Fire Extinguishing System Valve With Integrated Gauge Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fire extinguishing system valves require significant installation space and effort for functional checks of pressure gauges, necessitating external fittings and complex venting mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

Integrate the venting function into the housing of the fire extinguishing system valve, incorporating a piston that moves between pressure transmission and venting positions to facilitate pressure gauge checks with minimal space and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external ball valves and fittings are used to vent pressure gauges, then pressure gauge functionality can be checked, but installation space and installation effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure gauge functionalityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The venting function is merged with the valve housing by integrating a venting device directly into the housing structure. This eliminates the need for separate external ball valves and fittings, thereby reducing installation space while maintaining the ability to check pressure gauge functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve housing is designed to serve multiple functions: it not only controls fluid flow through the closing body but also incorporates a venting device for pressure gauge checking. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional external components and simplifies the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If external ball valves and fittings are used to vent pressure gauges, then pressure gauge functionality can be checked, but installation effort and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure gauge functionalityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The venting function is merged with the valve housing by integrating a venting device directly into the housing structure. This eliminates the need for separate external ball valves and fittings, thereby reducing installation space while maintaining the ability to check pressure gauge functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve housing is designed to serve multiple functions: it not only controls fluid flow through the closing body but also incorporates a venting device for pressure gauge checking. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional external components and simplifies the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of stationary object

If the venting function is integrated into the valve housing, then installation space and complexity are reduced, but the functional complexity of the housing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidhousing functional complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The venting device is designed as a separate, modular component that can be integrated into the valve housing. This segmentation allows the housing to maintain its primary function while adding the venting capability as a distinct functional module, making the overall design more manageable despite increased complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A piston is introduced as an intermediary element within the venting device. This piston mediates between the pressure gauge and the external environment, controlling the venting process in a simple and reliable manner without requiring complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables intuitive and efficient functional checks of pressure gauges within the valve housing, reducing installation space and complexity while maintaining operational clarity.

Implementation Method 1

a piston (23a, 23b; 23c) which is displaceably mounted within the housing (3) and which can be moved back and forth between a pressure transmission position and a venting position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3655115B1Fire extinguishing system valve, and fire extinguishing system having same
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 MINIMAX GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3655115B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3655115B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a fire extinguishing system valve (1), having a housing (2), a fluid inlet chamber (11) provided in the housing (2), a fluid outlet chamber (13) provided in the housing (2), and a closing body (9) which can be moved back and forth between a blocked state and a released state. In the blocked state, the closing body (9) prevents a direct flow of fluid between the fluid inlet chamber (11) and the fluid outlet chamber (13) and in the released position, said closing body (9) connects the fluid inlet chamber (11) to the fluid outlet chamber (13) directly in a fluid-conducting manner. According to the invention, the fire extinguishing system valve (1) has at least one manometer (15, 17), which is operatively connected to the fluid inlet chamber (11) or fluid outlet chamber (13) and is mounted on the housing (2), and a ventilation device (21) for the at least one manometer (15, 17), said ventilation device (21) being integrated in the housing (2).