Yard Hydrant Venturi Siphon for Frost Line Water Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing yard hydrant designs that eliminate the drain hole to prevent contamination often require prolonged water flow to empty the storage chamber below the frost line, which is not feasible for short usage scenarios, leading to potential freezing of water in the standpipe/riser.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a venturi at the outlet of the storage reservoir to create turbulence and lower pressure, facilitating faster evacuation of water from the storage chamber even during short usage periods by enhancing water flow velocity through one-way check valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a storage reservoir is used below the frost line to prevent contamination, then water supply integrity is improved, but the storage chamber cannot be emptied quickly enough during short usage periods, leading to potential freezing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a venturi device that utilizes hydraulic principles to create a siphon effect. When water flows through the venturi, it creates a pressure differential that draws additional water from the storage reservoir through check valves, accelerating the emptying process without requiring electrical or mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic flow activation where the venturi siphon effect is triggered during each water usage event. The check valves enable periodic draining action that accumulates over multiple short usage periods, ensuring the storage chamber is progressively emptied even when individual usage durations are brief.
2Reliability
If water flows through the hydrant for a long time to empty the storage chamber, then freezing is prevented, but water is wasted during short usage scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The venturi siphon mechanism creates a self-regulating flow system that accelerates water evacuation during the brief period the hydrant is in use. The pressure differential generated by the venturi maximizes flow velocity and volume during the active usage window, ensuring complete chamber emptying without requiring prolonged water flow after usage ends.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow parameters dynamically by utilizing the venturi effect to increase flow velocity and volume during the brief usage period. This parameter change allows the storage chamber to be emptied in the time available, preventing the need to keep the hydrant running longer than necessary.
3Productivity
If a Venturi is used to siphon water from the storage chamber, then water can be evacuated, but adequate flow velocity is not achieved during short usage periods to empty the chamber completely
Solution Approach 1:
The venturi device is strategically positioned in the water line to create a pressure differential that accelerates water flow. The constriction in the venturi geometry converts pressure energy to kinetic energy, generating the high flow velocities necessary to maintain siphon action and completely empty the storage chamber during brief usage periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valves are pre-positioned to open automatically when the venturi creates sufficient pressure differential, preparing the drainage path in advance. This preliminary positioning of the valve mechanism ensures that as soon as adequate flow velocity is achieved through the venturi, water can immediately begin draining from the storage chamber without delay.
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
Ensures that the storage chamber is emptied efficiently, preventing water from freezing above the frost line, even when the hydrant is used for short durations, thereby maintaining water supply integrity.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporation of a venturi at the outlet of the storage reservoir to create turbulence and lower pressure, facilitating faster evacuation of water from the storage chamber even during short usage periods by enhancing water flow velocity through one-way check valves.
Implementation Method 2
Incorporation of a venturi at the outlet of the storage reservoir to create turbulence and lower pressure, facilitating faster evacuation of water from the storage chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A yard hydrant, including a discharge nozzle above ground level, connects to other vertically reciprocal working parts in the ground below the frost line. A water storage chamber, disposed below the frost line, is formed in part by a deformable diaphragm. Residual water in the hydrant, when the hydrant is turned off, is collected in the water storage chamber and returned to the hydrant for discharge through the nozzle when the hydrant is turned on. A venturi disposed in the water supply line creates turbulence and thereby creates a lower pressure adjacent the exit of the venturi when the hydrant is turned on. This lowered pressure at the venturi exit speeds up the evacuation of water from the water storage chamber when the hydrant is on so the storage chamber can accept and store water that would otherwise be above the frost line when the hydrant is turned off.