Breakaway Wet Barrel Hydrant Shutoff Valve for Collision Water Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire hydrants often suffer damage in collisions, leading to uncontrolled water discharge, causing damage and posing safety risks due to the difficulty in quickly locating and operating underground shutoff valves, which results in extensive flooding and economic devastation.
Innovation Solution
An automatic shutoff valve system for breakaway wet barrel fire hydrants, where an activation rod causes the valve assembly to shut when the hydrant breaks away, fitting within the existing main water supply riser to immediately stop water discharge, suitable for retrofitting existing hydrants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional underground shutoff valves are used, then water flow can be stopped, but extensive excavation and equipment are required to locate and operate them
Solution Approach 1:
The shutoff valve is extracted from its traditional underground location and integrated directly into the fire hydrant assembly. The valve body is positioned within the hydrant's accessible area, allowing operators to control water flow without excavation. This extraction resolves the contradiction by making the valve both functional and easily accessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrant assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides water discharge through nozzles and simultaneously houses the shutoff valve mechanism. The valve body integrates with the hydrant structure, allowing the same assembly to both deliver water and control its flow, eliminating the need for separate underground valves.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If breakaway mechanisms are added to hydrants, then safety during collisions is improved, but uncontrolled water discharge occurs when hydrants are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is pre-configured in a closed position and held ready to shut off water flow. The breakaway mechanism is designed to trigger the valve closure before or during the separation event, ensuring water discharge is prevented before it can cause harm. This preliminary preparation resolves the contradiction by having the safety mechanism ready in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body acts as an intermediary between the water supply and the hydrant outlets. When the breakaway mechanism activates, the valve closes to mediate and control the water flow, preventing uncontrolled discharge even as the hydrant separates. This intermediary function resolves the contradiction by controlling water flow during the breakaway event.
3Loss of time
If valve components are integrated within the hydrant assembly, then response time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body, pedals, lockout mechanism, and spring components are merged into a single integrated assembly that forms part of the hydrant structure. This consolidation allows the shutoff function to be performed immediately at the hydrant location without requiring separate components or complex external mechanisms, resolving the contradiction by reducing response time through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve components are nested within the hydrant assembly structure. The valve body is positioned within the hydrant housing, with pedals and lockout mechanisms nested within the valve assembly. This nesting arrangement provides rapid response capability while organizing complex components in a compact, manageable configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic shutoff valve for breakaway wet barrel fire hydrant is disclosed. In general, one aspect disclosed features an apparatus comprising: a valve housing comprising a valve body, a flange, and a valve seat; a valve pedal configured to engage the valve seat and prevent fluid flow through the valve seat in a closed position, and to permit fluid flow through the valve seat in an open position; a lockout tab disposed within the valve body, wherein the lockout tab maintains the valve pedal in the open position; a lockout bar disposed distally from the valve body; and an activation rod mechanically coupled to the lockout bar and configured to keep the valve pedal engaged with the lockout tab.