Backflow prevention assembly having a variable lay-length and orientation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2021131592-A1
Application number	US-202117148115-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 13, 2021
Priority date	Jun 28, 2018
Publication date	May 6, 2021
Grant date	—

Abstract

A backflow prevention assembly is configurable with varying lay-lengths and orientations. The assembly includes coupling assemblies and valve bodies that adjust in length and/or rotation to allow for the varying lay-lengths and orientations of the backflow prevention valves and assemblies with and without certification. A coupling assembly is connected to a backflow prevention valve and includes an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve that is slidingly received within the outer sleeve. The lay-length is adjusted by slidably moving the inner and outer sleeves with respect to one another.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 - 32 . (canceled)

33 . A backflow prevention assembly, comprising:
a first shutoff valve; a second shutoff valve; an outer sleeve connected to one of the first and second shutoff valves, the outer sleeve having a first axis; an inner sleeve connected to the other of the first and second shutoff valves, wherein the inner sleeve is coupled to the outer sleeve for rotation with respect to the first axis and for sliding along the first axis such that a rotational orientation and a lay-length of the backflow prevention assembly can be varied and set to a desired rotational orientation and lay-length; a fluid seal positioned between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve; and a check valve, connected to the inner sleeve, configured to allow fluid flow in a single direction.

34 . The backflow prevention assembly as recited in claim 33 , wherein the inner sleeve has a smooth outer diameter sized to fit within the outer sleeve for rotation about the first axis.

35 . The backflow prevention assembly as recited in claim 34 , wherein the outer sleeve has a smooth inner diameter.

36 . The backflow prevention assembly as recited in claim 35 , wherein a portion of the inner diameter of the outer sleeve has a narrowed inner diameter that forms a minimum lay-length travel stop.

37 . The backflow prevention assembly as recited in claim 33 , wherein the backflow prevention assembly retains certification thereof from a qualified certifying agency for any lay-length and rotational orientation of the inner sleeve positioned with respect to the outer sleeve.

38 . The backflow prevention assembly as recited in claim 33 , further comprising a spring configured to bias the inner and outer sleeves away from one another along the common axis.

39 . A backflow prevention assembly, comprising:
a first shutoff valve; a second shutoff valve; an outer sleeve connected to one of the first and second shutoff valves, the outer sleeve having a first axis; an inner sleeve connected to the other of the first and second shutoff valves, wherein the inner sleeve is configured to couple to the outer sleeve for sliding along the first axis such that a lay-length of the backflow prevention assembly can be varied and set to a desired rotational orientation and lay-length; and a check valve, connected to the inner sleeve, configured to allow fluid flow in a single direction.

40 . The backflow prevention assembly as recited in claim 40 , wherein the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve have a cross-sectional shape to prevent rotation about the first axis.

41 . The backflow prevention assembly as recited in claim 40 , wherein the cross-sectional shape is oval.

42 . The backflow prevention assembly as recited in claim 40 , wherein the outer sleeve has a smooth inner diameter without threads and the inner sleeve has a smooth outer diameter sized to fit within the smooth inner diameter of the outer sleeve.

43 . The backflow prevention assembly as recited in claim 39 , wherein a portion of the inner diameter of the outer sleeve has a narrowed inner diameter that forms a minimum lay-length travel stop.

44 . The backflow prevention assembly as recited in claim 39 , wherein the backflow prevention assembly retains certification thereof from a qualified certifying agency for any lay-length and rotational orientation of the inner sleeve positioned with respect to the outer sleeve.

45 . The backflow prevention assembly as recited in claim 39 , further comprising a spring configured to bias the inner and outer sleeves away from one another along the common axis.

Assignees

• Watts Regulator Co

Inventors

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

Classifications

• E03B7/077

  Arrangement of backflow preventing devices · CPC title

• F16L27/1273

  by quick-acting means · CPC title

• F16L27/125 Primary

  having longitudinal and rotary movement · CPC title

• F16K27/00

  Construction of housing (methods for welding housings B23K); Use of materials therefor · CPC title

• F16L15/02

  allowing substantial longitudinal adjustment by the use of a long screw-threaded part · CPC title