Fluid Delivery Device Using Suction for Pool Chemical Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid delivery systems for pressurized pipes in swimming pools require auxiliary pumps, which are costly and prone to mechanical failure, or necessitate labor-intensive installations with multiple components, making them inefficient and difficult to retrofit.

Innovation Solution

A fluid delivery device with an adjustable flow restriction member and delivery conduit that uses suction to draw fluid into the pipe, eliminating the need for auxiliary pumps and minimizing additional components, allowing for efficient mixing by introducing fluid at turbulent points within the pipe.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If auxiliary pumps are used to deliver fluid into pressurized pipe, then fluid delivery performance is adequate, but system cost and mechanical complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid delivery performanceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the fluid delivery function from the pressurized main line by creating a separate delivery conduit that taps into the pipe wall. The delivery conduit uses suction created by flow restriction means to draw fluid into the pressurized line, eliminating the need for auxiliary pumps while maintaining adequate delivery performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the kinetic energy and flow of the pressurized fluid itself to create suction that draws additional fluid into the line. The flow restriction means within the pipe creates a pressure differential that automatically pulls fluid through the delivery conduit without requiring external mechanical assistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If venturi unit is used to deliver fluid into pressurized pipe, then auxiliary pumps are eliminated, but installation complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepump requirementVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the fluid delivery function into separate components: flow restriction means within the pipe and a delivery conduit external to the pipe. This segmentation allows the delivery conduit to be installed independently through the pipe wall without requiring major modifications to the return pipe, simplifying installation compared to integrated venturi units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery conduit is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the main pipe, extending through the pipe wall rather than being integrated within the pipe itself. This dimensional change allows for simpler installation without requiring extensive modifications to the existing return line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If flow restriction means is made adjustable, then flow control precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow control precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow restriction means is designed to be adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the restriction level to be dynamically changed to control the amount of suction and fluid delivery. This dynamic adjustment capability provides precise flow control while maintaining relatively simple device structure through mechanisms like threaded adjustments or movable restriction elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 device enables efficient and cost-effective delivery of chemicals into swimming pool water without auxiliary pumps, simplifies installation, and ensures better mixing by introducing fluids at turbulent points, reducing mechanical complexity and installation challenges.

Implementation Method 1

uses suction to draw fluid into the pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

creates a pressure differential to generate suction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

introducing fluid at turbulent points within the pipe, reducing mechanical complexity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP2238080B1Fluid delivery device and methods
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 BURNHAM DOUGLAS
  • EP2238080B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2238080B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2238080B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A fluid delivery device (402) for fixing to and delivering a fluid into a pressurised pipe (308), the device comprising flow restriction means (404) operable to restrict a flow of fluid through the said pipe (308), thereby generating a restricted flow region (416) within the pipe (308) at or around the position of the flow restriction means (404), as compared to an unrestricted flow upstream of the device, the device further comprising a delivery conduit (408) arranged to open into or proximal to the said restricted flow region (416).