Frost-resistant hydrant

A hydrant comprising:

• a conduit adapted to communicate with a fluid source and a spout;
• a ceramic disk valve mounted in the conduit, the valve being movable between an open position allowing fluid flow axially through the valve in a first direction from the fluid source toward the spout and a closed position blocking fluid flow;
• a hollow actuator stem connected with the valve for manipulating the valve between the open position and the closed position, the stem is in fluid communication with the valve and the conduit to define a fluid passage through the stem, valve and conduit;
• the stem having a chamber forming part of the fluid passage and means to direct all fluid flow axially from the valve through the chamber;
• the stem further having a transverse opening for communication between the chamber and the spout;
• the stem further having a coaxial bore for communication between the chamber and atmosphere;
• and
• a check valve positioned within the chamber, to permit fluid flow in a direction opposite the first direction, and to control communication between the chamber and atmosphere.

A hydrant comprising:

• a conduit adapted to communicate with a fluid source;
• a valve cartridge positioned in the conduit, the valve cartridge including a cartridge body having first and second opposite open ends, a ceramic disk valve mounted in the cartridge body, the valve being movable between an open position allowing fluid flow axially through the valve in a first direction from the second open end through the first open end and a closed position blocking fluid flow, a hollow actuator stem connected with the valve for manipulating the valve between the open position and the closed position, the stem extending away from the cartridge body, and in fluid communication with the first open end of the cartridge body and the conduit to define a fluid passage through the cartridge body, the valve, the stem and the conduit, the stem being rotatable relative to the cartridge body and having a rotation limit with an exterior surface including an outwardly projecting lobe, the cartridge body having a cooperating rotation chamber aligned with the rotation limit lobe, the rotation chamber including an inwardly extending stop surface to abut the lobe and limit rotation of the stem to less than about 360 degrees relative to the cartridge body;
• and
• a seal in the fluid passage between the valve cartridge and the conduit to block fluid flow between the valve cartridge and the conduit in a direction opposite the first direction.

A hydrant comprising:

• a conduit adapted to communicate with a fluid source;
• a valve cartridge positioned in the conduit, the valve cartridge including a cartridge body having first and second opposite open ends, a ceramic disk valve mounted in the cartridge body, the valve being movable between an open position allowing fluid flow axially through the valve in a first direction from the second open end through the first open end and a closed position blocking fluid flow, a hollow actuator stem connected with the valve for manipulating the valve between the open position and the closed position, the stem extending away from the cartridge body, and a retainer adapted to couple with the cartridge body, the retainer having an annular surface abutting the valve and a first stop surface, the cartridge body having a cooperating second stop surface abutting the first stop surface and positively locating the annular surface relative to the cartridge body, and the cartridge body in fluid communication with the retainer and the conduit to define a fluid passage through the stem, the cartridge body, the valve, the retainer and the conduit;
• and
• a seal in the fluid passage between the valve cartridge and the conduit to block fluid flow between the valve cartridge and the conduit in a direction opposite the first direction.