Fire hydrant valve seat flange

Abstract

A fire hydrant having a valve seat flange with an integral liner. In one embodiment, the fire hydrant includes a valve seat flange disposed between a standpipe and a hydrant shoe. The valve seat flange includes a standpipe neck defining internal threads to directly connect to the standpipe and a base flange to directly connect to the hydrant shoe. The liner includes an outer peripheral edge that is entrapped within the valve seat flange and an inner circumferential surface defining threads for receiving the valve seat of a valve assembly. The present invention also discloses a process of manufacturing a valve seat flange, including the steps of: (a) manufacturing the liner, (b) incorporating the liner into a core with the outer peripheral region of the liner exposed, (c) placing the integral core/liner into the valve seat flange mold and (d) forming the valve seat flange around the liner with the valve seat flange entrapping the outer peripheral region of the liner.

1 - 6 . (canceled)  
     
     
         7 . A method for manufacturing a valve seat flange for a fire hydrant, comprising the steps of: 
 manufacturing a liner;    forming a casting core incorporating the liner, an outer peripheral portion of the liner being exposed;    inserting the core incorporating the liner into a casting cavity;    casting a valve seat flange by pouring molten material into the casting cavity about the core, the outer peripheral portion of the liner being entrapped within the material forming the valve seat flange; and    removing the core from the cast valve seat flange leaving the liner integral within the valve seat flange.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising a step of forming internal threads on an internal circumferential surface of the liner.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further wherein said step of manufacturing said liner includes a step of forming at least one of a protrusion and a recess in the outer peripheral surface of said liner.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said casting step includes the step of forming a standpipe neck to directly mount to a hydrant standpipe.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said casting step includes the step of forming a base flange to directly mount to a hydrant shoe.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said casting step includes the step of forming an inner rim within the base flange, the inner configured to be fitted within a hydrant shoe.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further including the step of forming an o-ring seat in at least one of the base flange and the inner rim.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the liner is manufactured from one of bronze and brass, and the valve seat flange is manufactured from ductile iron.  
     
     
         15 - 19 . (canceled)