Water Valve Isolation Using Expandable Plugs
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large buildings, repairing or replacing a water valve often requires shutting down the entire water system, causing inconvenience and increased costs, as existing methods fail to isolate the valve effectively without affecting other valves.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that temporarily block water flow on both sides of a valve using internal pipe plugs or inflatable seals to isolate the valve, allowing for repair or replacement without shutting down other valves, utilizing reusable and cost-effective components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the main water valve is shut down to repair or replace a valve, then the valve can be isolated for repair, but the entire water system must be shut down causing inconvenience and increased costs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the water system into isolated segments using plug means that can be inserted into individual pipe sections. The plug means includes a plug body with sealing elements that can be positioned at specific locations to block water flow only in the immediate vicinity of the valve being repaired, while other segments of the system remain operational. This segmentation allows localized isolation without system-wide shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug means acts as an intermediary device inserted between sections of the pipe to create temporary isolation. The plug body with its sealing elements serves as a mediator that blocks water flow in the specific section where the valve needs repair, while allowing the rest of the water system to continue functioning normally. This intermediary device enables selective isolation without affecting other valves or system areas.
2Ease of repair
If traditional valve isolation methods are used, then the valve can be repaired, but the entire water system must be shut down increasing downtime and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The plug means is inserted into the pipe section before the valve repair begins, preliminarily establishing the isolation barrier. By pre-positioning the plug body with sealing elements in the desired location, the system ensures that water flow is blocked only in the immediate repair area from the outset, allowing the valve to be serviced without requiring system-wide shutdown and minimizing overall downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug means creates a segmented isolation zone around the valve being repaired. The plug body with sealing elements divides the continuous water flow into separate segments, allowing the valve to be serviced in isolation while other segments of the system continue to operate. This segmentation approach significantly reduces system downtime compared to traditional whole-system shutdown methods.
3Ease of operation
If the main water valve is shut down for valve repair, then the valve can be accessed, but other valves remain affected causing inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The plug means extracts or removes the water flow from the specific section where the valve needs repair, while leaving the rest of the water system intact and operational. The plug body with sealing elements is inserted to block flow only in the immediate vicinity, effectively taking out the problematic section from the active water circulation without affecting other valves or system areas, thus maintaining overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug means applies isolation locally to the specific pipe section containing the valve being repaired. The plug body with sealing elements creates a localized barrier that affects only the immediate area, allowing other parts of the water system to maintain normal flow and operational capacity. This local quality approach ensures that valve accessibility is improved without compromising overall system productivity.
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
Enables quick and cost-effective isolation and servicing of water valves, minimizing system disruption and avoiding the need to shut down the entire water system, thus reducing inconvenience and expenses.
Implementation Method 1
inserting an expandable plug into said adapter pipe and expanding said plug to seal against an inner circumferential surface of said adapter pipe
Implementation Method 2
passing an inflatable seal through said expandable plug and said valve and into said inlet pipe; inflating said inflatable seal into sealing engagement with an inner circumferential surface of said inlet pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A method for isolating a water valve for repair or replacement includes closing the valve and thereafter replacing an outlet pipe with an adapter pipe. An expandable plug is used to seal the adapter pipe, after which the valve is opened and an air tube having a bladder on an end thereof is inserted through the valve and expanded to seal the inlet pipe. Thereafter, the stem assembly of the valve or the entire valve itself may be removed for simple replacement of the sealing washer or total replacement of the valve. The apparatus for practicing the method, and including the expandable plug, inflatable bladder, and necessary tubing, plug actuator, and air valve are presented.