Fire Extinguisher Admixer Dosing Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing admixers for fire extinguishing devices face challenges with imprecise and poorly reproducible dosing of foaming agents at smaller rates, and their lateral adjustment mechanisms are prone to damage and unintentional adjustments during rough handling in firefighting operations.

Innovation Solution

An admixer design featuring a cylindrical base body with a main channel and an additive channel, where the metering of the additive is controlled through a metering sleeve with multiple bores of varying sizes and a rotatable diaphragm body, allowing precise adjustment of the additive flow, and a conical axial section for sealing, combined with a support stand for robustness and ease of handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a lateral adjustment wheel is used for dosing control, then the dosing rate can be adjusted, but the setting is imprecise and poorly reproducible for smaller dosing rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing precisionVSAvoidadjustment mechanism accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the lateral adjustment wheel mechanism with a rotary control integrated into the additive channel assembly. This new mechanism uses a rotary motion to adjust the opening cross-section of the additive channel, providing more precise control over smaller dosing rates while maintaining operational ease through a centralized control location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the adjustment wheel is laterally mounted, then it is accessible for adjustment, but it can be damaged or unintentionally adjusted due to exposed position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment accessibilityVSAvoidresistance to damage and unintentional adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the adjustment control into the main body of the additive channel assembly, specifically integrating it with the channel structure itself. This consolidation eliminates the exposed lateral adjustment wheel, protecting it from damage and unintentional adjustment while maintaining accessibility through the integrated rotary control on the additive channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a rotary regulator is used to change flow cross section, then dosing rate can be adjusted, but the setting is imprecise for smaller dosing rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing rate adjustment rangeVSAvoiddosing rate precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a specific geometric configuration of the additive channel opening with a defined cross-sectional area that varies along its length. This localized geometric design, combined with the rotary adjustment mechanism, enables precise control over smaller dosing rates by carefully controlling the opening dimensions at critical locations within the channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The admixer achieves precise and reproducible dosing of additives from 0 to 6% with enhanced robustness and resistance to unintentional adjustments, ensuring accurate and reliable operation in firefighting scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

a metering sleeve is provided in the area of the mouth of the additive channel in the main channel which encloses the main channel on its outer circumference, having a large number of metering bores arranged at a distance from one another over the circumference and having cross-sectional areas of different sizes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow cross-section control:

Implementation Method 2

a conical axial section for sealing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-dependent sealing:

Data Source

PatentEP3100770B1Mixing device for a fire extinguishing apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.03.14 AWG FITTINGS GMBH
  • EP3100770B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3100770B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3100770B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a proportioner for a fire extinguishing device for adding an additive to a fire extinguishing water stream; - comprising a main channel; - comprising an additive channel. The proportioner according to the invention is characterized in that - in the region of the opening of the additive channel in the main channel, a metering sleeve is provided, which has a plurality of metering bores arranged at intervals around the circumference or at least one metering opening extending around the circumference, wherein - the metering sleeve is associated with an orifice body (14) that radially encompasses the metering sleeve (13) in the circumferential direction, wherein the additive channel opens into the main channel via one of the metering bores or the metering opening and an associated orifice opening.