Adjustable Water Meter Valve Key for High-Torque Tight Clearances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water meter tools have low torque strength, require large radial clearance, and have a fixed cross arm, making them inefficient for enhanced torqueing and adaptable use.
Innovation Solution
A water meter tool with a movable cross arm and a body that includes a water meter valve key and a hole with a center line in a transverse plane, allowing for adjustable torque and operation of the water meter valve, featuring a movable cross arm that can be locked in various positions for enhanced leverage and clearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed cross arm is used in conventional water meter tools, then the structure is simple, but the radial clearance required is large and adaptability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cross arm is made movable instead of fixed, allowing it to be positioned at different locations along the body. This dynamic configuration enables the tool to adapt to various valve types and torque requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The cross arm can slide along the body and be secured at different positions to optimize leverage and fit different tool configurations.
2Strength
If conventional water meter tools are made with low torque strength materials, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the torque strength is insufficient for enhanced torqueing
Solution Approach 1:
The tool body is constructed using composite materials, specifically a ductile iron body combined with a stainless steel cross arm. This composite construction provides high torque strength and durability while maintaining manufacturability. The ductile iron body offers excellent casting properties and strength, while the stainless steel cross arm adds corrosion resistance and structural integrity for enhanced torqueing applications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a movable cross arm is implemented, then adaptability and torque adjustment are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cross arm is designed to move along the body and be secured at different positions, providing adjustable leverage and adaptability. The movement mechanism is kept simple, allowing the cross arm to slide freely and be held in position by the operational forces during valve operation, minimizing the need for complex locking mechanisms while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable cross arm design allows the same tool body to function with different cross arm positions and configurations, making it universally applicable to various valve types and torque requirements. This multi-functional capability is achieved through the simple movable design rather than multiple specialized tools.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for operating water meter valves is disclosed herein. A water meter tool includes a body extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end. The body includes a water meter valve key at the first end and a hole formed through the body between the first and second ends, where a center line of the hole is in a transverse plane of the body. The water meter tool includes a movable cross arm disposed through the hole, where the movable cross arm extends along a longitudinal axis from a first arm end to a second arm end, and where the movable cross arm includes a first box key proximate the first arm end.