Articulated Fire Suppressant Container Adapter for Pipe Misalignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for connecting fire extinguishing agent containers to installed piping networks are costly, time-consuming, and prone to damage due to hydraulic lifting, requiring elaborate additional fittings and having limited durability.
Innovation Solution
A rigid, long-distance pipe connector with movable connecting pipes and a calotte joint that compensates for angular and length differences, using a trapezoidal thread and preload element to ensure stable and durable connection without additional fittings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible hose adapter is used to connect the extinguishing agent container to the piping network, then angle and height compensation is possible, but the adapter is expensive and has limited lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe connector incorporates articulated connections that enable dynamic angle compensation between the extinguishing agent container and the piping network. This allows the rigid connector to adapt to angular misalignments while maintaining structural integrity and durability, eliminating the need for flexible hoses with limited lifespans.
2Ease of manufacture
If cylindrical pipes are arranged to slide inside each other for connection, then assembly is simplified, but hydraulic pressure exerts tons of force on the pipeline network causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe connector is divided into multiple segments including a body section, a preloaded section with threaded connection, and articulated connection sections. This segmentation allows the hydraulic pressure forces to be distributed and absorbed by the articulated connections rather than transmitted to the pipeline network fastenings, maintaining both assembly simplicity and structural strength.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional fittings and complex piping are installed to adapt the piping network, then connection compatibility is improved, but construction effort and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe connector is designed as a universal multi-functional component that combines angle compensation, length adjustment, and connection adaptation in a single device. This eliminates the need for multiple separate fittings and complex piping modifications, reducing both construction effort and overall system complexity while maintaining connection compatibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an adapter (1) for connecting a container (105) for a fire-extinguishing agent to a pipeline connection (103) of a fire extinguishing system (100) in a fluid-guiding manner, with a first connection (5a) designed so as to be connected to a correspondingly embodied connection (107) of the container (105) for a fire-extinguishing agent, and a second connection (5b) designed to be connected to a corresponding pipeline connection (103). The adapter particularly comprises a rigid pipe connection (3) that has a variable length and extends along a longitudinal axis (L), the first connection (5a) and the second connection (5b) being respectively attached to the pipe connection (3) in an articulated manner.