Backflow preventor with adjustable cutflow direction
First Claim
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1. A backflow preventor assembly comprising:
- first and second backflow preventor valves;
a housing encompassing said first and second backflow preventor valves, such that both of said valves automatically close if flow through said backflow preventor assembly drops below a predetermined value, said housing including an inlet opening defining an inlet flow direction, an outlet defining an outlet flow direction and a conduit providing fluid communication between said first and second backflow preventor valveswherein at least a first portion of said conduit is movable with respect to a second portion of said conduit to cause a change in said outlet flow direction with respect to said inlet flow direction to any of an infinite member of outlet flow directions in a substantially leak-free manner.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A backflow preventor which permits adjustment of the outflow direction is provided. A conduit provides fluid communication between the two valves of the backflow preventor. The conduit can be separated, e.g., by cutting along a groove, leaving annular flat regions. The annular flats are configured to engage with a coupler to provide leak-free connection between the separated portions of the conduit. The separated portions of the conduit can be rotated to adjust the outflow direction. Preferably, an infinite number of outflow directions are possible, all of which lie in a plane parallel to the inflow direction.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A backflow preventor assembly comprising:
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first and second backflow preventor valves; a housing encompassing said first and second backflow preventor valves, such that both of said valves automatically close if flow through said backflow preventor assembly drops below a predetermined value, said housing including an inlet opening defining an inlet flow direction, an outlet defining an outlet flow direction and a conduit providing fluid communication between said first and second backflow preventor valves wherein at least a first portion of said conduit is movable with respect to a second portion of said conduit to cause a change in said outlet flow direction with respect to said inlet flow direction to any of an infinite member of outlet flow directions in a substantially leak-free manner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 10)
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5. A backflow preventor assembly comprising:
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first and second backflow preventor valves; a housing encompassing said first and second backflow preventor valves, such that both of said valves automatically close if flow through said backflow preventor assembly drops below a predetermined value, said housing including an inlet opening defining an inlet flow direction, an outlet defining an outlet flow direction and a conduit providing fluid communication between said first and second backflow preventor valves; and means for permitting movement of said outlet opening with respect to said inlet opening to cause a change in said outlet flow direction with respect to said inlet flow direction to any of an infinite member of outlet flow directions in a substantially leak-free manner. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A method for adjusting outflow direction in a backflow preventor assembly comprising:
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providing first and second backflow preventor valves; encompassing said first and second backflow preventor valves in a housing, such that both of said valves automatically close if flow through said backflow preventor assembly drops below a predetermined value, said housing including an inlet opening defining an inlet flow direction, an outlet defining an outlet flow direction and a conduit providing fluid communication between said first and second backflow preventor valves; and moving at least a first portion of said conduit with respect to a second portion of said conduit to cause a change in said outlet flow direction with respect to said inlet flow direction to any of an infinite member of outlet flow directions in a substantially leak-free manner. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A backflow preventor apparatus for connection to parallel, oppositely-flowing inlet and outlet conduits, comprising:
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a housing configured to accommodate first and second valves, and to receive fluid flow from said inlet conduit flowing in a first direction; a first valve mounted in said housing having a seatable valve disc having an edge, movable between a closed configuration preventing flow and an open configuration permitting flow in the absence of substantial divergent flow around the edge of said first valve disc; a second valve mounted in said housing having a seatable valve disc having an edge, movable between a closed configuration preventing flow and an open configuration permitting flow in the absence of substantial diverging flow around the edge of said second valve disc; said fluid flow having an average streamline path between said inlet conduit and said outlet conduit wherein the sum of changes in flow direction of said average streamline path is not substantially greater than about 180 degrees; said first valve disc, when in said open configuration, being positioned to direct said flow from said first direction to provide flow in a second direction towards said second valve; said second valve disc, when in said open configuration, being positioned to direct said flow from said second direction to a third direction towards said outlet conduit; and wherein said housing is reconfigurable to a second configuration to cause a change in said flow from said second direction to a fourth direction, different from said third direction wherein said fourth direction is any of an infinite member of outflow directions.
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11. A backflow preventor comprising:
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first and second backflow preventor valves; a conduit which directs flow at least from said first backflow preventor valve to said second backflow preventor valve, said conduit having a first inlet opening defining an inlet flow direction and a second outlet opening defining an outlet flow direction wherein the average direction of said flow between said first backflow preventor valve and said second backflow preventor valve is non-collinear with said inlet flow direction and is substantially at a first angle to said inlet flow direction; wherein at least a first portion of said conduit is movable with respect to a second portion of said conduit to cause a change in said outlet flow direction with respect to said inlet flow direction to any of a plurality of outlet flow directions in a substantially leak-free manner. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A backflow preventor comprising:
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first and second backflow preventor valves; a conduit which directs flow at least from said first backflow preventor valve to said second backflow preventor valve, said conduit having a first inlet opening defining an inlet flow direction and a second outlet opening defining an outlet flow direction wherein the average direction of said flow between said first backflow preventor valve and said second backflow preventor valve is non-collinear with said inlet flow direction and is substantially at a first angle to said inlet flow direction; means for permitting movement of a first portion of said conduit with respect to a second portion of said conduit to cause a change in said outlet flow direction with respect to said inlet flow direction to any of a plurality of outlet flow directions in a substantially leak-free manner.
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27. A method for adjusting outflow direction in a backflow preventor comprising:
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providing first and second backflow preventor valves; encompassing said first and second backflow preventor valves with a conduit which directs flow at least from said first back flow preventor valve to said second backflow preventor valve, said conduit having a first inlet opening defining an inlet flow direction and a second outlet opening defining an outlet flow direction wherein the average direction of said flow between said first backflow preventor valve and said second backflow preventor valve is non-collinear with said inlet flow direction and is substantially at a first angle to said inlet flow direction; moving at least a first portion of said conduit with respect to a second portion of said conduit to cause a change in said outlet flow direction with respect to said inlet flow direction to any of a plurality of outlet flow directions in a substantially leak-free manner.
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Specification