Fluid Receiving Device Single Opening Chlorinator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid receiving devices for circulating water in swimming pools and spas often require multiple openings in conduits, leading to potential leakage and are not adaptable to varying conduit sizes, and lack efficient treatment and monitoring capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A device with angled inlet and return tubes that share a common boundary, allowing for a single conduit opening, and a single fastener for clamping, incorporating a salt-water chlorinator with removable consumable parts and optional sensors or controllers for direct connection, enhancing vortex action and treatment efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple openings are made in conduits for inlet and return tubes, then fluid receiving devices can be connected, but leakage risk increases and conduit integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple tube openings (inlet tube opening and return tube opening) into a single opening in the conduit. The inlet tube and return tube both pass through this same opening, which is sealed around both tubes. This merging of openings reduces the number of potential leakage points while maintaining the ability to connect both inlet and return connections.
2Ease of manufacture
If devices are designed for fixed conduit sizes, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to varying conduit sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a clamping mechanism that can dynamically adjust to different conduit sizes. The clamp includes adjustable clamping elements that can be positioned to fit various conduit diameters, allowing the same device to be installed on conduits of different sizes without requiring multiple fixed-size device variants.
3Productivity
If salt-water chlorinator with consumable parts is integrated, then treatment capability is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the salt-water chlorinator into a removable module that can be separated from the main fluid receiving device. The consumable parts (electrodes) are contained within this removable module, which can be easily detached and replaced without affecting the rest of the device. This segmentation reduces the perceived complexity by allowing modular maintenance and replacement.
4Reliability
If multiple fasteners are used for clamping, then clamping reliability is improved, but ease of installation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple clamping functions into a single integrated clamp assembly. This single clamp structure provides sufficient clamping force and reliability for securing the device to the conduit, eliminating the need for multiple separate fasteners while maintaining secure attachment.
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 effectively diverts and treats water with reduced leakage risk, accommodates conduit size variations, and integrates treatment and monitoring functions without additional cabling, improving operational efficiency and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The inlet tube includes a deflector and be formed generally as a 'scoop.' Combined, the configurations of (at least) the inlet and return tubes tend to create vortex action evacuating fluid from the return tube back into the conduit.
Implementation Method 2
Combined, the configurations of (at least) the inlet and return tubes tend to create vortex action evacuating fluid from the return tube back into the conduit.
Implementation Method 3
An optional third tube, beneficially in the form of a feeder port or gas extraction tube, also may be present in devices of the invention. If desired, the opening of the third tube too may be in the same plane as the openings of the inlet and return tubes.
Data Source
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AI summary
Devices for receiving fluid such as water are described. Principally (although not necessarily exclusively) designed for use as chlorinators, the devices may divert water flowing in conduits into the devices for treatment and subsequent return to the flow stream. A device may connect to a pipe without tools and require only one hole to be formed in a pipe wall.