sensor assembly through an aperture in an upper standpipe of the fire hydrant. The components of the sensor assembly include a sensor unit, a conduit coupled with the sensor unit and extending away therefrom, and a series of rigid tubes surrounding the conduit and arranged in an end-to-end manner. The conduit is fed through the aperture along with the series of rigid tubes, and at least one of the series of rigid tubes has a length greater than a diameter of an interior of the fire hydrant.