Helical Thread Drop Section for High-Rise Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-rise buildings face challenges with noise, smell, and hydraulic issues due to increased height and flow rates in sanitary drainage systems, where noise from wastewater and potential overpressure or depression can lead to siphoning and gurgling, and existing aerator connections are complex to reproduce and not compact enough.

Innovation Solution

A modular drop section design with tubular elements and helical threads on internal surfaces to create a vortex flow, maintaining a column of air and optimizing two-phase air-water mixture management, which includes a connector with a pressure equalizing element to prevent overpressure and ensure smooth flow without increasing system bulk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex spiral baffle geometry is used to create vortex flow, then hydraulic performance is improved, but the assembly complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydraulic performanceVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deflecting section is divided into multiple discrete parts (first deflecting part, second deflecting part, third deflecting part) that can be separately manufactured and then assembled together. This segmentation allows for simpler individual components while achieving the complex vortex flow pattern when assembled, resolving the contradiction between hydraulic performance and assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs curved and inclined surfaces in the deflecting parts to generate vortex flow. The first deflecting part is inclined at an angle to the upstream drop tubular element, and the third deflecting part is inclined relative to the downstream drop tubular element, creating the necessary curvature for vortex formation without requiring complex spiral geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Volume of moving object

If the drop section is made compact, then space constraints are reduced, but the hydraulic flow characteristics may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem bulkVSAvoidhydraulic flow characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by incorporating inclined deflecting parts that extend along the flow direction. The first deflecting part is inclined at an angle α and the third deflecting part is inclined at an angle β, allowing the compact assembly to generate effective vortex flow by utilizing three-dimensional space rather than requiring larger horizontal dimensions.

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

3Reliability

If helical threads are added to create air circulation, then two-phase flow management is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair circulationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The deflecting parts serve multiple functions simultaneously: they redirect the water flow to create vortex motion, maintains alignment of tubular elements, and the inclined surfaces facilitate air circulation within the water column. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby simplifying manufacturing while achieving improved two-phase flow management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 improves hydraulic and acoustic performance by creating a vortex flow, reducing noise and smell issues, and maintaining air circulation, while maintaining a compact system that is easy to assemble and adapt to different flow velocities and volumes.

Implementation Method 1

helical threads on one or more of the cylindrical parts... creating a hydraulic velocity component favoring a vortex flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex flow: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

a connector with a pressure equalizing element to prevent overpressure and ensure smooth flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure equalization:

Data Source

PatentEP3241951B1Set with slab and drop section
Publication Date: 2020.09.16 RACCORDS & PLASTIQUES NICOLL SA
  • EP3241951B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3241951B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3241951B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention proposes a drop section (401) for a flow of liquid or fluids, in particular water in a drop flow direction, comprising an upstream drop tubular element, a downstream drop tubular element, a diversion section between the upstream drop tubular element and the downstream drop tubular element, a fitting with a flow fitting element (338) opening into the downstream drop tubular element, the upstream drop tubular element, the downstream drop tubular element and the flow fitting element (338) being substantially aligned in the drop flow direction, the drop section being characterized in that at least one of the upstream drop tubular element, the downstream drop tubular element, and the diversion section, in particular a tubular element of the latter, comprises an internal surface provided with first helical threads (61, 261, 361).