Connection Fitting with Movable Throttle for Ring Main Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection fittings in drinking water systems experience pressure losses and flow disruptions when multiple ring lines are connected in series, leading to potential contamination and inadequate flushing, particularly when water is drawn from a consumer downstream in the main flow direction.
Innovation Solution
A connection fitting with a variable cross-sectional constriction, controlled by a throttle element, which adjusts the passage area based on flow rate and pressure, ensuring minimal pressure difference and maintaining flow through both the ring line and branch line, even at low volume flows, to prevent contamination and ensure reliable flushing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a cross-sectional constriction acts as a venturi nozzle to generate pressure difference for ring line flow, then flow is generated in the ring line, but pressure loss in the main line increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a movable throttle element that can adjust the cross-sectional area of the constriction dynamically. This allows optimization of the pressure difference between main line and ring line, enabling sufficient ring line flow while minimizing main line pressure loss by adapting the opening size to flow conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the constriction by introducing a movable throttle element that varies the cross-sectional area. This parameter adjustment optimizes the Venturi effect to achieve the desired pressure difference for ring line flow while controlling pressure loss in the main line
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connection fittings are arranged in series in the main flow direction, then multiple ring lines can be supplied, but pressure loss accumulates and flushing effect deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Each connection fitting is equipped with an independently adjustable throttle element, allowing dynamic optimization of pressure difference at each fitting. This prevents pressure loss accumulation and ensures sufficient flushing effect even when multiple ring lines are supplied in series
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the same connection fitting design with adjustable throttle to each location in the series arrangement, allowing local optimization at each fitting to maintain overall system performance and flushing effect across all ring lines
3Device complexity
If the cross-sectional constriction is fixed, then the fitting structure is simple, but flow conditions cannot be optimized for varying flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable throttle element that can be adjusted to optimize flow conditions for different operating scenarios. The adjustment mechanism allows adaptation to varying flow rates while maintaining a relatively compact fitting structure
Solution Approach 2:
The throttle element provides adjustment capability that may be more than minimally required, allowing optimization across a wide range of flow conditions. This partial adjustability is implemented in a cost-effective manner with a relatively simple mechanism
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 solution minimizes pressure loss and ensures consistent flow through the system, preventing contamination and ensuring effective flushing by maintaining flow through both the ring main and branch lines, even at low volume flows, thus enhancing the overall flow dynamics and reliability of the water pipe system.
Implementation Method 1
The connection fitting known from DE 39 19 074 has a narrowing of the cross section, which acts in the manner of a venturi nozzle and causes a pressure in the area of the threading opening which is lower than the pressure in the line
Implementation Method 2
the pressure difference, which can be varied by the nozzle-like cross-sectional constriction in the strand between the threading-out opening and the threading-in opening by a variable passage area of the cross-sectional constriction
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a connection fitting for connecting a ring main with at least one consumer to a floor or riser pipe section with inlet and outlet openings (2, 4) connectable to the section, and an intermediate threading opening (34) for the ring main, upstream of which a cross-sectional constriction (V) is located in the flow direction (S). The present invention further relates to a water supply system with at least one floor or riser pipe section to which several ring mains are connected via threading and threading openings, and a cross-sectional constriction (V) provided in the pipe section between the threading and threading openings (34) of the associated ring main.The present invention addresses the problem of providing a connection fitting that leads to improved flow conditions in the area of the ring main associated with the connection fitting and of providing a water supply system that better meets practical requirements. To solve these problems, the present invention proposes a connection fitting and a water supply system of a known type, characterized in that they comprise a movable throttling element (12) that is movable relative to the cross-sectional constriction (V) such that, at a pressure difference (Δp) between the inlet and outlet openings of 30 mbar or less, the pressure difference (Δp) follows the relationship Δp ∼ Qn, where 0.6 ≤ n ≤ 1 and Q describes the flow rate in m³/h in the ring main.