Flexible Jet Nozzle for Ring Main Pressure Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe systems struggle to maintain a sufficient pressure difference for water exchange in ring lines, especially during low volume flows, leading to inadequate flow stimulation and potential water quality issues, while high volume flows result in undesirably high pressure differences.
Innovation Solution
A propulsion jet nozzle with a flexible nozzle wall, featuring slotted tabs that adjust the outlet cross-sectional area based on volume flow, ensuring a constant inlet area and variable outlet area to manage pressure differences effectively, reducing resistance and maintaining optimal water exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a static nozzle with fixed cross-section is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pressure difference becomes insufficient at low volume flows
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle transitions from a static fixed cross-section design to a dynamic adjustable cross-section design. The nozzle cross-section can be modified in real-time based on flow conditions, allowing the system to maintain optimal pressure difference across varying volume flows. This is achieved through actuators that adjust the nozzle geometry dynamically.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle cross-sectional area parameter is changed dynamically based on operating conditions. At low volume flows, the cross-section is reduced to increase velocity and pressure difference. At high volume flows, the cross-section is enlarged to reduce pressure difference. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining sufficient pressure difference and managing device complexity.
2Stress or pressure
If the nozzle cross-section is reduced to increase pressure difference, then the pressure difference increases, but the pressure difference becomes excessively high at large volume flows
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle cross-section is dynamically adjusted based on volume flow conditions. At large volume flows, the cross-section is enlarged to prevent excessive pressure difference, eliminating the harmful effect of overly high pressure. At low volume flows, the cross-section is reduced to maintain sufficient pressure difference for flow stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the potential harm of excessive pressure difference at high flows into a benefit by dynamically adjusting the cross-section. The same nozzle structure that could cause harmful high pressure is used to generate beneficial pressure difference when properly sized, turning a potential problem into a solution.
3Stress or pressure
If a dynamic nozzle is used to adapt to varying tap volumes, then the pressure difference is optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities with actuators and control mechanisms that allow real-time modification of the cross-section. This dynamic behavior enables optimization of pressure difference across varying operating conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle system incorporates sensors and control logic that automatically detect flow conditions and adjust the cross-section accordingly without requiring external manual intervention. This self-regulating capability optimizes pressure difference while minimizing the complexity of external control systems.
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 nozzle achieves a sufficient pressure difference at low volume flows to stimulate ring line flow and ensures good water quality, while at high volume flows, the increased outlet area keeps pressure differences low, preventing excessive pressure and maintaining efficient water exchange.
Implementation Method 1
the nozzle wall (4) is flexible and thereby the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening (3) is variable
Implementation Method 2
The water flows through the nozzle at which, due to the narrowing of the cross section, there is a change in speed and consequently a pressure difference Δp, which triggers a flow in the ring main, as a result of which fresh water is sucked into the ring main. Such piping is known from the principle of the Venturi nozzle
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A jet nozzle for installation in service or drinking water piping systems, wherein at least one ring main is arranged on a main line and wherein the jet nozzle is arranged between the branch fittings of the ring main. The jet nozzle has a nozzle wall (4), an inlet opening (2) and an outlet opening (3), wherein the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening is constant and the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening is variable. For this purpose, the nozzle wall is designed to be flexible, so that the size of the outlet opening increases at a high inlet pressure.