Sweep Elbow Pipe Connector for Lower Fire Sprinkler Head Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ninety-degree elbow connections in fire sprinkler piping systems cause significant head or energy loss due to their design, leading to increased pressure requirements and pipe sizes, which is economically disadvantageous.
Innovation Solution
The development of a sweep elbow pipe connector with an optimized flow path, manufactured using injection molding, featuring a unique core geometry that increases the cross-sectional surface area and reduces the equivalent length of the fitting, thereby minimizing energy loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional ninety-degree elbow connections with sharp corners are used, then the fitting length is reduced and plumbing around corners is facilitated, but significant head loss or energy loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by transitioning from sharp-cornered ninety-degree elbows to sweep elbows with curved flow paths. The sweep elbow features a gradual arc-shaped transition that guides water flow smoothly around the corner, eliminating sudden directional changes that cause turbulence and head loss. This curved geometry maintains compact installation space while significantly reducing energy loss compared to traditional sharp-cornered fittings.
2Device complexity
If conventional ninety-degree elbow connections are used, then the fitting design is simple, but the equivalent length is large requiring larger pipe sizes and pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the elbow fitting by optimizing the sweep radius and arc angle to minimize the equivalent length. The sweep elbow is designed with specific dimensional ratios that reduce the flow path length while maintaining smooth transitions. This parameter optimization decreases the equivalent length compared to conventional elbows, allowing for smaller pipe sizes and reduced pressure requirements in the overall piping system.
3Productivity
If sharp cornered ninety-degree elbows are used, then manufacturing is simple, but flow capacity is reduced due to turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The sweep elbow employs curved surfaces throughout its flow path, creating a streamlined geometry that eliminates turbulence and maximizes flow capacity. The curved transition guides water smoothly from the inlet to the outlet direction, maintaining higher velocities and reducing energy dissipation. This curved design, while slightly more complex to manufacture than sharp-cornered elbows, provides significant improvements in flow efficiency and system productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An arcuate sweep elbow pipe connector section is disclosed as part of the piping system used to deliver water from a source to a fire sprinkler head. The arcuate sweep elbow pipe connector section is integrally formed at one end with a first connecting section and integrally formed at a section end with a second connection section. The connecting sections are positioned ninety degrees relative to each other and the arcuate sweep elbow pipe connector section optimizes water flow through both connecting sections.