GB2192996A

GB2192996A - Flow meter installations

Info

Publication number: GB2192996A
Application number: GB08617812A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Albert Fletcher Wigley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-07-21
Filing date: 1986-07-21
Publication date: 1988-01-27
Also published as: GB8617812D0

Abstract

A flow meter assembly secured to the base of an underground meter chamber (12) comprises a connection from a public water main (28) to a stop-valve (10) connected to a non-return valve (16) with an extended test unit (17), a flow meter (20) with an outlet connected to a second non-return valve (22) with extended test unit (23) and an outlet coupling for a service pipe (30). The inlet and outlet couplings are secured by a backnut within an aperture of the base with the outlets external to the meter chamber. All the units of the assembly apart from the stopvalve and pipe couplings are removable by hand through an access cover when units and stopvalve are installed within limits of a specified dimension from the ground level of the access cover. A twin meter unit assembly Fig. 5 (not shown) duplicates all the units of a single meter assembly except that one supply pipe supplies water to two separate service pipes. All removable units are interchangeable. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Water meter unit assemblies Water meters are well known devices for measuring quantities of water and are installed in various situations and in underground chambers with accessibility through access covers.

The installation of water meters and the protection of the public water supply from contamination whether below or above ground has become a matter of public concern and it has become necessary to evolve devices and methods of installation that satisfy the requirements involved; namely, accessibility to stopvalves, ease of extraction and replacement of meters and devices for the prevention of contamination of the water supply, testing the efficacy of non-return valves together with other test procedures. These procedures to be achieved by hand through a surface access cover when the meter is installed underground. As the few Water Byelaws will make it mandatory to install protective devices and control valves in Water Supply installations it is considered that protecting the public water supply from contamination at the boundary stopvalve and meter point will be a first priority.

According to the present invention there is provided single and double meter unit assemblies wherein the assemblies are installed on the base of an underground preformed meter chamber or a constructed meter chamber with a stopvalve or meter installed within limits of a specified dimension and where access for testing, extraction or replacement of units can be achieved by hand through a surface access cover.

In the first instance a single meter unit comprising a pipe coupling with a threaded inlet spigot secured by a backnut within an aperture of a rigid base of a meter chamber the coupling having a pipe connector for a supply pipe from a public water main on the underside of the meter base and external to the meter chamber. A mains type non-removable stopvalve is connected to the pipe coupling within the meter chamber and from a side outlet of the stopvalve a union nut connects an in-line non-return valve with an extended test unit and plug projecting above adjoining fittings and for attaching specialised testing equipment.

From the outlet of the non-return valve a union nut connects a supply pipe to an inlet of a standard type water meter with a union nut. The inlet of the meter being supported, an outlet of the meter has a union nut con nected to a side-inlet-bottom-outlet non-return valve with an extended test unit and plug projecting above adjoining fittings and for attach ing specialised testing equipment for sampling water either side the non-return valve. A union nut connects the outlet of the non-return valve to a pipe coupling with a threaded outlet spigot secured by means of a backnut within an aperture of the meter base, the coupling having a pipe connection for a service pipe supply on the underside of the meter base and external to the meter chamber.The union nuts allow all units except the stopvalve and pipe couplings to be extracted or replaced if any unit malfunctions or is not required.

In the second instance there is provided a twin meter unit assembly for installing in or on a rigid base of an underground meter chamber comprising a non-removable tee with a threaded inlet spigot secured by means of a backnut within an aperture of a rigid base of an underground meter chamber, the threaded spigot having a pipe connector for a public water supply on the underside of the meter base and external to the meter chamber.

Within the meter chamber and on a vertical branch of the inlet tee a non-removable mains type stopvalve is secured by a threaded connection and from a side outlet of the stopvalve a union nut connects an in-line non-return valve with an extended test unit and plug projecting above adjoining fittings. From an outlet of the non-return valve a union nut connects a supply pipe to an inlet of a standard type water meter with a union nut. The inlet of the meter being supported by bracket secured to the base by fasteners. An outlet of the meter has a union nut connected to a side-inlet, bottom outlet non-return valve with an extended test unit and plug projecting above adjoining fittings.A union nut connects the outlet of the non-return valve to a pipe coupling with a threaded outlet spigot secured within an aperture of the meter base by a threaded backnut, the coupling having a pipe connection for a service supply on the underside of the meter base and external to the meter chamber. The union nuts connecting individual fittings allow the units except the stopvalve and inlet and outlet pipe couplings to be extracted or replaced if any part malfunctions or is not required.

Within the said meter chamber and connected to a horizontal branch of the supply tee coupling threaded nuts connect a non-removable supply pipe to a non-removable back plate elbow secured by fasteners to the meter base. A second non-removable stopvalve is secured to a vertical outlet of the back plate elbow by a threaded connection and from a side outlet of the stopvalve there is provided an identical non-return valve with extended test unit and plug, a connecting pipe, a twin water meter, a non-return valve with extended test unit and plug projecting above adjoining fittings. A union nut connects an outlet of the non-return valve to a second pipe coupling with a threaded spigot secured within an aperture of the meter base by a threaded backnut, the coupling having a pipe connection for a service supply on the underside of the meter base and external to the meter chamber.The union nuts are as described for the single meter unit.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1. shows a plan view of a meter assembly installed on a rigid base of a meter chamber, Figure 2. shows a side view of the stopvalve in-line non-return valve and meter in an underground chamber, Figure 3. shows an end view of the stopvalve, meter and outlet non-return valve in a meter chamber, Figure 4. illustrates a meter unit assembly installed in a complete underground meter chamber unit from surface access cover to base plate with supply and service pipes connected externally to the chamber, Figure 5 shows a plan view of a twin unit assembly secured on a meter chamber base, Figure 6. shows a side view of a twin meter unit assembly secured on a meter base, Figure 7. shows an end view of stopvalves 1 and 2 with their meters, outlet non-return valves supply pipe and 2 service pipes secured in a meter chamber, Figure 8. illustrates a double meter unit assembly installed in a complete underground meter chamber unit with supply and service pipes connected externally to the meter chamber.

Referring to the drawings Figures 1-2-3 a mains supply stopvalve 10 is secured to a rigid meter base 12 of a meter chamber 13 by a pipe coupling 14. The outlet of stopvalve 10 has a union nut 15 connected to an in-line non-return valve 16 which has an extended test unit with plug 17, the non-return valve unit 16 has a union nut 18 with a pipe connected to a union nut 19 of a water meter 20. An outlet union nut 21 of the meter 20 is connected to a non-return valve 22 with extended test unit and plug 23. An outlet of the non-return valve 22 is connected by a union nut 24 to a service pipe coupling 26 secured in an aperture of the base 12. A service pipe 30 is shown connected to the coupling 26.

Adjacent to the service pipe 30 Figure 3 is the supply inlet pipe 28, connected to a pipe coupling 14 secured in an aperture of the base 12 by a backnut. In Figures 2 an 3 a vertical bracket 1 9a secured to the meter base 12 by fasteners is shown supporting the meter 20. The extended test units and plugs 17 and 23 project above the meter 20 providing accessibility for testing procedures.

Figure 4 illustrates how a meter unit assembly is installed in a meter chamber to a specified dimension from ground surface to a centreline of stopvalve or meter in order that extraction and replacement of units with union nuts can be achieved by hand through- a surface access cover. Supply and service pipes are connected externally to the meter chamber. Referring to Figure 6, a mains supply pipe is connected to a pipe coupling 40 secured in an aperture of a rigid meter base 42 by a backnut. The pipe coupling 41 is the inlet part of a tee 43 which has a vertical and horizontal branch for supplying No. 1 and No. 2 stopvalves.Secured in the vertical branch of tee 43 is No. 1 stopvalve 44-Figure 5-with a side outlet and union nut 46 connected to an in-line non-return valve 45 which has an extended test unit and plug 49, the outlet of the valve 48 has a union nut 50 connecting a pipe with a union nut 52 to the inlet of No. 1 water meter 54. A vertical bracket 55 secured to the meter base 42 by fasteners supports meters Nos. 1 and 2. The meter 54 has an outlet with a union nut 56 connected to a side inlet-bottom outlet non-return valve 58 with an extended test unit and plug 59. The outlet of valve 58 is connected by a union nut 60 to a pipe coupling 61 secured in an aperture of the meter base 42 by a backnut. A service pipe in connected by a threaded nut 62 to pipe coupling 61.

From the horizontal branch of the inlet tee 43 a pipe 70 is connected to an elbow with a backplate 71. Secured by fasteners to the meter base 72, Figure 7. A No. 2 bottom-inlet stopvalve 72 is connected to the elbow 71 by a threaded nut and the side outlet of stopvalve 72, Figure 5, is connected by a union nut 73 to an in-line non-return valve 74 with an extended test unit and plug 75. The valve 74 has an outlet union nut 76 connecting a pipe and union nut 77 to a No. 2 meter 78.

The outlet from No. 2 meter is connected by a union nut 80 to a non-return valve 81 with an extended test unit and plug 81a. The outlet of valve 81 is secured by a union nut 82 to a pipe coupling 83 secured in an aperture of the meter base 42 by a backnut. A threaded nut connects a service pipe to coupling 83.

Figure 8 illustrates a complete underground chamber unit from surface access cover to underground base incorporating a double meter unit assembly in the meter chamber. All the units within the meter chamber connected by union nuts are detachable and replaceable by hand through the access cover when the stopvalves are installed to a specified dimension. The stopvalves and pipes couplings to the public mains are not detachable as these are under mains pressure. Supply and service pipes are connected externally to the meter chamber.

Claims

1. Single and double meter unit assemblies wherein the assemblies are installed on the base of an underground preformed meter chamber or a constructed meter chamber with a stopvalve or meter installed within limits of a specified dimension and where access for testing, extraction or replacement of units can be achieved by hand through a surface access cover.

2. A single meter unit comprising a pipe coupling with a threaded inlet spigot secured by a backnut within an aperture of a rigid base of a meter chanber the coupling having a pipe connector for a supply pipe from a public water main on the underside of the meter base and external to the meter chamber. A mains type non-removable stopvalve is connected to the pipe coupling within the meter chamber and from a side outlet of the stopvalve a union nut connects an in-line non-return valve with an extended test unit and plug projecting above adjoining fittings and for attaching specialised testing equipment. From the outlet of the non-return valve a union nut connects a supply pipe to an inlet of a standard type water meter with a union nut. The inlet of the meter being supported and stabilised by a bracket secured to the meter base by fasteners.An outlet of the meter has a union nut connected to a side-inlet bottomoutlet non-return valve with extended test unit and plug projecting above adjoining fittings and for attaching specialised testing equipment for sampling water either side of the non-return valve. A union nut connects the outlet of the non-return valve to a pipe coupling with a threaded outlet spigot secured by means of a backnut within an aperture of the meter base, the coupling having a pipe connection for a service pipe supply on the underside of the meter base and external to the meter chamber. The union nuts allow all units except the stop valve and pipe couplings to be extracted, replaced or renewed if any unit malfunctions or is not required.

3. A meter unit assembly as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein means are provided for the assembly to be secured to a rigid base for installing in a preformed or constructed underground meter chamber.

4. A meter unit assembly as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein means are provided for securing a single meter unit assembly to a meter base by means of interna I/external pipe couplings and a bracket secured to the meter base by fasteners supporting and stabilising the meter.

5. A meter unit assembly as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein means are provided for removing, replacing or renewing individual units from the assembly through a surface access cover when the units are installed within the limits of a specified dimension below the surface.

6. A meter unit assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the means are provided for attaching test equipment to the extended test unit on the non-return valve connected to the stopvalve for recording pressure and a full flow running pressure from the public water main.

7. A meter unit assembly as claimed in any of the preceding Claims wherein means are provided for attaching special testing equipment to the extension unit of the non-return valve attached to the outlet of the meter for obtaining samples of water from the public water main or from water drawn from the consumers installation; i.e. both sides of the non return valve.

8. A twin meter unit assembly as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the assembly is installed on and in a rigid meter base comprising a nonremovable tee with a threaded inlet spigot secured by a backnut within an aperture of the rigid base. The threaded inlet spigot having a pipe connection for a public water supply on the underside of the base and external to the meter chamber.Within the meter chamber and on a vertical branch of the inlet tee a nonremovable mains type stopvalve is secured by a threaded connection and from a side outlet of the stopvalve a union nut connects a nonreturn valve with extended test unit and plug to a connecting pipe with union nuts, a meter supported by a bracket secured to the base by fasteners, a non-return valve with extended test unit and plug and a pipe coupling with a threaded spigot and a pipe connector for a service supply on the underside of the meter base and external to the meter chamber. All the said units connected by union nuts and secured to the meter base are identical to those as described for a single unit assembly in Claim 2.From the inlet tee within the meter chamber and connected to a side branch of the tee by a threaded connection, a horizontal supply pipe is connected by a threaded connection to a non-removable back plate elbow secured to the meter base by fasteners. A second non-removable mains type stopvalve is secured to the vertical outlet of the back plate elbow by a threaded connection and from a side outlet of the stopvalve there is provided an identical group of units connected by union nuts to a second service pipe connection underside the meter base as described for the first stop valve connected to the vertical branch of the tee within the meter chamber.

9. A twin meter unit assembly as claimed in Claim 3 wherein means are provided for the assembly to be secured to a rigid meter base for installing in a preformed or constructed underground chamber.

10. A twin meter unit assembly as claimed in Claims 1 and 8 wherein means are provided for securing a twin unit assembly to a meter base by means of an internal/external inlet pipe coupling with a connection for a supply from a public water main and 2 internal/external pipe couplings for 2 service pipes and a bracket secured to the base by fasteners supporting twin meters within the meter chamber.

11. A twin meter unit as claimed in Claims 1 and 8 with means for removing, replacing or renewing identical units to those described in Claim 5 for a single meter unit assembly.

12. A twin meter unit as claimed in 1 and 8 wherein means are provided for the attachment of testing equipment to individual nonreturn valves as those described for single unit assemblies in Claims 6 and 7.

13. Single and twin meter unit assemblies as substantially described as herein, with reference to Figures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.