Water System Connector with Air Gap and Sensor for Backflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plumbing systems face challenges in connecting pressure and temperature relief valves to waste pipes without risk of back contamination or odor issues, particularly in unvented hot water storage systems, where traditional solutions are costly and inefficient, and may lead to unnoticed discharges causing damage or hazardous conditions.
Innovation Solution
A connector system with an open-sided design, a sensor for detecting water presence, and a non-return valve that opens at a pre-selected pressure, along with a monitoring device to alert users of water or temperature anomalies, ensuring visible discharge and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tundish with air gap is used to prevent back contamination, then backflow prevention is achieved, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the backflow prevention function (air gap) with the odour trap function (water seal) into a single integrated connector unit. The connector body houses both the air gap chamber and the water seal chamber, eliminating the need for separate tundish and odour trap installations, thereby reducing installation complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides backflow prevention through the air gap, odour prevention through the water seal, and visible discharge indication through the transparent connector body. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying installation while maintaining high reliability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a water trap is used to prevent odours, then odour prevention is achieved, but the device becomes bulky and ineffective when drying out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a sensor that detects water level in the water seal chamber and provides feedback to a control system. When the water level drops below the threshold (indicating potential drying out), the sensor triggers an alarm or notification to the user, allowing them to refill the water seal before odour prevention becomes ineffective. This feedback mechanism maintains reliability even when the water seal is at risk of drying out.
3Loss of information
If discharge is made visible through open air gap, then discharge visibility is improved, but discharge may still go unnoticed if short-lived or intermittent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a sensor to detect the presence of discharged water in the connector body and provides feedback through an alarm or notification system. This ensures that even short-lived or intermittent discharges are detected and communicated to the user, preventing loss of information about system status and maintaining reliable discharge detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on purely visual observation of water discharge with an electronic sensing system. The sensor detects water presence electrically/conductively, and the control system processes this information to generate alarms. This substitution ensures reliable detection of discharge events regardless of their duration or visibility, addressing the limitation of human observation.
4Reliability
If traditional connection methods are used, then back contamination is prevented, but the installation is expensive and requires careful engineering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple required components (air gap chamber, water seal chamber, sensors, control system) into a single pre-assembled connector unit. This merging eliminates the need for complex field engineering and careful installation procedures, reducing installation cost and complexity while maintaining the reliability of back contamination prevention through the integrated air gap design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively prevents back contamination and odor issues while providing visible discharge verification, reducing the risk of unnoticed leaks and potential damage, enhancing safety and reducing costly repairs.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor may comprise one or more conductor. The sensor may comprise a moisture/water sensor.
Implementation Method 2
The lower chamber may be closable by a non-return valve which is arranged to open at a pre-selected pressure, e.g. according to a predetermined weight of water acting thereon.
Implementation Method 3
the connector body is open-sided so as to form an open air gap between the inlet and outlet through which water can fall in use
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a connector (100) for a water system. The connector comprises an inlet connector (105), a connector body and an outlet connector (120) arranged in sequence. The connector body is open-sided so as to form a tundish having an open air gap between the inlet and outlet connectors (105, 120), through which water can fall in use. The connector (100) further comprises a sensor for detecting the presence of water within the connector body.