Storz Outlet Cap With Segmented Sealing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Storz-type outlet caps for fire hydrants do not effectively seal the water supply outlets without causing wear or tear on the sealing components, as they often require rotation across the assembly, leading to premature degradation.
Innovation Solution
A cap assembly with a rotatable sealing cap portion and a connector mechanism featuring ramped lug guides and a nut for rotation, which compresses a pliable sealing portion against the water supply assembly without rotating the sealing cap, preventing wear and ensuring a secure seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sealing cap portion rotates together with the outer cap portion during connection, then the sealing portion is scraped across the assembly, but this causes wear and tear on the sealing components leading to premature degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The cap assembly is divided into two rotatable segments: the outer cap portion and the sealing cap portion. The sealing cap portion is rotatably coupled to the outer cap portion via a support member, allowing independent rotation. During connection, only the outer cap portion rotates while the sealing cap portion remains stationary, preventing wear on the sealing portion while still enabling proper engagement through the ramped lug guides.
2Reliability
If the sealing cap portion is fixed and cannot rotate, then wear is prevented, but the connector mechanism cannot properly engage with the ramped lug guides
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing cap portion is made dynamically rotatable on the support member, but this rotation is selectively enabled only during the engagement phase when lugs are being inserted into ramped lug guides. Once engagement is complete, the sealing cap portion remains stationary. This dynamic capability allows proper connector engagement while preventing wear during the sealing phase.
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 provides a durable and effective seal for Storz-type outlets by preventing the sealing cap from rotating once it contacts the assembly, thus avoiding wear and ensuring a reliable closure mechanism for fire hydrants.
Implementation Method 1
Rotating the outer cap portion serves to draw the sealing cap portion towards the water supply assembly thereby compressing the pliable sealing portion against the water supply assembly and forming a seal about the water supply outlet
Implementation Method 2
The outer cap portion is then rotated via the nut portion thereby directing the pairs of lugs along the ramped lug guides which draws the outer cap portion and sealing cap portion toward the water supply assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for covering or sealing Storz-type outlets is shown and described. The apparatus includes an outer cap portion having a continuous sidewall, a connector portion for connecting the outer cap portion to the water supply assembly and a sealing cap portion rotatably coupled to the outer cap portion and located at least partially within a void defined by the continuous sidewall, the sealing cap portion including a pliable sealing portion for forming a seal about the water supply outlet. The connector portion includes a pair of lugs and a pair of ramped lug guides associated with an inner surface of the continuous sidewall. The pair of ramped lug guides are provided for receiving a pair of lugs of the water supply assembly. A nut portion extends from an outer face of outer cap portion for engagement by a tool such as a wrench or socket for rotating the outer cap portion about the water supply outlet.