Integrated Water Main Tap Saddle to Prevent Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water main tapping devices require multiple components and tools, leading to increased chances of leakage, user injury, and costly repairs due to complex installation processes and susceptibility to thread damage.
Innovation Solution
A water main tapping device with an integrated saddle and corporation stop configuration, simplifying the installation process by eliminating the need for separate male-female connections and specific tools, thereby reducing the risk of leakage and user injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional corporation stop valve with separate saddle and corporation stop components is used, then the device can perform the function of tapping into a water main, but the complexity of installation increases and the risk of leakage increases due to multiple connection points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the saddle and corporation stop into a single integrated body, eliminating the separate male-female thread connections between components. This merging reduces the number of potential leakage points and simplifies the installation process while maintaining the functional capabilities of both the saddle (securing to water main) and corporation stop (controlling flow)
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the saddle that secures to the water main and the corporation stop that controls water flow. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components and their associated connection interfaces, thereby reducing complexity and improving reliability
2Reliability
If Teflon pipe thread tape is applied to male threads of the corporation stop, then sealing is improved, but the threads become susceptible to corrosion, stripping, or damage
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the saddle and corporation stop into a single component, the patent eliminates the external male-female thread connections that required Teflon tape for sealing. The integrated design removes the threads from the system entirely, thereby eliminating both the sealing requirement and the vulnerability to thread damage from tape application and removal
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the vulnerable threaded connection interfaces from the design. By eliminating the male threads on the corporation stop that would require Teflon tape, the patent removes the source of thread damage while maintaining sealing through the integrated construction
3Ease of operation
If a smooth jawed wrench is used to tighten the corporation stop, then proper tightening is achieved, but the risk of distorting the body or causing leaks increases if misapplied
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design eliminates the need for wrenching operations on separate corporation stop components. By combining the saddle and corporation stop, the patent removes the interface that would require wrench application, thereby eliminating the risk of body distortion from improper wrench use while maintaining the ability to secure and control water flow
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components (saddle, corporation stop, rapid feed drill adapter) are used, then the device can be assembled to perform tapping, but the number of installation steps and potential error points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the saddle, corporation stop, and rapid feed drill adapter functionality into a single integrated body. This consolidation maintains all necessary tapping functionalities while reducing the component count from multiple separate parts to one unified device, thereby simplifying installation and reducing error points
Data Source
AI summary
A water main tapping device and method includes a saddle body including an arcuate portion between a first end and a second end, wherein the saddle body includes a saddle opening at a location between the first end and the second end, and a corporation stop body formed integrally with and extending from the saddle body. The corporation stop body includes a base with an inlet cavity in fluid communication with the saddle opening, a housing extending from the base and having a valve cavity in which a rotatable valve is positioned and which is in fluid communication with the inlet cavity, and a connector end extending from the housing and including an outlet in fluid communication with the valve cavity.