Backflow assembly and attachments

Abstract

An improved backflow assembly apparatus is contemplated. The apparatus having a backflow assembly, the backflow assembly having a body, an inlet, a first valve control assembly connecting the inlet to the body, an outlet, and a second valve control assembly connecting the outlet to the body, and a flushing system connected to the body of the backflow assembly, the flushing system having an access lid for connecting directly to the body, a relief valve connected to the access lid, and a flushing hose attached to the relief valve.

Claims

1. A backflow assembly apparatus comprising: a backflow assembly, the backflow assembly having a body, an inlet, a first valve control assembly connecting the inlet to the body, an outlet, and a second valve control assembly connecting the outlet to the body; and a flushing system connected to the body of the backflow assembly, the flushing system having an access lid for connecting directly to the body, a relief valve connected to the access lid, and a flushing hose attached to the relief valve.

2. The backflow assembly apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the access lid comprises a lid opening and a threaded relief connection the relief connection connecting to the relief valve.

3. The backflow assembly apparatus of claim 2 wherein: the access lid is connected to the body of the backflow assembly by clamps, the clamps having an o-ring groove, in which an o-ring is situated for preventing water loss at the connection between the body and the access lid.

4. The backflow assembly apparatus of claim 3 wherein: the clamps are secured to the access lid and tightened using at least two nuts and bolts.

5. The backflow assembly apparatus of claim 3 wherein: the relief valve further has a valve control and is connected to the threaded relief connection, and further having a threaded female attachment opposite the access lid; the female attachment connecting to the flushing hose via a male attachment.

6. The backflow assembly apparatus of claim 5 wherein: the flushing hose further having a female connector opposite the relief valve, and the relief valve being a ball valve adjustable with the valve control.

7. The backflow assembly apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: a first valve control attached to a first valve assembly; and a second valve control attached to a second valve assembly.

8. The backflow assembly apparatus of claim 6 wherein: the lid's lid opening has a diameter at least as large as the diameter of inlet and the diameter of the outlet.

9. A flushing apparatus comprising: an access lid with a lid opening; a relief valve with a valve control, the relief valve connected to the access lid by a threaded relief connection; and a flushing hose connected to the relief valve at a threaded male-female attachment point.

10. The flushing apparatus of claim 9 further comprising: a clamping apparatus for attaching the access lid to a backflow assembly, the clamping apparatus comprising two clamps, each having an o-ring groove, an o-ring, and an apparatus for tightening the clamps around the access lid.

11. The flushing apparatus of claim 10 wherein: the lid opening is at least 2 (inches) in diameter.

12. The flushing apparatus of claim 10 wherein: the flushing hose further having a female connector opposite the relief valve, and the relief valve being a ball valve adjustable with the valve control.

13. A method for flushing a backflow assembly comprising: providing a backflow assembling having a body, an inlet, a first valve control assembly connecting the inlet to the body, an outlet, and a second valve control assembly connecting the outlet to the body; connecting a flushing assembly to the backflow assembly, the flushing assembly having an access lid for connecting directly to the body, the access lid having an opening, a relief valve connected to the access lid, and a flushing hose attached to the relief valve; closing the second valve assembly; and flushing water through the flushing assembly thereby flushing the backflow assembly.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein: the opening has a diameter of at least as large as the diameter of the inlet.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein: the opening has a diameter of at least 2 (inches).

16. The method of claim 14 wherein: the relief valve has a valve control and is connected to the access lid by a threaded connection.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein: the access lid is connected to the body of the backflow assembly by clamps, said clamps having an o-ring groove in which an o-ring can be situated for reducing spillage at the connection point.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a valve lid according to the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lid according to the present invention in a second configuration.

(4) FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the valve lid of FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 4(a) is a side view of a backflow assembly according to the present invention.

(6) FIG. 4(b) is a perspective view of a valve release assembly for attachment to the backflow assembly according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) Referring now the drawings with more specificity, the present invention essentially provides an improved backflow assembly and attachments thereof. The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings. Variations and embodiments contained herein will become apparent in light of the following descriptions.

(8) Looking now to FIGS. 1-3 an improved access lid 10 and threaded relief connection 11 are shown. One unique aspect of the invention is that opening 12, in which relief connection 11 connects can be extraordinarily large for use in flushing applications for the removal of silt and debris. Typical openings are limited to small, (one eighth inch) openings which have limited flow capabilities. Utilizing this new design the diameter of opening 12 can be greatly expanded allowing for much larger diameters when connecting to backflow assemblies for flushing larger volumes of water. Ideally, the diameter 12 of the opening will match the diameter of the inflow and outflow to a larger assembly, thus the maximum flow out of the access lid 10 will not be less than the flow into the assembly. Using this new design, the openings for flushing various apparatuses can be as large as a firehose (typically larger than 5), but also is adapted for controlled flushing at diameters previously unheard of in previous backflow assembly applications such as , , 1 and 2 diameters, as further discussed below.

(9) FIG. 4(a) shows an exemplary backflow assembly apparatus 100 including improved access lid 10. In this improved assembly, access lid 10 is attached to the main body 110 of the backflow assembly 100. Attached to lid 10 is relief valve 30 and flushing hose 40 which allow for a controlled flushing of the assembly 100 at high flow and pressure. As assembly 100 is an exemplary backflow assembly, other orientations may be considered for use with improved lid 10. In this orientation, water typically flows through inlet 120 and through the first valve assembly 121 which is selectively controlled by valve control 122 (to adjust pressure and flow). Water then passes into the body 110 and then, in typical operation into the 2nd valve assembly 131 (controlled by control 132), and passes through the outlet 130. However, after certain conditions (discussed above and below) the assembly 100 can become contaminated with debris. In such situations, valve 30 can be opened to flush water out of the body 110 through hose 40 (as shown by arrows in FIG. 4(a).

(10) FIG. 4(b) shows a more detailed view of the improved flushing system 50 that is attached to backflow assembly 100. Previously shown access lid 10 is secured to the body 110 of assembly 100 using clamps 21. The clamps 21 preferably contain a groove 34 adapted to receive an o-ring 20, and a preferably fastened and tightened using a bolt 22 and nut 23 system. While the nut-and-bolt system is currently shown, there are other methods for tightening clamps 21 and such methods are contemplated herein. As shown previously threaded relief connection 11 is mounted on top of access lid 10 in the lid opening 12, here it is shown connecting lid 10 to relief valve 30. Valve 30 preferably has a control 31 and a threaded attachment 32 for attaching further controlling mechanisms. In the shown embodiment attachment 32 is a threaded female attachment 32. Attachment 32 connects the relief valve 30 to a flushing hose 40 in this embodiment. As shown, hose 40 also has a male attachment 41 and a female attachment 42. This can aid in the portability of the hose as it need not be permanently attached which can cause a stress on the backflow assembly 100 through additional weight.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

(11) Improved access lid 10 and improved flushing assembly 50 are intended for use with various backflow assemblies currently on the market. Examples of such assemblies that can be improved by the addition of such flushing include Air Gap, Double Check Valve Assembly; Reduced Pressure Principal Assembly; Pressure Vacuum Breaker Assembly; and Spill Resistant Pressure Vacuum Breaker. Typically, due to pressure and durability concerns these systems, and thus access lid 10 are primarily constructed with corrosion-resistant metals such as steel or stainless steel. Other materials are contemplated such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), aluminum, or other materials typically used in plumbing applications. Hose 40 should typically be constructed using a flexible material such as rubber or other typical hose material. Valve 30 may preferably be a ball valve (as shown) or may be another type of valve capable of throttling water flow as desired during operation.

(12) An exemplary backflow reduced pressure assembly that may be used with lid 10 and assembly 50 is the Series 4000SS reduced pressure zone assemblies. This assembly and those similar, are designed to provide protection of the potable water supply in accordance with national codes. This series can be used where approved by the local authority having jurisdiction on health-hazard cross-connections. The invention described herein is matable with such devices for providing effective and high-flow flushing of the assembly after a failure of the water supply system that may have resulted in contamination.

(13) Accordingly, although the invention has been described by reference to certain preferred and alternative embodiments, it is not intended that the novel arrangements be limited thereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosures and the appended drawings.