Main Valve Internal Rigid Structure for Fire Hydrant Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing main valves in fire hydrants face challenges in providing reliable sealing and durability under varying operating pressures, particularly in dry-barrel fire hydrants, where they often suffer from plastic creep and deformation, leading to reduced lifespan and potential leaks.
Innovation Solution
A main valve assembly with an internal rigid structure and an outer shell, featuring a reversible design with beveled surfaces that allow for improved sealing and reduced deformation, enabling effective sealing with less force and preventing plastic creep, while also providing structural support to withstand higher pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solid rubber main valve is used, then the valve can provide sealing function, but it suffers from plastic creep and deformation under varying operating pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The main valve combines an outer shell made of elastomeric material with an internal rigid structure made of rigid material, creating a composite structure that provides both sealing flexibility and dimensional stability to prevent plastic creep under varying pressures
2Reliability
If the main valve is designed with beveled surfaces for sealing, then sealing efficiency improves, but the valve structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire valve reversible, only the beveled sealing surfaces are designed to be reversible, allowing the valve to be installed in either orientation while maintaining sealing functionality, thus improving sealing efficiency without significantly increasing overall structural complexity
3Strength
If the main valve uses an internal rigid structure with outer shell, then the valve can withstand higher pressures, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The main valve is divided into two separate components: an outer shell made of elastomeric material and an internal rigid structure made of rigid material, allowing each component to be manufactured separately using appropriate processes and then assembled together, thus achieving high pressure withstanding capability while managing manufacturing complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly is described herein that includes a valve plate and a main valve contacting the valve plate, the main valve having an internal rigid structure and an outer shell, the internal rigid structure having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface.