US2638114A

US2638114A - Antifreezing and nonpolluting water valve

Info

Publication number: US2638114A
Authority: US
Inventors: Nelson F Wetzel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-12-16
Filing date: 1947-12-16
Publication date: 1953-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 1970-05-12

Description

May 12, 1953 N. F. WETZEL ANTIFREEZING AND NONPOLLUTING WATER VALVE Filed Dec. 16, 1947 INVENTOR.

Nelson Fredrick Weizel,

BY ATTOCLNEY F'J'G. Groupd Patented May 12, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ANTIFREEZING AND NONPOLLUTING WATER VALVE This invention relates to an anti-freezing nonpolluting water hydrant and associated valve structure of the type which is more particularly designed for use underground in areas subjected to freezing temperatures.

Valves used in hydrants of this character are usually placed underground below the frost line and provided with means whereby the water remaining in that portion of the hydrant above the frost line after the valve is closed, may be cleared from the hydrant through suitable Weep holes into a drain or sewer or by just plain seepage into the surrounding ground.

This type of hydrant structure may serve its purpose where used as fire hydrants and other types of installations, but falls far short of the requirements of the U. S. Public Health Service relating to hydrants for dispensing potable water and for preventing contamination thereof.

In the past, the U. S. Public Health Service has severely criticized public carriers, such as railroads, due to the fact that the various water hydrants placed throughout the railroad yards for servicing trains were designed with a weep hole to allow the water remaining in the hydrant stand pipe after use to drain into the surrounding ground or into a connection to an existing sewer, so as to clear the hydrant stand pipe to a point below the frost line. It is the contention of the U. S. Public Health Service that the presence of these weep holes allows contaminated ground water to enter the stand pipe of the hydrant to the level of the surrounding ground water thus contaminating water when next drawn from the hydrant.

The object of the present invention is to provide an anti-freezing water hydrant which overcomes the objections of the U. S. Public Health Service.

Another object of this invention is to provide an associated valve structure for a Water hydrant which clears that portion of the hydrant stand pipe above the frost line in the particular locality, of any water when the hydrant is not in use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a water hydrant valve structure for removing the water from the area of freezing temperature when the water is not flowing and provides positive and complete separation of the water while within the hydrant from any source of contamination.

The above and additional featuresand advantages are described and claimed in the following specification and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the valve of my invention with the standpipe and quick detachable coupling shown in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a section through the quick detachable coupling with the hinged cover shown in the position it assumes when the coupling is disconnected from a hose.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the Water hydrant comprises a stand pipe 45 surrounded by an annular inlet chamber 46 provided with a connection at one side to an underground water supply main 41. The annular chamber 46 communciates with the interior of stand pipe 45 by way of a series of holes or inlet ports 48 arranged in the stand pipe 45. Annular chamber 45, connected to the water main 41, is situated on stand pipe 45 at such a point as to be positioned below the frost line when the hydrant is installed.

Near the lower endof stand pipe 45, an. annular outlet chamber 49 surrounds the same and is in communication with the interior thereof by Way of holes or outlet ports 50. Annular outlet chamber 49 is provided with a discharge 5| to which is connected a riser pipe 52 extending above the surface of the ground. Riser pipe 52 is provided with a quick detachable coupling 9 for receiving the coupling end of a hose [0 to carry water on to the point of use. This quick detachable coupling carries a swing check valve l I and the cover [2 pivoted at H so that itmay be swung out of the way when a hose is connected as shown in Fig. 1, or to the closed position as shown in Fig. 2, in which position it encloses the open end of the coupling to prevent pollution of the discharge outlet. Also provided within the coupling 9 is a vacuum breaker port M which is sealed ofi during time of water flow by a velocity check valve l5.

Within stand pipe 45 is mounted a spool type piston member comprising a stem 53 threaded at its upper end 54, and extends through cap 55 closing the upper end of the stand pipe 45 which projects slightly above the ground. The upper end 54 of stem 53 is squared as at 56 to receive a wrench for turning the same.

Mounted on stem 53 are an upper piston element 5! and a lower combined piston and valve element 58 adapted to maintain sliding and sealing engagement with the inner surface of stand pipe 45. The space between these elements con stitutes a substantially constant volume compartment, and the space below the lower element constitutes a variable volume compartment. The lower piston and valve element 58 contains a foot valve construction consisting of a ring washer 59 provided with ports 60 controlled by the check valve Bi. It also constitutes a valve for opening and closing communication between the constant volume compartment and the outlet riser and between the variable volume compartment and the outlet riser. Upper ports 62 carry communication to the space above the lower piston and valve element. The purpose of this foot valve in the lower piston and valve element 58 is to permit thedischarge of any water trapped between outlet ports 50 and lower piston and valve element 53 upon downward movement of the spool type piston member.

The operation of the water hydrant as illustrated is as follows:

The entire unit is installed in a vertical position in the ground with the upper capped end 55 of the stand pipe projecting above the ground line with the frost line assumed to be as indicated. With the spool type piston member at its lower position, as shown in full lines in Figure 1, the piston element 5i and the piston and valve element 58 span the distance between inlet ports MS and outlet ports lit forming a constant volume compartment through which water may flow from the main 4i through inlet ports 58 vertical annular space 3i, outlet ports 5%, discharge 51, riser 52, coupling ii and on to point of use.

When water is no longer needed, the spool type piston member is reciprocated to the dotted line position by turning the upper threaded end 54' of stem 53. In this position, the lower piston and valve element 58 blocks communication between inlet ports ds and outlet ports to and forms a variable volume compartment with the discharge pipe connecting to it at a low point so that the later reverse movement of the piston and a valve element 58 will force the water from the variable volume compartment up the discharge riser. valveelement 5c, the foot valve 5! has closed, and water'in riser pipe 52 is drawn into the lower end of the stand pipe by the combined action of vacuum and gravity, wherebyit is maintained in the riser pipe at a point below the frost line, preventing the freezing thereof when the hydrant is not in use.

Swing check valve H in the quick detachable coupling 9 prevents anywater in the hose it from being drawn back into the riser, port it and check water in riser pipe 52 so as to bring it to a point below the frost line.

Having. described certain embodiments of this invention in detail, it is to be understood that the same have. been offered by way of example, and that this invention is only to be limited by the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1 Ina water hydrant, the combination of a standpipe having an inlet in communication therewith, said inlet being connected with a main water supply, an outlet located near the lower end of said standpipe and in communication therewith, a riser pipe connected to said outlet and extending above the surface of the ground, said; standpipe. and riser being pressure tight During the upward reciprocation of the below ground level, a spool type piston member mounted for reciprocation within said standpipe comprising a stem having upper and lower piston type elements mounted thereon, said piston type elements being spaced to span the distance between said inlet and said outlet when in one position and to block communication between said inlet and outlet when reciprocated toward the opposite extreme position, and means for reciprocating said spool type piston member, the volume of the part of said standpipe connected with the outlet riser being at least equal to the volume of the riser above frost line when the spool type piston is reciprocated to its extreme blocking position whereby water is drawn out of the upper part of said riser to prevent freezing and is maintained without contamination until the spool piston is again reciprocated to its spanning position.

2. In a water hydrant, the combination of a standpipe having a pressure water inlet through its wall, an outlet through the side wall located near the lower end of said standpipe, a riser pipe connected to said outlet and extending above the surface of the ground, said outlet and the part of said standpipe with which it communicates being pressure tight below ground, a spool type piston member mounted ior reciprocation within said standpipe comprising a stem having upper and lower piston elements mounted thereon, said piston elements being spaced tospan the distance between said inlet and said outlet when in one position and to block communication between said inlet and said outlet when reciprocated toward the opposite position, said inlet and said outlet being spaced a distance apart on said standpipe such that with the lower piston element in its upper position just below the inlet, a space in the lower end of the standpipe is provided suflicient in volume to' accommodate the water in said riserpipe thereby clearing said pipe to'a point below the frost line, and means for reciprocating said spool type piston member within said standpipe.

3. In water hydrant, the combination of a standpipe having a pressure water inlet through its side wall, an outlet through the side wall located near the lower end of said standpipe, a riser pipe connected to said outlet and extending above the surface of the ground, said outlet riser and the part ofsaid standpipe with which it communicates being pressure tight below ground, a spool type piston member mounted for reciprocation within said standpipe comprising a stem having upper and lower piston type elements mounted thereon to maintain sliding and sealing engagement with the inner surface of said standpipe and thereby providing a vertical annular space constituted by the inner surface of said standpipe, the circumferential surface of said stem and the upper and lower piston type elements, said. upper andllower piston type elements being. spaced from each other on said stem a dis! tance suificient to span the inlet and outlet openings, into said standpipe when in the lower extreme position and to block communication between said inlet andv outlet openings when reciprocated toward the opposite extreme position, and means for reciprocating said spool typememher to draw water from-said. riser into said stand-- pipe and to retain it there until the spoolpiston isagain moved to its spanning position,

4.. In a Water hydrant, the combination with a. standpipe having, a pressure water inlet in communication therewith below frostline, an outlet located at a lineally spaced position along said standpipe, a riser pipe connected to said outlet extending above the surface of the ground, the riser pipe and the part of the standpipe with which it connects being water tight below ground level, a spool type piston member mounted for reciprocation within said standpipe comprising a stem having upper and lower piston type elementsmounted thereon and adapted to maintain sealing engagement with the inner surface of said standpipe thereby providing a vertical annular space constituted by the inner surface of said standpipe, the circumferential surface of said stem and the upper and lower piston elements, said upper and lower piston elements spaced from each other on said stem a distance sufiicient to span the inlet and outlet chambers of said standpipe when in one extreme position and to block communication between said inlet and outlet chambers when reciprocated to the opposite extreme position, said inlet and said outlet spaced a distance apart on said standpipe such that with one piston element in one extreme position a space in the lower end of the standpipe is provided sufficient in volume to accommodate the water in said riser pipe thereby clearing said pipe to a point below the frost line, the lower piston element having a foot valve construction embodied therein adapted to close upon the upward reciprocation of said spool piston member and to open upon the downward reciprocation of said spool piston member to allow discharge of the water trapped between said outlet and said lower piston element, and means for re ciprocating said spool type member within said standpipe.

5. In a water hydrant, the combination of a standpipe having an inlet in communication therewith, said inlet being connected to a main water supply, an outlet located near the lower end of said standpipe and in communication therewith, a riser pipe connected to said outlet extending above the surface of the ground, said riser and standpipe being pressure tight below ground level, a spool type member mounted for reciprocation within said standpipe comprising a stem having upper and lower piston type elements mounted thereon and adapted to maintain sealing engagement with the inner surface of said standpipe thereby providing a vertical annular space constituted by the inner surface of said standpipe, the circumferential surface of said stem and the upper and lower piston elements, said upper and lower piston elements spaced from each other on said stem a distance sufficient to span the inlet and outlet to and from said standpipe when in the lower extreme position and to block communication between said inlet and outlet when reciprocated toward the opposite extreme position, a check valve embodied in said lower piston element permitting water to flow upward but not downward through said piston to allow discharge of any water trapped between said lower piston element and the bottom of said standpipe when the piston moves past the outlet, the volume in the standpipe below the lower piston being greater than that of the riser above frost line when the piston is in its upper extreme position, and means for reciprocating said spool type piston member.

6. In a water hydrant, the combination of a standpipe having an inlet in communication therewith, said inlet adapted to be connected to a main water supply, an outlet located near the lower end of said standpipe and in communication therewith, a riser pipe connected. to said outlet extending above the surface of the ground, said riser and standpipe being pressure tight below ground level, a spool type piston member mounted for reciprocation within said standpipe comprising a stem having upper and lower piston type elements mounted thereon adapted to span the distance between said inlet and outlet when in one position and to block communication between said inlet and outlet chambers when reciprocated toward the opposite position, said lower piston type element having a root valve construction embodied therein permitting water to flow upward but not downward, and means for reciprocating said spool type piston member.

'7. in a non-polluting water hydrant, a source of water under pressure, an enclosure defining a chamber below frost level divided into constant and variable volume compartments, a discharge riser extending from atmosphere to be low frost level and connecting into a low point in the variable volume compartment of said chamber when the variable volume compartment is expanded to its largest volume and connecting into the constant volume compartment when the variable volume compartment is reduced to its smallest volume, said riser and chamher being pressure tight below ground level and being completely closed against communication with underground water except from said source of water under pressure which said source is continuously connected with the constant volume compartment of said chamber, said chamber having a hollow extension upward to atmosphere, a plunger in said chamber, a rod extending upwardly through the hollow extension of said chamber for moving said plunger to increase or decrease the volume of the variable volume part of said chamber sufiiciently to draw water down the riser to below frost level, and a valve partition separating the constant volume compartment and the variable volume compartment, and closing communication between the constant volume compartment and the discharge riser by the initial upward movement of said plunger to interrupt the flow of water through said chamber from the inlet to the discharge riser.

NELSON F. 'WETZEL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 88,542 Cabell Apr. 6, 1869 150,296 Davis Apr. 28, 1874 856,552 Siegrist June 11, 1907 900,813 Albright Oct. 113, 1908 1,742.456 Wilson Jan. 7, 1930 2,020,773 Ernst Nov. 12, 1935