Fluid backflow prevention system

Abstract

A fluid backflow prevention system may comprise a housing having a first segment enclosing an incoming fluid portion, a backflow shell, and a cap, the housing having a second segment enclosing a clip coupled to an outgoing fluid portion, the first and second segments being coupled together via a waterway extending from the first segment to the second segment. The housing further encloses a backflow shell having a diaphragm and a check valve, the diaphragm configured to deflect upward with the check valve to block the flow of fluid through a backflow path defined within the backflow shell which enables fluid flow through a plurality of waterways defined within the housing, the diaphragm further configured to deflect downward with the check valve to unblock the flow of fluid through the backflow path thereby permitting fluid to flow out of the system rather than back through the incoming fluid portion.

1 . A fluid backflow prevention system, comprising:
 a housing enclosing an incoming fluid portion coupled to an outgoing fluid portion by a central waterway; and   a backflow shell enclosed within the housing, the backflow shell comprising a diaphragm and a check valve, wherein the diaphragm is configured to engage the check valve to block fluid flow through a backflow path defined within the housing, thereby enabling fluid flow through the central waterway and into the outgoing fluid portion, wherein the diaphragm is configured to disengage the check valve to enable fluid flow through the backflow path and out of the housing via an exit channel.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid backflow prevention system of  claim 1 , wherein the exit channel is positioned above a flood plain to create an air gap within the housing, the air gap configured to propel fluid along the backflow path and out of the housing via the exit channel. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid backflow prevention system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap removably coupled to an opening in the housing, the cap configured to prevent fluid flow out of the opening as fluid transitions from the incoming fluid portion to the outgoing fluid portion via the central waterway. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid backflow prevention system of  claim 1 , further comprising a retaining clip coupled to the outgoing fluid portion, the retaining clip configured to prevent fluid leakage from the outgoing fluid portion. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid backflow prevention system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a first segment enclosing the incoming fluid portion and a second segment enclosing the outgoing fluid portion, and wherein the central waterway slopes downward from the first segment to the second segment to enable gravity-assisted fluid flow through the central waterway. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid backflow prevention system of  claim 1 , wherein engaging the check valve corresponds to the diaphragm deflecting upward to block fluid flow through the backflow path, and wherein disengaging the check valve corresponds to the diaphragm deflecting downward to enable fluid flow through the backflow path. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid backflow prevention system of  claim 1 , wherein the diaphragm comprises a pair of flaps configured to deflect upward when engaging the check valve to block fluid flow through the backflow path, and wherein the pair of flaps are configured to deflect downward when disengaging the check valve to enable fluid flow through the backflow path. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid backflow prevention system of  claim 1 , wherein the incoming fluid portion defines a first incoming waterway configured to receive fluid from an external reservoir, and wherein the first incoming waterway is coupled to a second incoming waterway defined within the backflow shell, the second incoming waterway configured to receive fluid from the first incoming waterway. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid backflow prevention system of  claim 8 , wherein the second incoming waterway is coupled to the central waterway and the central waterway is configured to receive fluid from the second incoming waterway, and wherein the central waterway is coupled to a first outgoing waterway defined by the outgoing fluid portion, the first outgoing waterway configured to receive fluid from the central waterway. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid backflow prevention system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of backflow waterways defined within the backflow shell, wherein fluid is configured to flow through the pair of backflow waterways when the diaphragm disengages the check valve, thereby preventing fluid backflow into the incoming fluid portion. 
     
     
         11 . A fluid backflow prevention system, comprising:
 a housing enclosing an incoming fluid portion and an outgoing fluid portion, the incoming fluid portion comprising a first incoming waterway coupled to a second incoming waterway, the second incoming waterway coupled to a central waterway defined within the housing, the central waterway coupled to a first outgoing waterway defined by the outgoing fluid portion; and   a backflow shell enclosed within the housing, the backflow shell comprising a diaphragm, a check valve, and a pair of backflow waterways, wherein the diaphragm is configured to engage the check valve to block fluid flow through the pair of backflow waterways, wherein the diaphragm is configured to disengage the check valve to enable fluid flow through the pair of backflow waterways to prevent fluid backflow into the first incoming waterway,   wherein the diaphragm engaging the check valve enables fluid to flow from an external reservoir to the first incoming waterway, from the first incoming waterway to the second incoming waterway, from the second incoming waterway to the central waterway, and from the central waterway to the first outgoing waterway and out of the housing at a first exit, and   wherein the diaphragm disengaging the check valve enables fluid to flow from the first incoming waterway to the pair of backflow waterways and out of the housing at a second exit.   
     
     
         12 . The fluid backflow prevention  system of 11 , further comprising an exit channel coupled to each one of the pair of backflow waterways, the exit channels positioned above a flood plain to create an air gap within the housing, the air gap configured to propel fluid along the backflow path and out of the housing via the exit channels. 
     
     
         13 . The fluid backflow prevention system of  claim 11 , wherein the central waterway slopes downward from the incoming fluid portion to the outgoing fluid portion to enable gravity-assisted fluid flow through the central waterway. 
     
     
         14 . The fluid backflow prevention system of  claim 11 , wherein engaging the check valve corresponds to the diaphragm deflecting upward to block fluid flow through the pair of backflow waterways, and wherein disengaging the check valve corresponds to the diaphragm deflecting downward to enable fluid flow through the pair of backflow waterways. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid backflow prevention system of  claim 11 , wherein the diaphragm comprises a pair of flaps configured to deflect upward when engaging the check valve to block fluid flow through the pair of backflow waterways, and wherein the pair of flaps are configured to deflect downward when disengaging the check valve to enable fluid flow through the pair of backflow waterways. 
     
     
         16 . A method of operating a fluid backflow prevention system, comprising:
 providing the fluid backflow prevention system comprising:
 a housing enclosing an incoming fluid portion coupled to an outgoing fluid portion by a central waterway; and 
 a backflow shell enclosed within the housing, the backflow shell comprising a diaphragm and a check valve, wherein the diaphragm is configured to engage the check valve to block fluid flow through a backflow path defined within the housing, thereby enabling fluid flow through the central waterway and into the outgoing fluid portion, wherein the diaphragm is configured to disengage the check valve to enable fluid flow through the backflow path and out of the housing via an exit channel; 
   directing fluid from an external reservoir to the incoming fluid portion;   engaging the check valve via the diaphragm to enable fluid flow from the incoming fluid portion to the outgoing fluid portion via the central waterway; and   disengaging the check valve via the diaphragm to block fluid flow from the incoming fluid portion to the outgoing fluid portion via the central waterway and direct fluid flow from the incoming fluid portion to the backflow path and out of the housing via the exit channel, thereby preventing fluid backflow into the incoming fluid portion.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the exit channel is positioned above a flood plain to create an air gap within the housing, the air gap configured to propel fluid along the backflow path and out of the housing via the exit channel. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the central waterway slopes downward from the incoming fluid portion to the outgoing fluid portion to enable gravity-assisted fluid flow through the central waterway. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein engaging the check valve corresponds to the diaphragm deflecting upward to block fluid flow through the pair of backflow waterways, and wherein disengaging the check valve corresponds to the diaphragm deflecting downward to enable fluid flow through the backflow path. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the diaphragm comprises a pair of flaps configured to deflect upward when engaging the check valve to block fluid flow through the backflow path, and wherein the pair of flaps are configured to deflect downward when disengaging the check valve to enable fluid flow through the backflow path.