Vented precipitation guarding manhole cover assembly

A valve assembly for use with and extending from an underside of a vented manhole cover assembly, the valve assembly operable between an open position, to enable gas to exit from the manhole, and a closed position, to prevent the flow of the fluid into the manhole, the valve assembly, comprising:

• a valve body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface extending between the top and bottom surfaces, a first opening formed on the top surface, a second opening formed on the side surface, and a fluid passage extending between the first and second openings, the fluid passage formed including a first fluid passage extending from the first opening and a second fluid passage extending from the second opening, the second fluid passage intersecting the first fluid passage at an angle;
• a valve member moveable between the open position and the closed position, such that in response to the fluid entering through the first opening, the valve member moves from the open position to the closed position to prevent the flow of the fluid into the manhole;
• and
• wherein when the valve assembly is in the open position, gases within the manhole enter through the second opening and exit through the first opening, and when in the closed position, the fluid is prevented from entering the manhole through the first opening.

A method of forming a vented precipitation guarding manhole cover assembly, the method comprising:

• forming a vent opening through a manhole cover between a top and bottom surfaces of the manhole cover;
• providing a valve assembly which includes providing a valve body, the valve body having a top surface with a first opening formed on the top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface extending between the top and bottom surfaces with a second opening formed on the side surface, and a fluid passageway extending between the first and second openings, the valve assembly operable between an open position, to enable gas to exit from a manhole and through the manhole cover, and a closed position, to prevent a flow of a fluid from the top surface through the manhole cover into the manhole;
• wherein, when the valve assembly is in the open position, gases within the manhole enter through the first opening and exit through the second opening, and, when in the closed position, the fluid is prevented from entering the manhole through the first opening;
• and
• securing the valve assembly to the manhole cover such that the valve assembly extends from the bottom surface and into the manhole when the manhole cover is positioned to enclose the manhole.