Hydrant Supply Assembly with Compact Drainage System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain assemblies for self-operating hydrants, such as drinking fountains, are not compact, easily manufacturable, or scalable for use with multiple hydrants, leading to installation challenges and inefficiencies in water management.
Innovation Solution
A drain assembly with a movable piston and reservoir system that allows for efficient drainage of water from supply lines when valves are in the OFF position, using a combination of check and drain valves to prevent backflow and accommodate various numbers of hydrants, with a compact design suitable for underground installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional drain assemblies are used for multiple hydrants, then drainage function is provided, but the assembly becomes large and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drain assembly uses a universal design where a single assembly can accommodate any number of hydrants (1, 2, 3, or more) by simply plugging unused supply line openings. The common reservoir and piston mechanism serve all hydrants simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate drain assemblies for each hydrant and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple supply lines from different hydrants are merged into a single common reservoir through individual drain valves. The piston mechanism is shared across all hydrants, creating a consolidated drainage system that is more compact and less complex than separate drainage systems for each hydrant.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional drain assemblies are used for multiple hydrants, then drainage function is provided, but installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The compact universal design allows a single drain assembly to handle multiple hydrants, significantly reducing the installation space required compared to separate drain assemblies for each hydrant. The vertical stacking of components and common reservoir design maximize space efficiency.
3Reliability
If separate drain assemblies are used for each hydrant, then complete drainage is achieved, but manufacturing and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized universal design with consistent components (housing, piston, reservoir, valves) that can accommodate any number of hydrants simplifies manufacturing. The same basic assembly is produced once and can be installed for 1, 2, 3, or more hydrants by simply plugging unused openings, eliminating the need to manufacture different sized assemblies for different hydrant counts.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly incorporates individual drain valves and supply line openings for each hydrant that can be independently plugged or activated. This segmented approach within a unified design allows complete drainage for active hydrants while maintaining the option to expand or reduce the number of hydrants without redesigning the entire system.
4Area of stationary object
If compact design is implemented, then installation space is reduced, but manufacturing complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The compact design merges multiple supply line openings, individual drain valves, a common reservoir, and a single piston mechanism into one integrated housing. This consolidation achieves space efficiency while actually simplifying manufacturing compared to producing multiple separate assemblies, as only one standardized housing design is needed regardless of the number of hydrants.
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 enables efficient drainage and water management, prevents contamination of supply lines, and allows for easy scaling and compact installation, reducing complexity and costs by using standard parts to accommodate different numbers of hydrants.
Implementation Method 1
The piston can be moved to empty or drain the accumulated liquid in the reservoir under the force of the supply water from the one or more activated supply valves
Implementation Method 2
A first check valve can be provided in the first supply line and a second check valve can be provided in the second supply line
Data Source
AI summary
A supply assembly for use with a hydrant comprising a first supply valve adapted for coupling to a first supply line of the hydrant and a second supply valve adapted for coupling to a second supply line of the hydrant. A housing contains a first drain valve and a second drain valve. The first supply valve is coupled to the first drain valve for permitting water to be drained from the first supply line when a first outlet of the hydrant is off, and the second supply valve is coupled to the second drain valve for permitting water to be drained from the second supply line when a second outlet of the hydrant is off. The first supply valve is above the second supply valve to permit radially compact nesting of the first supply valve and the second supply valve. Related assemblies, valves and methods are provided.