Pit-Housed Curb Stop Assembly With Protected Valve Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Curb stop valves in fluid piping systems are often exposed to undesirable factors such as dirt, moisture, and tampering, which can compromise their functionality and integrity.
Innovation Solution
A pit assembly housing a curb stop assembly with a curb stop valve, sleeve, and rod, protected within a pit housing, allowing the rod to extend through the housing for actuation, and a pressure transducer for measuring fluid pressure, all shielded from external elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the curb stop valve is installed above-grade for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to exposure to dirt, moisture, and tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The invention relocates the curb stop valve from an above-grade position to a below-grade position within a pit housing structure. This dimensional change in installation location protects the valve from environmental exposure (dirt, moisture, tampering) while maintaining operational accessibility through a removable lid that provides access to the valve from above ground level.
2Reliability
If the curb stop valve is installed below-grade for protection, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to reduced accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves this contradiction by creating a two-level access system: the valve body is positioned below-grade within the pit housing for environmental protection, while a removable lid structure provides an above-grade access point. This allows operators to access the valve from above ground without exposing it to harmful environmental factors during normal operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the pressure transducer is exposed for easy installation and maintenance, then ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to environmental interference
Solution Approach 1:
The invention houses the pressure transducer within the protected environment of the pit housing, nesting it inside the enclosed space along with the curb stop valve. This nested arrangement shields the sensitive measurement device from environmental interference (dirt, moisture, temperature extremes) while maintaining its functional integration with the fluid piping system, thereby preserving measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A pit assembly includes a pit housing defining an opening; a curb stop assembly mounted within the pit housing and having a curb stop valve defining a valve inlet, a valve outlet, and a fluid passageway therebetween; a curb stop sleeve coupled to and extending outward from curb stop valve; and a curb stop rod received in the curb stop sleeve so that the curb stop rod is operably connected to the curb stop valve to actuate the curb stop valve between a closed valve configuration and an open valve configuration; wherein, in the closed valve configuration, fluid is prevented from flowing through the fluid passageway, and in the open valve configuration, wherein fluid is permitted to flow through the fluid passageway; and wherein the curb stop rod and the curb stop sleeve extend through the opening in the pit housing.