Air Gap Vessel for Backflow Prevention in Heating Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for heating and cooling lack an effective method to create a 'break' in the fluid flow path between the mains water supply and the fluid circuit, which is essential to prevent backflow and maintain the integrity of the system.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a vessel with an inlet and outlet valve to control the flow of liquid between the mains water supply and the fluid circuit. By filling and draining the vessel, an air-filled interruption is maintained within the vessel, acting as a 'break' in the fluid flow path, while allowing liquid to be supplied to the fluid circuit as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a water tank with float-operated valve is used to create a break in the fluid flow path, then backflow prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of creating a break in the fluid flow path from the complex float-operated valve system and implements it through a simpler air gap mechanism. The air gap device removes unnecessary components while maintaining the backflow prevention function by relying on the physical property of air as an incompressible barrier in the fluid path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary substance to create the break in the fluid flow path. This air gap acts as a mediator between the water supply and the heating system, providing backflow prevention through its physical presence rather than through complex mechanical valves and floats.
2Device complexity
If an air gap device is used to prevent backflow, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to maintain continuous liquid supply may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action through the pump system that alternates between pumping liquid through the air gap and allowing the air gap to refill. This periodic operation ensures that the air gap is maintained at the appropriate level while continuously supplying liquid to the heating system, thus maintaining productivity despite the simplified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through level sensors that monitor the air gap level and control the pump operation. When the air gap level drops below a threshold, the system activates the pump to restore it, ensuring continuous and reliable liquid supply while maintaining the simplified air gap structure.
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
This solution effectively prevents backflow by maintaining an air-filled interruption between the mains water supply and the fluid circuit, while ensuring that the fluid circuit remains filled with treated liquid, enhancing system safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light source operable to emit ultraviolet light incident on liquid flowing from the vessel to the fluid circuit
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (201) of supplying a liquid to a fluid circuit (105) of a heating or a cooling system, comprising the steps of: connecting an inlet port (109) of a vessel (108) to a liquid source (102) via an inlet valve (111) and connecting an outlet port (112) of the vessel (108) to the fluid circuit (105) via an outlet valve (112), whereby a flow path (115) between the liquid source (102) and the fluid circuit (105) extends through the vessel (108), and with the inlet valve (111) closed and the outlet valve (112) closed, maintaining an air-filled interruption between the liquid source (102) and the fluid circuit (105) when liquid is not being supplied to the fluid circuit (105). Apparatus (101) for supplying a liquid to a fluid circuit (105) of a heating or a cooling system. A heating or a cooling system (301) comprising the apparatus (101).