Reducing Bush Filtration Layout for Clog-Resistant Fire Nozzles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Firefighting and fire suppression systems, particularly in marine environments, face blockages and corrosion issues due to scale, debris, and marine growth, leading to system failures and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A reducing bush apparatus with separate threaded portions for filters and nozzles, allowing for the use of wider filters and interchangeable components, which reduces blockages and maintains fluid flow by filtering out debris before it reaches the nozzle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a filter is made to extend through the reducing bush (conventional design), then the filter can be attached to the reducing bush, but the outer diameter of the filter is limited by the inner diameter of the reducing bush, restricting filter size and strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter attachment strengthVSAvoidfilter outer diameter
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the conventional integrated filter-reducing bush assembly into separate components: a standalone filter with external threading and a reducing bush with an internal threaded portion. This segmentation allows the filter to be attached to the reducing bush without extending through it, enabling the filter to have a larger outer diameter and greater wall thickness for improved strength and filtering capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If scale, debris and pollutants build up in the pipeline, then blockages occur leading to system failure, but conventional filters are limited in size and cannot effectively prevent blockages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidblockages from scale and debris
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is positioned upstream in the fluid flow path, before the nozzle, to preliminarily remove scale, debris and pollutants from the water stream. This preliminary filtering action prevents harmful particles from reaching the nozzle and causing blockages, thereby maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The filter employs a porous structure with multiple filtering surfaces that allow water to pass through while trapping scale, debris and pollutants. The porous material enables effective filtration with a compact design that can be integrated into the reducing bush apparatus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Ease of manufacture

If existing nozzles and filters are to be used (cost minimization), then interchangeability is needed, but conventional reducing bushes do not provide threaded portions for separate filter attachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidcomponent interchangeability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The reducing bush is designed with a standardized internal threaded portion that can accommodate various filters with matching external threads. This universal threading design allows different filters and nozzles to be interchangeably mounted on the same reducing bush, providing adaptability and versatility while minimizing manufacturing costs by using existing standard components.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3359860B1Pipeline apparatus comprising a reducing bush
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 RIGDELUGE GLOBAL LTD
  • EP3359860B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3359860B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3359860B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~1cD

AI summary

A pipeline apparatus comprising a reducing bush apparatus having a reducing bush, and a pipe fitting comprising a threaded socket. The reducing bush has an outer surface which comprises a threaded portion connected to the threaded socket of the pipe fitting. The reducing bush comprises a bore extending from a first end to a second end, the bore having an inner surface. The inner surface comprises a first threaded portion at its first end on an inside of the pipe fitting, and a second threaded portion at its second end on an outside of the pipe fitting. The outer surface has a larger diameter than the second end of the inner surface. Embodiments further include both a filter and nozzle threadably engaged, on opposite sides of the reducing bush.