Patent Publication Number: US-2020291625-A1

Title: Wall-faucet device for freeze prevention in pipe-line systems

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/818,714 filed on Mar. 14, 2019, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a wall-faucet device for freeze prevention in pipe-line systems. More specifically, the invention relates to a temperature-controlled wall-faucet device that does not require a power source. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the present invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. Any publications cited in this description are incorporated by reference herein. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. 
     During the winter months, a common problem in water supply systems is that the water can freeze when the outside temperature drops below a certain threshold. Water in pipe-line systems begins to expand and subsequently begins to freeze between 39.2° F. and 32° F. Therefore, various devices and methods have been envisioned to prevent this problem and mitigate its consequences. 
     Some of the devices currently available rely on electronic circuits, pumps, sensors and electronic valves, making them relatively expensive to manufacture and maintain. In addition, they are sensitive to extreme temperatures and exposure to other weather elements. Reliance on a power supply to prevent freezing in a water pipe-line system is only beneficial if power remains on during the entire winter season. Individuals tend to minimize power usage in their home when they are away for long periods of time, making this option unavailable. Likewise, individuals who tend to lose power during heavy winter storms will not be able to protect their water pipes from freezing when the electricity is nonfunctional. 
     Existing devices for freeze protection by insulation are expensive and have a local effect, meaning they only protect those pipes which are insulated. Other devices use compressible elements for freeze protection. However, these devices are difficult to design and install, they typically only operate at the design pressure, and they only have a local effect. Finally, current systems that use drainage have a local effect and are unusable while the system is operational. 
     Currently, existing devices for freeze protection that use a pressure-sensitive valve to release water have four main disadvantages: (1) they have to be carefully designed; (2) they cannot withstand standard manufacture tolerances; (3) they typically do not work outside of the design pressure; and (4) they may only have a local effect. The main problem with the current systems is they are built to function under nominal pressure but open the drainage valve as the temperature increases. In addition, they are sensitive to external pressure. For example, ice formation at a point upstream in the system may not trigger the valve to continuously release water, decreasing the effectiveness of the device. 
     Therefore, there exists a need for a non-powered temperature-sensitive device that releases water when the atmospheric temperature drops below a set value. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of this invention is to provide a simple mechanical apparatus that is sensitive to the atmospheric temperature surrounding the device and provides protection against freezing problems in pipe-line systems for fluid conduction, which is applicable but not restricted to water supply systems. The wall-faucet device has a valve that opens when the exterior temperature drops below a certain pre-selected value. The pre-selected value is chosen at the design phase by the length and torsional stiffness of the bimetallic coil. The wall-faucet device does not require a power supply, making it simple and suitable to operate unattended for long periods of time. The device protects and prevents freezing everywhere upstream in the pipes leading to the installation point, further preventing the bursting of the main water supply pipe. 
     A wall-faucet device for freeze prevention in water pipe-line systems comprises a chamber, a main pipe, a ball valve system, a float valve system, and a temperature sensitive valve system. The chamber comprises a discharge tube, a water release orifice, an interior top surface, an interior back surface, an interior bottom surface, an interior front surface, an interior first side surface, and an interior second side surface. The main pipe comprises a water intake orifice between the main pipe and the chamber. 
     The ball valve system comprises a valve O-ring, a spherical valve, a lever, a faucet O-ring, and a port. The valve O-ring is mounted on the spherical valve, wherein the lever is attached through the valve O-ring to the spherical valve by a fastener. The faucet O-ring is located at the joint of the spherical valve and the port. 
     The float valve system is located in the chamber and comprises a hollow float, a cylindrical threaded rod, a horizontal cylindrical shell, a plurality of triangular plates, a rectangular tab, a hexagonal cavity, a horizontal cylinder, a first cylindrical piston, and a plurality of protrusions. The hollow float is affixed to the horizontal cylindrical shell by a plurality of triangular plates. A horizontal cylinder is inserted through the horizontal cylindrical shell fixedly attaching the horizontal cylindrical shell between the interior first side surface and the interior second side surface of the chamber. 
     A rectangular tab is permanently attached to the hollow cylindrical shell of the hollow float. A cylindrical threaded rod is screwed into the rectangular tab by a hexagonal wrench inserted into hexagonal cavity. The first cylindrical piston is positioned between the cylindrical threaded rod and the plurality of protrusions. The plurality of protrusions are located on the interior top surface of the chamber, wherein the plurality of protrusions are configured to hold the first cylindrical piston in place. 
     The temperature sensitive valve system comprises a second cylindrical piston, a bimetallic coil, a lid, a plurality of horizontal rails, a cantilever section, a transverse groove, a casing, an air intake orifice, a housing box, a tab, an indentation, and a cylinder. The temperature sensitive valve system is confined to a housing box wherein the lid comprises a plurality of apertures used for aerial communication between the temperature sensitive valve system and the exterior of the device. The lid is removably attached to the housing box and comprises an indentation configured to hold the tab securely in place. The bimetallic coil is clamped to the cylinder by a transverse groove and wrapped around said cylinder housed in the casing. 
     The freeze prevention device comprises polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or galvanized steel. The freeze prevention device further comprises a one-way valve attached to the male threaded outlet. 
     A method for preventing freezing in water pipeline systems comprises the following steps: a) operating at a temperature above 36° F.; b) operating at a water pressure of 40 PSI; c) water entering the device through the main pipe; d) controlling the water flow by the ball valve system; e) communicating with the exterior by air intake orifice and the water release orifice located in the chamber; f) closing the water intake orifice by the hollow float when the water reaches the threshold level of 80 mm within the chamber, by sealing the first cylindrical piston against the water intake orifice; g) winding of the bimetallic coil around the cylinder, holding second cylindrical piston against the air intake orifice, preventing exterior air from being introduced into the chamber; h) water exiting the device through the male threaded outlet; and i) water stopping once the water pressure in the chamber is below the exterior atmospheric pressure. 
     In addition, the wall-faucet device comprises a chamber where the water pressure remains constant and atmospheric within the chamber (measured at the discharge tube), and equal to the atmospheric pressure outside the chamber, allowing for a simpler and more robust design of the temperature-sensitive valve system. The temperature sensitive valve system is isolated in its operability from pressure changes in the pipe-line system, making it invulnerable to such pressure changes. 
     The present invention is easy to install on pre-existing pipe-line systems and in newly constructed homes. The wall-faucet device can also be installed as an outdoor spigot. The design is simple and easy to fabricate by standard procedures; such as casting, hot forging, injection molding, and computer numerical control (CNC) machining. 
     These and other objects are realized, and the limitations of the prior art are overcome in this invention by providing a chamber that is connected to the pressurized water pipe-line system. The chamber is independent from the pressure inside the pipe-line system. In addition, the water level in the chamber is maintained at a certain level by a float valve system. 
     The float valve system senses when the water decreases below a set threshold and enables the valve to open, increasing the intake of water. Once the water level returns to its set threshold limit, the valve closes ceasing the flow of water. The water release flow rate can be set to any desired value and is not affected by pressure changes in the water pipe-line system. The water release flow rate is from about 0 to 0.25 liters per second. In another embodiment, the water release flow rate is from about 2.10 −7  to 2.10 −5  liters per second. The water release flow rate depends on the diameter and length of the discharge tube and the set threshold water level within the chamber. Increasing the diameter of the discharge tube and/or the threshold water level increases the water flow rate. Decreasing the length of the discharge tube increases the water flow rate. Thus, the water flow rate can be adjusted by changing the diameter and/or length of the discharge tube and the threshold water level. In addition, the water pressure in the chamber is close to atmospheric, such that the valve that triggers or prevents the water release requires relatively low mechanical force. 
     The water release orifice, located at the bottom of the chamber, allows water to be discharged from the chamber by the discharge tube. The length and diameter of the discharge tube is designed to allow for a small flow or trickle of water when the air intake orifice is open. The flow of the water to the outside the chamber decreases the water level in the chamber, forcing the float valve system away from the top surface of the chamber, enabling water to fill the chamber from the main pipe. Once the chamber reaches the set threshold water level, the float valve system moves toward the top surface of the chamber, closing the water intake orifice. 
     The air intake orifice is located on the interior back surface of the chamber and is operated by a bimetallic coil. When the air intake orifice is in the closed position, the pressure in the chamber decreases as the water flows out. The water flow stops when the outside atmospheric pressure is equivalent to the inside water pressure (minus surface tension). A thermally sensitive bimetallic coil winds and unwinds, depending on the outside temperature, allowing the air intake orifice to open and close through motive power. Due to the coil&#39;s bimetallic properties, the coil winds or unwinds depending on the change in temperature. The bimetallic coil provides a displacement and/or a force at the tip thereof, proportional to the temperature change, due to the difference in dilation coefficients of its two components, thus amplifying the effect of deformation by temperature. 
     Therefore, the float valve lessens the pressure of water, and the bimetallic coil amplifies the temperature-dilation differential deformation; mechanisms whereby a simple and robust autonomous trickle device for freeze prevention is possible. 
     In addition, the device comprises a main pipe and a ball valve system, to supply water downstream as a regular faucet. The operation of the ball valve system is independent of the temperature-sensitive valve system. 
     Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, along with the accompanying figures in which like numerals represent like components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a right-side view of an exemplary embodiment of a wall-faucet device. 
         FIG. 2 a    is a back-right-top isometric perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a wall-faucet device. 
         FIG. 2 b    is a front-right-bottom isometric perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a wall-faucet device. 
         FIG. 3 a    is a section view from the right of an exemplary embodiment of a wall-faucet device showing the float valve system. 
         FIG. 3 b    is a section view from the front of an exemplary embodiment of a wall-faucet device showing the float valve system. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a wall-faucet device showing the float valve system and ball valve system. 
         FIG. 5 a    is a front surface exterior section view of an exemplary embodiment of the wall-faucet device. 
         FIG. 5 b    is an exemplary embodiment of the lid of wall-faucet device. 
         FIG. 5 c    is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the lid of a wall-faucet device. 
         FIG. 6 a    is an exemplary embodiment of a temperature sensitive valve system. 
         FIG. 6 b    is an interior view of a housing box for the temperature sensitive valve system. 
         FIG. 7  is an operational view of a wall-faucet device operating at a high temperature. 
         FIG. 8  is an operational view of a wall-faucet device operating at a low temperature. 
         FIG. 9  is an operational view of a wall-faucet device where the ball valve system is open, operating independent of the temperature (low temperature in the figure). 
         FIG. 10  is an alternate embodiment of a wall-faucet device where the temperature sensitive valve system is located at the bottom of device. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a vertical-transverse section of the alternate embodiment of a wall-faucet device where the temperature sensitive valve system is located at the bottom of device. 
         FIG. 12 a    is a detailed view of the float valve from the section of the alternate embodiment of a wall-faucet device where the temperature sensitive valve system is located at the bottom of device. 
         FIG. 12 b    is a detailed view of the temperature-sensitive valve from the section of the alternate embodiment of a wall-faucet device where the temperature sensitive valve system is located at the bottom of device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is directed to a wall-faucet device used for freeze prevention in water pipe-line systems. 
     As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a” “an”, “and”, and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “into” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     As used herein, the term “about” in conjunction with a numeral refers to a range of that numeral starting from 10% below the absolute of the numeral to 10% above the absolute of the numeral, inclusive. 
     As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “hexagonal cavity” is synonymous with “grub screw” or “set screw.” 
     An exemplary configuration of the present invention is depicted in  FIGS. 1-6   b , in which wall-faucet device  100  is configured to attach to the exterior faucet of a building. In one embodiment, wall-faucet device  100  comprises main pipe  14 , ball valve system  30 , float valve system  40 , temperature sensitive valve system  50 , discharge tube  20 , female threaded connector  11 , disk  12 , and male threaded outlet  16  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     Ball valve system  30  comprises spherical valve  31 , faucet O-ring  32 , valve O-ring  33 , lever  34 , and screw  35  (see  FIGS. 3 a   - 4 ). Faucet O-ring  32  seals the joint of spherical valve  31  against flat ring-shaped port  17  located at the juncture of main pipe  14  and male threaded outlet  16 . Lever  34  is attached to spherical ball  31  with screw  35 . Valve O-ring  33  is attached to spherical valve  31  to prevent water leakage at joints. 
     In one embodiment, float valve system  40  comprises hollow float  41 , cylindrical threaded rod  42 , first cylindrical piston  53 , horizontal cylindrical shell  44 , plurality of triangular plates  45 , rectangular tab  46  and chamber  48  (see  FIGS. 3 a   - 4 ). Float valve system  40  regulates the flow of water from main pipe  14  through water intake orifice  18  and into chamber  48 , ensuring a constant level of water is maintained within chamber  48 . 
     Hollow float  41  is shaped so it is able to freely rotate 10 degrees around horizontal cylinder  49  without any of its faces being closer than 2 mm to touching any interior surface of chamber  48 . Plurality of triangular plates  45  are permanently affixed between hollow float  41  and horizontal cylindrical shell  44  wherein horizontal cylinder  49  is inserted through horizontal cylindrical shell  44  fixedly attaching horizontal cylindrical shell  44  between interior first side surface  83  and interior second side surface  84  of chamber  48 , thus serving as a hinge mechanism. 
     Rectangular tab  46  is permanently attached to horizontal cylindrical shell  44  wherein cylindrical threaded rod  42  screws into rectangular tab  46  by means of hexagonal cavity  47  which readily accepts a hexagonal wrench. First cylindrical piston  53  is positioned between cylindrical threaded rod  42  and plurality of protrusions  52  wherein plurality of protrusions  52  hold first cylindrical piston  53  in place. In this position, first cylindrical piston  53  can move up and down within chamber  48  to open and close water intake orifice  18 , but first cylindrical piston  53  is unable to move from side to side. Air intake orifice  59  is located on interior back surface  80  of chamber  48  and is operated by bimetallic coil  37 . 
     Plurality of protrusions  52  are affixed to interior top surface  73  of chamber  48 . When the wall-faucet device  100  is connected to the water pipe-line system, water enters main pipe  14  and flows into chamber  48  through water intake orifice  18 . As hollow float  41  rises in chamber  48 , hollow float  41  rotates around horizontal cylinder  49 , moving rectangular tab  46  and cylindrical threaded rod  42  upwards and compressing first cylindrical piston  53  against water intake orifice  18 , thus sealing water intake orifice  18  once the water reaches the set threshold level. When the temperature decreases, air intake orifice  59  opens, allowing air to flow inside chamber  48 . Thus, when air intake orifice  59  is open, water flows out of chamber  48  through discharge tube  20 , exiting through water release orifice  21  at a small flow rate between about 2.10 −7  to about 2.10 −5  liters per second. Alternatively, when air intake orifice  59  is closed, the flow of water from chamber  48  through discharge tube  20  and water release orifice  21  ceases. 
     In one embodiment, temperature sensitive valve system  50  comprises lid  51 , bimetallic coil  37 , second cylindrical piston  36 , plurality of horizontal rails  54 , plurality of apertures  55 , cantilever section  56 , transverse groove  57 , casing  58 , and air intake orifice  59  (see  FIGS. 5 a -6 b   ). Temperature sensitive valve system  50  is located in housing box  60  (see  FIGS. 1, 5   a  and  6   a ) located on exterior front surface  82  of chamber  48  below female threaded connector  11 . In an embodiment, lid  51  is removably attached to housing box  60  by plurality of horizontal rails  54  allowing a user to access temperature sensitive valve system  50  by sliding lid  51  along plurality of horizontal rails  54  away from wall-faucet device  100  (see  FIGS. 5 a -5 c   ). 
     In an exemplary embodiment, lid  51  comprises a plurality of apertures  55  to ensure aerial communication between temperature sensitive valve system  50  and the exterior. Cantilever section  56  is a flexible locking mechanism wherein indentation  63  is configured to hold tab  62  securely in place to prevent housing box  60  from opening unintentionally. In one embodiment, lid  51  is removably attached to housing box  60  by plurality of horizontal rails  54 , wherein lid  51  slides along plurality of horizontal rails  54  to open and close housing box  60 . 
     In an embodiment, bimetallic coil  37  is clamped to cylinder  64  by inserting one end of bimetallic coil  37  into transverse groove  57  (see  FIG. 6 a   ). As the ambient temperature decreases bimetallic coil  37  is wrapped around cylinder  64  and inserted into casing  58 . Bimetallic coil  37  unwinds, rotating clockwise, inside casing  58 , separating second cylindrical piston  36  from air intake orifice  59 , thus allowing exterior air into chamber  48 . Alternatively, as the ambient temperature increase, bimetallic coil  37  winds, rotating counterclockwise, around cylinder  64 , compressing second cylindrical piston  36  into air intake orifice  59 , thus preventing exterior air from entering chamber  48 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, chamber  48  is about 60 mm in length, about 40 mm in width, and about 100 mm in height. In another embodiment, chamber  48  is about 45 to about 75 mm in length, about 30 mm to about 55 mm in width and about 85 to about 110 mm in height. In an embodiment, main pipe  14  is about 84 mm in length and about 20 mm in diameter. In yet another embodiment, main pipe  14  is about 65 to about 95 mm in length and about 10 mm to about 35 mm in diameter. In another embodiment, main pipe  14  narrows to a diameter of about 10 mm from where spherical valve  31  is housed outwards toward male threaded outlet  16 . Spherical valve  31  has a radius of 9 mm. In a further embodiment, main pipe  14  narrows to a diameter of about 5 to 15 mm from where spherical valve  31  is housed outwards toward male threaded outlet  16 . In an embodiment, spherical valve  31  has a radius of about 5 to about 15 mm. 
     Hollow float  41  is about 40 mm in length, about 30 mm in width, and about 80 mm in height, enabling it to tilt from about 1° to about 30° within chamber  48 . In one embodiment, bimetallic coil  37  is about 5 mm in height with about a 9 mm radius. In another embodiment, bimetallic coil  37  is about 3 to about 8 mm in height with radius of about 4 mm to about a 13 mm. In an embodiment, bimetallic coil  37  is bent into a spiral shape covering about 20 turns, with an inner diameter of about 4 mm and an outer diameter of about 20 mm. In one embodiment, cylinder  64  is about 5 mm in height with about a 1 mm radius. In another embodiment, cylinder  64  is about 2.5 mm to about 7.5 mm in height with a radius of about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm. Discharge tube  20  is 1 mm in diameter and 50 mm in length with a set water level of 50 mm. Disk  12  is 50 mm in diameter. In another embodiment, discharge tube  20  is about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm in diameter and about 30 mm to about 65 mm in length with a set water level of about 30 mm to about 75 mm. In one embodiment, disk  12  is about 35 to about 65 mm in diameter. In an embodiment, female threaded connector  11  is standard 0.5″ female MNPT and male threaded outlet  16  is standard 0.75 to 11.5 National Hose (NH). 
     In one embodiment, material of construction for wall-faucet device  100  comprises polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In an alternate embodiment, material of construction for wall-faucet device  100  comprises galvanized steel. 
     A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily be able to build device  100  using standard procedures; such as casting, hot forging, injection molding, and computer numerical control (CNC) machining. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, wall-faucet device  100  is removably affixed to an exterior spigot where ball valve system  30  is either in the closed position or open position. When ball valve system  30  is in the closed position, water flows through female threaded connector  11  into main pipe  14 , where ball valve system  30  prevents the water from flowing to male threaded outlet  16 . When ball valve system  30  is in the open position, water flows through female threaded connector  11  into main pipe  14 , where ball valve system  30  allows the water to flow through male threaded outlet  16 . In addition, lever  34  can be rotated up to 90 degrees from its open position to its closed position to regulate water flow. 
     In an alternative embodiment, female threaded connector  11  is ¾″ in diameter using the American National Standard Taper Pipe Thread (NPT) standard with a hexagonal shape attached to disk  12 . Disk  12  is removably fixed to exterior wall  67  using a plurality of screws  68  inserted through plurality of holes  13 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, female threaded connector  11  is replaced with an elbow pipe at a 90° or 135° angle, with a free rotation attached female garden hose threaded nut and a flat O-ring allowing device  100  to be directly bolted to an existing exterior faucet (not shown in figures). 
     In yet another embodiment, air intake orifice  59  is permanently open by detaching temperature sensitive valve system  50  (see  FIGS. 10-12   b ). Bimetallic coil  37  is clamped to cylinder  64  by inserting end of bimetallic coil  37  into transverse groove  57 . Bimetallic coil  37  is wrapped around cylinder  64  and inserted into casing  58 . In this embodiment, casing  58  is attached to interior bottom surface  81  and vertical plate  66 , wherein second cylindrical piston  36  is replaced by ball  65 , which communicates directly with water release orifice  21 . Bimetallic coil  37  unwinds as the temperature decreases, separating ball  65  from water release orifice  21 ; thus, allowing water to flow out of chamber  48  through water release orifice  21 . In the alternative, bimetallic coil  37  winds as the temperature increases, compressing ball  65  into water release orifice  21 , thus, preventing water from flowing out of chamber  48 . 
     In yet another embodiment, bimetallic coil  37  is mounted in parallel with a worm wheel and meshed to a worm screw allowing the user to calibrate the operating temperature (T) manually (not shown in figures). 
     In an alternative embodiment, a one-way valve is attached to male threaded outlet  16  preventing water stored in a hose or other attachment to device  100  from contaminating potable water in the water pipe-line system (not shown in figures). 
       FIGS. 7, 8, and 9  represent the operation of wall-faucet device  100  wherein wall-faucet device  100  is not drawn to scale. In the operation of an exemplary embodiment, wall-faucet device  100  operates at a high temperature when the value of the temperature (T) is above 36° F. (see  FIG. 7 ). In this embodiment the design parameters are as follows: water pressure in main pipe  14  is 40 PSI; water level in chamber  48  is 80 mm; water pressure in chamber  48  is 0 PSI at the surface and approximately 0.116 PSI at water release orifice  21 ; and air pressure is atmospheric or 0 PSI. 
     Water  69  enters wall-faucet device  100  through main pipe  14 . Spherical valve  31  controls the water flow to male threaded outlet  16 . Chamber  48  communicates with the exterior by air intake orifice  59  and water release orifice  21 . When water  69  reaches the threshold level of 80 mm within chamber  48 , hollow float  41  closes water intake orifice  18  by sealing first cylindrical piston  53  against water intake orifice  18 . 
     The difference in pressure between water  69  at interior bottom surface  81  near discharge tube  20  and the atmospheric pressure exerted on the outside of device  100  allows water  69  to travel through main pipe  14  and exit through male threaded outlet  16 . Water  69  flows at a flow rate between 2.10 −7  to 2.10 −5  liters per second by design. Bimetallic coil  37  winds around cylinder  64 , holding second cylindrical piston  36  against air intake orifice  59 , preventing exterior air from being introduced into chamber  48 . As water  69  exits device  100  through water release orifice  21 , air pressure in chamber  48  decreases. Water  69  stops flowing once the water pressure at interior bottom surface  81  of chamber  48  is below the exterior atmospheric pressure (plus surface tension). 
     In the operation of an alternate embodiment, wall-faucet device  100  operates at a low temperature when the value of “T” is below 36° F. (see  FIG. 8 ). Water  69  enters wall-faucet device  100  through main pipe  14 , and chamber  48  through water intake orifice  18  Bimetallic coil  37  unwinds from cylinder  64 , releasing second cylindrical piston  36  and opening air intake orifice  59 , thus allowing exterior air into chamber  48 . Once the air enters through air intake orifice  59 , the air pressure inside chamber  48  reaches the atmospheric value, and water  69  is released out uninterruptedly through discharge tube  20  and water release orifice  21  due to gravity. 
     Water  69  is exerted through discharge tube  20  and water release orifice  21  at a slow rate. As water  69  is discharged from chamber  48 , the water level in chamber  48  decreases lowering hollow float  41  towards interior bottom surface  81 . As hollow float  41  descends within chamber  48 , water intake orifice  18  opens, allowing water  69  from the main water pipeline system to enter chamber  48  through water intake orifice  18 . 
     In the operation of an alternate embodiment, lever  34  on wall-faucet device  100  is turned 90°, allowing the spigot to release water (see  FIG. 9 ). As lever  34  is turned, ball valve system  30  rotates, allowing water  69  from main pipe  14  to exit through male threaded outlet  16 . Ball valve system  30  is operated independently of the other components of wall-faucet device  100 . In addition, ball valve system  30  does not rely on temperature changes to operate. 
     Thus, specific embodiments of a wall-faucet device for freeze prevention in water pipe-line systems and methods to employ such device have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that additional modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. 
     Moreover, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.