Integrated Alarm Valve Discharge Duct for Faster Fire System Testing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fire extinguishing system valves, particularly wet alarm valves, face challenges in efficient and cost-effective mounting and testing due to structural complexity and time requirements for simulating extinguishing operations, especially with pressure fluctuations in water supply and temperature changes.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a dedicated discharge duct within the fire extinguishing system valve housing, with a control module and shut-off members to selectively release or block fluid flow, allowing for direct discharge and alarm testing with reduced cross-sectional areas for efficient fluid flow resistance matching typical sprinkler or spray water valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external piping is provided at the valve station to discharge extinguishing agent for simulating extinguishing operations, then alarm testing can be performed, but structural complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the discharge duct directly into the valve housing, merging the testing function with the existing valve structure. This eliminates the need for separate external piping while maintaining the ability to discharge extinguishing agent for alarm testing, thereby reducing structural complexity without compromising testing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated discharge duct serves multiple functions: it enables alarm testing by discharging extinguishing agent, and can also be used for system maintenance and pressure relief. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated external testing piping, reducing overall system complexity
2Reliability
If external piping is provided at the valve station to discharge extinguishing agent for simulating extinguishing operations, then alarm testing can be performed, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the discharge duct into the valve housing during manufacturing, the patent eliminates the need for separate installation of external testing piping. The testing capability is built-in from the start, significantly reducing on-site installation time while maintaining full alarm testing functionality
3Productivity
If a dedicated discharge duct is integrated into the housing, then structural requirements are simplified and installation time is reduced, but the valve structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge duct is integrated as an internal component of the valve housing, merging the testing function with the existing structure. This approach simplifies installation by eliminating separate piping components while the complexity is managed through integrated design rather than assembly of multiple parts
4Reliability
If pressure fluctuations occur in the water supply or pipe network, then reliable valve operation may be compromised, but the valve must remain sensitive to actual fire conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a diaphragm chamber that acts as an intermediary between the inlet and outlet sides of the valve. This diaphragm chamber isolates the closing body from direct pressure fluctuations in the water supply and pipe network, allowing the valve to respond only to significant pressure changes that indicate actual fire conditions rather than normal pressure variations
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
Simplifies the structural and apparatus requirements for direct discharge and alarm testing, reducing installation time and costs while ensuring reliable operation and maintaining standardized flow resistance, enabling efficient and reliable fire extinguishing system valve functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the closing body prevents the direct communication between the fluid inlet chamber and the fluid outlet chamber in the blocking state
Implementation Method 2
allowing for direct discharge and alarm testing with reduced cross-sectional areas for efficient fluid flow resistance matching typical sprinkler or spray water valves
Data Source
AI summary
A fire extinguishing system valve (1), in particular wet alarm valve, dry alarm valve or spray water valve, having a housing (3) which has a fluid inlet chamber (9), a fluid outlet chamber (11) and a closing body (13) which can move back and forth between a blocking state and a release state, wherein the fluid inlet chamber (9) and the fluid outlet chamber (11) communicate directly with one another in a fluid-conducting manner in the release state, and the closing body (13) prevents the direct communication between the fluid inlet chamber (9) and the fluid outlet chamber (11) in the blocking state. The housing (3) has a dedicated discharge duct (30) which has at least one inlet (30a, b) connected to the fluid outlet chamber (11) and an outlet (30c) leading out of the housing (3) of the fire extinguishing system valve (1), and which is integrated into the housing (3).