GB2086538A - Fire hydrant - Google Patents

Fire hydrant Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2086538A
GB2086538A GB8035122A GB8035122A GB2086538A GB 2086538 A GB2086538 A GB 2086538A GB 8035122 A GB8035122 A GB 8035122A GB 8035122 A GB8035122 A GB 8035122A GB 2086538 A GB2086538 A GB 2086538A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
valve
projection
outlet
collar
hydrant
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB8035122A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
LINDLEY Ltd H
Original Assignee
LINDLEY Ltd H
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by LINDLEY Ltd H filed Critical LINDLEY Ltd H
Priority to GB8035122A priority Critical patent/GB2086538A/en
Publication of GB2086538A publication Critical patent/GB2086538A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
    • E03B9/00—Methods or installations for drawing-off water
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16K—VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
    • F16K27/00—Construction of housing; Use of materials therefor
    • F16K27/006—Construction of housing; Use of materials therefor of hydrants

Abstract

A fire hydrant comprises a valve body 10 having an inlet 12 for connection to a high pressure water supply and an outlet 14 for connection to a fire hose and a valve member 23 which normally seals against a seat 22 to prevent communication between inlet and outlet and can be progressively lifted off its seat 22 by means of a control device 35 so that the rate at which water can flow through the valve progressively increases. There is a pressure relief valve 16 which faces the outlet 14 so that any outlet back pressure is directed at the relief valve. A collar 37 can be locked in a variety of positions to preselect the maximum open position of the valve. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fire hydrants The invention relates to fire hydrants, and particularly, though not exclusively, to fire hydrants for use underground in mines.
According to a first aspect of the invention, a fire hydrant comprises a valve body, an inlet to the valve body arranged for connection to a source of high pressure water (e.g. 100 p.s.i. or more), an outlet from the valve body arranged for connection to a fire hose, a valve member which normally seals against a valve seat within the body to prevent the inlet communicating with the outlet, and control means for lifting the valve member off the valve seat, the valve member and the valve seat being such that as the valve member is progressively lifted off the valve seat, the rate at which water can flow through the valve progressively increases.
Preferably the valve member and the valve seat are such that flow initially takes place at a limited rate, to prevent a sudden surge of water to any fire hose connected to the outlet, and then when the valve has been lifted by a predetermined amount, flow can then take place at a greater rate.
Preferably the valve has a projection which lies within the valve seat when the valve is closed, but is gradually withdrawn from the valve seat as the valve is opened.
Preferably the projection has at least one axially extending passage in its periphery, such that as the projection is withdrawn from the valve seat, water can flow through the passage past the seat.
Preferably the or each passage has an initial portion of reduced cross-section, followed by a further portion of substantially larger cross-section.
The initial portion may be defined by a groove in the outer periphery of the projection.
The further portion may be defined by a space between vanes making up the free end of the projection.
According to a second aspect of the invention, a fire hydrant comprises a valve body, an inlet to the valve body arranged for the connection to a source of high pressure water (e.g. 100 p.s.i. or more), an outlet from the valve body arranged for connection to a fire hose, a valve member which normally seals against a valve seat within the body to prevent the inlet communicating with the outlet, control means for lifting the valve member off the valve seat, and a pressure relief valve comprising a relief valve member urged against a relief valve seat, the relief valve member facing the outlet from the valve body, so that the relief valve member is directly subjected to any back pressure from the outlet from the valve body.
Preferably the valve body defines therein a generally T-shaped system of passages, the leg of the T leading to the inlet to the valve body, one arm of the T leading to the outlet to the valve body, and the other arm of the T housing the pressure relief valve, the valve member and valve seat for opening the valve being arranged in the region of the junction between the arms of the T and the leg of the T.
According to a third aspect of the invention, a fire hydrant comprises a valve body, an inlet to the valve body arranged for connection to a source of high pressure water (e.g. 100 p.s.i. or more), an outlet from the valve body arranged for connection to a fire hose, a valve member which normally seals against a valve seat within the body to prevent the inlet communicating with the outlet, and a valve spindle projecting from the valve body, rotation of the valve spindle causing the valve member to be lifted off the valve seat, and the fire hydrant having means to restrict the maximum opening of the valve, the means comprising a shoulder on the valve spindle, and a collar on the valve body surrounding the spindle, the collar being lockable in a number of different positions and the maximum open position of the valve being defined by the shoulder on the spindle coming into abutment with the collar.
The collar may be screw-threaded on to the valve body such that to increase the maximum opening of the valve the collar is unscrewed further, and to decrease the maximum open position of the valve, the collar is screwed on further.
The means for locking the collar in position may comprise one or more screw-threaded connections.
Further important aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a vertical cross-section through an embodiment of fire hydrant according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of a projection of the valve member of the fire hydrant; and Figure 3 is an under plan of the projection shown in Figure 2.
The fire hydrant shown in Figure 1 comprises a valve body 10 which defines a generally T-shaped passageway, the leg 11 of the passageway leading to an inlet 12, one arm 13 of the passageway leading to an outlet 14, and the other arm 15 of the passageway leading to a pressure relief valve 16.
The inlet 12 has flange 17 and bolt holes 18 by means of which the inlet can be connected to a source of high pressure water, which in a typical mine hydraulic installation might be at a pressure of 100 p.s.i. or above.
The outlet 14 has a spring-loaded peg 19 and a sealing ring 20 such that when it is desired to use the fire hydrant the end connection of a fire hose can be pushed into the outlet, the ring 20 providing a seal and the peg 19 locking the hose connection in position. When it is desired to remove the hose after use, the spring-loaded peg 19 can be retracted by twisting of the knob 21.
Arranged at the junction between the arms 13 and 15 and the leg 12 of the passage, there is a valve seat 22 and a valve 23.
The valve seat 22 comprises a collar which is screw-threaded into the passage 11.
The valve member 23 is provided with a resilient sealing pad 24 which abuts against the upper surface of the valve seat when the valve is closed. The valve member 23 is rotatably secured on the enlarged end 25 of a valve spindle 26 by a collar 27. A bearing pad 28 is provided between the end of the spindle 26 and the valve member. This pad reduces the amount of friction between the end of the spindle and the valve member, thus making it easier to rotate the spindle and open the valve, and it also reduces the transmission of shocks from the valve member to the spindle and vice versa.
The pad 24is held in position by virtue of being trapped between a lowerface of the valve member and a projection 29 of the valve member. This projection is screw-threaded on to a threaded stud 30 which projects from the valve and the projection 29 is shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3.
The extreme upper end of the projection 29 as shown in Figure 2 is cylindrical at 31. The next portion 32 of the projection is also cylindrical but is interrupted by four generally semi-circular crosssection grooves 33 equally spaced apart around the outer periphery of the projection. The iower portion of the projection comprises four vanes 34 and each of the four spaces defined between two of these vanes communicates with one of the grooves 33.
The effect of this projection 29 is to control the flow of water as the valve is progressively opened, with a view to preventing a sudden and unexpected surge of water to a fire hose connected to the hydrant.
The spindle 26 is screw-threaded into the valve body and is controlled by a handwheel 35.
Initial turning of the handwheel 35 lifts the valve off the valve seat very slightly so that the pad 24 no longer provides a seal and water begins to seep through the valve seating, past the portion 31 of the projection 29. As the wheel 35 is turned further, the grooves 33 begin to move clear of the valve seating and flow of water can take place to a significant extent, but not at a dangerous rate. The men using the fire hose thus become aware that the valve is open and can prepare themselves to receive the full flow of water. After the wheel 35 has been turned several times, the large spaces between the vanes 34 begin to move clear of the valve seat and a substantial flow of water can take place past the vanes and thence to the hose.
The maximum opening of the valve is defined when a shoulder 36 on the spindle comes up against a split collar 37 screw-threaded on to the valve body around the spindle. The maximum opening position of the valve can be preset by adjusting the position of the collar 37 by screwing it further on to or further off the valve body.
Once the maximum open position of the valve has been preset by selecting an appropriate position for the collar 37, the collar 37 can be locked in position by passing locking bolts through holes 38 and tightening them to reduce the width of the splits in the collar.
The pressure relief valve 16 provides protection against damage to the valve or hose if the water pressure should rise above 150 p.s.i., for example because of a sudden blockage of the hose. The pressure relief valve comprises a valve member 39 which is urged by a compression spring 40 against a sealing ring 41 of a valve seat. It will be seen that the valve member 39 faces the outlet 14 substantially directly, thus making the pressure relief valve particularly susceptible.to the back pressure from the outlet 14. If the pressure relief valve opens, water exhausts through a radially extending passage 42.
CLAIMS (filed on 28.10.81) 1. Afire hydrant comprising a valve body, an inlet to the valve body arranged for connection to a source of high pressure waiter (e.g. 100 p.s.i. or more), an outlet from the valve body arranged for connection to a fire hose, a valve member which normally seals against a valve seat within the body to prevent the inlet communicating with the outlet, and control means for lifting the valve member off the valve seat, thwe valve member and the valve seat being such that as the valve member is progressively lifted off the valve seat, the rate at which water can flow through the valve progressively increases.
2. A fire hydrant as claimed in Claim 1, in which the valve member and the valve seat are such that flow initially takes place at a limited rate, to prevent a sudden surge of water to any fire hose connected to the outlet, and then when the valve has been lifted by a predetermined amount, flow can then take place at a greater rate.
3. Afire hydrant as claimed in Claim 2, in which the valve has a projection which lies within the valve seat when the valve is closed, but is gradually withdrawn from the valve seat as the valve is opened.
4. Afire hydrant as claimed in Claim 3, in which the projection has at least one axially extending passage in its periphery, such that as the projection is withdrawn from the valve seat, water can flow through the passage past the seat.
5. A fire hydrant as claimed in Claim 4, in which the or each passage has an initial portion of reduced cross-section, followed by a further portion of substantially larger cross-section.
6. Afire hydrant as claimed in Claim 5, in which the initial portion is defined by a groove in the outer periphery of the projection.
7. Afire hydrant as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, in which the further portion is defined by a space between vanes making up the free end of the projection.
8. A fire hydrant comprising a valve body, an inlet to the valve body arranged for connection to a source of high pressure water (e.g. 100 p.s.i. or more), an outlet from the valve body arranged for connection to a fire hose, a valve member which normally seals against a valve seat within the body to prevent the inlet communicating with the outlet, control means for lifting the valve member off the valve seat, and a pressure relief valve comprising a relief valve member urged against a relief valve seat, the relief valve member facing the outlet from the valve body, so that the relief valve member is directly subjected to any back pressure from the outlet from the valve body.
9. A fire hydrant as claimed in Claim 8, in which the valve body defines therein a generally T-shaped
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (13)

  1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.
    25 of a valve spindle 26 by a collar 27. A bearing pad 28 is provided between the end of the spindle 26 and the valve member. This pad reduces the amount of friction between the end of the spindle and the valve member, thus making it easier to rotate the spindle and open the valve, and it also reduces the transmission of shocks from the valve member to the spindle and vice versa.
    The pad 24is held in position by virtue of being trapped between a lowerface of the valve member and a projection 29 of the valve member. This projection is screw-threaded on to a threaded stud 30 which projects from the valve and the projection 29 is shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3.
    The extreme upper end of the projection 29 as shown in Figure 2 is cylindrical at 31. The next portion 32 of the projection is also cylindrical but is interrupted by four generally semi-circular crosssection grooves 33 equally spaced apart around the outer periphery of the projection. The iower portion of the projection comprises four vanes 34 and each of the four spaces defined between two of these vanes communicates with one of the grooves 33.
    The effect of this projection 29 is to control the flow of water as the valve is progressively opened, with a view to preventing a sudden and unexpected surge of water to a fire hose connected to the hydrant.
    The spindle 26 is screw-threaded into the valve body and is controlled by a handwheel 35.
    Initial turning of the handwheel 35 lifts the valve off the valve seat very slightly so that the pad 24 no longer provides a seal and water begins to seep through the valve seating, past the portion 31 of the projection 29. As the wheel 35 is turned further, the grooves 33 begin to move clear of the valve seating and flow of water can take place to a significant extent, but not at a dangerous rate. The men using the fire hose thus become aware that the valve is open and can prepare themselves to receive the full flow of water. After the wheel 35 has been turned several times, the large spaces between the vanes 34 begin to move clear of the valve seat and a substantial flow of water can take place past the vanes and thence to the hose.
    The maximum opening of the valve is defined when a shoulder 36 on the spindle comes up against a split collar 37 screw-threaded on to the valve body around the spindle. The maximum opening position of the valve can be preset by adjusting the position of the collar 37 by screwing it further on to or further off the valve body.
    Once the maximum open position of the valve has been preset by selecting an appropriate position for the collar 37, the collar 37 can be locked in position by passing locking bolts through holes 38 and tightening them to reduce the width of the splits in the collar.
    The pressure relief valve 16 provides protection against damage to the valve or hose if the water pressure should rise above 150 p.s.i., for example because of a sudden blockage of the hose. The pressure relief valve comprises a valve member 39 which is urged by a compression spring 40 against a sealing ring 41 of a valve seat. It will be seen that the valve member 39 faces the outlet 14 substantially directly, thus making the pressure relief valve particularly susceptible.to the back pressure from the outlet 14. If the pressure relief valve opens, water exhausts through a radially extending passage 42.
    CLAIMS (filed on 28.10.81) 1. Afire hydrant comprising a valve body, an inlet to the valve body arranged for connection to a source of high pressure waiter (e.g. 100 p.s.i. or more), an outlet from the valve body arranged for connection to a fire hose, a valve member which normally seals against a valve seat within the body to prevent the inlet communicating with the outlet, and control means for lifting the valve member off the valve seat, thwe valve member and the valve seat being such that as the valve member is progressively lifted off the valve seat, the rate at which water can flow through the valve progressively increases.
  2. 2. A fire hydrant as claimed in Claim 1, in which the valve member and the valve seat are such that flow initially takes place at a limited rate, to prevent a sudden surge of water to any fire hose connected to the outlet, and then when the valve has been lifted by a predetermined amount, flow can then take place at a greater rate.
  3. 3. Afire hydrant as claimed in Claim 2, in which the valve has a projection which lies within the valve seat when the valve is closed, but is gradually withdrawn from the valve seat as the valve is opened.
  4. 4. Afire hydrant as claimed in Claim 3, in which the projection has at least one axially extending passage in its periphery, such that as the projection is withdrawn from the valve seat, water can flow through the passage past the seat.
  5. 5. A fire hydrant as claimed in Claim 4, in which the or each passage has an initial portion of reduced cross-section, followed by a further portion of substantially larger cross-section.
  6. 6. Afire hydrant as claimed in Claim 5, in which the initial portion is defined by a groove in the outer periphery of the projection.
  7. 7. Afire hydrant as claimed in Claim 5 or Claim 6, in which the further portion is defined by a space between vanes making up the free end of the projection.
  8. 8. A fire hydrant comprising a valve body, an inlet to the valve body arranged for connection to a source of high pressure water (e.g. 100 p.s.i. or more), an outlet from the valve body arranged for connection to a fire hose, a valve member which normally seals against a valve seat within the body to prevent the inlet communicating with the outlet, control means for lifting the valve member off the valve seat, and a pressure relief valve comprising a relief valve member urged against a relief valve seat, the relief valve member facing the outlet from the valve body, so that the relief valve member is directly subjected to any back pressure from the outlet from the valve body.
  9. 9. A fire hydrant as claimed in Claim 8, in which the valve body defines therein a generally T-shaped
    system of passages, the leg of the T leading to the inlet to the valve body, one arm of the T leading to the outlet to the valve body, and the other arm of the T housing the pressure relief valve, the valve member and valve seat for opening the valve being arranged in the region of the junction between the arms of the T and the leg of the T.
  10. 10. Afire hydrant comprising a valve body, an inlet to the valve body arranged for connection to a source of high pressure water (e.g. 100 p.s.i. or more) an outlet from the valve body arranged for connection to a fire hose, a valve member which normally seals against a valve seat within the body to prevent the inlet communicating with the outlet, and a valve spindle projecting from the valve body, rotation of the valve spindle causing the valve member to be lifted off the valve seat, and the fire hydrant having means to restrict the maximum opening of the valve, the means comprising a shoulder on the valve spindle, and a collar on the valve body surrounding the spindle, the collar being lockable in a number of different positions and the maximum open position of the valve being defined by the shoulder on the spindle coming into abutment with the collar.
  11. 11. Afire hydrant as claimed in Claim 10, in which the collar is screw-threaded on to the valve body such that to increase the maximum opening of the valve the collar is unscrewed further, and to decrease the maximum open position of the valve, the collar is screwed on further.
  12. 12. Afire hydrant as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11, in which the means for locking the collar in position comprise one or more screw-threaded connections.
  13. 13. Afire hydrant constructed and arranged substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB8035122A 1980-10-31 1980-10-31 Fire hydrant Withdrawn GB2086538A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8035122A GB2086538A (en) 1980-10-31 1980-10-31 Fire hydrant

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8035122A GB2086538A (en) 1980-10-31 1980-10-31 Fire hydrant

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2086538A true GB2086538A (en) 1982-05-12

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8035122A Withdrawn GB2086538A (en) 1980-10-31 1980-10-31 Fire hydrant

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2086538A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2353092B (en) * 1999-08-12 2001-08-15 Draeger Sicherheitstech Gmbh Process for improving the operational reliablity of optical gas sensors

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2353092B (en) * 1999-08-12 2001-08-15 Draeger Sicherheitstech Gmbh Process for improving the operational reliablity of optical gas sensors

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)