Distribution Manifold With Partial Bypass for Low Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water treatment systems in heating and conditioning systems face inefficiencies due to particle accumulation, leading to reduced performance and potential breakdowns, and current solutions lack a controlled configuration to divide the water flow for partial treatment and bypass, resulting in high pressure losses and complex designs.
Innovation Solution
A distribution manifold with a T-shaped containment body and a ball valve that allows controlled division of the fluid flow, enabling a portion to bypass the treatment device while another portion passes through, utilizing a calibrated passage section to manage pressure drops and flow distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all water flow passes through the filter/separator, then water treatment is achieved, but outlet flow rate is limited due to load loss
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold segments the water flow into multiple pathways: a first conduit that directs a first part of water through the filter/separator for treatment, and a second conduit that directs a second part of water to bypass the treatment device. This segmentation allows simultaneous treatment and high flow rate maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold acts as an intermediary device that distributes incoming water between the treatment path and bypass path. It mediates between the conflicting requirements of complete treatment and high flow rate by providing controlled distribution to multiple outlets.
2Productivity
If a bypass line is added to allow partial water to bypass the filter, then outlet flow rate increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold merges the treatment path and bypass path into a single integrated device. The T-shaped containment body combines multiple conduits (first conduit for treatment, second conduit for bypass) and valve mechanisms into one unified structure, reducing overall system complexity despite enabling partial bypass functionality.
3Ease of operation
If a flow diverter valve is used to control water distribution, then flow control is achieved, but device complexity and pressure losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ball valve positioned at the inlet serves multiple functions: it can close the inlet entirely, it can direct all water through the treatment device, it can create a bypass configuration, and it can enable partial treatment with controlled distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized valves for each operation mode.
Data Source
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AI summary
A distribution manifold for a fluid comprises: a containment body (9) internally delimiting a first conduit (10) having a respective first inlet (11) and a respective first outlet (12), a second conduit (13) having a respective second inlet (14) and a respective second outlet (15), a connection opening (24) between the first conduit (10) and the second conduit (13). The first outlet (12) and the second inlet (14) are configured to be connected respectively to an inlet (4) and to an outlet (5) of a treatment or user device (2) of the fluid, preferably to a filter. A valve (22) is operatively active in the first conduit (10) and on the connection opening (24). The valve (22) can be positioned in an open position, in which it closes the connection opening (24) and puts in fluid communication the first inlet (11) with the first outlet (12) to convey all the fluid entering through the first inlet (11) into the treatment or user device (2), and into a partitioning position other than the open position. In the partitioning position, the valve (22) opens the connection opening (24) and also puts in fluid communication the first inlet (11) with the first outlet (12), so that a first part of the fluid entering through the first inlet (11) bypasses the treatment or user device (2) and a second part of the fluid entering through the first inlet (11) passes through the treatment or user device (2).