Threaded Insert for Polymeric Pipe Fitting Fire Sprinkler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire sprinkler systems require specially designed fittings for polymeric pipes, increasing installation costs due to the need for custom fittings for varying installation scenarios.
Innovation Solution
An internally threaded insert for polymeric pipe fittings that can be slidably and snugly received into standard fittings, allowing for non-mechanical affixation and adjustable length to accommodate different installation needs, enabling the use of standard polymeric pipe fittings with fire sprinklers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specially designed fittings are used for polymeric pipes, then fire sprinkler attachment is enabled, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The specially designed fitting is segmented into two separate components: a standard polymeric pipe fitting and a threaded insert. The insert is a separate element that can be installed into the standard fitting, providing the thread attachment capability without requiring a completely custom fitting design. This segmentation allows use of existing standard fittings while adding the necessary functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A threaded insert acts as an intermediary component between the standard polymeric pipe fitting and the fire sprinkler. The insert provides the threading interface that enables attachment of metal fire sprinklers to polymeric pipes, serving as a mediator that bridges the incompatibility between standard fittings and sprinkler attachment requirements.
2Ease of manufacture
If standard polymeric pipe fittings are used, then installation cost is reduced, but fire sprinkler attachment capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The solution separates the attachment functionality from the pipe fitting itself, placing it in a removable threaded insert that can be installed within the standard fitting. This allows the standard fitting to maintain its cost advantages while the insert provides the necessary sprinkler attachment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded insert is pre-installed into the standard polymeric pipe fitting during the piping installation phase, before the fire sprinklers are attached. This preliminary action ensures that the attachment capability is already in place, allowing fire sprinklers to be easily installed later without requiring special fittings.
3Adaptability or versatility
If custom fittings are designed for each installation, then specific spacing requirements are met, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides adjustability by allowing the threaded insert to be positioned at different depths within the standard pipe fitting. The insert can be installed at various positions along the fitting length, enabling adaptation to different wall spacings and installation configurations without requiring custom-designed fittings for each scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
A single standard polymeric pipe fitting combined with a threaded insert serves multiple functions: it provides the structural connection, the thread interface for sprinkler attachment, and the adaptability for various spacing requirements. This universal combination replaces the need for multiple specialized custom fittings.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention satisfies this need. The invention is an internally threaded insert for use with a polymetric pipe fitting in a fire sprinkler system. The insert comprises an outer side surface, an outer rearward surface and an outer forward surface. The outer forward surface is adapted to retain a fire sprinkler at a forward end of the insert. The outer side surface of the insert is sized and dimensioned so as to closely match the bores of standard polymeric pipe fittings, so as to be capable of being slidably and snugly received into the bores of a standard polymeric pipe fitting. The insert can be conveniently affixed within the bores by non-mechanical means, such as by gluing.