Method and apparatus for water surge protection and protection of fire hydrant systems

• US 5,218,987 A
• Filed: 03/31/1992
• Issued: 06/15/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Howard W. Heil
• Original Assignee: Howard W. Heil
• Inventors: Heil, Howard W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohan, Alan
• Application Number:
  US07/861,265
• Time in Patent Office: 441 Days
• Field of Search: 137/1, 137/15, 137/207, 137/300, 137/272, 137/236.1
• US Class Current: 137/15.02
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 9/04 Column hydrants
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0407 Repairing or assembling hydrant [e.g., fireplug, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3118 Surge suppression
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5491 With supplemental valve

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for protecting a water distribution system from water surge damage which otherwise might result if one of its valves is suddenly opened or closed. The outlet of the shut-off valve and the inlet of the hydrant valve of one outlet of the system are excavated, and a specially designed tap including an airtight reservoir is inserted between and connected to them. When the tap is installed, the reservoir is preferably oriented to extend perpendicularly upward, so it normally will be at least partially filled with air in use. Preferably, no further joints separate the shut-off valve and the hydrant valve. Finally, the shut-off valve, the hydrant valve, and the tap are preferably buried to a depth beneath the frost line, if the hydrant is exposed to a climate where the ground is subject to freezing. A water distribution system having the previously described elements at each outlet is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for protecting an existing underground water distribution system from water surge damage, said underground water distribution system comprising an underground supply pipe, an underground shut-off valve assembly connected to said supply pipe, and an underground hydrant valve assembly connected to said shut-off valve, said method comprising the steps of:

A. excavating an area between said hydrant valve assembly and said shut-off valve assembly;

B. tapping an area of the water flow to provide a branch opening located between the shut-off valve of the shut-off valve assembly and the hydrant valve of the hydrant valve assembly;

C. connecting to said branch opening a fluid reservoir of a predetermined volume for receiving an increase in water volume during water surges and being at least partially filled with compressible gas; and

D. covering with soil the excavated area including covering a substantial portion of the fluid reservoir with soil.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of connecting includes orienting said reservoir to extend upwardly relative to gravity.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said step of connecting includes orienting said reservoir to extend substantially vertical.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said step of connecting includes joining an elbow pipe between the branch opening and the fluid reservoir.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of tapping includes installing a tee pipe, said step of installing including:

(a) joining the outlet of said shut-off valve assembly to the inlet of said tee pipe, and (b) joining the outlet of said tee pipe to the inlet of said hydrant valve assembly.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein said step of installing includes (1) disconnecting the shut-off valve assembly from the hydrant valve assembly;

and (2) providing spacing between the outlet of said shut-off valve assembly and the inlet of said hydrant valve assembly for receiving the tee pipe therebetween.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said step of providing spacing includes (1) removing a section of the supply pipe;

and (2) repositioning the shut-off valve assembly to provide space for receiving the tee pipe between the shut-off valve assembly and the hydrant valve assembly.

8. A method according to claim 5, wherein said step of installing includes providing solely two joints which separate said shut-off valve and said hydrant valve, required to connect said tee pipe.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of tapping includes installing a taping sleeve on piping located between the shut-off valve and the hydrant valve.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of covering a substantial portion includes covering all of the fluid reservoir except the portion above ground level.

11. A method for protecting an underground liquid supply system from liquid surge damage using a pressurizeable reservoir, said underground liquid supply having a supply pipe and an above ground outlet for dispensing liquid carried by said supply pipe, and a valve for closing or opening the flow of liquid through said outlet, said method comprising:

A. excavating an area upstream of and proximate to said valve along the path of flow of said liquid through said supply pipe;

B. tapping said supply pipe in the excavated area to provide a branch opening in said supply pipe;

C. installing the pressurizeable reservoir for its communicating with said branch opening for receiving an increase in liquid during liquid surges in the liquid supply system; and

D. burying with soil said excavated area.

12. Water surge protection system including apparatus adapted for installation below ground in an existing water supply system to protect the system from water surge damage, said system comprising:

A. an underground supply pipe having an outlet;

B. an underground shut-off valve assembly having an inlet connected to said supply pipe outlet and having an outlet;

c. access means for providing access from above ground to said underground shut-off valve assembly for permitting said underground shut-off valve assembly to be turned off from above ground;

D. a hydrant valve assembly having an inlet and an outlet located above ground, said underground shut-off valve assembly being operable independently of said hydrant valve to stop the flow of water through said hydrant valve;

E. a tap providing a branch opening located between said shut off valve assembly and said hydrant valve assembly; and

F. a fluid reservoir communicating with said branch opening without any restriction or valve controlling access to said branch opening, said reservoir providing an enclosed air tight chamber of a predetermined volume for receiving water from said branch opening during water surges, said reservoir being at least partially filled with a compressible gas, said gas compressing within said chamber during water surfaces in the system.

13. An system according to claim 12, wherein said tap includes a tee pipe having an inlet, an outlet and a branch, the inlet and the outlet of said tap being coaxial about a first axis and said branch extending along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis.

14. An system according to claim 12 wherein said fluid reservoir includes a cylindrical chamber having two circular ends, one of said ends being connected to said branch opening and the other of said ends including a cap separatable from said chamber.

15. An underground water distribution system which is protected from water surge damage, said system comprising a network of distribution piping having an inlet and multiple outlets, wherein at least one of said outlets includes:

A. an underground shut-off valve having an inlet and an outlet;

B. access means for providing access from above ground to said underground shut-off valve for permitting said underground shut-off valve to be turned off from above ground;

C. tap means having an inlet, an outlet, and a branch opening, said inlet of said tap means connected to said outlet of said shut-off valve;

D. a fluid reservoir communicating with said branch opening without any restriction or valve controlling access to said branch opening; and

E. a hydrant valve having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet of said hydrant valve connected to said outlet of said tap means, said underground shut-off valve assembly being operable independently of said hydrant valve to stop the flow of water through said hydrant valve;

wherein said shut-off valve, said tap means, and said hydrant valve are connected in series in the stated order, and are buried below ground.