Valve-Operated Plumbing Fitting for Controlled Test Drainage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plumbing fittings lack a mechanism to control the flow of water during testing, leading to uncontrolled water release when sealing plugs are removed, which can damage wall components.
Innovation Solution
A plumbing fitting with an elongate body and a valve system that allows selective sealing and unsealing of the passageway, enabling controlled water flow between ends, with one end connected to a further plumbing fitting or fixture, and a pre-determined length to ensure the outlet is outside the wall cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing plugs are used to block outlets during testing, then water flow is controlled during testing, but water flows out uncontrolled when plugs are removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by incorporating a valve mechanism that transitions from a static sealing plug to a dynamic controllable system. The valve can be opened or closed as needed, allowing water flow control during testing and preventing uncontrolled release when removed, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable flow control and harmful uncontrolled release.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve acts as an intermediary between the sealed outlet and the open environment. Instead of directly removing the sealing plug which causes uncontrolled water release, the valve provides an intermediate control mechanism that can regulate water flow, allowing safe removal while maintaining control over water discharge.
2Reliability
If plugs are made long enough to extend outside wall cavity, then outlets are blocked effectively, but water damage to wall components occurs when plugs are removed
Solution Approach 1:
The long plug is transformed into a dynamic system with an integrated valve mechanism. The valve allows controlled water discharge, so when the plug is removed from the wall cavity, water can be drained in a controlled manner rather than causing uncontrolled damage to wall components, while maintaining effective outlet blocking when installed.
3Ease of manufacture
If sealing plugs are left in place during construction, then outlets are protected, but removal causes uncontrolled water flow
Solution Approach 1:
The static sealing plug is replaced with a dynamic valve-equipped plug that can be operated during removal. The valve mechanism allows the operator to control water flow during removal, making the process safer and easier to manage while maintaining the convenience of leaving plugs in place during construction.
Data Source
AI summary
A plumbing fitting for selectively allowing the passage of a fluid therethrough includes an elongate body with a first open end and a second open end, with a passageway providing for fluid communication between the first open end and the second open end, where at least one of the first open end and/or the second open end include a connection arrangement for connection with a further plumbing fitting or fixture, and a valve for selectively sealing or unsealing the passageway to allow for a flow of fluid between each of the open ends, with the valve being operable from the first open end or the second open end.