Abstract: A limit switch assembly for a rising-stem valve includes an operating lever actuator element mounted to an outer end of an actuator arm. An electrical switch mounted adjacent the outer end has an operating lever. When the actuator arm is in an outward position, the operating lever actuator element retains the operating lever in a first position wherein the electrical switch is in a first state, and when the actuator arm is in an inward position the operating lever is in a second position wherein the electrical switch is in a second state. An adjustment nut is mounted to the outer end adjacent the operating lever actuator element, and the operating lever actuator element and the adjustment nut are configured to be adjusted along a longitude of the actuator arm to change a distance the operating lever actuator element must travel to move the operating lever into the first position.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a fire hydrant elbow includes a first portion joined with a second portion, the second portion having a center axis angled from a center axis of the first portion. A main valve seat faces radially inward toward the first center axis from the first annular wall, the main valve seat defining a step from a first radius to a second radius, the first radius being larger than the second radius. A guide rib is adjacent the main valve seat between the first portion and the second portion, the guide rib protruding radially inward toward the first center axis. In another embodiment, a main valve seal guide for a fire hydrant includes an annular body and a plurality of guide ribs coupled to the annular body. Each guide rib has a first surface, and each guide rib extends from the annular body to the first surface.

Abstract: A fire hydrant drain includes an elongated, hollow body having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion is configured to protrude a first length radially through an outer wall of a fire hydrant. The second portion is continuous with and between the first portion and the third portion. The second portion includes a first bend having a first curvature degree and a first curvature direction, and a second bend having a second curvature degree and a second curvature direction. The first curvature degree is larger than the second curvature degree, and a direction of the first curvature is opposite a direction of the second curvature. The first bend is between the first portion and the second bend. The third portion extends a second length, and an angle between the first length and the third length is less than 90 degrees.

Abstract: A fire hydrant nozzle includes an annular sleeve. The annular sleeve has an annular wall, an inlet end, and an outlet end. The inlet end has a fire hydrant connection element configured to couple with a fire hydrant outlet, the outlet end has a fire hose connection element configured to couple with a fire hose, and the fire hydrant connection element has a portion protruding radially inward.

Abstract: A fire hydrant barrel includes a body having at least one wall and an anti-rotation pin opening through the at least one wall. The at least one wall defines an internal cavity. The fire hydrant barrel also includes a stem extending through the cavity of the body. The stem has an anti-rotation element, and the anti-rotation pin opening and the anti-rotation element are configured to receive an anti-rotation pin to lock the stem from rotating with respect to the body.

Abstract: A gate valve includes a solid wedge-shaped disc integrated with a cartridge at opposite ends thereof. Each cartridge includes rollers, guides and scrapers therein to roll along respective internal ribs while cleaning the ribs. The disc moves back and forth within the gate valve via the cartridges along ribs to open and close a water passage way formed in the gate.

Abstract: A limit switch assembly, for a rising-stem valve having a stem with a diameter and a groove marking a desired stem position, includes an actuator arm having an inner end and an outer end. The inner end of the actuator arm forms a follower. A radius washer is mounted to the outer end of the actuator arm. An electrical switch has an operating lever and is mounted adjacent to the outer end of the actuating arm such that when the actuator arm is in an outward position the radius washer moves the operating lever, operating the electrical switch. When the actuator arm is in an inward position the radius washer does not move the operating lever and the electrical switch is not operated. A bias spring biases the actuating arm toward the inward position.

Abstract: A wireless communication electronics storage apparatus that stores wireless communication electronics at a fire hydrant and provides access for electronic connections of the wireless communication electronics to sensors located within the fire hydrant at a main valve below ground level, and a method of mounting wireless communication electronics to a fire hydrant.

Abstract: A drain valve to drain water from a dry barrel hydrant includes a drain valve body fixed to a main valve assembly of the hydrant, and a hollow drain hole sleeve positioned in a drain hole of an elbow of the hydrant. The drain valve body includes a drain valve facing configured to align with the drain hole of the elbow as a result of the main valve assembly being in an open position, and to not align with the drain hole of the elbow as a result of the main valve assembly being in a closed position. In another embodiment, an elbow of a fire hydrant includes a hollow body, an upper end defining a drain hole to allow water to drain out, and a hollow drain hole sleeve in the drain hole.

Abstract: A novel hose nozzle has a cup shaped capture nozzle housing with a curved shape similar to the mating O-ring. The cup shaped ends of the nozzle create a 45 degree angle. The novel shape of the ends of the nozzle traps the O-ring at the same radius of the O-ring. Rounding off the end of the nozzle permit the ends to have a radius equivalent to the O-ring. The O-ring is aligned with the nozzle, because there is no longer a round item trying to fit onto a flat surface. This design stabilizes the end of the nozzle, and keeps the nozzle from becoming crooked. The mating surfaces between the nozzle cup and the O-ring are the same. The O-ring mating surface has a complementary shape to the nozzle mating surface and the radius at the end of the nozzle preferably matches the radius of the O-ring.

Abstract: A breaker clamp member includes a curved body shaped to fit around a portion of an upper portion of a fire hydrant and a portion of a lower portion of the fire hydrant at a joint between the upper portion of the fire hydrant and the lower portion of the fire hydrant. The breaker clamp member also includes at least one connection element extending from the body to connect the breaker clamp member with at least one other breaker clamp member. The breaker clamp member also includes an upper rim protruding from the body and a lower rim protruding from the body. The upper protruding rim, the lower protruding rim, and the body define a concavity therebetween, the concavity being configured to receive the first ledge and the second ledge. In another embodiment, a breaker clamp includes two breaker clamp members.

Abstract: A fire hydrant stem includes a shaft having a center axis, a first end portion, a first end, and a second end. The first end portion extends axially a length from the first end, has external threads, and defines an internal cavity open through the first end. The second end is configured to engage a fire hydrant main valve operating assembly. A fire hydrant upper stem assembly includes a fire hydrant stem and a spring element. The fire hydrant stem defines an internal cavity, and the spring element is in the internal cavity.

Abstract: A main valve assembly and a method of forming the same which can contain sensors therein that are in contact with water below the main valve and provide water characteristic signals above ground to a water characteristic monitoring device at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A cushioned relief valve includes a housing, a piston, a cylinder cover, and a flexible diaphragm. The housing has an inlet, an interior, an outlet channel, and an outlet, the interior being a hollow cylinder in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet channel, the outlet channel extending from a cylindrical side of the hollow cylinder to the outlet, the outlet opening outside the housing. The piston is located within the hollow cylinder and is slidable between a first position blocking the inlet and the outlet channel, and a second position opening a path for fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet channel. The cylinder cover defines a compressible gas volume in fluid communication with the second end of the hollow cylinder. The flexible diaphragm separates the compressible gas volume of the cylinder cover from the second end of the hollow cylinder.

Abstract: A fire hydrant includes an upper barrel, which further includes a body and at least one outlet. The body has a longitude, a longitudinal axis, a first portion, and a second portion, the first portion forming a first length of the longitude, the second portion forming a second length of the longitude, the first portion coupled to the second portion, the body having at least one wall defining an internal cavity. The first portion has a first dimension spanning the cavity perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between opposing points on the at least one wall. The second portion has a second dimension spanning the cavity perpendicular to the longitudinal axis between opposing points on the at least one wall. The first dimension is greater than the second dimension.

Abstract: A spring return check valve that has a body forming a fluid flow path therethrough, a cover that closes an opening in the body and including a cavity therein facing the fluid flow path, a disc that rotates from a first position closing the fluid flow path and a second position fully opening the fluid flow path and a spring connected between the cover and the disc and including extensions integrally extending from each end of the spring to cause the spring to buckle into the cavity when the disc rotates to the second position.

Abstract: A hydrostatic tank floor relief valve of a construction described herein provides for equalization of hydrostatic pressure of fluid in a storage tank with hydrostatic pressure of ground water surrounding the storage tank. A high efficiency grate located in a flow channel of the hydrostatic tank floor relief valve blocks debris from entering the storage tank during pressure equalization, yet does not reduce effective flow rates through a flow channel of a given diameter. The hydrostatic tank floor relief valve optionally includes an elastomeric seal surface and a stainless steel seat ring that reduce the likelihood of particulate matter disrupting valve operation, and provide a more reliable seal.

Abstract: A limit switch for a rising-stem type valve which has a spring-loaded actuator arm with a bracket on one end which wraps around the valve stem. A follower or roller on the end of the bracket opposite the actuator arm rides on the rising stem of the valve, held in contact with the stem by the spring. When the stem has risen to a preselected position, usually the position in which the valve is fully open, the follower or roller engages a circumferential groove formed around the stem. This causes the spring to bias the actuator arm to move a tab at the opposite end of the actuator arm, and the tab operates a limit switch.

Abstract: Breaker straps, preferably made of steel, include holes that line up with the holes in breaker rings, to keep the breaker rings in place on a fire hydrant. A collision kit includes breaker straps, the breaker rings, a coupling, and coupling pins.

Abstract: A butterfly valve seal arrangement in a butterfly valve having a cylindrical flow channel with a wall includes a seal flange, an elastomeric seal, a seal channel, and an annular seal retaining ring. The seal flange extends into the cylindrical flow channel from the wall of the cylindrical flow channel. The seal channel is recessed into the wall of the cylindrical flow channel adjacent to the seal flange. And the annular seal retaining ring includes tabs extending into the seal channel which hold the annular seal retaining ring in the cylindrical flow channel. An elastomeric seal is held in compression in the seal channel and against the seal flange by the annular seal retaining ring, and extends into the cylindrical flow channel forming a seal surface held in compression against a vane seat of a vane in a position perpendicular to a direction of flow.