Movable Throttle Dosing Device for Fire Fighting Proportioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional proportioners used in fire extinguishing systems lack the precision required to achieve proportioning rates between 0.1% and 6%, which is necessary for consistent foam generation, as they often fail to accurately dose foaming agents into the extinguishing water flow.

Innovation Solution

A dosing device with a movable throttle element featuring a notch-shaped or wedge-shaped depression that adjusts to change the passage area of the additive, allowing for precise control of the admixing rate by altering the coverage of the lateral opening, enabling the setting of proportioning rates from 0.1% to 6%.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional proportioners are used, then the device structure is simple, but the dosing precision is insufficient for mixing rates between 0.1% and 6%

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing precisionVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dosing device is divided into distinct functional segments: a dosing channel for additive flow, a movable dosing element with a depression that can be positioned at different locations, and a base body with inlet and outlet. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while achieving precise dosing control through the relative positioning of the dosing element within the dosing channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If an adjustable valve is installed in the foam concentrate suction line, then the proportioning rate can be adjusted, but the precision for low mixing rates (0.1%-6%) cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing rate precisionVSAvoidadjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dosing element is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of its position within the dosing channel. The depression in the dosing element can be positioned at different locations relative to the additive inlet, enabling continuous adjustment of the mixing rate from 0.1% to 6%. This dynamic positioning mechanism provides both precision and operational flexibility.

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 dosing device allows for precise setting of proportioning rates, ensuring consistent foam generation by accurately controlling the flow of additives into the extinguishing water, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of fire extinguishing systems.

Implementation Method 1

a movable element (3) which can be moved in a cavity (4), wherein the movable element (3) has at least one recess (7) with a lateral opening (3c) at one end

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow control through variable orifice: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP3338862B1Dosing device for fire fighting purposes
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 TKW - ARMATURENVERTRIEBS
  • EP3338862B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3338862B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3338862B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The metering device 1 for a fire extinguishing device or for a fire extinguishing system for adding an additive to a stream of extinguishing water comprises an element 3 movable within a cavity 4, which has at least one recess 7 with a lateral opening 3c at one end 3a. The wall of the cavity 4 has a closing area in which the lateral opening 3c of the recess 7 is completely covered or closed, and an open area in which the lateral opening 3c of the recess 7 is not covered and is free for the passage of the additive. The movable element 3 is movable from the closing area to the open area, and the mixing rate of the additive depends on the position or adjustment of the movable element 3. The metering device 1 is advantageously used in a proportioner 9 in a fire extinguishing system.