U.S. patent application number 13/261668 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-26 for swivel with or for hydrant manifold for industrial fire fighting.
The applicant listed for this patent is Casey R. Spears, Dwight P. Williams. Invention is credited to Casey R. Spears, Dwight P. Williams.
Application Number | 20130248009 13/261668 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46207431 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130248009 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams; Dwight P. ; et
al. |
September 26, 2013 |
SWIVEL WITH OR FOR HYDRANT MANIFOLD FOR INDUSTRIAL FIRE
FIGHTING
Abstract
A swivel with, or for, a hydrant manifold for industrial fire
fighting comprising a swivel providing an at least 6 inch flow
conduit and preferably including mating male and female sleeves of
stainless steel and preferably having at least two rings of
stainless steel ball bearings and a location for an interior water
seal.
Inventors: |
Williams; Dwight P.; (Vidor,
TX) ; Spears; Casey R.; (Nederland, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Williams; Dwight P.
Spears; Casey R. |
Vidor
Nederland |
TX
TX |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
46207431 |
Appl. No.: |
13/261668 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
December 6, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2011/001960 |
371 Date: |
June 4, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61459232 |
Dec 9, 2010 |
|
|
|
61464628 |
Mar 7, 2011 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
137/294 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03B 9/04 20130101; Y10T
137/5456 20150401; E03B 9/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/294 |
International
Class: |
E03B 9/02 20060101
E03B009/02 |
Claims
1. An at least 6 inch swiveled hydrant manifold for industrial fire
fighting, comprising; a hydrant manifold; and a swivel connected
directly or indirectly to the hydrant manifold, structured to
connect directly or indirectly to an industrial water supply pipe
system; the swivel providing an at least 6-inch flow conduit and
including mating male and female stainless steel sleeves structured
for at least 180.degree. relative rotation and having at least two
sets of bearings between the male and female sleeves; and a
location for an interior water pressure seal between the male and
female sleeves structured to protect bearing contact area from
water ingress.
2. The swiveled hydrant manifold of claim 1 wherein the hydrant
manifold is horizontal.
3. The swiveled hydrant manifold of claim 1 wherein the hydrant
manifold is vertical.
4. The swiveled hydrant manifold of claim 1 wherein the male and
female sleeves include stainless steel and the swivel includes a
location for an exterior debris seal between the male and the
female sleeves.
5. The swiveled hydrant manifold of claim 1 including sleeves
structured for at least 360.degree. relative rotation and including
a grease fitting for lubricating area between the sleeves and
around the bearings.
6. The swiveled hydrant manifold of claim 1 wherein the two sets of
bearings include two rings of ball bearings and the sleeves and
ball bearings including 316 stainless steel.
7. The swiveled hydrant manifold of claim 1 including a locking
mechanism between the two sleeves of the swivel.
8. The swiveled hydrant manifold of claim 1 including a pair of
interlockable flange portions.
9. A swivel device for an at least 6 inch hydrant manifold for
industrial fire fighting, comprising: a first fitting structured to
fixedly attach, directly or indirectly, to a hydrant manifold inlet
valve or riser pipe; a swivel body structured for sealing,
rotational attachment, directly or indirectly, to the first fitting
and providing a second fitting structured to fixedly attach,
directly or indirectly, to a hydrant manifold; a locking device
structured to fix a rotatable attachment position between the
swivel body and the first fitting; and wherein the first fitting
and the swivel body provide an at least 6 inch fluid conduit
between the first fitting and the second fitting.
10. The device of claim 9 including the first fitting having a
flange for fixedly attaching to a hydrant manifold inlet valve or
riser pipe.
11. The device of claim 9 wherein the second fitting includes a
flange for fixedly attaching to a hydrant manifold.
12. The device of claim 9 wherein the locking device includes a
locking portion on the swivel body and a locking flange on the
first fitting, the locking portion and flange providing holes for
the insertion of a pin.
13. The device of claim 9 including mating rotatable male and
female sleeves.
14. The device of claim 13 wherein the male and female sleeves
include stainless steel.
15. The device of claim 13 that includes at least two rings of
stainless steel ball bearings located between the male and female
sleeves.
16. The device of claim 15 that includes a grease fitting for
communicating lubricant between the sleeves and around the ball
bearings.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to, and claims priority from,
co-pending Application Ser. No. 61/459,232 and Ser. No. 61/464,628,
filed Dec. 9, 2010 and Mar. 7, 2011 respectively by the same
inventors, and entitled Swivel Hydrant Manifold for Industrial Fire
Fighting and Swivel With or for Industrial Hydrant Manifold for
Industrial Fire Fighting, respectively. The content of both said
provisional applications is herein and hereby incorporated by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to hydrant manifolds for industrial
fire fighting at plants and facilities, and in particular to a
swiveled hydrant manifold. ("Manifold", as used herein, can include
a single port.)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Fire field logistics present problems that rank nearly as
high as equipment-on-hand problems and personnel-available problems
when facing an industrial fire fighting response.
[0004] Large fires require large volumes of water which sometimes
require multiple large diameter water supply hoses, of 6 inch
diameter and larger. The most convenient, reliable, and safest
means of distributing large volumes of water over an entire
facility is through constructing underground water delivery systems
with aboveground hydrant manifolds. These hydrant manifolds are
used in conjunction with large diameter water supply hose to supply
the necessary water to pumps, fire fighting nozzles and foam
proportioning equipment.
[0005] In current practice hydrant manifolds are fixed in regard to
the direction they face. Hose that must ultimately run in the
opposite direction, thus, must be laid in a large diameter circle
in order to effect a 180.degree. turn of the direction of the water
without sacrificing head pressure. A 12 inch diameter hose may
require a 50 foot turning ratio. The extra hose required to alter
the direction of water 180.degree. might be several hundred feet.
Large diameter hose is expensive. The cost might run about $2,500
for a 12 inch hose. For that reason sometimes hydrant manifolds are
placed on both sides of the road, facing in opposite directions, to
address this problem. However, a duplication of iron and of header
equipment is then required.
[0006] The use of a swivel, with or for a hydrant manifold, can
save the cost of providing manifolds on both of sides of a road in
order to have a manifold facing in the right direction, and/or can
save the cost and expense of carrying and laying extra hose. Since
in recent years the size of headers and thus the size of hose and
the cost of hose has risen dramatically, the industry is looking
for ways to minimize cost and maintenance in regard to fire
fighting systems.
[0007] Swivels capable of managing thousands of pounds of thrust
associated with large fire fighting monitors have been available
since the late 1980's, but only from limited suppliers. Williams
believes they were the first to provide such large scale swivels, 6
inch and larger, for monitors. Williams has extensively tested
in-house swivels for monitors capable of operating after months and
years of sitting in the weather as well as capable of handling
thousands of pounds of thrust from monitors. Williams is in
possession of extensive in-house testing in regard to the
weathering and force handling properties of swivels.
[0008] Although the industrial fire fighting industry has
historically tolerated the waste of hose and duplication of
hydrants associated with fixed hydrant manifolds, with the
increased diameter requirements for the supply pipes and hoses, the
cost of the waste has risen. The inventors view this situation as a
problem. With Williams testing experience, the instant inventors
teach that an adequate swivel can be provided for use with, or for,
a hydrant manifold, to solve this problem.
[0009] The invention involves appreciating that the long tolerated
situation constitutes an unnecessary problem, a waste of hose and
logistics complications associated with fixed hydrant manifolds.
The invention further involves knowledge of the testing of swivels,
large diameter swivels, which testing indicates that a swivel can
be provided for fixed hydrant manifolds that will meet the
requirements of enduring the necessary thrust and weathering, for
the long term.
[0010] The instant invention, therefore, comprises a line of
swivels for use with, or for, hydrant manifolds, preferably having
an incorporated 360.degree. rotating capability. The swivel is
structured for location below a manifold and typically above a
valve associated with a water delivery system, or a riser pipe.
Such a swivel, tested to endure the requisite ranges of thrust and
weather, can allow first responders to position a hydrant in a most
advantageous direction depending on the location of the hazard, and
preferably to lock the swivel into place using a convenient onboard
swivel position lock. A swiveled hydrant manifold saves the cost of
providing multiple manifolds facing different directions and/or of
providing a hundred or more extra feet of hose required to redirect
water without undue pressure loss.
Design Benefits for a Swivel, with or for a Hydrant Manifold:
[0011] reduction in total hose required due to eliminating initial
bend radius; [0012] reduction in road blockage due to initial hose
bends running across roadways; [0013] conservation of pressure due
to shorter hoses needed; [0014] suitable for highly congested areas
(vertical design); [0015] suitable for a wide range of flows, up to
12,000 gpm; [0016] built with an industrial fire fighter in mind;
[0017] robust design using swivels capable of supporting several
tons of side load; [0018] fully serviceable with integrated swivel
grease zerks; [0019] by more efficiently supplying water, swivel
hydrants can reduce the number of necessary hydrant locations by as
much as 50% (depending on hydrant layout and size).
Preferred Design Choices Include:
[0019] [0020] various material designs and various inlet and riser
sizes (e.g. 4'', 6'', 8'', 10'' 12''); [0021] various header
designs (vertical stack, traditional Tee, or single 90.degree.
outlet); [0022] various discharge options (NST, BSP, Storz, etc.);
[0023] various discharge sizes (11/2''-12''); [0024] integrated
swivel lock to prevent movement after positioning; [0025] available
with discharge valves, check valves, caps, or pressure gauges;
[0026] available with integrated monitor mount; [0027] available
with integrated automatic hydrant drain valve (below swivel);
[0028] available with hydrant inlet valve (between hydrant swivel
and header connection).
Sizing Guide
[0028] [0029] The below figures are based on a 24'' underground
header with 8' of vertical piping extending to base of the hydrant.
Loss numbers are from underground header inlet point to hydrant
discharge (hose connection). Numbers will vary based on outlet
valve and connection type/size selected. [0030] Hydrant size
recommendations made on case-by-case basis. [0031] These
recommendations are based on hazards present and water flow
required for suitable protection [0032] 6'' riser/hydrant
(approximate Cv=950) [0033] 1,000 gpm--1 psi loss [0034] 2,000
gpm--4.5 psi loss [0035] 3,000 gpm--10 psi loss [0036] 8''
riser/hydrant (approximate Cv=730) [0037] 3,000 gpm--3 psi loss
[0038] 4,000 gpm--5.3 psi loss [0039] 6,000 gpm--12 psi loss [0040]
10'' riser/hydrant (approximate Cv=2670) [0041] 6,000 gpm--5 psi
loss [0042] 8,000 gpm--9 psi loss [0043] 10,000 gpm--14 psi
loss
[0044] The instant invention includes a swivel for, use with
existing hydrant manifolds as well as for use with its own
manifold. The swivel for existing hydrant manifolds offers an
alternative for facilities who embrace the importance of having
non-fixed hydrant manifolds but already have fixed hydrant
manifolds in place. With a swivel conversion a standard
non-swiveled hydrant manifold can be converted into a swiveled
hydrant. E.g. an end user can unbolt a standard non-swiveled
hydrant manifold from the typical hydrant manifold inlet valve or
riser pipe, place a conversion swivel on top of the inlet valve or
riser pipe and then place the hydrant manifold on top of the
swivel. The conversion allows the existing hydrant manifold to
swivel and be locked into place via a positive locking
mechanism.
[0045] A bottom fitting of the swivel is preferably stationary and
does not move relative to the ground. A top portion of the swivel,
preferably with a locking element and upper flange, preferably
locks in the needed direction and can rotate 360 degrees.
Preferably the top portion of the swivel and attached hydrant can
be secured in a desired direction and fixed, such as pinned into
place via mateable locking holes that register every 22.5 degrees
(16 positions) for instance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0046] The invention discloses a swivel for use with or for, a
hydrant manifold for industrial fire fighting. The swivel with a
hydrant manifold comprises a hydrant manifold and a swivel
connected thereto, structured to connect to an industrial water
supply pipe system, including inlet and valve or riser pipe. The
swivel provides at least a 6 inch flow conduit and preferably
includes mating male and female stainless steel sleeves, structured
for relative rotation, having at least two rings of steel ball
bearings between them, and including an interior water seal and
preferably an exterior debris seal. The manifold may be horizontal
or vertical. Male and female stainless steel swivel sleeves are
preferably structured for welded connection to the hydrant
manifold, on the one hand, and to a pipe or fitting likely
connecting to an aboveground valve of an industrial water pipe
supply system, on the other hand.
[0047] Preferably the swivel includes grease fittings for
lubricating the area between the sleeves and around the bearings,
and the sleeves and bearings are preferably constructed of 316
stainless steel, and include a locking mechanism, such as a pair of
locking flanges. More preferably, the swivel of the instant
invention incorporates flanges or flange portions on the male and
female sleeves with mating holes such that a pin can be placed
through the holes to lock the swivel in place.
[0048] The invention includes a swivel device for connecting to
existing hydrant manifolds. The swivel device comprises a first
fitting structured to fixedly attach to an inlet valve or riser
pipe and a swivel body structured to sealingly and rotatably mate
with the first fitting, the body providing a second fitting to
fixedly attach, directly or indirectly, to a hydrant manifold. A
locking device is preferably included for setting a rotatable
attachment position between the swivel body and the first fitting.
The first fitting and the swivel body preferably provide an at
least 6 inch fluid conduit between the first fitting and second
fitting.
[0049] It should be clear that the swivel can connect directly or
indirectly between the hydrant manifold and the industrial water
supply pipe system. Preferred embodiments show the swivel connected
in a simple and direct fashion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0050] A better understanding of the present invention can be
obtained when the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments are considered in conjunction with the following
drawings, in which:
[0051] FIG. 1A offers an isometric view of a preferred embodiment
of a 6 inch swivel hydrant manifold, the manifold providing two 5
inch or 6 inch Storz discharges and one two and one half inch
discharge.
[0052] FIG. 1B offers a top view of the 6 inch swivel hydrant
manifold of FIG. 1A.
[0053] FIG. 1C offers a front view of the 6 inch swivel hydrant
manifold of FIG. 1A, including on the bottom a customer supplied 6
inch flanged water supply pipe (weld neck or socket weld flange
required if using butterfly valve,) and also indicating an inlet
valve that can be supplied upon request.
[0054] FIG. 1D provides a side view of the 6 inch swivel hydrant
manifold of FIG. 1A.
[0055] FIG. 1E provides a detail from FIG. 1D, including a 6 inch
swivel, a swivel locking pin and a swivel locking ring, and wherein
an attachment to the top of the swivel is free to rotate 360
degrees, and wherein locking rings have holes every 22.5
degrees.
[0056] FIG. 2A provides an isometric view of a preferred embodiment
of an 8 inch swivel hydrant manifold of the instant invention,
including 5 inch or 6 inch Storz discharges.
[0057] FIG. 2B provides a top view of the 8 inch swivel hydrant
manifold of FIG. 2A.
[0058] FIG. 2C provides a front view of the 8 inch swivel hydrant
manifold of FIG. 2A including, on the bottom, an indication of a
customer supplied 8 inch water supply pipe (weld neck or socket
weld required if using butterfly valve,) and indicating an inlet
valve that can be supplied upon request.
[0059] FIG. 2D provides a side view of the 8 inch swivel hydrant
manifold of FIG. 2A.
[0060] FIG. 2E provides a detail from FIG. 2D, indicating an 8 inch
swivel, a swivel locking pin and a swivel locking ring and
indicating wherein an attachment above would be free to rotate 360
degrees, and that the locking rings have holes every 22.5
degrees.
[0061] FIG. 3A provides an isometric view of a 12 inch swivel
hydrant manifold of a preferred embodiment of the instant
invention, and including a single 12 inch Storz discharge.
[0062] FIG. 3B offers a top view of the 12 inch swivel hydrant
manifold of FIG. 3A.
[0063] FIG. 3C offers a front view of the 12 inch swivel hydrant
manifold of FIG. 3A, including indicating, on the bottom, a
customer supplied 8 inch water supply pipe (weld neck or socket
weld required if using butterfly valve,) and indicating an inlet
valve that can be supplied upon request.
[0064] FIG. 3D provides a side view of the 12 inch swivel hydrant
manifold of FIG. 3A.
[0065] FIG. 3E provides a detail of FIG. 3D, indicating a 12 inch
swivel with two swivel locking rings and a swivel locking pin and
wherein an attachment above would be free to rotate 360 degrees,
and that the locking rings preferably have holes every 22.5
degrees.
[0066] FIG. 4A provides an isometric view of a typical tank farm
including an indication of a location for the instant swivel
hydrant manifold invention, which invention would provide the
advantages of reducing hoses required by eliminating initial bend
radius (as much as 100 feet per hose); reducing road blockage by
directing hoses along side of road instead of bend radius occupying
roadway; providing shorter hose run which results in reduced
friction loss; providing suitability for highly congested areas by
more effective discharge of water in the correct direction;
providing standard models available for up to 10000 gpm with higher
flows possible given engineering approval, and providing that by
more effectively supplying water the swivel hydrant design can
potentially save as much as 50% of the needed hydrant locations
throughout the facility.
[0067] FIG. 4B illustrates how the swivel hydrant manifold of the
instant invention swivels to send water directly toward one of
multiple hazards.
[0068] FIG. 4C offers an enlarged detail view of FIG. 4A.
[0069] FIGS. 4D and 4E illustrate that while typical hydrant
designs face an adjacent roadway and frequently require fire hose
to immediately make a large bend radius in order to send water in a
needed direction, the instant swivel hydrant invention allows a
first responder to aim a hydrant in the necessary direction, to
minimize roadway occupation and total hose lay required.
[0070] FIG. 5A offers a side view of a preferred embodiment of a 10
inch 360 stainless steel swivel joint.
[0071] FIG. 5B offers a cross-section view of the embodiment of
FIG. 5A, and including noting that castings are preferably
investment cast from 360 stainless steel, annealed and stress
relieved.
[0072] FIG. 6A provides an isometric view of a preferred embodiment
of an 8 inch swivel hydrant conversion kit.
[0073] FIG. 6B offers a detail from FIG. 6A, including an
illustration of a swivel lock fixed element and a swivel lock
rotating element and swivel lock pin, (pin chains not shown.)
[0074] FIG. 6C offers a side view of the 8 inch swivel hydrant
conversion kit of FIG. 6A.
[0075] FIG. 6D offers a front view of the 8 inch swivel hydrant
conversion kit of FIG. 6D.
[0076] FIG. 6E offers a top view of the 8 inch swivel hydrant
conversion kit of FIG. 6A.
[0077] FIG. 7 offers a cut-away view of an 8 inch swivel hydrant
conversion kit, with ball bearings and seal not shown inside the
swivel.
[0078] FIG. 8 offers a portion of a cut-away view of an 8 inch
swivel hydrant conversion kit, with ball bearings and seal not
shown inside the swivel, and wherein two circular grooves represent
ball bearing grooves, and illustrating swivel components in greater
detail.
[0079] The drawings are primarily illustrative. It would be
understood that structure may have been simplified and details
omitted in order to convey certain aspects of the invention. Scale
may be sacrificed to clarity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0080] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, a preferred swivel embodiment
for the instant invention incorporates 316 stainless steel sleeves
FS and MS and ball bearings SB. The stainless steel sleeves are
preferably heat treated and annealed. In a preferred embodiment,
races RSSB for at least two rings of ball bearings SB are milled,
half into a female sleeve FS and half into a male sleeve MS, with a
port P provided in the female sleeve for inserting ball bearings
SB. At least one grease fitting GF is preferably provided to keep
the area between the male MS and female sleeve FS and around the
ball bearings SB appropriately lubricated.
[0081] An outside debris seal location DSL is preferably provided,
for a debris seal such as an O ring, located in a suitable notch
between the male and female sleeves. In preferred embodiments a
simple O ring has been shown to prevent debris from entering from
the outside into the area between the male and female sleeve. An
interior seal IS of a more complex design, preferably of a PFTE or
Teflon, is preferably provided in an interior seal location ISL as
a water seal for the space between the sleeves and containing the
ball bearings. Preferably the inner water seal IS is positioned on
shoulders at location ISL between the male and female sleeves such
that water pressure drives the seal into greater sealing engagement
between the two sleeves.
[0082] In preferred embodiments a drain is provided in a fitting
below the swivel such that when an upstream valve turns off the
water supply to the swivel and hydrant, water can drain from the
manifold and swivel to the outside.
[0083] Preferably lubricant is provided through at least one grease
fitting GF, with maintenance preferably on a schedule of every six
months to a year. A lubricant is selected to maintain its viscosity
and composition through the range of anticipated environmental and
hazard temperature changes.
[0084] FIGS. 1A-E illustrate a preferred embodiment of a 6 inch
vertical swivel hydrant manifold. The manifold of FIG. 1A is
comprised of a vertical manifold VM welded to a swivel SW. The
swivel SW male sleeve MS is indicated having a welded locking ring
LR. The swivel female sleeve FS in turn is welded to a fitting FT
that has a matching locking ring LR. A pin LP is indicated that
locks between the two rings in order to lock the swivel into a
location. The female sleeve fitting in turn is structured to
optionally mate with an underlying valve IV or the like structure,
typically present in many applications, usually a butterfly or
wafer valve. The valve in turn mates to the outlet flange of a
riser or the like that is part of the industrial water supply
system.
[0085] FIGS. 1B, 1C and 1D offer a top view, front view and side
view, respectively, of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1E
offers a greater detailed view of the preferred embodiment of FIG.
1A showing the locking rings LR and locking pin LP, male sleeve MS
and female sleeve FS, while focusing on the swivel portion SW.
[0086] FIG. 2A-2E present a horizontal manifold HM on a 8 inch
swivel hydrant. Again a valve IV is indicated on top of a riser
flange. A fitting FT interfaces between the valve and the swivel SW
and serves to carry one of two swivel locking flange rings LR. The
swivel between the fitting and the manifold also carries a locking
flange ring LR. It should be mentioned that many other means of
locking the swivel could be devised, including a female sleeve port
with a screw that tightens down therethrough against the male
sleeve.
[0087] FIGS. 2B, 2C and 2D offer a top view, front view and side
view respectively, of the 8 inch swivel manifold of FIG. 1A. FIG.
2E offers a view of the swivel portion in greater detail for the 8
inch swivel of the hydrant manifold.
[0088] FIGS. 3A-3E offer views of a 12 inch swivel hydrant
manifold. Again, a valve IV opens water flow into the swivel and
hydrant manifold, which has with a single 12 inch port.
[0089] FIGS. 3B, 3C and 3D offer top, front and side views of the
12 inch swivel hydrant manifold of FIG. 3A.
[0090] FIGS. 4A-4E offer a drawing of a preferred tank farm layout
overview incorporating the instant hydrant invention. The tank farm
layout is shown served by one swiveled hydrant manifold SHM. FIGS.
4A-4E illustrate the manifold swiveled in a variety of useful
directions in regard to the tank farm.
[0091] FIGS. 5A and 5B offer a side view and a cutaway view of a
preferred embodiment of a swivel SW portion of the instant
invention. An inner male sleeve MS and outer female sleeve FS are
shown for this 10 inch embodiment, with three races RSSB for rings
of stainless steel ball bearings indicated. In the preferred
embodiment the races RSSB for the stainless steel ball bearings SB
are milled into the outside of the male sleeve and the inside of
the female sleeve. The top of the female sleeve and the bottom of
the male sleeve are designed for welded connection to a hydrant
manifold and upstream fittings.
[0092] A location for a custom water seal ISL, preferably with an
elgiloy spring, is indicated. A grease pressure vent GPV hole is
indicated. One or more standard grease fittings are not shown but
would be included.
[0093] As mentioned, preferably the sleeve castings are
manufactured from 316 stainless steel and annealed and stressed
relieved. Ports P are indicated in the female sleeve through which
the ball bearings are loaded. Preferably a water seal is
specifically designed for its chamber ISL in order to seal tightly
against water leakage under the pressure of water through the
swivel. A PTFE or Teflon seal is preferred.
[0094] As discussed above and illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a
preferred swivel SW incorporated into a "conversion kit," for use
with or for a hydrant manifold, is shown, preferably incorporating
316 stainless steel sleeves, preferably with rotatably mating male
MS and female FS sleeves with ball bearings SB between the sleeves.
Stainless steel sleeves are preferably heat treated and annealed.
In a preferred embodiment races RSSB for at least two rings of ball
bearings are milled, half into a female sleeve FS and half into a
male sleeve MS, with a port P provided in the female sleeve for
inserting the ball bearings. At least one grease fitting GF is
preferably provided to keep the area between the male and female
sleeve and around the ball bearings appropriately lubricated.
[0095] An outside debris seal DS is also preferably provided, such
as an O ring, located in a suitable notch DSL between the male and
female sleeve. A simple O ring can prevent debris from entering
from the outside into the area between the male and female sleeves.
An interior seal of a more complex design, preferably of a PFTE or
Teflon, is preferably provided in an interior seal location ISL as
a water seal for the space between the sleeves containing the ball
bearings. Preferably the inner water seal is positioned on
shoulders between the male and female sleeves such that water
pressure drives the seal into greater sealing engagement between
the two sleeves.
[0096] In preferred embodiments a drain is provided such that when
an upstream valve turns off the water supply to the swivel and
hydrant, water can drain from the manifold and swivel to the
outside.
[0097] Preferably lubricant is provided through at least one grease
fitting GF, with maintenance preferably on a schedule of every six
months to a year. A lubricant is selected to maintain its viscosity
and composition through the range of anticipated environmental and
hazard temperature changes.
[0098] FIGS. 6A-6E, 7 and 8 in particular offer view of a preferred
embodiment of a swivel SW as a conversion kit for use with a
hydrant manifold. An inner male sleeve MS and outer female sleeve
FS are shown for an 8 inch embodiment, with two races RSSB with
places for stainless steel ball bearings indicated. In the
preferred embodiment the races for the stainless steel ball
bearings RSSB are milled into the outside of the male sleeve and
into the inside of the female sleeve. The top of the female sleeve
and the bottom of the male sleeve are each designed for welded
connection, directly or indirectly, to a hydrant manifold on the
one hand and to upstream fittings on the other hand. A further
location for a custom water seal ISL, preferably with an elgiloy
spring, is indicated. A grease fitting GF is indicated. As
indicated preferably the sleeves are manufactured from 316
stainless steel and annealed and stress relieved. Ports P are
indicated in the female sleeve through which ball bearings are
loaded. Preferably a water seal is specifically designed for its
chamber ISL in order to seal tightly against water leakage under
the pressure of water through the swivel. A PTFE or Teflon seal is
preferred.
[0099] As indicated in FIG. 7 female sleeve FS functions as a
swivel body structured to sealingly, rotatably attach to male
sleeve MS which includes (as by welding) a fitting FT for
attachment to an inlet valve or riser pipe or the like. An annular
locking ring FLR and a swivel locking ring portion LR, with holes
that mutually register is provided, preferably such that a pin PN
can lock a position between the two locking rings and sleeves.
[0100] FIG. 8 illustrates how a pin PN can lock the position
between the two locking rings. FIG. 8 further illustrates
positioning of race rings RSSB for the receipt of ball bearings
through ports P. Race rings RSSB are milled on the inside of the
female sleeve and on the outside of the male sleeve to register
with one another. A location for a seal ISL between the male sleeve
and the female sleeve is indicated, the seal functioning to provide
sealing rotatable attachment between the male sleeve and female
sleeve.
[0101] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the
invention is presented for purposes of illustration and
description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form or embodiment disclosed. The
description was selected to best explain the principles of the
invention and their practical application to enable others skilled
in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments.
Various modifications as are best suited to the particular use are
contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention is not
to be limited by the specification, but to be defined by the claims
set forth below. Since the foregoing disclosure and description of
the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, various
changes in the size, shape, and materials, as well as in the
details of the illustrated device may be made without departing
from the spirit of the invention. The invention is claimed using
terminology that depends upon a historic presumption that
recitation of a single element covers one or more, and recitation
of two elements covers two or more, and the like. Also, the
drawings and illustration herein have not necessarily been produced
to scale.
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