Flow Drilled Sprinkler Pipe Sockets for Fire Protection Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sprinkler fire protection systems are prone to leaks due to poor welds and intensive use, leading to reduced effectiveness and increased manufacturing costs, with risks of microbial contamination in sensitive environments like hospitals.
Innovation Solution
A method of manufacturing sprinkler fire protection network elements using flow drilling and flow tapping to create sleeves in one piece with the pipe, eliminating the need for welding and reducing material overflow, thereby minimizing pressure losses and production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional drilling and welding methods are used to manufacture sprinkler network elements, then the manufacturing process is well-established and components can be assembled, but the process becomes labor-intensive, material-intensive, and prone to leaks due to poor welds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drilling, deformation, and tapping operations into an integrated flow drilling process that creates threaded sockets directly in the pipe wall without separate welding steps. The bushings are formed by plastic deformation of the pipe material itself, combining multiple manufacturing steps into one continuous operation that eliminates welding and reduces assembly complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical welding process with a flow drilling process that uses plastic deformation and friction heating to create threaded sockets. Instead of joining separate components through welding, the system deforms the pipe material flow to form integrated bushings, substituting a potentially leak-prone mechanical joint with a monolithic formed structure
2Strength
If sleeves are welded onto the pipe to secure sprinklers, then the sprinklers can be firmly attached, but the welds create leakage risks and increase manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe material and bushing are merged into a single integrated component through flow drilling, where the bushing is formed by plastic deformation of the pipe wall itself. This eliminates the separate sleeve component and its welded joints, creating a monolithic structure that maintains attachment strength while eliminating leak paths at joint interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of material discontinuities and weld joints into a benefit by using flow drilling to create a continuous, homogeneous material structure. The plastic deformation process densifies the material and eliminates voids or imperfections that would otherwise create leak paths, turning the manufacturing process into a quality-enhancing operation
3Reliability
If material overflow occurs during sprinkler base fixation on the pipe, then the connection is secured, but pressure losses increase due to overflow into the internal pipe volume
Solution Approach 1:
The flow drilling process performs preliminary shaping of the pipe wall material before the sprinkler base is installed. By pre-forming the threaded socket and bushing structure through controlled plastic deformation, the system eliminates the need for material overflow during final assembly, ensuring proper fit without compromising internal pipe volume or creating pressure losses
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 solution reduces the risk of leaks and manufacturing costs while maintaining high mechanical strength and surface finish, ensuring reliable and efficient fire protection with reduced microbial risks.
Implementation Method 1
The conical tool is rotated at high speed. When the conical tip of the tool contacts the surface of the wall (11), the material is simultaneously heated, drilled, and plastically displaced radially and axially
Implementation Method 2
the material is simultaneously heated, drilled, and plastically displaced radially and axially, without material removal
Implementation Method 3
each socket (12) is then produced using the flow tapping technique with a suitable tap that displaces material at the socket (12) and uses it to form a thread (13), again without removing any material
Implementation Method 4
the flow tapping technique with a suitable tap that displaces material at the socket (12) and uses it to form a thread (13)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~3a
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The element has a metal pipe (10) for transporting water, and a series of sprinklers (20), each comprising a threaded base (22) and a sprinkling head (21). The pipe is formed of a closed cylindrical wall (11) provided with a series of sockets (12) formed from a material by deformation of the wall. The sockets tightly assemble the bases of sprinklers. A series of raising rings is placed between the sprinkler and the respective socket of the pipe, so as to limit penetration of the bases into an inner space of the pipe. The bases have chosen axial length for limited penetration into the space. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method of manufacturing a pipe for a protection system against fire by sprinklers (2) a method of manufacturing a protection network that protects against fire by sprinklers.