Flow conditioning device resetter assembly

A resetting device for mounting a first flow conditioning device along a remote axis spaced from and substantially parallel to a main line axis defined between main line pipes which are axially spaced for mounting said first flow conditioning device therebetween, and for allowing a second flow conditioning device to be mounted between the resetting device and a main line pipe along the main line axis, comprising:

• a first conduit having a first open end which faces outwardly along a first axis, and a second open end which faces inwardly along a reset axis approximately parallel to said first axis;
• said first open end being spaced inwardly from said second open end a first conduit axial spacing distance;
• a second conduit having a first open end which faces outwardly along said first axis, and a second open end which faces inwardly along said reset axis in facing relationship to the second open end of the first conduit and spaced therefrom a first flow conditioning device mounting spacing;
• said first open end of the second conduit being spaced inwardly from the second open end of the second conduit by a second conduit axial spacing distance which is substantially less than said first conduit axial spacing distance;
• said first axis and said reset axis approximately defining a first plane;
• said first and second conduits running laterally outward from said first plane along intermediate portions thereof with the conduits convoluting between the first and second openings thereof;
• whereby a second flow conditioning device can be connected to the first open end of the first conduit and fit within the overall length of the resetting device because the first conduit axial spacing distance is substantially greater than the second conduit axial spacing distance;
• and
• said second flow conditioning device connected to the first open end of the first conduit in series therewith;
• the axial spacing between the first open end of the second conduit and an outwardly facing open end of the second flow conditioning device being approximately equal to said first flow conditioning device mounting spacing.

A resetting device for mounting a first flow conditioning device along a remote axis spaced from and substantially parallel to a main line axis defined between inlet and outlet main line pipes which are aligned and axially spaced and adapted for mounting said first flow conditioning device therebetween, and for allowing a second flow conditioning device to be mounted between the resetting device and a main line pipe along the main line axis, comprising:

• a manifold element integrally forming a first conduit portion and a second conduit portion;
• said first conduit portion having a first opening which faces outwardly along a first axis, and an intermediate pivot joint opening which faces outwardly along an intermediate axis which is spaced from but substantially parallel to said first axis;
• said second conduit portion having a first opening which faces outwardly along said first axis in a direction opposite from the first opening of the first conduit portion;
• said second conduit portion also having an intermediate pivot joint opening which faces outwardly along said intermediate axis in a direction opposite from the intermediate pivot joint opening of the first conduit portion;
• a first conduit return bend portion having a return bend pivot joint opening which is pivotally and coaxially connectible to the first conduit portion of the manifold element at the intermediate pivot joint opening thereof;
• said first conduit return bend portion also having a first remote opening which faces inwardly along a reset axis which is substantially parallel to said first axis and said intermediate axis when assembled with the manifold element;
• said first remote opening being spaced axially outward from the first opening of the first conduit portion a first conduit axial spacing distance when said first conduit return bend portion is assembled with the manifold element at a pivot joint;
• a second conduit return bend portion having a return bend pivot joint opening which is pivotally and coaxially connectible to the second conduit portion of the manifold element at the intermediate pivot joint opening thereof;
• said second conduit return bend portion having a second remote opening which faces inwardly along said reset axis in opposing and facing relationship to said first remote opening, when assembled with the manifold element;
• said second remote opening being spaced axially outward from the first opening of the second conduit portion a second conduit axial spacing distance when said second conduit return bend portion is assembled with the manifold element at a pivot joint;
• said first conduit axial spacing distance being substantially greater than said second conduit axial spacing distance when the return bend portions are assembled with the manifold element;
• said first axis and said reset axis being substantially parallel and approximately defining a first plane;
• said first and second conduits running laterally outward from said first plane along intermediate portions thereof with the conduits convoluting between the first and second openings thereof;
• and
• wherein the meter resetting device is adapted to mount a second flow conditioning device connectable at the first fitting of the first conduit means;
• said second flow conditioning device having a length which provides a distance between an open end thereof and a first opening of the second conduit, when assembled, which is approximately equal to an axial spacing of the first flow conditioning device.

A meter resetting device for mounting a meter having two fittings separated by a meter fittings spacing and a backflow preventing valve within a confined meter pit using main line couplings existing on ends of two main line pipes positioned within the meter pit along a common main line axis, comprising:

• first and second conduit means each having a first fitting facing outwardly on a mainline axis and a second fitting facing inwardly on a reset axis parallel to said main line axis;
• the first fittings of the conduit means being spaced a distance approximately equal to said meter fittings spacing less an amount approximately equal to a backflow preventer length;
• said second fittings of said conduit means being spaced a distance approximately equal to said meter fittings spacing;
• at least said first fitting of the first conduit means being axially spaced within said second fittings with more axial distance between the first and second fittings of the first conduit than between the first and second fittings of the second conduit by an amount approximately equal to a backflow preventer length;
• said first and second conduits running laterally outward from a plane containing the first axis and the reset axis to form convoluted flow paths between the first and second fittings of each of said conduits;
• whereby a backflow preventer can be installed between a main line pipe and a first fitting of the meter resetting device along the main line axis, and a meter can be installed between the second fittings of the first and second conduits.

A method for resetting a meter and adding a backflow preventer within a confined meter pit between existing main line pipes which extend into the meter pit in an approximately aligned relationship defining a main line axis;

• the main line pipes being separated by a meter fitting spacing;
• comprising:
• removing a previously set meter from between the main line pipes;
• obtaining a resetting device having first and second conduits;
• each of said conduits having a manifold end with outwardly facing fittings along a main line axis and a remote end with inwardly facing fittings along a reset axis, all with fittings adapted for detachable connection;
• the resetting device having said meter fitting spacing between the remote ends of the conduits and being adapted to detachably mount a meter therebetween;
• said resetting device further having said manifold ends spaced such that at least said manifold end of the first conduit lies axially between the remote ends;
• the remote and manifold ends of the first conduit being spaced substantially further apart in an axial direction than an axial spacing between the remote and manifold ends of the second conduit;
• the resetting device further having first and second conduits each running laterally outward from a plane including the remote ends and manifold ends with the conduits convoluting between the manifold ends and the remote ends;
• connecting a backflow preventer to the manifold end of the first conduit leaving an unconnected distal end of the backflow preventer which is axially spaced from the manifold end of the second conduit by approximately said meter fitting spacing;
• connecting a meter between the remote ends of the first and second conduits;
• installing an assembly including at least the resetting device, and backflow preventer into the meter pit;
• connecting the second conduit manifold end to a main line pipe using a fitting;
• and
• connecting the distal end of the backflow preventer to a main line pipe using a fitting.