Granted Patent B2

US 7,128,083 · App. 10/741,866 · Granted Oct 31, 2006

Abstract

Claims (36)

1. A fluid flow prevention apparatus for a wet barrel fire hydrant, the hydrant being in communication with a pipe having a periphery defining a flow passageway therethrough, said fluid flow prevention apparatus comprising:

a non-hinged valve member for closing the flow passageway of the pipe, said valve member aligned axially with the flow passageway of the pipe and operably movable from an open to closed position upon damage to the hydrant;

an adjustable damping member for controlling the rate of closing of said valve member, said adjustable damping member in communication with said valve member, wherein sudden closure of said valve member is prevented to reduce the effects of water hammer within the pipe;

a tube member having first and second ends and a periphery defining a conduit therethrough, said tube member extending through said valve member with the first end of said tube member in fluid communication with the flow passageway of the pipe, wherein said tube member allows reduced fluid flow from the flow passageway of the pipe when said valve member is closed and a signal stream of fluid is provided from said tube member for identifying the damaged hydrant;

a holding member for maintaining said valve member in an open position during normal operation of the hydrant, said holding member operably configured to release said valve member from the open position upon damage to the hydrant; and

a guide member for guiding said tube member into engagement with said holding member.

2. The flow prevention apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said guide member is located downstream of said valve member and said adjustable damping member is positioned between said guide member and said valve member.

3. The flow prevention apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said guide member is an apertured plate through which said tube member extends.

4. The flow prevention apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said guide member is a bar extending across the flow passageway of the pipe.

5. The flow prevention apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said adjustable damping member comprises an adjustable spring.

6. The flow prevention apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said valve member is a pressure sensitive cut off valve that is operably closed by water pressure.

7. The flow prevention apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said adjustable damping member is connected to said valve member by a tube member.

8. A fluid flow prevention apparatus for a wet barrel fire hydrant, the hydrant having an underground barrel having an inlet and an outlet, said fluid flow prevention apparatus comprising:

an in-line valve member for closing the inlet of the underground barrel upon damage to the hydrant, said in-line valve member operably movable from an open to closed position upon damage to the hydrant;

a tube member having first and second ends and a periphery defining a conduit therethrough, said tube member extending through said in-line valve member with the first end in fluid communication with the inlet of the underground barrel and the second end in fluid communication with the outlet of the underground barrel to allow reduced fluid flow through said conduit when said valve member is closed;

a holding member for retaining said in-line valve member in an open position during normal fire hydrant operation, said holding member communicating with the second end of said tube member and operably configured to release said in-line valve member upon damage to the hydrant;

a guide member for guiding said tube member into engagement with said holding member; and

an adjustable damping member for controlling the rate of closing of said in-line valve member, said adjustable damping member in communication with said in-line valve member, such that damage to the hydrant causes said valve member to close while reducing the effects of water hammer, and a signal stream of fluid is provided from said tube member for identifying the damaged hydrant.

9. The fluid flow prevention apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said adjustable damping member comprises:

an adjustable nut carried by said tube member, said nut positioned beneath said guide member; and

a spring carried by said tube member, said spring positioned between said nut and said guide member, wherein the adjustment of said nut increases or decreases the resistance to movement of said in-line valve member toward the closed position.

10. The fluid flow prevention apparatus of claim 8 , said in-line valve member further comprising a sealing disc for sealing the inlet of the underground barrel when said in-line valve member is in the closed position.

11. The fluid flow prevention apparatus of claim 8 , said in-line valve member further comprising:

a seating ring in communication with the inlet of the underground barrel; and

a pair of upstanding ears that operably cooperate with said seating ring for guiding said in-line valve member into the closed position.

12. A kit for retrofitting a wet barrel hydrant to have a fluid flow prevention apparatus, the hydrant having an upper barrel, and an underground barrel, the underground barrel having an interior flow passageway for delivering fluid from the pipe to the upper barrel, said kit comprising:

a non-hinged valve member adapted for being positioned within the interior of the underground barrel and axially alligned with the flow passageway, said valve member being operably movable from an open to closed position for closing the flow passageway of the pipe upon damage to the upper barrel of the hydrant;

a seating member adapted for communicating with the interior of the underground barrel, said seating member adapted for receiving said valve member;

a holding member adapted for configuration with the upper barrel, said holding member for maintaining said valve member in an open position during normal operation of the hydrant;

an adjustable damping member for controlling the rate of closing of said valve member, said adjustable damping member in communication with said in-line valve member, such that sudden closure of said in-line valve member is prevented to reduce the effects of water hammer within the pipe;

a tube member having first and second ends and a periphery defining conduit therethrough, said tube member extending through said valve member and for being in fluid communication with the flow passageway of the underground barrel, said tube member adapted for allowing reduced fluid flow from the flow passageway of the underground barrel when said valve member is closed and for providing a signal stream of fluid for identifying the damaged hydrant; and

a guide member for guiding said tube member into engagement with said holding member.

13. The kit of claim 12 , wherein said adjustable damping member comprises:

an adjustable nut carried by said tube member, said nut positioned beneath said guide member; and

a spring carried by said tube member, said spring positioned between said nut and said guide member, wherein the adjustment of said nut increases or decreases the resistance to movement of said in-line valve member toward the closed position.

14. The kit of claim 12 , wherein said valve member is a pressure sensitive cut off valve that is operably closed by water pressure.

Assignments (9)