The present invention relates to a shut-off element of a hydrant, a hydrant and a main valve seat.
Hydrants are connected to a water distribution system and represent a fitting for drawing off water, thus enabling the fire brigade as well as public and private users to draw water from the water distribution system. The network pressure in the water distribution system is typically approx. 6-9 bar. Hydrants comprise a riser pipe with an interior and an exterior, with the water distribution system typically connected to the interior via a floor-side inlet pipe. Water is drawn from the interior via side connections.
For opening and closing hydrants, shut-off elements are known, which can be located in the area of or near the inlet pipe. Shut-off elements are e.g. hydrant main valves, which comprise an axially adjustable main valve body, which can be sealingly closed with a sealing surface of the hydrant. Alternatively, the main valve body can be sealed with a sealing surface of a main valve seat which can be removably introduced into the hydrant. The main valve body is a sealing element which, in a closed position, seals with the sealing surface of the hydrant or main valve seat and, in an open position, releases a connection between the floor-side inlet pipe and the interior of the riser pipe. In this case, the main valve body can be coupled to a valve rod, which allows the main valve body to be adjusted from the closed position to the open position and vice versa. The valve rod is usually arranged axially in the riser pipe of the hydrant and can be adjusted manually via an actuating element, e.g. a spindle drive. In this case, a manual rotation can be converted into an axial adjustment by means of the actuating element, by means of which the valve rod and the main valve body coupled to it can be moved up and down axially.
A problem in the prior art is that pressure surges can occur in the water distribution system when the hydrant is closed. The intensity of a pressure surge increases as the shut-off element closes increasingly quickly. Due to the problem of pressure surges, pipe bursts can occur in the water distribution system, which can have serious consequences. In addition to the problem of high water loss in the water distribution system and the decreasing water pressure, there are also problems of drinking water pollution and damages to land or roads. High pressure surges can also result in the bursting of a fire hose, for example. The pressure surges can also cause water to be forced out of the hose and back into the water distribution system, which can lead to dirty water and/or fire-fighting foam entering the drinking water. It should be noted that the pressure surges can also occur when the hydrant is opened.
In order to solve the problem, it is known in the prior art that the shut-off element of the hydrant should be slowly closed or slowly opened. For this purpose, the prior art suggests, for example, that when closing the hydrant, especially the last turns or rather the last turn to close the shut-off element should be done slowly, as the greatest change in the water quantity occurs when the valve is almost closed. The above also applies when opening the hydrant. One problem with this solution, however, is that this measure can be forgotten, e.g. in the event of an urgent fire-fighting operation, or it may not have been known at all, e.g. due to insufficient instruction of the operator. Thus, pressure surges can occur when operated by untrained personnel. It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose a shut-off element which does not cause pressure surges. It is also object of the present invention to propose a hydrant with such a shut-off element as well as a main valve seat for such a shut-off element.
The aforementioned object is solved by a shut-off element according to independent claim 1, a hydrant according to independent claim 13, and a main valve seat according to independent claim 17. Further advantageous features arise from the dependent claims.
In accordance with the invention, the above-mentioned object is solved by a shut-off element of a hydrant, wherein the shut-off element comprises a main valve body and a sealing surface which can be brought into mutual sealing contact or rather engagement, wherein the sealing surface is provided on the inner circumference thereof at least in sections with a recess which is inscribed or rather introduced into the sealing surface at a variable depth. The shut-off element according to the invention comprises a sealing surface which is provided with a recess which is inscribed into the sealing surface with a variable depth in an inner surface section of the sealing surface or an inner peripheral section of the sealing surface. As soon as the main valve body is moved from e.g. an open position to a closed position of the hydrant, the main valve body passes over such section of the sealing surface, which is provided with the recess entered. In the sector of this adjustment of the main valve body in relation to the sealing surface, the water then flows with a reduced volume via the total cross-sectional area still opening via the recess into e.g. the riser pipe of the hydrant. Due to the shape of the recess, this total opening cross-sectional area can be steadily reduced as the main valve body is moved further towards the closed position, which also steadily reduces the volume of water flowing through. As the main valve body is progressively moved towards the closed position, the main valve body finally comes into complete contact or rather engagement with a section which is not provided with the recess. In this position the shut-off element is completely closed.
The transition of the main valve body from the open position to the closed position along the sealing surface in the course of passing over the section with the inscribed recess can be defined as soft closing, as the shut-off element does not close abruptly in this case, as is the case in the prior art. In the prior art, on the other hand, shortly before reaching the closed position, a circumferentially opening slot between a section of the main valve body and the sealing surface, through which slot the water flows, e.g. into the riser pipe, is abruptly closed if the main valve body is moved even slightly axially in the direction of the closed position (also referred to as the rotation of an actuating element for closing a hydrant), resulting in the disadvantageous pressure surges. Contrary to the prior art, however, the present invention allows the hydrant to be closed gently, even by untrained personnel, without pressure surges occurring. The same advantages of the present invention also apply when the hydrant is opened.
In a preferred embodiment of the shut-off element, the recess is formed in a section of the sealing surface which can be traversed by the main valve body to open and close the shut-off element. The section of the sealing surface provided with the recess can be described as the section for smooth closing or opening of the shut-off element. After the main valve body has traversed this section with the recess, the main valve body comes into complete circumferential contact or rather engagement with a section which is not provided with a recess, and thus seals reliably.
As described above, the recess is inscribed or rather introduced into the sealing surface at a variable depth. In one example, the depth at which the recess is inscribed into the sealing surface (in relation to the axial alignment of the cylindrical sealing surface) may decrease in the direction of the closing position of the shut-off element. The recess can, when viewed in this direction towards the closed position, change in a step-free manner or rather continuously into a section configured without a recess. The recess can be inscribed in a differently deep manner into the sealing surface when viewed in the radial direction (starting from the center axis of the cylindrical sealing surface). In other words, a section of the recess, which is inscribed into the sealing surface at a variable depth, can be defined as a respective cross-sectional area through which water flows—also related as an opening cross-sectional area—when considering a respective axial displacement of the main valve body (in relation to the axis of the sealing surface). The respectively opening cross-sectional area can thus be defined in relation to the axial displacement of the main valve body. As the main valve body is moved progressively in the direction of the closed position, the opening cross-sectional area that opens up decreases progressively and finally assumes the value zero. Due to the variable depth of the recess, smooth closing and opening can also be achieved, thus preventing pressure surges. The depth of the recess can be entered into the sealing surface with a linear or non-linear variation.
In a preferred embodiment of the shut-off element, the recess on the inner circumference of the sealing surface is designed as a continuous recess. The profile of the recess can be continuous or uninterrupted. Such a recess can allow a reduced effort for manufacturing. This can reduce manufacturing costs.
In an alternative embodiment of the shut-off element, the recess on the inner circumference of the sealing surface comprises several partial recesses. Thus, a finer dosage of the water flowing through the partial recesses (and thus through the recess as a whole) can be achieved. It should be mentioned that the word “recess” can mean a cohesive or rather continuous recess, as well as a recess with interruptions (several separate recesses), here referred to as partial recesses. In a preferred embodiment of the shut-off element, the partial recesses are evenly spaced circumferentially.
In a preferred embodiment of the shut-off element, the recess extends along the axial direction of the sealing surface to varying degrees. As mentioned above, the recess can comprise several partial recesses. Thus, for example, at least one of the partial recesses may extend further along the axial direction of the sealing surface than at least one other of the partial recesses. When the shut-off element is closed, water still flows through the at least one partial recess, which extends further into the sealing surface, whereas the water supply is already shut off at the at least one further partial recess. This allows a further fine dosing of the water volume flowing through.
In a preferred embodiment of the shut-off element, the recess on the inner circumference of the sealing surface is curved. In one example, the sealing surface may be provided with several partial recesses in the form of arcs. In another example, the profile of the recess can follow an arc-shaped course, also known as a wave-shaped course. When the shut-off element is opened and closed, the wave-shaped course opens up a cross-sectional area through which the water flows, which cross-sectional area varies from area to area. The variable cross-sectional area can be in relation to the adjustment of the main valve body. This allows the volume of water flowing through to be gently reduced until the shut-off element is completely closed, thus reducing the risk of pressure surges. The volume of water flowing through can also be gently increased when the shut-off element is opened, which also reduces the risk of pressure surges. In one example, the arc-shaped recess can follow a function of a sinusoidal curve, at least in sections. In one example, the arc-shaped recess may have two half arcs which are opposite each other in the same orientation. In this example, the two arcs can extend to different lengths along the axial direction of the sealing surface or rather can have different peaks. When the shut-off element is closed, water still flows through the half-arc with the widest extension, while the water supply through the other, opposite half-arc is already shut off. This allows a further fine dosing of the water volume flowing through.
In one embodiment of the shut-off element, the recess on the inner circumference of the sealing surface has straight sections. In one embodiment of the shut-off element, the recess is formed in a wedge-shaped, triangular, trapezoidal and/or sawtooth-shaped manner. Where appropriate, other geometric shapes are possible. In one example, partial recesses with straight sections may extend to different extents in the axial direction of the sealing surface. When the shut-off element is closed, water still flows through at least one of the partial recesses, e.g. triangular or wedge-shaped partial recesses, respectively, which extends further than at least one other partial recess over which the water supply is already shut off. In this way, a further fine dosing of the water volume flowing through can be achieved.
In a preferred embodiment of the shut-off element, the sealing surface is configured to be formed integrally with a hydrant body of a hydrant. The sealing surface can be formed integrally with the material of the hydrant, e.g. when casting a component of the hydrant. In one embodiment of the shut-off element, the sealing surface is configured to be formed integrally with a riser pipe of the hydrant. Costs can be saved by integrally forming the sealing surface in the course of the production of the riser pipe of the hydrant, e.g. when casting the riser pipe.
In an alternative embodiment, the shut-off element also includes a main valve seat, the inner surface of which is configured as the sealing surface. The main valve seat can be a component that can be removably inserted into the shut-off element, e.g. a main valve section of a hydrant. The inner surface of the main valve seat, or rather its sealing surface, is provided with the recess described above.
The invention also relates to a hydrant comprising a shut-off element having a main valve body and a sealing surface which can be brought into mutual sealing contact, wherein the sealing surface is provided on the inner circumference thereof at least in sections with a recess which is inscribed into the sealing surface at a variable depth. Thus, a hydrant is created which can be opened and closed gently, whereby disadvantageous pressure surges are eliminated.
In one embodiment of the hydrant, the sealing surface and the hydrant body are formed integrally. In this configuration, a section, or rather component, of the hydrant is formed as the sealing surface itself. In an embodiment, the hydrant comprises a riser pipe, wherein the sealing surface and the riser pipe are formed integrally. In this configuration, a section of the riser pipe is designed as the sealing surface itself. The above configurations allow cost savings. For example, the sealing surface is formed to the riser pipe while casting thereof.
In an alternative embodiment, the hydrant also includes a main valve seat, the inner surface of which is configured as the sealing surface. The inner surface of the main valve seat is provided with the recess described above. The main valve seat can advantageously be replaced, for example, due to wear or altered requirements. This makes the hydrant according to the invention particularly easy to maintain and at the same time has the property that it can be opened and closed without pressure surges.
The invention is also directed at a main valve seat for a hydrant, wherein the main valve seat is removably insertable into a section of a shut-off element of the hydrant in such a way that the main valve seat and a main valve body enclosed in the hydrant can be brought into mutual sealing contact, wherein the main valve seat has a sealing surface on the inner circumference thereof, which is provided at least in sections with a recess which is inscribed into the sealing surface with a variable depth. Thus, a main valve seat is created which can be easily replaced, for example as a result of wear. The main valve seat according to the invention allows a hydrant equipped with this main valve seat to be opened and closed by untrained personnel, for example, without pressure surges occurring.
It is expressly pointed out that the above embodiment variants can be combined in any way. Only those combinations of embodiments are excluded which would lead to contradictions due to the combination.
In the following, the present invention is explained in closer detail by means of exemplary embodiments shown in drawings, wherein:
The shut-off element 10 comprises a sealing surface 16, wherein the main valve body 12 and the sealing surface 16 can be brought into mutually sealing contact or rather engagement. In other words, the main valve body 12 can be adjusted such that it seals circumferentially with the sealing surface 16. The “FIGS. b)-e)” show the shut-off element 10 starting from an open position (“FIG. b)” in each case: shut-off element completely open) via two intermediate positions (“FIGS. c,d)” in each case) (explained in more detail in the following embodiments) up to a closed position (in each case “FIG. e)”: shut-off element completely closed).
The embodiments shown in
In the case of the shut-off elements 10 shown in each case, the sealing surface 16 is provided on the inner circumference of a constricted section of the shut-off element 10 itself. In other words, an inner surface section of the shut-off element 10 itself forms the sealing surface 16. The shut-off element 10 can be part of a hydrant, e.g. a riser pipe. Although not shown, alternatively a replaceable main valve seat can be provided, the inner circumferential surface of which is provided with the sealing surface. The main valve seat can be inserted into the hydrant, e.g. into the riser pipe. It should be mentioned that the term “inner circumference of the sealing surface” means the inner surface or inner circumferential surface of the sealing surface itself.
The respective sealing surfaces 16 are provided in sections with a recess 20, via which the water can continue to flow in the intermediate position of the main valve body 12. This will be discussed in more detail below when considering the individual embodiments.
In the following, the individual embodiments are discussed separately. Throughout the drawings, identical or equivalent components or shaped portions are assigned the same reference numerals.
The sealing surface 16 shown in the embodiment of
The wedge-shaped recess 20 is formed in a section of the sealing surface 16, which is traversed by the main valve body 12 when the shut-off element 10 closes (see
In the shown embodiment, a wedge of the wedge-shaped recess 20 also extends further into the sealing surface 16 as compared to the opposite wedge, or rather the two wedges have different high points or rather peaks. In other words, the two wedges extend differently far into the sealing surface 16. As a result, water continues to flow via the further extending wedge even when the opposite wedge is already completely shut off by the main valve body 12. Therefore, in
The invention allows the volume of water passing through the recess 20 to steadily decrease in a certain ratio during the last turns or rather during the last turn to close the shut-off element 10, and not to be shut off abruptly as is the case in the prior art. The present invention thus effectively prevents the occurrence of pressure surges, even if the hydrant is operated by untrained personnel, for example.
With the position of the main valve body 12 in relation to the sealing surface 16 as shown in
In the position of the main valve body 12 as shown in
In the position of the main valve body 12 as shown in
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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17196634.4 | Oct 2017 | EP | regional |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2018/076004 | 9/25/2018 | WO | 00 |