Fire Hydrant Dechlorinator Unit with Venturi Flow

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dechlorination devices for water hydrants are complex, expensive, and difficult to use due to movable parts and hoses, failing to effectively neutralize chlorine in discharged water to meet stringent environmental regulations, particularly harming aquatic species.

Innovation Solution

A simple, cost-effective dechlorinator unit with no moving parts or hoses, featuring a chamber with dechlorinating material that uses a venturi effect to neutralize chlorine in water passing through, allowing easy insertion and removal of chlorine-neutralizing tablets, and optional diffusers for flow control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex dechlorination devices with movable parts and hoses are used, then chlorine neutralization capability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechlorine neutralization capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes movable parts and hoses from the dechlorination device, extracting only the essential static components (body, chamber, passageway) needed for chlorine neutralization. This simplifies the device while maintaining functionality through proper fluid dynamics design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses the water flow itself to drive the dechlorination process without requiring external mechanical components. The venturi effect automatically draws water through the chamber containing dechlorinating material, eliminating the need for pumps, valves, or other active components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If complex dechlorination devices with movable parts and hoses are used, then chlorine neutralization capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechlorine neutralization capabilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By removing hoses and movable parts, the device eliminates complex connections and assembly requirements, making it much easier to operate and install while maintaining effective chlorine neutralization through the simplified static structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical control systems (hoses, valves, pumps) with fluid dynamic principles (venturi effect, pressure differential) to achieve the same dechlorination function with significantly improved ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If dechlorination devices are designed to meet stringent discharge limits, then environmental protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental protectionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device uses the existing water flow and pressure from the fire hydrant system to drive the dechlorination process, converting the potentially harmful high-velocity discharge into a beneficial force that draws water through the dechlorinating material via the venturi effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs hydraulic principles (venturi effect, pressure differential, fluid flow dynamics) to achieve effective chlorine neutralization without complex mechanical components, meeting stringent discharge limits through clever fluid dynamics rather than device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 dechlorinator unit effectively neutralizes chlorine in water discharged from hydrants, meeting stringent discharge limits while being easy to use and manufacture, thus protecting aquatic life and reducing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

A first portion of the aperture adjacent the water passageway of the barrel or body is of a smaller diameter than a second portion of the aperture adjacent to the chamber, whereby a venturi fluid flow is created by the aperture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

Water from the fire hydrant potable water passes from the water passageway and over the dechlorinating material in the chamber so as to neutralize chlorine in the water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical neutralization: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS10309083B2Fire hydrant potable water chlorine neutralizing unit

Publication Date: 2019.06.04 INTEGRA CLEAR CO

AI summary

A water discharge dechlorinator unit includes a body having a first end adapted to be removably coupled to a water hydrant, such as a fire hydrant. The body defines a water passageway between an inlet and an outlet thereof. A chamber is in fluid communication with the water passageway and configured for reception of dechlorinating material therein, such as chlorine neutralizing tablets, whereby water from the fire hydrant passes from the water passageway and over the dechlorinating material in the chamber so as to neutralize chlorine in the water before it is discharged from the unit.