Patent Publication Number: US-8985048-B2

Title: Apparatus for visual identification of valves in multi valve distribution and transmission systems

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/488,053 filed on May 19, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for visual identification of valves in multi valve distribution and transmission systems, particularly for municipal utility infrastructures. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the field of distribution and transmission systems—particularly for municipal utility infrastructures such as mainline, connection, drain, pressure district, pressure regulating and pressure sustaining valves—a significant recurring problem is lack of identification or poor identification of the different types and sizes of valves in multi valve systems. 
     For example, the lack of delineation between transmission, distribution, clockwise and counterclockwise operating valves, water, wastewater, and two tier municipal infrastructures results in increased probability of human error, resulting in increased risk to employees, public safety, infrastructure and the environment. The lack of proper identification also results in increased time to resolution of problems in an emergency, elevating costs of mitigation due to failures. 
     Existing solutions to identification of valves in multi valve systems are limited in their accuracy (e.g. GIS or GPS based location systems), or may be subject to failure due to inherent design limitations. 
     What is needed is an improved apparatus and method for visual identification of valves which overcomes at least some of the drawbacks and limitations as described above. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for visual identification of valves in multi valve distribution and transmission systems, and particularly for municipal utility infrastructures such as mainline, connection, drain, pressure district, pressure regulating and pressure sustaining valves. 
     In an embodiment, color coded valve box inserts are made to specifications, inserted and secured into place at the opening of multiple valve boxes to easily and accurately identify different types and sizes of valves. Each color represents a different type of valve, a different size of valve, or some other characteristic of the valve as established by the municipality. A color coding chart identifying the different types and sizes of valves may be placed at each point of access to the valve boxes to assist in identification of the different types of valves. 
     Thus, in an aspect, there is provided an apparatus for visual identification of valves in a multi valve distribution or transmission system, wherein: the apparatus is adapted to be inserted at an opening to a valve box in the multi valve distribution or transmission system; and the apparatus is formed of a material having one or more selected colors; whereby, the apparatus secured at the opening to the valve box visually identifies a valve in the multi valve distribution or transmission system by the one or more selected colors. 
     In another aspect, there is provided a method of visually identifying valves in a multi valve distribution or transmission system, comprising: providing a color coding system for identifying different types or sizes of valves in the multi valve distribution or transmission system; selecting valve box inserts formed of a material having one or more selected colors corresponding to the color coding system; and securing the valve box inserts at the opening to the valves to visually identify each valve in the multi valve distribution or transmission system by the valve box inserts having the one or more selected colors. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention yin detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  shows a top view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic view of a method in accordance with an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  with other identification means. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As noted, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for visual identification of valves in multi valve distribution and transmission systems, particularly for municipal utility infrastructures such as mainline, connection, drain, pressure district, pressure regulating and pressure sustaining valves. 
     In an embodiment, color coded valve box inserts are made to specifications and inserted and secured into place at the opening of multiple valve boxes to easily and accurately identify the different types of valves accessed via the valve boxes. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , shown is a perspective view of an illustrative valve box insert  100 . As shown, valve box insert  100  has a tubular main body  101  with an outer main body surface  102  and an inner main body surface  104 . Valve box insert  100  further has a lower edge  106  and an upper edge  108  defining the lower and upper ends of the tubular main body  101 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , valve box insert  100  further includes an extending flange  110  having a dimension larger than the upper edge  108  and terminating at an outer edge  112  of extending flange  110 . In this illustrative embodiment, extending flange  110  is angled upwards to better fit valve boxes in which valve box insert  100  will be inserted. 
     As shown, in this illustrative embodiment, valve box insert  100  may also include an orifice  114  in main body  101 . In use, orifice  114  may allow access to a component or feature in one or more valve boxes in which valve box insert  100  is inserted. Additional orifices may be provided in main body  101  as may be necessary in order to allow access to various other components or features. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , shown are a top view and a front view, respectively, of the valve box insert  100  of  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , in an embodiment, the main body  101  of valve box insert  100  may be tapered, such that upper edge  108  of valve box insert  100  has a width or diameter somewhat larger than the width or diameter of lower edge  106 . This tapered shape allows valve box insert  100  to be more easily inserted into a valve box, and for valve box insert  100  to be secured within a valve box by a suitably tight fit. For example, the diameter of lower edge  106  may be selected to provide a clearance fit when placed in a valve box. However, the diameter of upper edge  108  may be selected to provide a suitably sufficient interference fit when inserted into a valve box, so that valve box insert  100  is secured within a valve box once fully inserted and not easily removed. 
     In an embodiment, the diameter of the extending flange  110  is selected to be larger than would fit fully within a valve box, thus positively stopping valve box insert  100  from being inserted in a valve box beyond the upper edge  108 . Any angle formed in the extending flange  110  may be selected to complement the angle formed by a valve box opening. 
     In an embodiment, valve box insert  100  may be manufactured from a material that is moldable, resistant to tearing, and somewhat flexible—such as a thermoplastic for example. Because valve box insert  100  may be used in applications in which the valve boxes are subject to both hot and cold temperatures, the chosen material should suitably accommodate extremes in temperature, while still retaining its mechanical integrity—including rigidity, breakage and tear resistance, and fire retardancy. 
     In another embodiment, valve box insert  100  may be manufactured from a material that is available multiple different colors, such that the material need not be painted on its surface. As the color would be an inherent characteristic of the material, valve box insert  100  would require virtually no maintenance to permanently retain its color once inserted. 
     In addition the material chosen should preferably be chemically resistant to various types of fluids and contaminants that may be carried within the valves. This may include, for example, water, sewage, environmental run-off, and various road contaminants including salt, oil and grease. 
     By way of illustration, and not by way of limitation, one material that has been tested and found to be suitable by the inventors for manufacturing the valve box insert  100  is KYDEX® 100, a thermoplastic material, typically used for applications such as aircraft interiors, mass transit vehicle components, equipment housings and medical products. Based on testing by the inventors, KYDEX 100 has been found to provide the necessary mechanical integrity, color adaptability, and resistance to temperature changes or extremes. KYDEX 100 also provides high impact and breakage resistance and a high standard for chemical resistance amongst thermoplastic materials. KYDEX 100 also accommodates molding, machining and fabrication using conventional methods and equipment. 
     In order to provide a sufficiently distinctive number of colors to easily distinguish between different types of valves, it is necessary to select a material available in a wide range of colors. KYDEX 100 is available in a wide range of standard and custom colors and textures, allowing valve box inserts  100  to be manufactured in various different colors. As an illustrative example, an eight color set may include red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black and white. A larger number of colors may be included in a set if required but selecting additional colors such as brown, beige and gray, for example. 
     In an embodiment, each municipality may create a color coding system using a color set having an appropriate number of different colors to identify each type of valve. A color coding chart may also be created to allow front line staff to easily identify each type of valve by cross referencing the color coded chart to different types of valves. The color coded chart may thus be used to quickly and accurately identify the different types of valves front line personnel may come across. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 4 , shown is an illustrative method in accordance with an embodiment. As shown, a number of valve box inserts  100 A- 100 D may be made from various different colors such that they are easily distinguished from each other visually. As shown in this illustrative example, each of valve box inserts  100 A- 100 D may be selected to be inserted into the opening of four valve boxes  400 A- 400 D in a multi valve distribution or transmission system. For example, valve boxes  400 A- 400 D may provide access to different valves for a municipal water or sewage system. By installing the valve box inserts  100 A- 100 D in each corresponding valve box  400 A- 400 D, each of the valve boxes  400 A- 400 D are visually distinguished by the different colors of the valve box inserts  100 A- 100 D, and front line staff can readily distinguish between different types of valves by the color of the valve box inserts  100 A- 100 D. 
     Quick and accurate identification of different types of valves via the valve box inserts  100 A- 100 D minimizes the chances of human error, and reduces the risk to staff, the public, the environment, infrastructure assets and the owner. There is a corresponding decrease in mitigation costs for emergency failures, and increased operator confidence. 
     With the selection of an appropriate material, the valve box insert  100  can be manufactured to last virtually the life of the valve box and valve it identifies. Thus, valve box insert  100  can represent a one time cost for a life time of accurate field identification for virtually all buried municipal infrastructure comprising multi valve distribution and transmission systems. 
     In another embodiment, rather than being formed from a single color, valve box insert  100  may also be manufactured from two or more colors such that, for example, each valve box insert  100  has a top portion/bottom portion having different colors, or a left portion/right portion having different colors. This may significantly increase the number of different valve box inserts  100  that may be used in a color scheme to identify different types of valves. As each valve box insert  100  may have a top portion identified by an extending flange  110 , the order (e.g. top/bottom) in which two colors are used may also distinguish between two valve box inserts  100  made of the same two colors. 
     In a further embodiment, it will be appreciated that additional colors and/or patterns may be used to identify between different valve box inserts  100 , as long as each of the valve box inserts  100  are readily visually distinguishable from each other. 
     In yet another embodiment, each valve box insert  100  may also be identified by the use of a graphic symbol, or text in addition to the visual identification of color(s) and/or pattern(s). As well, a different number or pattern of cut-outs or orifices may also be used to identify different types of valves. 
     In still another embodiment, each valve box insert  100  may be built to specifications to fit different sizes of valves, and to accommodate different types of valve openings, components and features. In each case, valve box insert  100  may be built to provide a suitable interference fit when fully inserted, so that the valve box insert  100  is not easily removed after installation. 
     In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , valve box insert  100  may further include other identification means, such as a barcode or QR code  502  to further identify the specific valve with a portable barcode or QR code reader, which may be a mobile communication device for example. The bar code/QR code may contain a serial number that correlates the valve box insert  100  to a specific valve, as stored in a database accessible via the barcode or QR code. 
     In another embodiment, an embedded radio frequency ID (RFID) chip  504  may be used to store identification information as well as other data about the valve to make it easier for field personal to verify that the correct valve has been located and obtain other relevant information about the valve. 
     Thus, in an aspect, there is provided an apparatus for visual identification of valves in a multi valve distribution or transmission system, wherein: the apparatus is adapted to be inserted at an opening to a valve box in the multi valve distribution or transmission system; and the apparatus is formed of a material having one or more selected colors; whereby, the apparatus secured at the opening to the valve box visually identifies a valve in the multi valve distribution or transmission system by the one or more selected colors. 
     In an embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a tapered upper edge which prevents the apparatus from sliding fully inside a valve. 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus is adapted to be secured within the valve. 
     In another embodiment, the diameter of the upper edge of the apparatus is selected to provide a suitably sufficient interference fit when the apparatus is fully inserted into a valve. 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus further includes an orifice adapted to allow access to a component or feature in one or more valves into which the apparatus is inserted. 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a flexible, moldable material resistant to tearing, high impacts and breakage. 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a material resistant to temperature changes or extremes. 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a chemically resistant material. 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a thermoplastic material. 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a color adaptable material corresponding to a color coding system developed for the multi valve distribution or transmission system. 
     In another embodiment, the color coding system comprises a color coded chart identifying each type or size of valve using a color. 
     In another embodiment, the color coding system comprises a color, coded chart identifying each type or size of valve using a color combination. 
     In another embodiment, the color coding system comprises a color coded chart identifying each: type or size of valve using a color pattern. 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus is further identified by a graphic symbol or text. 
     In another embodirnent, the apparatus is further identified by a pattern of cut-outs or orifices. 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus is further identified by a barcode or QR code. 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus is further identified by an embedded RFID chip, the RFID chip storing identifying information and data relating to the valve in which the apparatus is inserted and secured. 
     In another aspect, there is provided a method of visually identifying valves in a multi valve distribution or transmission system, comprising: providing a color coding system for identifying different types or sizes of valves in the multi valve distribution or transmission system; selecting valve box inserts formed of a material having, one or more selected colors corresponding to the color coding system; and securing the valve box inserts at the opening to the valves to visually identify each valve in the multi valve distribution or transmission system by the valve box inserts having the one or more selected colors. 
     In an embodiment, the method further comprises providing a color coding chart to identify the different types or sizes of valves. 
     In another embodiment, the method further comprises utilizing one or more of color patterns, graphic symbols, text, cut-outs, RFID codes and QR codes to further identify each valve in the multi valve distribution or transmission system. 
     While the above description provides examples of one or more embodiment and methods, it will be appreciated that other embodiments and methods may be within the scope of the present description as interpreted by one of skill in the art.