Anti-backflow Plumbing Fitting with Air Gap and Area Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plumbing systems face challenges in preventing backflow of contaminated liquid from drains to liquid discharge devices, which can cause damage and pose health and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
An anti-backflow plumbing fitting with a cylindrical body featuring axially opposed inlet and outlet ends, an air gap opening, and a design that ensures the minimum cross-sectional area of the outlet passage is substantially larger than the inlet passage, preventing backflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional plumbing fitting is used without backflow prevention features, then the device is simpler and easier to manufacture, but contaminated liquid can backup into the liquid discharge device causing damage and health risks
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting is segmented into distinct functional zones: an inlet passage with smaller cross-sectional area, an outlet passage with larger cross-sectional area, and an air gap opening. This segmentation creates functional differentiation where the inlet restricts backflow while the outlet accommodates forward flow, and the air gap provides physical separation to prevent contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The air gap opening acts as an intermediary element between the inlet and outlet passages. It provides a physical break in the fluid path that prevents direct backflow of contaminated liquid while still allowing the fitting to maintain its structural integrity and flow function
2Reliability
If the outlet passage cross-sectional area is made substantially larger than the inlet passage, then backflow is prevented more effectively, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The critical parameter change is in the cross-sectional area of the passages. The inlet passage has a smaller cross-sectional area that restricts flow, while the outlet passage has a substantially larger cross-sectional area that accommodates discharge. This parameter differentiation creates a flow direction preference that prevents backflow without requiring complex mechanical components
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 anti-backflow fitting effectively prevents contaminated liquid from backing up into liquid discharge devices, ensuring safe and reliable operation while minimizing the risk of damage.
Implementation Method 1
The body includes an axially elongated air gap opening that extends in a radial direction from the central axis of the fitting
Implementation Method 2
the minimum cross sectional area of the outlet passage is substantially larger than the minimum cross sectional area of the inlet passage
Data Source
AI summary
An anti-backflow plumbing fitting (10, 102) includes an inlet end (16, 108) with a body inlet fitting (20, 118) that is in fluid communication with an inlet passage (40, 122) and an outlet end (18, 110) with a body outlet fitting (30, 144) that is in fluid communication with an outlet passage (48, 152). The body bounds an interior area (36, 106). An axially elongated air gap opening (56, 114) extends through the cylindrical body wall. A further passage (62, 134) extends from outside the body to an internal passage opening (66, 138) that is in an opposed radial direction from the air gap opening. The air gap opening operates to reduce the risk that contaminated liquid may back up into the interior area and reach the inlet passage. A cylindrical outlet end outside wall portion (28) enables the body to be engaged in fluid tight relation with a liquid removal conduit (80). A cylindrical inlet end outside wall portion (26) enables the body to be engaged in fluid tight relation with a liquid delivery conduit (82).