Expanding systems for break check water dampening
A valve member for a break check valve coupled to a pipe system fitting includes a valve member positioned in fluid communication with a piping system and configured to move from an open position to a closed position in response to a break between the pipe system fitting and the break check valve.
1 . An expansion device for a break check valve that is coupled to a pipeline and to a pipe system fitting, the expansion device comprising:
a valve member configured to move from an open position to a closed position only when the pipe system fitting is separated from the break check valve; and
a bladder coupled to the valve member, the bladder defining:
a bladder body, the bladder body defining an interior, the interior being an adjustable volume in response to fluid pressure; and
an inlet configured to provide fluid communication between the pipeline located outside the bladder body and the interior of the bladder body.
2 . The expansion device of claim 1 , wherein the bladder is formed of a substantially elastomeric material.
3 . The expansion device of claim 2 , wherein the bladder occupies a position within the expansion device when the valve member rotates to the closed position.
4 . The expansion device of claim 2 , wherein the bladder defines a bladder flange engaged with the valve member.
5 . The expansion device of claim 1 , further comprising a valve arm mechanically coupled to the valve member and in mechanical communication with the pipe system fitting, the valve arm extending from the valve member and configured to constrain the valve member.
6 . The expansion device of claim 1 , wherein the pipe system fitting is a wet barrel fire hydrant.
7 . The expansion device of claim 1 , wherein the bladder occupies a position superjacent to the expansion device when the valve member is in a respective closed position.
8 . The expansion device of claim 1 , wherein the bladder further comprises an opening disposed about a spherical surface of the bladder.
9 . The expansion device of claim 8 , wherein the opening is a pinhole.
10 . The expansion device of claim 1 , wherein the valve member is configured to engage an interior surface of the break check valve in substantially sealed relationship.
11 . The expansion device of claim 1 , wherein the bladder is configured to engage with an interior surface of the expansion device in substantially sealed relationship.
12 . The expansion device of claim 1 , wherein the inlet further comprises a nozzle, wherein the nozzle is configured to regulate fluid flow.
13 . The expansion device of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the valve member extends upwardly and surrounds a portion of the bladder.
14 . The expansion device of claim 1 , wherein the valve member is configured to hingedly connect to the break check valve.
15 . The expansion device of claim 1 , wherein the valve member is configured to rotate from the open position to the closed position only when the pipe system fitting is separated from the break check valve.
16 . The expansion device of claim 1 , further comprising a bladder housing coupled to the valve member.
17 . The expansion device of claim 16 , wherein the bladder extends at least partly through the bladder housing, the bladder being nested or partially nested within a hollow interior of the bladder housing prior to a closure of the expansion device.
18 . The expansion device of claim 16 , wherein the bladder housing defines a tapered sidewall.
19 . A method of using a break check valve that is coupled to a pipe system fitting, the method comprising:
keeping the break check valve open when the pipe system fitting remains coupled to the break check valve;
initiating closure of the break check valve upon decoupling of the pipe system fitting from the break check valve by movement of a valve member; and
expanding a bladder of the break check valve after closure of the valve member of the break check valve.
20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising signaling to a user an activation of the break check valve upon the closure of the valve member.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein a portion of the break check valve is configured to extend above a mating surface of the break check valve after the closure of the break check valve.
22 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising the step of resetting the break check valve after the closure of the valve member.
23 . A break check valve comprising:
a valve body;
a valve member coupled to the valve body and configured to move from an open position to a closed position only when a pipe system fitting is separated from the break check valve; and
a bladder coupled to the valve member, the bladder defining:
a bladder body, the bladder body defining an interior, the interior being an adjustable volume in response to fluid pressure; and
an inlet configured to provide fluid communication between a pipeline located outside the bladder body and the interior of the bladder body.
24 . The break check valve of claim 23 , further comprising a valve arm mechanically coupled to the valve member and in mechanical communication with the pipe system fitting, the valve arm extending from the valve member and configured to constrain the valve member, a portion of the valve arm is received by a notch in the break check valve when the valve member is in the open position.
25 . The break check valve of claim 24 , wherein the valve arm is mechanically constrained in the notch by the pipe system fitting thereby retaining the valve member in the open position.
26 . The break check valve of claim 23 , wherein the valve member is hingedly connected to the break check valve.
27 . The break check valve of claim 23 , wherein the valve member is configured to rotate from the open position to the closed position only when the pipe system fitting is separated from the break check valve.
28 . The break check valve of claim 23 , further comprising an elongated valve member arm configured to retain the valve member in the open position prior to when the pipe system fitting is separated from the break check valve.
29 . The break check valve of claim 23 , further comprising a chamber defining a sealing surface against which the bladder is configured to seal when the pipe system fitting is separated from the break check valve.
30 . The break check valve of claim 29 , wherein the sealing surface defines a curvature in cross-section.