Flow Diverter Retrofitting for Embedded Plumbing Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow devices face challenges in being fitted at convenient locations, especially when conduits are embedded in structural components, requiring destructive methods to access them, leading to high costs and time consumption.
Innovation Solution
A flow diverter system comprising an elongate housing and a flow guide that engages with a valve body, allowing for adjustable diversion of fluid flow, enabling the integration of devices like water meters without dismantling structural components, by defining inlet and outlet passages and allowing for axial adjustment of the flow guide to seal with the valve seat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If flow devices are fitted upstream of valves in existing plumbing installations, then flow measurement and restriction capabilities are improved, but installation complexity and structural damage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow diverter is divided into separate modular components: a housing that attaches to the valve body, a flow guide that can be independently positioned, and seal elements. This segmentation allows each component to be installed and adjusted separately, reducing overall installation complexity while maintaining the ability to measure and control flow upstream of the valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow diverter acts as an intermediary device installed between the existing valve and the plumbing system. It provides a standardized interface that connects to the valve body without requiring modification of the existing plumbing infrastructure, thereby adding flow measurement capability while minimizing installation complexity.
2Ease of operation
If conduits are accessed by destroying structural components, then access to conduits is improved, but time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow guide is extracted as a separate, removable component from the housing assembly. This allows the flow guide to be independently positioned and adjusted after the housing is attached to the valve body, eliminating the need to access and modify embedded conduits during the initial installation phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow guide incorporates adjustable elements that allow dynamic repositioning after installation. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to adapt to existing conduit positions without requiring destructive access during installation, thereby reducing installation time and preserving structural components.
3Reliability
If the flow guide is axially adjustable, then sealing engagement with the valve seat is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow guide includes pre-configured sealing surfaces and alignment features that guide the sealing elements into proper engagement during the adjustment process. This beforehand preparation ensures reliable sealing engagement is achieved through simple axial movement rather than complex multi-step adjustment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial adjustment of the flow guide changes the positional parameter of the sealing elements relative to the valve seat. This single-parameter adjustment (axial position) provides sufficient control to achieve reliable sealing engagement without requiring changes in multiple parameters or complex adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A flow diverter is provided for use with a valve having a valve body with an inlet and an outlet separated by a valve seat, a valve member, an actuator for displacement of the valve member into and out of engagement with the valve seat, and a bonnet in which the valve member and the actuator are housed. The flow diverter has an elongate housing with an inlet end and an outlet end and which is configured to engage the valve body at the inlet end with the valve member and actuator removed from the valve body. The elongate housing defines an outlet passage and an inlet passage, the outlet passage being interposed between the inlet end and the inlet passage. An elongate flow guide is positioned within the housing. The flow guide is configured to engage the valve seat and, together with the housing, to define a flow path that confines the flow of fluid from the valve body and out of the outlet passage. The outlet passage and the inlet passage are configured for bridging with a device such as a water flow meter.