Pool Plumbing Adapter for Re-surfacing Without Disassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pool and spa construction requires damaging existing plaster to re-plaster or replace plumbing fixtures, leading to increased costs and potential leaks due to the need to disassemble and reassemble plumbing and fixtures.
Innovation Solution
A directional water flow jet extension fitting with threaded ends that adapt to existing plumbing, a visual cue for proper installation depth, and sealing rings to prevent water leakage, allowing for repositioning of flow directors without disassembling old plumbing and ensuring a watertight seal with new plaster.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional plumbing fixtures are permanently mounted in plaster, then water flow directors can be securely installed, but re-plastering requires damaging the existing plumbing and plaster
Solution Approach 1:
The plumbing fixture is divided into separate components: a permanent base fitting mounted in the original plaster, and a removable extension fitting that can be attached later. This segmentation allows the plaster to be replaced without disturbing the permanent base fitting, resolving the contradiction between ease of re-plastering and plumbing integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
An extension fitting acts as an intermediary between the permanent base fitting and the flow director. This intermediary component enables the flow director to be repositioned without removing the original plumbing, thus protecting plumbing integrity while facilitating easy re-plastering.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing plaster is chipped out to relocate flow director cavities, then new plaster can be applied, but costs and potential leaks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into a permanent base fitting embedded in original plaster and a removable extension fitting. This allows the plaster surface to be completely replaced without removing the base fitting, eliminating the need to chip out existing plaster and reducing material waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The base fitting is permanently installed in advance during initial construction, preparing the plumbing infrastructure before the plaster is applied. This preliminary action ensures that when re-plastering is needed, the plumbing remains intact and can be accessed through the new plaster without damage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If plumbing fixtures are disassembled for repositioning, then flow directors can be relocated, but leaks and cracks may develop
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the permanent plumbing infrastructure (base fitting) from the movable component (extension fitting with flow director). This segmentation enables repositioning of the flow director without disassembling the permanent plumbing, thereby maintaining seal integrity and preventing leaks.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension fitting serves as an intermediary that connects the permanent base fitting to the flow director. This intermediary can be attached and detached without affecting the permanent plumbing seals, allowing flexible repositioning while maintaining reliability.
4Ease of operation
If threadably engaged flow directors are used, then rotational control is achieved, but the engagement cavity cannot accommodate re-plastering
Solution Approach 1:
The flow director system is segmented into a permanent base fitting with threaded engagement for rotational control, and a removable extension fitting. This segmentation allows the threaded engagement to remain permanent for operational control, while the extension fitting can be removed to facilitate re-plastering.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension fitting is designed to be dynamically attachable and detachable, allowing the flow director system to adapt between operational states (attached) and maintenance states (detached for re-plastering). This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between operational control and ease of re-surfacing.
Data Source
AI summary
A pool and spa plumbing adapter to relocate existing directional water flow plumbing fittings to new positions to accommodate new surfacing overlaid on the existing pool or spa surface. The adapter provides for a threaded engagement with existing plumbing and has a shoulder portion providing a visual cue for proper rotational translation of the adapter into the existing plumbing fitting to accommodate the new surface layer. A sealing ring can be provided extending above the shoulder portion to prevent fluid passage between the new surface and the adapter and to prevent rotation of the adapter.