Backflow prevention system test cock with a fluid sensor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11815424-B2
Application number	US-202016870000-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 8, 2020
Priority date	May 8, 2019
Publication date	Nov 14, 2023
Grant date	Nov 14, 2023

Abstract

A test cock for determining an operating condition of a backflow prevention system includes a body portion having a distal end and a proximal end and a space defined within the body portion. A distal opening is provided on the body portion at the distal end and a proximal opening is provided on the body portion at the proximal end and the proximal opening is in fluid connection with the body portion space. A body portion fitting is disposed in the body portion and is providing a fluid connection with the body portion space. A fluid sensor is coupled to the body portion fitting and is in fluid connection with the body portion space. A rotating system fitting has a first end and a second end where the second end is provided in the body portion proximal opening.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A backflow prevention assembly comprising:
a backflow prevention housing defining a test cock port; and
a test cock assembly extending along a first axis for determining an operating condition of the backflow prevention assembly, the test cock assembly having: an inlet end connector configured to sealingly engage the test cock port for ingress of fluid; an outlet end connector configured to selectively sealingly engage a gauge assembly for egress of the fluid; and a body extending between the inlet end connector and the outlet end connector to create a linear flowpath along the first axis from the inlet end connector to the outlet end connector, wherein the inlet end connector swivels 360° about the first axis when coupled to the back flow prevention system connector and the both houses a ball valve to selectively open and close the linear flowpath.

2. A backflow prevention assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the test cock includes a fitting for a sensor extending along a second axis, the second axis being substantially perpendicular to the first axis and the fitting in fluid communication with the linear flowpath.

3. A backflow prevention assembly ax recited in claim 2 , further comprising a sensor coupled to the fitting for continuously monitoring the operating condition.

4. A backflow prevention assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the test cock port and inlet end connector are configured to be joined by moving the inlet end connector along the first axis into the test cock port.

5. A backflow prevention assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the test cock port is defined by a tube terminating in a collar and the tube extends along the first axis.

6. A backflow prevention assembly as recited in claim 5 , wherein:
the inlet end connector has a catch portion defining an annular groove; and
the test cock port defines at least one circumferential opening,
and further comprising a spring clip configured to extend partially into the at least one circumferential opening and the annular groove to retain the test cock assembly in the test cock port.

7. A backflow prevention assembly as recited in claim 6 , wherein the inlet end connector, the test cock port and the spring clip are generally circular and concentric with the first axis so that the flowpath passes through the spring clip.

8. A backflow prevention assembly as recited in claim 6 , wherein catch portion has an angled proximal surface and the spring clip is secured in the at least one circumferential opening so that upon insertion of the test cock assembly into the test cock port, the angled proximal surface deforms the spring clip radially outward until the spring clip snaps into the annular groove to provide audible and haptic feedback to a user that the test cock assembly is securely attached to the test cock port.

9. A backflow prevention assembly as recited in claim 6 , wherein the spring clip is removed to release the test cock assembly from the test cock port.

10. A backflow prevention assembly comprising:
a backflow prevention housing defining a test cock port;
a test cock assembly extending along a first axis for determining an operating condition of the backflow prevention assembly, the test cock assembly having: an inlet end connector configured to sealingly engage the test cock port, wherein the inlet end connector swivels 360° about the first axis when coupled to the backflow prevention system connector: a fitting connector for a sensor extending along a second axis, the second axis being substantially perpendicular to the first axis and the fitting connector being in fluid communication with the inlet end connector; an outlet end connector in fluid communication with the inlet end connector, the outlet end connector configured to selectively connect to a test fixture; and a ball valve assembly having an adjustment feature to selectively close fluid communication between the outlet end connector and the inlet end connector,
wherein the test cock port and inlet end connector are configured to be joined by moving the inlet end connector along the first axis into the test cock port so that the fitting connector and adjustment feature can be oriented to avoid mechanical interference; and
a sensor coupled to the fitting connector for continuously monitoring the operating condition.

11. A test cock assembly for determining an operating condition of a backflow prevention system, the test cock assembly comprising:
a body portion defining an interior, the body portion having a proximal inlet end connector, a distal outlet end connector, and a fitting connector intermediate the proximal inlet end connector and the distal outlet end connector, wherein each connector is in fluid communication with the interior; and
a backflow prevention system connector extending along a first axis for sealingly engaging the proximal inlet end connector, wherein the proximal inlet end connector freely rotates about the first axis when coupled to the backflow prevention system connector to selectively orient the fitting connector.

12. The test cock assembly of claim 11 , wherein the proximal inlet end connector receives the backflow prevention system connector therein.

13. The test cock assembly of claim 11 , wherein the backflow prevention system connector receives the proximal inlet end connector therein.

14. The test cock assembly of claim 13 , wherein fixing the backflow prevention system connector and the proximal inlet end connector together occurs by the proximal inlet end connector canning against a flexible clip located within the backflow prevention system connector, the flexible clip snapping around a catch groove of the proximal inlet end connector.

15. The test cock assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a fluid sensor fitting defined by the body portion.

16. The test cock assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a fluid sensor, wherein the fluid sensor fitting sealingly engages the fluid sensor, the fluid sensor fitting enabling free rotation of the fluid sensor therein.

17. The test cock assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a ball valve adjacent the distal outlet end connector, wherein the proximal inlet end connector freely rotates about the first axis to selectively orient the hall valve.

Assignees

• Watts Regulator Co

Inventors

• Burke Joseph Michael
• Bagegni Muhannad
• Doughty Jason
• Dibenedetto Frank
• Baynes Ian David

Classifications

• G01M13/003 Primary

  Machine valves (testing valves for fluid tightness G01M3/00) · CPC title

• E03B7/077

  Arrangement of backflow preventing devices · CPC title

• F16K37/0091

  by measuring fluid parameters · CPC title

• E03C1/106 Primary

  using two or more check valves · CPC title