STACKED BACKFLOW PREVENTER

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/678,774 filed Aug. 2, 2024, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to a backflow preventer, and more particularly, a stacked backflow preventer.

BACKGROUND

Backflow preventers permit forward fluid flow through the backflow preventer while preventing backflow or back-siphonage of contaminated fluid. Backflow preventers can be used to protect potable water supplies from contaminants that could otherwise be introduced into the potable water via back-siphonage or back-pressure.

SUMMARY

In one independent aspect, a backflow preventer includes an inlet; an outlet positioned in a stacked configuration with respect to the inlet, the outlet positioned downstream of the inlet with respect to a flow path in which fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet; a first check valve located between the inlet and the outlet with respect to the flow path; a second check valve located between the first check valve and the outlet with respect to the flow path; and a coupling portion providing fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet. The coupling portion includes an offset portion that is laterally offset with respect to the inlet, and the offset portion inhibits flow of fluid from the outlet to the inlet during a backflow condition.

In some aspects, the offset portion includes a lower end that is laterally offset from the inlet, wherein the relief outlet is positioned adjacent the lower end.

In some aspects, the lower end of the offset portion extends below a lowermost fluid opening of the first check valve.

In some aspects, the coupling portion includes a first lateral pipe and a second lateral pipe, the first lateral pipe fluidly coupled to the inlet, the second lateral pipe fluidly coupled to the outlet, wherein the offset portion is fluidly coupled between the first lateral pipe and the second lateral pipe.

In some aspects, the first check valve is positioned in the first lateral pipe, and the second check valve is positioned in the second lateral pipe.

In some aspects, the first check valve is positioned adjacent the inlet and the second check valve is spaced apart from the outlet.

In some aspects, the second check valve is actuatable in a direction that is substantially perpendicular relative to an axis of the outlet.

In some aspects, the second check valve is actuatable in a direction that is substantially perpendicular relative to an axis of the outlet.

In some aspects, the offset portion extends in a helical manner between the inlet and the outlet.

In some aspects, the offset portion extends in a vertical loop between the inlet and the outlet.

In some aspects, the coupling portion includes a first end coupled to the inlet, a second end coupled to the outlet, and an intermediate portion positioned between the first end and the second end, the intermediate portion having a width that is larger than the first end and the second end, the offset portion being positioned along a periphery of the intermediate portion, wherein the first check valve and the second check valve are positioned in the intermediate portion and offset from one another.

In some aspects, the coupling portion includes a first end coupled to the inlet, a second end coupled to the outlet, and an intermediate portion positioned between the first end and the second end, wherein the first end and the second end are oriented in a common plane.

In another independent aspect, a backflow preventer includes: an inlet; an outlet positioned in a stacked configuration with respect to the inlet, the outlet positioned downstream of the inlet with respect to a flow path in which fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet; a first check valve located between the inlet and the outlet with respect to the flow path; a second check valve located between the first check valve and the outlet with respect to the flow path; and a coupling portion providing fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet. The coupling portion includes an offset portion that is laterally offset with respect to the inlet, and the offset portion inhibits flow of fluid from the outlet to the inlet during a backflow condition. The coupling portion further includes a relief outlet for draining fluid from the offset portion during the backflow condition, the coupling portion being removably coupled to the inlet and the outlet.

In some aspects, the inlet and the outlet are secured to one another in a common body, the body including a lateral inlet portion in fluid communication with the inlet and a lateral outlet portion in fluid communication with the outlet, wherein the coupling portion is removably coupled to the lateral inlet portion and the lateral outlet portion.

In some aspects, the coupling portion includes a first end coupled to the lateral inlet portion, a second end coupled to the lateral outlet portion, and an intermediate portion positioned between the first end and the second end, wherein the first end and the second end are oriented in a common plane.

In some aspects, the first check valve and the second check valve are supported in the coupling portion and are oriented parallel to one another.

In some aspects, the first check valve and the second check valve are supported in the coupling portion.

In some aspects, the lower end of the offset pipe portion extends below a lowermost fluid opening of the first check valve, the relief outlet positioned adjacent the lower end.

In yet another independent aspect, a backflow preventer includes: an inlet extending along an inlet axis; an outlet extending along an outlet axis, the outlet positioned in a stacked configuration with respect to the inlet, the outlet positioned downstream of the inlet with respect to a flow path in which fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet; a first check valve located between the inlet and the outlet with respect to the flow path; a second check valve located between the first check valve and the outlet with respect to the flow path; and a coupling portion providing fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet. The coupling portion includes an offset pipe portion, and a central axis of the offset pipe portion is offset from the inlet axis.

In some aspects, the first check valve is actuatable in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the inlet axis, wherein the second check valve is actuatable in a direction that is substantially perpendicular relative to the outlet axis.

Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a backflow preventer according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a is front view of the backflow preventer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a section view of the backflow preventer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a section view of the backflow preventer of FIG. 1 with an upstream check valve shown in a different position than shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a section view of the backflow preventer of FIG. 1 with a downstream check valve shown in a different position than shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a section view of the backflow preventer of FIG. 1 with a downstream check valve shown in a different position than shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a backflow preventer according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a section view of the backflow preventer of FIG. 7, viewed along section 8-8.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a backflow preventer according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a section view of the backflow preventer of FIG. 9, viewed along section 10-10.

FIG. 11 is a section view of the backflow preventer of FIG. 9, viewed along section 11-11.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a backflow preventer according to another embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a section view of a backflow preventer according to another embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a backflow preventer according to another embodiment, the backflow preventer shown in a partially exploded configuration.

FIG. 15 is a section view of the backflow preventer of FIG. 14, viewed along section 15-15, the backflow preventer shown in a non-exploded configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of the configuration and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The disclosure is capable of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as possible additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings.

Relative terminology, such as, for example, “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” etc., used in connection with a quantity or condition would be understood by those of ordinary skill to be inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., the term includes at least the degree of error associated with the measurement accuracy, tolerances [e.g., manufacturing, assembly, use, etc.] associated with the particular value, etc.). Such terminology should also be considered as disclosing the range defined by the absolute values of the two endpoints. For example, the expression “from about 2 to about 4” also discloses the range “from 2 to 4.” The relative terminology may refer to plus or minus a percentage (e.g., 1%, 5%, 10%, or more) of an indicated value.

A backflow preventer, such as a reduced pressure (RP) backflow preventer, can be installed to prevent backflow in piping or plumbing systems. A backflow preventer can include two or more check valves installed in series to prevent backflow. A backflow preventer can also include a relief outlet or discharge outlet, which may be coupled to a relief valve or other valve, positioned between the check valves to expel contaminants or hazardous water downstream of the backflow preventer (e.g., to atmosphere or to a collector for disposing of hazardous water).

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a backflow preventer 10 (e.g., a reduced pressure or RP backflow preventer) installed in a vertical orientation. The backflow preventer 10 includes an inlet 14 and an outlet 18. As shown in FIG. 3, the backflow preventer 10 may include a first check valve or upstream check valve 22 and a second check valve or downstream check valve 26. As used herein, the terms “upstream,” “downstream,” and variants thereof refer to the direction of flow from the inlet 14 to the outlet 18. The backflow preventer 10 includes a coupling section that is fluidly coupled between the inlet 14 and the outlet 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling section includes an offset piping section 30 that is laterally offset from the inlet 14 by a first lateral pipe section 32a that fluidly connects the offset piping section 30 to the inlet 14.

The outlet 18 is positioned in a stacked configuration relative to the inlet 14. In this context, a “stacked configuration” refers to a configuration in which the outlet is positioned substantially vertically above the inlet. The stacked configuration does not require that an axis of the outlet be aligned with an axis of the inlet (e.g., the outlet need not be coaxial with the inlet). For example, the outlet may be fully laterally offset from the inlet, or the outlet may be partially aligned such that an outer profile of the outlet overlaps with an outer profile of the inlet when viewed in a vertical direction. With that said, while coaxial alignment is not required, coaxial alignment of the outlet and the inlet would nonetheless provide a stacked configuration. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, for example, the outlet 18 is coaxial with respect to the inlet 14 and is therefore also in a stacked configuration.

The coupling section includes a second lateral pipe section 32b that fluidly connects the offset piping section 30 to the outlet 18. The first and second lateral pipe sections 32a, 32b may be sized and positioned such that the offset piping section 30 is offset an equal distance and in the same direction from both the inlet 14 and the outlet 18. The offset piping section 30 may be connected to the inlet 14 and outlet 18 using lateral pipe sections 32 configured as tees, bends, or elbows, as shown. The backflow preventer 10 may include a plate or support 34 inline between the inlet 14 and outlet 18 to provide inline structural support and rigidity to the backflow preventer 10.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the upstream check valve 22 may be located at an upstream position of the vertical portion 38 of the offset piping section 30 and the downstream check valve 26 may be located at a downstream position of the vertical portion 38. The backflow preventer 10 may include a drain, relief outlet, connection, fitting, or port 42 at a lower end of the vertical portion 38 of the offset piping section 30 to optionally release fluid from vertical portion 38. For example, a relief valve (not shown) may be coupled to the port 42 to selectively open to release fluid from vertical portion 38. The upstream check valve 22 may be positioned in a horizontal flow orientation as shown in FIG. 3 (i.e., an opening for the poppet, clapper, or other moving or sealing member of the upstream check valve 22 may be in a vertical plane). In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4, the upstream check valve 22 may be positioned in a vertical flow orientation (i.e., an opening for the poppet, clapper, or other moving or sealing member of the upstream check valve 22 may be in a horizontal plane). Similarly, the downstream check valve 26 may be positioned in a vertical or horizontal flow orientation and may be located in the vertical portion 38 or any other portion of the coupling portion such that the downstream check valve 26 is downstream of the upstream check valve 22. For example, FIG. 5 shows the downstream check valve 26 in a vertical flow orientation and positioned proximate the outlet 18, and FIG. 6 shows the downstream check valve 26 in a vertical flow orientation and positioned in the vertical portion 38 of the offset piping section 30.

In any of the described embodiments or combinations thereof, when the poppet, clapper, seal member, or body of the check valves 22, 26 are removed from the frame of the check valves 22, 26, any backflow from a downstream portion of the plumbing or backflow preventer 10 can be expelled via the port 42 and such backflow will be prevented from passing through the open body of the upstream check valve 22. This configuration allows for removal of contaminants or hazardous water downstream of the backflow preventer 10 through the port 42 while ensuring the contaminants or hazardous water does not make it upstream of the backflow preventer 10. The port 42 may also be used to drain fluid from the coupling portion between the check valves 22, 26 when the backflow preventer 10 is in operation. For example, the port 42, which may be coupled to a relief valve or other valve, can drain fluid entering the coupling portion from the inlet 14 in the event the upstream check valve 22 becomes damaged or fouled by debris. In other situations, such as testing, fluid may be drained via an access port or other feature in the coupling portion between the check valves 22, 26.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the vertical portion 38 may include a lower extension 46 that extends below the bend or tee between the inlet 14 and the vertical portion 38 (e.g., the lower extension 46 may extend below the upstream check valve 22 or below the lowermost opening of the upstream check valve 22). The lower extension 46 can provide a cavity or reservoir for the any backflow leakage to collect or pool to help ensure the leakage is expelled via the port 42, valve, or other drainage feature rather than leaking or spilling towards the upstream check valve 22.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another embodiment of a backflow preventer 110. Features that are similar to features of the backflow preventer 10 shown in FIGS. 1-6 are identified with similar reference numbers, plus 100. Some similarities and differences between the backflow preventer 110 and backflow preventer 10 are described herein.

As shown in FIG. 7, the coupling portion may be constructed of two 90° elbows or one 180° elbow to form the offset piping section 130 and lateral pipe sections 132. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a lower portion of the offset piping section 130 may include a feature or port 142 to provide a cavity or reservoir similar to lower extension 46 shown in FIG. 3. The upstream check valve 122 and downstream check valve 126 may be positioned similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-6 (e.g., upstream check valve 122 upstream of port 142 and downstream check valve 126 downstream of port 142).

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate another embodiment of a backflow preventer 210. Features that are similar to features of the backflow preventer 10 shown in FIGS. 1-6 are identified with similar reference numbers, plus 200. Some similarities and differences between the backflow preventer 210 and backflow preventer 10 are described herein.

The backflow preventer 210 may include a wound or helical piping section 230. The helical piping section 230 may be wrapped or wound about an axis 232. As shown, the axis 232 may be offset from an central axis of the inlet 214 and the outlet 218. In other embodiments, the axis 232 that the helical piping section 230 is wrapped around may be aligned with the inlet and/or outlet. The helical piping section 230 may include a port 242. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the port 242 may have an opening or interface 244 with an interior wall of the helical piping section 230 such that backflow fluid is captured and drained via the port 242. As shown in FIG. 10, port 242 may be located on a bottom wall of the helical piping section 230 and the opening or interface 244 of the port 242 may extend up the interior side wall of the helical piping section 230 to inhibit backflow of fluid from bypassing the port 242. As shown in FIG. 11, the upstream check valve 222 and downstream check valve 226 may each be located upstream and downstream, respectively, of the helical piping section 230 (e.g., proximate the inlet 214 and outlet 218, respectively). In other embodiments, one or both of the check valves 222, 226 may be located in the helical piping section 230 with the port 242 positioned between the check valves 222, 226 such that when the valve bodies of the check valves 222, 226 are removed, fluid backflow is diverted to the port 242 before flowing through the upstream check valve 222.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a backflow preventer 210 having a helical piping section 230 that is primarily curved, wound, or wrapped about an axis 232 that is generally parallel to an axis of the inlet 214 (e.g., the axis 232 is substantially vertical). In other embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 12, a backflow preventer 310 may have a helical or looped pipe section 330 that is primarily curved, wound, or wrapped about an axis that is generally perpendicular to an axis of the inlet 314 (e.g., extending about an axis that is generally horizontal). In some embodiments, the inlet 314 and outlet 318 may be offset. In other embodiments, the horizontal offset or curvature of the looped pipe section 330 in one direction can be brought back to alignment by a horizontal offset or curvature in the other direction such that the inlet 314 and outlet 318 may be aligned or coaxial. A drain port 342 may be included in the looped pipe section 330. For example, as shown, the drain port 342 may be located near a bottom portion of the looped pipe section 330. As shown, the upstream check valve 322 is positioned proximate the inlet 314 and the downstream check valve 326 is positioned proximate the outlet 318. In other embodiments, the check valves 322, 326 and drain port 342 may be in different positions with the upstream check valve 322 upstream of the drain port 342 and the downstream check valve 326 downstream of the drain port 342.

FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of a backflow preventer 410. Features that are similar to features of the backflow preventer 10 shown in FIGS. 1-6 are identified with similar reference numbers, plus 400. Some similarities and differences between the backflow preventer 410 and backflow preventer 10 are described herein.

Backflow preventer 410 may include an enlarged section or wide diameter body or barrel section 430 in-line with the inlet 414 and outlet 418. The barrel section 430 may be large enough to accommodate an upstream check valve 422 and downstream check valve 426 that are vertically and horizontally offset from each other. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the check valves 422, 426 are horizontally offset such that no portion of the openings of the check valves 422, 426 are colinear. In some embodiments, the check valves 422, 426 may be horizontally offset such that portions of the openings of the check valves 422, 426 may overlap. Such embodiments may include a diverter or other obstruction (not shown) that can block or obstruct any backflow fluid from the downstream check valve 426 from passing through the opening of the upstream check valve 422.

The barrel section 430 may also include obstructions or plates 462 that only have an opening for the check valves 422, 426 such that any fluid flow must travel through the check valves 422, 426. A port 442 may be positioned between the upstream plate 462a and downstream plate 462b. The port 442 may be positioned proximate the upstream plate 462a such that small amounts of backflow fluid that accumulate on the upstream plate 462a can be drained via the port 442 without spilling or flowing over an upper end of the frame of the upstream check valve 422. In some embodiments, the frame of the upstream check valve 422 may extend above the upstream plate 462a a distance of 0.5 inches, 1 inches, 2 inches, or more to encourage any accumulated backflow fluid to flow out the port 442.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate another embodiment of a backflow preventer 510. Feature that are similar to the backflow preventer 10 shown in FIGS. 1-6 are identified with similar reference numbers, plus 500. Some similarities and differences between the backflow preventer 510 and backflow preventer 10 are described herein.

Backflow preventer 510 may include an offset piping section 530, which may be a separate or second body portion from the first body portion 562 (or multiple first body portions) that includes the inlet 514 and outlet 518. As shown in FIG. 14, the offset piping section 530 is detachable from the first body portion 562 that may include a stacked or coaxial inlet 514 and outlet 518. An upstream check valve 522 and downstream check valve 526 may be inserted or housed in the offset piping section 530. Removal of the offset piping section 530 can thus remove the check valves 522, 526 and provide access to the check valves 522, 526 and other portions of the backflow preventer 510. In other embodiments, one or both of the check valves 522, 526 may be inserted or housed in the first body portion 562 and removal of the offset piping section 530 can provide access to the one or both check valves 522, 526 housed in the first body portion 562. As shown in FIG. 14, the offset piping section 530 may be attached to the first body portion 562 using fasteners 566, which can provide for easy assembly and disassembly for servicing. In other embodiments, the offset piping section 530 may be attached and detached via the use of clamps or other attachment means. The offset pipe section 530 may include a port 542 at a lower end and positioned between the upstream check valve 522 and downstream check valve 526.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the backflow preventer 10 may include shutoff valves 50, such as gate valves, globe valves, ball valves or other types of shutoff or flow control valves at the inlet 14 and outlet 18. The backflow preventer 10 may include one or more access ports 54, which can assist with maintenance or testing of the backflow preventer 10. The backflow preventer 10 may include couplings, connections, valves, or fittings 58, such as NPT fittings or quick-connect fittings. The fittings 58 may be used to install gauges, such as flow or pressure gauges, during use or to connect compressed air or other fluid sources to assist with cleaning, maintenance, or testing.

A backflow preventer is expected to prevent fluid flow into the inlet during a backflow condition, and inhibiting flow into the inlet can be difficult in a stacked configuration. Indeed, certification requirements for a vertical up backflow preventer may require removal of check valve bodies during testing, while still requiring that the backflow preventer prevents fluid leakage through the void or opening of the upstream check valve with the backflow preventer in its installed position. Backflow preventers typically are not installed vertically and can occupy a significant footprint. Moreover, retrofitting or installing new backflow preventers that comply with the testing standards in existing plumbing stacks can be logistically challenging or impossible without significant changes to the existing plumbing stack. The backflow preventer 10 is compact while also preventing any backflow from a downstream portion through the upstream check valve 22, even when the upstream check valve 22 is not present.

It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations. Features described and illustrated with respect to certain embodiments may also be implemented in other embodiments. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since other possible embodiments of the disclosure may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is understood that examples herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the present disclosure. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the illustrated examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. Such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications are deemed to be covered by the disclosure.