Hydrant Stem Coupling with Radial Ribs for Flex Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The extended bury depth of hydrants can cause flex or damage to the stem assembly, leading to operational issues due to increased stress and potential interference with access to the main valve, especially when a spider fitting is difficult to install and remove.
Innovation Solution
A stem coupling with a coupling body and radially extending ribs, which secures the upper and lower stems, providing a break-away feature and internal shoulder to prevent excessive flex and facilitate easy installation and removal, eliminating the need for a separate spider fitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a spider fitting is installed to prevent excessive flex in the stem, then stem stability is improved, but installation complexity and difficulty of removal increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spider fitting functionality with the stem coupling into a single integrated component. The coupling body includes both the coupling function to join upper and lower stems and the spider fitting function with radially extending ribs to prevent excessive flex. This merging eliminates the need for separate installation and removal operations, reducing installation complexity while maintaining stem stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stem coupling is designed to perform multiple functions: it couples the upper and lower stems together while simultaneously providing the spider fitting function to prevent excessive flex. The coupling body with integrated ribs serves both structural purposes, reducing the number of components and simplifying installation procedures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a spider fitting is installed to prevent excessive flex, then stem stability is improved, but access to the main valve is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spider fitting from its traditional position that interferes with valve access and relocates/integrates it into the stem coupling structure. By incorporating the ribs into the coupling body itself, the stabilizing function is maintained while clearing the space around the main valve for easier access and service operations.
3Length of stationary object
If the bury depth is extended to reach distant water sources, then hydrant coverage is improved, but stem flex and damage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the spider fitting function into the stem coupling creates a more robust support structure for extended bury depths. The radially extending ribs provide additional lateral support to the stem assembly, preventing excessive flex even when the hydrant is installed at greater depths to reach distant water sources.
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrant includes a hydrant body defining an internal cavity; an upper stem positioned within the internal cavity; a lower stem positioned within the internal cavity; and a stem coupling securing the upper stem to the lower stem, the stem coupling comprising a coupling body defining a main bore that is circular in radial cross-section and sized to receive the upper stem and the lower stem; and a plurality of ribs, each rib extending radially outward from the coupling body.