Patent ID: 8776822

Claim:
An inflow protection device for preventing liquids and other contaminants from entering a water-carrying pipeline through an air valve connected to the pipeline, the inflow protection device comprising: an adaptor having a first end for coupling with an outlet of the air valve and a second end, the adaptor further having an air nozzle for coupling with an air line attached to an air release valve; and an elongated vent pipe having a first end configured for directly or indirectly coupling with the second end of the adaptor and a second end extending out of and above a vault in which the air valve is installed, wherein the vent pipe is of a length sufficient to position the second end of the vent pipe second end above a flood plain level so that the second end of the vent pipe allows air to be exhausted from and admitted into the air valve even when the vault in which the air valve is located becomes flooded.