Plumbing Fitting Bypass Receptacle for In-Pressure Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintenance and repair of plumbing fittings connected to plumbing systems at elevated pressures are challenging, time-consuming, and costly, often requiring additional tools and trained personnel, and can introduce pressure imbalances and complications.
Innovation Solution
A plumbing fitting with a movable receptacle that allows the mechanism to be accessed for maintenance or repair without isolating the fitting from the system, enabling fluid to bypass the mechanism, thus reducing the need for additional tools and personnel and minimizing system disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the plumbing fitting is isolated from the system for maintenance or repair, then the mechanism can be accessed and maintained, but the system experiences pressure imbalances and functional disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The plumbing fitting is divided into separable components: a body, a movable receptacle, and a mechanism. The receptacle can be independently moved between operational and maintenance positions, allowing the mechanism to be accessed without isolating the entire fitting from the system. This segmentation enables maintenance while maintaining system integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
A bypass flow path is introduced as an intermediary route that allows fluid to flow around the mechanism when the receptacle is in the maintenance position. This bypass acts as a mediator that maintains system functionality and pressure balance while the mechanism is being serviced.
2Ease of repair
If the plumbing fitting is isolated for maintenance, then the mechanism can be repaired, but additional tools and trained personnel are required
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is designed to be movable between fixed positions (operational and maintenance) rather than being static. This dynamic design allows the mechanism to be easily accessed by simply moving the receptacle, eliminating the need for complex isolation procedures, additional tools, or specialized personnel.
3Ease of operation
If the receptacle is moved to the second position for maintenance, then the mechanism can be accessed without isolating the fitting, but the flow path must bypass the mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass flow path is merged with the main flow path within the body of the fitting. Both the direct path (through the mechanism) and the bypass path (around the mechanism) are integrated into a single unified flow path structure, allowing fluid to automatically route around the mechanism when the receptacle is in the maintenance position without requiring external modifications or complex configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A plumbing fitting with a body having a flow path extending therethrough, and a receptacle disposed in the body is disclosed. The receptacle is arranged to releasably receive a mechanism is movable between a first operational position in which the flow path extends through the receptacle and the mechanism, and a second position in which the flow path bypasses the mechanism. In the second position, the mechanism can be released from the receptacle while a fluid flows through the flow path.