Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT (ORIGINAL) Name of Applicant: MANFRED VOLKER Actual Inventor(s): MANFRED VOLKER Address for Service: SANDERCOCK & COWIE 180B SLADEN STREET CRANBOURNE VICTORIA 3977 Invention Title: FLUID SYSTEM Priority Claimed: GERMAN PATENT APPLICATION NO.10 2008055 754.4 FILED: 4 NOVEMBER, 2008 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: - 1- - la TITLE: FLUID SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to a fluid system comprising a main supply line and at least one secondary line branching off therefrom and leading to consumers. As a rule, the invention can be used in systems in which a main supply line cannot directly be passed to the consumer for reasons of space or design or for reasons of costs, so that one or more secondary lines branch off from the main supply line. The fluid that is conducted in the 10 line system may be a gaseous medium, eg. sterile air or a liquid. The invention is -2 particulady suited for dialysis stations in which the consumers, le, the dialysis devices, must be supplied with contamination-flee water. The invention, however, is eg.just as well suited fr water supply in the pharmaceutical industry or for laboratory water supply. A single secondary line may respectively lead from the main supply line to a consumer, the secondary line being thus a branch line through which no fluid flows in standstill or inoperative supply phases. However) there may also be two secondary lines leading to a consumer that form a secondary ring line in the case of which the fluid flows through a secondary line to the consumer and excess fluid is returned through the secondary line into the main supply line. A secondary ring line can. be flushed nmh better than a branch line that is objectionable in this respect, BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION DE 102 56 584 Al discloses an ultrapure water supply system for dialysis devices in the case of which a secondary ring line is arranged with its upstream end section in the ring line forming the main supply line, and exits with a subsequent section out of the ring line and terminates again with its downstream end section in the ring line, This arrangement entails relatively high manufacturing costs. It is the object of the present invention to provide a fluid system of the type under consideration that causes a small pressure drop in the main stream and entails lower costs. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the sub-claims, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The apparatus aspect of the invention provides a fluid system with a main sup ply line and at least one secondary line, branching off from it, leading to consumers, wherein at least one connecting block is inserted into the main supply line, which includes a main supply flow passage, which constitutes a section ofthe maisupplyline, and wherein inserted laterallypreferably at right angles Ap 11, 2N4,C d5knE\DcoksWSPE]1f3ONSvolkcrxaga.
-3 to the main supply flow passage, into a bore in the connecting block there is a flow block, which includes at least one secondary flow passage, to which a secondary line is connectable, and a flow resistance body, which extends into the main supply flow passage, characterized in that the flow resistance body is an office plate, which has a hydrodynamic shape in that it has an aerofoil profile in Cross-section or approximately a semi-circular shape, whose flat surface lies parallel to the longitudinal axis of the main supply flow passage. One or two secondary passage channels may pass through the flow block, depending on whether a secondary branch line or a secondary ring line leads to the consumer. In one embodiment the secondary passage channel/the secondary passage channels extend(s) through the flow resistance body, wherein a secondary passage channel whicb is formed upstream relative to the flow in the main supply line and extends preferably at a right angle to the main supply passage channel is in flow communication with the main supply passage channel through a bore branching off at a right angle. Said bore or entry opening for the fluid is preferably positioned approximately in the center of the main supply passage channeL When a second secondary passage channel is provided in this embodiment, it is positioned, when viewed in flow direction, at some distance behind the first secondary passage channel and extends in parallel therewith. The second secondary passage channel is provided with a bore or exit opening branched off at a right angle, through which returning flow is again introduced into the main supply passage channel. In this embodiment, the flow resistance body is an orifice plate that, viewed in cross-secton, preferably has the shape ofa semicircle, the straight boundary area of which preferably extends in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the main supply passage channel. Other flow promoting shapes of the orifice plate are within the scope of the invention. In another embodiment, an orifice plate is provided as the flow resistance body that, viewed in cross section has the profile of a wing that is arranged with its longitudinal extension in the longitudinal direction of the main supply passage channel in the main -4 supply channel. In this embodiment, the secondary passage channel/the secondary passage channels does not extend through the orifice plate, but ends in the front face of the flow block that faces the main supply passage channel, with a secondary passage channel being arranged above the wing profile and the other secondary passage channel 5 being arranged with its opening underneath the wing profile. On account of the pressure difference above and below the wing profile, fluid flows through the secondary ring line. It is within the scope of the invention that two or more flow blocks from which a respective secondary branch line or secondary ring line branches off may be used in a 10 connection block which is inserted into the main supply line. An associated flow block is provided for each consumer, and it goes without saying that several connection blocks may be inserted into the main supply line. The flow block is inserted with a front section into the bore of the connection block while 15 a rear section of the flow block remains outside the connection block. Preferably, at least the inserted section has a circular shape when viewed in cross section, and it is positively seated in the bore of the connection block. It is here preferred that the flow block is inserted into the bore. This facilitates assembly and possibly disassembly of the flow block, with the circular shape of the bore permitting an adjustment of the angle of 20 inclination of the flow resistance body. The front wall of the inserted section is preferably flat. The main supply line may comprise tube pieces made of plastics or eg. of stainless steel, or also hose pieces that are connected to the connection blocks. These line parts may eg. 25 be screwed, pressed or connected by means of clamp connections to the connection blocks. As for the latter, it is suggested with great advantage that the clamp connections should be "floatingly" fastened to a mounting plate. The connection blocks may each be 30 provided at both axial ends with an attachment undercut in the manner of a wedge, while line adapters to be connected at both sides are provided with an attachment which is shaped in the same way and undercut in the manner of a wedge. The two attachments -5 that in cross section are wedge-shaped and provided with flat front faces and extend in the manner of a circle around the whole circumference are pressed onto each other by means of two clamp-type semi-shells that on their inner rim have a surrounding V-groove which positively receives and compresses thejoined attachments of connection block and 5 line adapter that are undercut in the manner of a wedge. The two clamp-type semi-shells are interconnected by screws. The lower clamp-type semi-shell is provided at the bottom side with two projecting bolts or screws that can be inserted into two associated holes of a mounting plate, the holes 10 being made up of an approximately circular round section of a larger diameter and an adjoining longitudinal section of a smaller width. The lower clamp-type semi-shell is fastened to the mounting plate in such a manner that the two screw heads at the bottom side are passed through the circular sections of the holes, the clamp-type semi-shell being rotated such that the shafts of the screws move into the sections of smaller width. This 15 bayonet-like fastening makes it possible that in the fastened position the clamp-type semi shell is locked to a certain extent in a movable way to the mounting plate. This floating support is disclosed in DE 2006 028 764 B3 pertaining to the applicant of the present application, the content of disclosure of this publication being hereby encompassed. 20 This floating support has the effect that strains and thermal expansions occurring in the main supply line can be compensated, so that there will be no leakage. Moreover, forces arising therefrom and acting on the secondary lines can be prevented. This is eg. of great advantage in the hot cleaning of the line system as the main supply line is thereby enabled to expand. 25 The main supply lines may consist of different materials that are connectable either directly to the connection block or by means of adapters. Hose nozzle connections and adhesive connections are here also possible in principle. 30 The use of clamp connections on the connection blocks has the advantage that these can simply be replaced in case of need.
-6 According to a further proposal of the invention at least one flow block may comprise a device for preventing the growth of microorganisms or the build-up of biofilm. To this end a bore may lead through a side wall of the flow block, which in this embodiment is expediently approximately cubical, to a secondary passage bore into which a UV source 5 is insertable. The UV source is fastened to a plug with which the bore is closed. The UV source may be configured as a UV-LED. It is also possible to insert an active antimicrobial material into the anti-contamination chamber. Upon use of a UV-LED the chamber may also be configured to be reflective. Likewise it is possible that after ring line ozone disinfection has been applied, the UV source brings about a neutralization of 10 the toxic ozone. According to a further proposal of the invention, the flow block may be provided with a flow-sensing device which senses the flow in the secondary passage channel leading the fluid to the consumer. As a result, an insufficient flow of fluid through the secondary 15 line can be detected, which is very important especially after disinfection of the fluid system because eg. in the event of a clogging of the secondary hose line or in the event of a sharp bend of the line, the removal of disinfectant residues may be impaired. This might lead to serious damage in the consumer. The electronic flow controller indicates the flow rate or a defined flow limit value, respectively, in the secondary line. 20 Moreover, other measurement and control devices such as sensors may be accommodated in the flow block for measuring state variables, throughputs and material properties. Likewise, it is possible to coat the flow resistance body with an anti-contamination layer, 25 eg. one made of silver. A preferred field of application of the invention is dialysis, the fluid system passing ultrapure water (permeate) from a reverse osmosis through a ring line and from there through branching secondary lines to dialysis devices. Several connection blocks are here 30 introduced into the ring line to supply the dialysis devices with permeate. The orifice plates of the flow resistance bodies only cause a very slight pressure drop in the ring line, so that enough permeate is also supplied to the dialysis devices that are the rear ones in flow direction. As a consequence ofihe special clamp connections that arc preferably usedthe ring line is free of dead space so that microbiological growth is mostly prevented. According to a furtherproposal of the invention, the ring line with the connection blocks is separated by a wall from the associated consumers, and the secondary lines extend through said wall to the dialysis devices. According to the invention hose retainers are fastened to the wall fbr receiving and retaining the hoses forming the secondary lines, the hose retainers preventing the hoses from touching the ground. The hose retainers are expediently equipped with openings into which the hoses can be clamped, and the end section of the hoses at the device side should also be hung into the hose retainers after disconnection from the dialysis device. The hose retainers prevent a situation where the hoses are lying on the ground and may get soiled by ground cleaning operations. There may also be provided a winding or pulling device for winding up the hose length that is not needed. Moreover electrical supply lines may be hung into said mounting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of some preferred embodiments and with reference to the drawings, of which: Figure I is a ring-line connection block with PEX connections in various views. Figure 2 is a ring-line double connection block with clamp connections in various views, Figure 3 is a prismatic dig-ine connection block with clamp connections and a decontamination chamber and a sensor chamber.
-8 Figure 4 is a schematic assembly of the fluid system with a partition wall, eg. of a dialysis station. DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH RESPECT TO THE DRAWINGS 5 Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a connection block 1 which is provided with PEX connections 2 at both sides. In contrast to the illustration in Figure 1, the PEX connections may be inserted into lateral bores of the connection block 1 and sealed with ring seals. The connection block 1 includes a ring-line channel 10 3 which is continued in the PEX connections 2. Hose pieces may eg. be mounted on the PEX connections 2. A flow block 4 is inserted into the connection block 1 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the passage channel 3. The flow block 4 includes a cylindrical 15 section 5 which is inserted into a corresponding bore of the connection block 1, and a ring seal 7 that is inserted into a groove 6 ensures that no fluid can exit out of the bore. The cylindrical section 5 terminates in the illustration of Figure 1 at the bottom of the flat front wall 8 which has attached thereto an orifice plate 9 extending transversely through the passage channel 3 substantially up to the opposite channel wall. The orifice plate 9 20 has about the cross-sectional shape of a semicircle as shown in the illustration at the left side bottom in Figure 1 in broken line. The opposite end of the cylindrical section 5 has positioned thereon an annular flange 10 with through holes 11 for fastening screws that are screwed into a ring 12 arranged 25 between the upper side of the connection block 1 and the bottom side of the flange 10 so as to fasten the flow block 4 safely to the connection block 1. With a suitable design and selection of the material, the flow block 4 may also be fastened to the connection block without any ring 12. 30 Two secondary passage channels 13 and 14 extend through the orifice plate 9 and the flow block 4, the secondary passage channels projecting with connection pieces 15 from the annular flange 10, the connection pieces being used for fastening secondary lines (not -9 shown), generally in the form of hoses. At the other ends, the secondary passage channels 13 and 14 pass into bent entry and exit openings 16 and 17. When the fluid, in the case of a ring line of a dialysis station: the permeate, flows in the direction of an arrow A through the passage channel, permeate will enter on account of the flow 5 resistance through the opening 16 into the secondary passage channel 13, with excess permeate being again returned through the secondary passage channel 14 and the exit opening 17 into the passage channel 3. The fastening screws of the flow block 4 are designated in the illustration at the left side 10 at the bottom in Figure 1 with reference numeral 18. In the embodiment of Figure 2, two flow blocks 20 are inserted side by side in a connection block 19. The flow blocks 20 are provided on their flat front faces 8 with an orifice plate 21 which has a wing profile in cross section, as shown in the middle right 15 illustration of Figure 2 in broken line. In this embodiment, the secondary passage channels 22 and 23 terminate in the front wall 8 of the flow block 20, ie. at both sides of the wing-shaped orifice plate 21, so that different pressure conditions prevail in the flowing fluid on the entry and exit openings of the secondary passage channels 22 and 23 through which the fluid enters into a channel and excess fluid exits again out of the 20 other channel. The connection block 19 is provided with molded-on clamp-type semi-shells 24 at both sides, said clamp connection being shown in its details in Figure 3. 25 Figure 3 shows a prism-shaped connection block 25 into the bore 26 of which the cylindrical section 5 of a flow block is insertable that rests with an also prism-shaped body 27 on the upper side of the flow block 25. The flow block is provided with an orifice plate 9 which, like in the embodiment of Figure 1, projects into the passage channel. The two secondary passage channels, which exit with connection pieces 15 on 30 the top side of body 27, extend through the prism-shaped body 27. In the prism-shaped body 27, two bores lead to the secondary passage channels, and a UV FcOctober 22, 2009.H:\Specifications\volker.cao3.wod.9 - 10 source 29 provided with a plug is inserted into a bore 28 while a flow controller 31 provided with a plug is inserted into the other bore 30. The UV source must each time be inserted into the flow leading to the consumer, so that after the flow bodies have been selected, it is possible to alternate between bore 27 and 28. 5 An attachment 24, which is undercut in the manner of a wedge, is attached to the connection block 25 at both sides, the attachments 24 being each connectable to a line adapter 42 comprising an identical attachment 24. The attachments 24, which are wedge shaped when viewed in cross-section, are firmly connected to one another by two clamp 10 type semi-shells 33 and 34, the shells being provided on their inner rim with a surrounding V-groove 46 that positively receives and compresses thejoined attachments of connection block and line adapter which are undercut in the manner of a wedge. A ring seal 35 in the front faces of the attachments 24, which are undercut in the manner of a wedge, ensures a liquid-proof connection. The clamp-type semi-shells 33 and 34 are 15 screwed together by screws 36. Two head sections of screws 37 project from the bottom side of the lower clamp-type semi-shell 33, the screws being insertable into slightly arcuately curved elongated holes 38 that have each a broadened entry opening and an adjoining smaller section from which 20 the screws 37 cannot exit. The configuration has been selected such that said mounting of the clamp-type semi-shells 33 and 34 is "floating" on the mounting plate 39, ie. the clamp-type semi-shells are movable to some extent on the mounting plate 39 so that they can eg. follow longitudinal expansions caused by heating of the line system during the hot-cleaning process. 25 Figure 4 shows the arrangement of a connection block 25 on a console 40 of a partition wall 41 of a dialysis station. A partition wall 41 shields the line system positioned behind the wall, the secondary lines 42, 43 being passed through openings into the wall 41. The wall 41 has fastened thereto a frame 44 with a cable and hose fixing device 45 in which 30 the secondary ring lines 42 and 43 are retained. After said hoses have been disconnected, these can be hung into the cable and hose fixing device, so that they do not touch the ground.
- 11 It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiments. Rather, all of the features disclosed in the drawings and in the description can be combined individually with each other in any reasonable way.