HYDRANT, METHOD FOR DISASSEMBLY OF A SPINDLE ARRANGEMENT FROM A HYDRANT AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLY OF A SPINDLE ARRANGEMENT IN A HYDRANT

Abstract

A hydrant has a riser pipe and a main valve. The main valve comprises a main valve body, a sealing seat which can be sealed with respect to the main valve body, a valve rod connected at one end to the main valve body, and a spindle arrangement. The spindle arrangement contains a journal/journal support arrangement, comprising at least one journal and at least one journal support arrangement, wherein the journal support arrangement has a first support and a second support against each of which the journal can be brought into contact.

Claims

1. A hydrant (10), comprising: a riser pipe (14); and a main valve (16), the main valve having: a main valve body (18), a sealing seat (20) which can be sealed by the main valve body (18), a valve rod (22) which is connected at one end to the main valve body (18), and a spindle assembly (12), wherein the spindle assembly (12) comprises: a spindle cover (24) which can be fastened to the riser pipe (14), a spindle (28) which is rotatably mounted on the spindle cover (24), a spindle nut (32) which is coupled to the valve rod (22) at another end, wherein the spindle (28) and the spindle nut (32) are in thread engagement with each other, designed to convert a torque applied to the spindle (28) into an axial movement of the valve rod (22), and a journal/journal support assembly (52), comprising at least one journal (54,54) and at least one journal support, wherein the journal support comprises a first support (58,58) and a second support (60,60), against each of which the journal (54,54) can be brought to bear.

2. The hydrant (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first support (58,58) and the second support (60,60) are offset from each other.

3. The hydrant (10) according to claim 1, wherein the journal (54,54) is attached to the spindle cover (24) and the journal support is provided in the riser pipe (14).

4. The hydrant (10) according to claim 1, wherein the journal (54,54) can be brought to bear against the first support (58,58) from below and the journal (54,54) can be brought to bear against the second support (60,60) from above.

5. The hydrant (10) according to claim 1, wherein the riser pipe (14) is provided with a journal guide, in which the journal (54,54) can be guided, wherein the journal guide comprises: a first guide section (66,66), in which the journal (54,54) can be guided in the axial direction of the spindle (28), wherein the first guide section (66,66) is at least partially bounded in the upward direction by the first support (58,58), and a second guide section (68,68), in which the journal (54,54) can be guided in the axial direction of the spindle (28), wherein the second guide section (68,68) is at least partially bounded in the downward direction by the second support (60,60).

6. The hydrant (10) according to claim 5, wherein the first (66,66) and second (68,68) guide sections are at least partially offset from each other.

7. The hydrant (10) according to claim 5, wherein the first (66,66) and second (68,68) guide sections are at least partially overlapped in a section between the first (58, 58) and the second (60, 60) support.

8. The hydrant (10) according to claim 5, wherein the journal guide in the riser pipe (14) is designed as a cutout.

9. The hydrant (10) according to claim 1, wherein the journal (54,54) is substantially L-shaped, comprising a projection (64,64) which is directed outward as viewed in the radial direction of the spindle cover (24), wherein the projection (64,64) can be brought to bear against the first (58,58) and second (60,60) support.

10. The hydrant (10) according to claim 9, wherein the projection (64,64) engages in the journal guide.

11. The hydrant (10) according to claim 1, wherein the riser pipe (14) is open in the upward direction in the region of the second guide section (68,68).

12. The hydrant (10) according to claim 1, wherein the spindle cover (24) can be screwed onto the riser pipe (14).

13. A method for removing a spindle assembly (12) from a hydrant (10) having a riser pipe (14) and a main valve (16), the main valve having a main valve body (18), a sealing seat (20) which can be sealed by the main valve body (18), a valve rod (22) which is connected at one end to the main valve body (18), and a spindle assembly (12), wherein the spindle assembly (12) comprises a spindle cover (24) which can be fastened to the riser pipe (14), a spindle (28) which is rotatably mounted on the spindle cover (24), a spindle nut (32) which is coupled to the valve rod (22) at another end, wherein the spindle (28) and the spindle nut (32) are in thread engagement with each other, designed to convert a torque applied to the spindle (28) into an axial movement of the valve rod (22), and a journal/journal support assembly (52), comprising at least one journal (54,54) and at least one journal support, wherein the journal support comprises a first support (58,58) and a second support (60,60), against each of which the journal (54,54) can be brought to bear, comprising the steps: loosening the spindle cover (24) from the riser pipe (14), rotating the spindle (28) in a direction to raise the spindle cover (24) to a predetermined height, rotating the spindle (28) in a direction to lower the spindle cover (24), continuing to rotate the spindle (28) in the same direction and thereby introducing into the second support (60,60), via the journal (54,54), a force that is generated by the continued rotation of the spindle (28), taking the spindle assembly (12) out of the riser pipe (14).

14. A method for removing a spindle assembly (12) from a hydrant (10) having a riser pipe (14) and a main valve (16), the main valve having a main valve body (18), a sealing seat (20) which can be sealed by the main valve body (18), a valve rod (22) which is connected at one end to the main valve body (18), and a spindle assembly (12), wherein the spindle assembly (12) comprises a spindle cover (24) which can be fastened to the riser pipe (14), a spindle (28) which is rotatably mounted on the spindle cover (24), a spindle nut (32) which is coupled to the valve rod (22) at another end, wherein the spindle (28) and the spindle nut (32) are in thread engagement with each other, designed to convert a torque applied to the spindle (28) into an axial movement of the valve rod (22), and a journal/journal support assembly (52), comprising at least one journal (54,54) and at least one journal support, wherein the journal support comprises a first support (58,58) and a second support (60,60), against each of which the journal (54,54) can be brought to bear, wherein the riser pipe (14) is provided with a journal guide, in which the journal (54,54) can be guided, wherein the journal guide comprises a first guide section (66,66), in which the journal (54,54) can be guided in the axial direction of the spindle (28), wherein the first guide section (66,66) is at least partially bounded in the upward direction by the first support (58,58), and a second guide section (68,68), in which the journal (54,54) can be guided in the axial direction of the spindle (28), wherein the second guide section (68,68) is at least partially bounded in the downward direction by the second support (60,60), comprising the steps: loosening the spindle cover (24) from the riser pipe (14), rotating the spindle (28) in a direction to raise the spindle cover (24) to a predetermined height, rotating the spindle (28) in a direction to lower the spindle cover (24), continuing to rotate the spindle (28) in the same direction and thereby introducing into the second support (60,60), via the journal (54,54), a force that is generated by the continued rotation of the spindle (28), taking the spindle assembly (12) out of the riser pipe (14).

15. A method for installing a spindle assembly (12) in a hydrant (10) having a riser pipe (14) and a main valve (16), the main valve having a main valve body (18), a sealing seat (20) which can be sealed by the main valve body (18), a valve rod (22) which is connected at one end to the main valve body (18), and a spindle assembly (12), wherein the spindle assembly (12) comprises a spindle cover (24) which can be fastened to the riser pipe (14), a spindle (28) which is rotatably mounted on the spindle cover (24), a spindle nut (32) which is coupled to the valve rod (22) at another end, wherein the spindle (28) and the spindle nut (32) are in thread engagement with each other, designed to convert a torque applied to the spindle (28) into an axial movement of the valve rod (22), and a journal/journal support assembly (52), comprising at least one journal (54,54) and at least one journal support, wherein the journal support comprises a first support (58,58) and a second support (60,60), against each of which the journal (54,54) can be brought to bear, comprising the steps: at least partially inserting the spindle assembly (12) into the riser pipe (14), rotating the spindle (28) in a direction to raise the spindle cover (24), continuing to rotate the spindle (28) in the same direction and thereby introducing into the first support (58,58), via the journal (54,54), a force that is generated by the continued rotation of the spindle (28), in a state in which the main valve body (18) is brought at least partially into sealing contact with the sealing seat (20) of the riser pipe (14), rotating the spindle (28) in a direction to lower the spindle cover (24), continuing to rotate the spindle (28) in the same direction until the spindle cover (24) comes into contact with the riser pipe (14), fastening the spindle cover (24) to the riser pipe (14).

16. A method for installing a spindle assembly (12) in a hydrant (10) having a riser pipe (14) and a main valve (16), the main valve having a main valve body (18), a sealing seat (20) which can be sealed by the main valve body (18), a valve rod (22) which is connected at one end to the main valve body (18), and a spindle assembly (12), wherein the spindle assembly (12) comprises a spindle cover (24) which can be fastened to the riser pipe (14), a spindle (28) which is rotatably mounted on the spindle cover (24), a spindle nut (32) which is coupled to the valve rod (22) at another end, wherein the spindle (28) and the spindle nut (32) are in thread engagement with each other, designed to convert a torque applied to the spindle (28) into an axial movement of the valve rod (22), and a journal/journal support assembly (52), comprising at least one journal (54,54) and at least one journal support, wherein the journal support comprises a first support (58,58) and a second support (60,60), against each of which the journal (54,54) can be brought to bear, wherein the riser pipe (14) is provided with a journal guide, in which the journal (54,54) can be guided, wherein the journal guide comprises a first guide section (66,66), in which the journal (54,54) can be guided in the axial direction of the spindle (28), wherein the first guide section (66,66) is at least partially bounded in the upward direction by the first support (58,58), and a second guide section (68,68), in which the journal (54,54) can be guided in the axial direction of the spindle (28), wherein the second guide section (68,68) is at least partially bounded in the downward direction by the second support (60,60), comprising the steps: at least partially inserting the spindle assembly (12) into the riser pipe (14), rotating the spindle (28) in a direction to raise the spindle cover (24), continuing to rotate the spindle (28) in the same direction and thereby introducing into the first support (58,58), via the journal (54,54), a force that is generated by the continued rotation of the spindle (28), in a state in which the main valve body (18) is brought at least partially into sealing contact with the sealing seat (20) of the riser pipe (14), rotating the spindle (28) in a direction to lower the spindle cover (24), continuing to rotate the spindle (28) in the same direction until the spindle cover (24) comes into contact with the riser pipe (14), fastening the spindle cover (24) to the riser pipe (14).

17. The hydrant (10) according to claim 1, wherein the journal is attached to the riser pipe (14) and the journal support is provided in the spindle cover (24).

Description

[0062] The present invention will be explained in greater detail below, inter alia with reference to procedures shown in the drawing for removing a spindle assembly from an underground hydrant and for installing the spindle assembly in the underground hydrant. In the drawing:

[0063] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view through a hydrant in the longitudinal direction, the hydrant being designed as an underground hydrant,

[0064] FIGS. 2a,b show a partial sectional view of an underground hydrant, which is shown shortened for better clarity (FIG. 2a), as well as a sectional view in the region of a journal/journal support assembly to illustrate a respective position of a projection of a journal of a spindle cover (FIG. 2b), the spindle cover being screwed onto a riser pipe of the underground hydrant,

[0065] FIGS. 3a,b show a view according to FIGS. 2a,b to explain a procedure for removing a spindle assembly from the hydrant, wherein the spindle cover is loosened from the riser pipe of the underground hydrant and is raised with respect to the riser pipe by rotating a spindle of the underground hydrant,

[0066] FIGS. 4a,b show a view according to FIGS. 2a,b to explain a procedure for removing the spindle assembly from the hydrant, wherein the spindle cover is turned in the clockwise direction relative to the illustration in FIGS. 3a,b,

[0067] FIGS. 5a,b show a view according to FIGS. 2a,b to explain a procedure for removing the spindle assembly from the hydrant, wherein, compared to the illustration in FIGS. 4a,b, a projection of a journal of the spindle cover is brought to bear against a second support formed in the riser pipe and a force is applied to said second support by rotating the spindle, as a result of which the main valve body is raised in counter-reaction,

[0068] FIG. 6 shows a view according to FIGS. 2a,b, wherein the spindle assembly is shown taken out of the riser pipe in the upward direction,

[0069] FIGS. 7a,b show a view according to FIGS. 2a,b to explain a procedure for installing the spindle assembly in the hydrant, wherein the projection of the journal of the spindle cover engages in the first guide section and is aligned with a first support formed in the riser pipe,

[0070] FIGS. 8a,b show a view according to FIGS. 2a,b to explain a procedure for installing the spindle assembly in the hydrant, wherein, compared to the illustration in FIGS. 7a,b, the projection of the journal of the spindle cover is brought to bear against the first support and a force is applied to the latter or introduced into the latter by rotating the spindle, as a result of which the main valve body is lowered in counter-reaction,

[0071] FIG. 9 shows a view according to FIGS. 2a,b to explain a procedure for installing the spindle assembly in the hydrant, wherein, compared to FIGS. 8a,b, the main valve body is lowered, by rotating the spindle, to such an extent that the main valve body sealingly fits into a sealing seat of the hydrant.

[0072] FIG. 1 shows an underground hydrant 10 in a longitudinal sectional view. FIGS. 2a,b to FIG. 6 show procedures to explain a removal of a spindle assembly 12 from the underground hydrant 10. FIGS. 7a,b to FIG. 9 show procedures to explain an installation of the spindle assembly 12 in the underground hydrant 10.

[0073] The hydrant 10 comprises a riser pipe 14 and a main valve 16. The main valve 16 comprises a main valve body 18 which can be brought into sealing contact with a sealing seat 20 formed in the riser pipe 14. In the region of the sealing seat 20, the main valve body 18 is reliably axially guided by vanes 21,21 integrally formed on the main valve body 18. In the embodiment shown, the hydrant 10 is opened by moving the main valve body 18 downward in the direction of a dead space, this movement being reliably axially guided by the vanes 21,21. Conversely, to close the hydrant, the main valve body 18 is moved upward.

[0074] The main valve 16 additionally comprises a valve rod 22, which is fixedly connected at the lower end to the main valve body 18. The main valve 16 also comprises the spindle assembly 12. The spindle assembly 12 comprises a spindle cover 24, which can be fastened to the riser pipe 14 by way of screws 26,26. The spindle assembly 12 additionally comprises a spindle 28, which is rotatably mounted on the spindle cover 24. A coupling element 30, for example an operating square, projects outward beyond the spindle cover 24 on the outside of the hydrant 10 and is coupled to the spindle 28 for co-rotation therewith. The spindle 28 is in thread engagement with a spindle nut 32. The spindle nut 32 is coupled to the upper end of the valve rod 22 via a coupling/guide assembly 34, designed to convert a torque applied to the spindle 28 into an axial movement of the valve rod 22. The coupling/guide assembly 34 includes an extension 36 directed outward in a radial direction, which extension engages in a longitudinal groove 38 formed in the interior of the riser pipe 14 and can be guided therein only in the axial direction of the riser pipe 14. As a result, the coupling/guide assembly 34 and thus the valve rod 22 coupled thereto can be moved only in the axial direction of the riser pipe 14.

[0075] The hydrant 10 additionally comprises, on its outlet side, a hose coupling 40 for coupling to e.g. a hose (not shown) via e.g. two claws 41,41. The hose coupling 40 may be sealed off from the outside by a closure cover 42. Furthermore, the hose coupling 40 may be provided with a backflow preventer 44. The hydrant 10 may be connected in a fluid-tight manner to a water inlet (not shown) via a flange 46 on the underside with an interposed seal 48. A bulbous section on the underside of the hydrant 10 defines a dead space 50 between the main valve body 18 and the water inlet.

[0076] In one embodiment of the hydrant 10 according to the invention, the spindle assembly 12 is additionally provided with a journal/journal support assembly 52. The journal/journal support assembly 52 comprises two journals 54,54, which are attached to or formed on the spindle cover 24 in a manner offset from each other by 180, and two journal support assemblies 56,56 which are provided in the riser pipe 14 and are likewise offset from each other by 180, each journal support assembly comprising a first support 58,58 and a second support 60,60. The first support 58,58 and the second support 60,60 are offset from each other as viewed in the axial direction of the riser pipe 14, so that the journals 54,54 can be brought to bear against the first support 58,58 from below and can be brought to bear against the second support 60,60 from above.

[0077] The journals 54,54 are substantially L-shaped, each comprising a web 62,62 and a projection 64,64 adjoining said web at the distal end, the projections projecting outward as viewed in the radial direction of the spindle cover 24. The projections 64,64 can each be brought to bear against the first support 58,58 and the second support 60,60.

[0078] The journals 54,54 can be guided via their projections 64,64 in corresponding journal guides which are formed in the riser pipe 14. The journal guides each comprise a first guide section 66,66, in which the journals 54,54 can be guided in the axial direction of the spindle 28, the first guide section 66,66 being at least partially bounded in the upward direction by the first support 58,58. The journal guides also each comprise a second guide section 68,68, in which the journals 54,54 can likewise be guided in the axial direction of the spindle 28, the second guide section 68,68 being at least partially bounded in the downward direction by the second support 60,60.

[0079] The first guide section 66,66 and the second guide section 68,68 are at least partially offset from each other, wherein they may be at least partially overlapped in a region between the first support 58,58 and the second support 60,60. This arrangement enables the spindle cover 24 to be partially turned, namely via its journals 54,54, which can be guided from the first guide section 66,66 into the second guide section 68,68 and vice versa.

[0080] Procedures for removing the spindle assembly 12 and thus the main valve 16 from the hydrant 10 will be explained below.

[0081] Starting from the starting position shown in FIGS. 2a,b, the screws 26,26 are removed, as shown in FIGS. 3a,b. The spindle 28 is then rotated by applying a torque to the coupling element 30 in a direction in which the spindle cover 24 is raised, for example in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction. The spindle cover 24 advantageously does not rotate therewith, since it is guided by the projections 64,64 engaging in the first guide section 66,66.

[0082] As a result of the rotation, the spindle cover 24 is raised so far until the projections 64,64 of the journals 54,54 are in a region at the height between the first support 58,58 and the second support 60,60 or reach the section in which the first guide section 66,66 and the second guide section 68,68 overlap. By way of example, as a result of the rotation, the spindle cover 24 can be raised so far until the projections 64,64 butt against the first support 58,58 (see FIG. 3b). The main valve body 18 remains in an unchanged position.

[0083] Starting from this position, the projections 64,64 are transferred from the first guide section 66,66 to the second guide section 68,68, as shown in FIGS. 4a,b. To this end, the spindle 28 is simply rotated in the opposite direction, for example in the clockwise (CW) direction. As a result of e.g. friction between the spindle cover 24 and the spindle 28, the spindle cover 24 also rotates by the applied rotation, so that the spindle cover 24 does not have to be turned by hand. The projections 64,64 are now partially aligned with the second support 60,60.

[0084] Starting from this position, the spindle is rotated further in the same direction of rotation, as shown in FIGS. 5a,b. In doing so, the spindle cover 24 is lowered and the projections 64,64 come into contact with the second support 60,60. The rotation continues in the same direction, with the force thus generated being introduced into the second support 60,60 via the projections 64,64. In counter-reaction, as the rotation of the spindle 28 continues, the spindle nut 32 coupled thereto by a thread is moved upward, and as a result the main valve body 18 is steadily raised in a manner guided via the valve rod 22. In doing so, the main valve body 18 is pulled out of sealing contact with the sealing seat 20. As soon as the main valve body 18 is freed from sealing contact with the sealing seat 20, the spindle assembly 12 and/or the main valve 16 can be taken out of the riser pipe 14 in the upward direction, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0085] Procedures for installing the spindle assembly 12 and thus the main valve 16 in the hydrant 10 will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 7a,b to 9.

[0086] For installation purposes, the spindle assembly 12 and/or the main valve 16 is inserted into the guide section by way of the spindle cover 24. To this end, the journals 54,54 are inserted via their projections 64,64 into the first guide section 66,66. As soon as the projections 64,64 are at the height in said section at which the first guide section 66,66 and the second guide section 68,68 overlap, the spindle cover 24 is turned, for example in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction, and then is lowered further in a manner guided by the second guide section 68,68. In this position, the projections 64,64 are partially aligned with the first support 58,58. In this position, the main valve body 18 can e.g. come into contact with the sealing seat 20 from above.

[0087] Starting from this position, the spindle 28 is rotated in a direction to raise the spindle cover 24, for example in the counterclockwise (CCW) direction, until the projections 64,64 come to bear against the first support 58,58, as shown in FIGS. 8a,b. In this position, the spindle 28 is rotated further in the same direction of rotation. The force thus generated is introduced into the first support 58,58. As rotation of the spindle 28 continues, the spindle nut 32 is moved downward in counter-reaction, and the main valve body 18 is thus pushed or pressed into the sealing seat 20, as shown in FIG. 9. As soon as the main valve body 18 is located fully in the sealing seat 20 or has assumed a predetermined position in the sealing seat 20, the spindle 28 is not rotated any further. By way of example, in this position, the spindle 28 can be rotated until it stops, which can serve as an indication that the main valve body 18 is located fully in the sealing seat 20.

[0088] Starting from this position, the spindle 28 is rotated in the opposite direction, for example in the clockwise (CW) direction, to lower the spindle cover 24. It may initially be necessary to prevent the spindle cover 24 from rotating or turning here, for example by using a hand. As soon as the spindle cover 24 is guided by the projections 64,64 of the journals 54,54 engaging in the first guide section 66,66, the spindle cover 24 no longer has to be prevented from rotating. The rotation of the spindle 28 is continued until the spindle cover 24 butts against the riser pipe 14. Once this position has been reached, the spindle cover 24 is screwed to the riser pipe 14 by way of the screws 26,26. The hydrant is then back in the starting position shown in FIG. 2a.