Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
  • E04H4/00—Swimming or splash baths or pools
  • E04H4/12—Devices or arrangements for circulating water, i.e. devices for removal of polluted water, cleaning baths or for water treatment

Definitions

• This invention relates to apparatus for modulating fluid flow. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus for modulating fluid flow between a first fluid path and a second flow path which branches from the first flow path.
• the invention provides apparatus for modulating fluid flow comprises a first flow path, a second flow path transverse to the first flow path, the second flow path having a fluid inlet which opens onto the first flow path whereby a portion of fluid flowing along the first flow path can be diverted into the second flow path, the position of the fluid inlet being set in relation to the direction of fluid flow according to the extent of fluid to be diverted from the first flow path into the second flow path.
• the position of the inlet is fixed with respect to the direction of fluid flow in the first flow path after having been placed in the set position.
• the position of the fluid inlet can be adjusted to vary the extent of fluid diverted as desired. Such adjustment may be made prior to and/or during operation of the apparatus.
• the second flow path may be defined by a conduit which extends into the first flow path but which does not entirely block fluid flow therealong.
• the fluid inlet may be located in a side wall of the conduit. Where the conduit is of circular cross section, the fluid inlet would be located in the cylindrical side wall of the conduit.
• the fluid inlet may comprise one or more apertures.
• the fluid inlet comprises two apertures circumferentially spaced about the conduit.
• the conduit may extend entirely across the first fluid path thereby providing two branch lines extending from opposed sides of the first flow path.
• conduits There may be a plurality of said conduits positioned at spaced intervals along the first flow path.
• the first flow path may be defined by a conduit having an internal size greater than the external size of the conduit defining the second flow path.
• the invention has been devised particularly, although not solely, for use in a fluid distribution manifold having a plurality of branch outlets, the arrangement allowing fluid discharging from the manifold through the branch outlets to be regulated.
• the regulation may allow, for example, a uniform fluid flow through each of the branch outlets.
• a conventional manifold having a plurality of branch outlets does not provide an even distribution of fluid flowing through the various branch outlets.
• a particular application of the apparatus according to the invention is in a horizontal swimming pool filter.
• a horizontal swimming pool filter typically has an inlet manifold positioned above a filtering media, the purpose of the manifold being to distribute water to be filtered evenly within a water space above the filtering media, so as to allow a laminar flow which does not disturb the surface of the filtering media bed. Uneven distribution of water would cause currents in the water space above the filtering media bed, causing scouring in the surface of the filtering media which in turn causes the filtering media to migrate, leaving areas of reduced media depth.
• Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a water distribution manifold according to a first embodiment as used in a horizontal swimming pool filter;
• Figure 2 is a schematic end view of the manifold
• Figure 3 is a view, partly cut-away, illustrating the position of various branch lines in the main chamber of the manifold;
• Figure 4 is a schematic end view of a water distribution manifold according to a second embodiment, showing apertures in one position;
• Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 except that apertures are shown in another position.
• the embodiments shown in the drawings are each directed to a manifold for use in a horizontal swimming pool filter, the manifold being provided to distribute pool water evenly into a water space above a bed of filtering media contained within the filter.
• the manifold 10 comprises a first conduit 11 defining a first flow passage 13.
• the conduit 11 is cylindrical and closed at one end by way of a cap 15. Pool water to be filtered is delivered to the flow passage 13 through the other end of the conduit 11.
• the manifold 10 further includes a plurality of branch lines 19.
• the branch lines 19 are in pairs on opposed sides of the first conduit 11 , each pair of branch lines 19 being defined by a second conduit 21 extending transversely through the first conduit 11.
• Each second conduit 21 is received within holes 23 formed in the cylindrical side wall of the first conduit 11.
• there are five such second conduits 21 identified by reference numerals 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, 21 d and 21 e respectively.
• Each second conduit 21 has an external diameter which is less than the interior diameter of the first conduit 11. ln this way, the second conduits do not block flow along the first flow passage 13.
• the second conduits 21 do, however, act as baffles in the first flow passage 13.
• Each conduit 21 has a fluid inlet 31 opening into the interior of the first flow passage. With this arrangement, some of the fluid within the first flow passage can be diverted into the second conduit through the fluid inlet 31. The diverted fluid then flows along the two branch lines 19 defined by the respective second conduit 21.
• each second conduit 21 The extent to which fluid is diverted from the first conduit 11 into each second conduit 21 can be regulated by the orientation of the inlet 31 with respect to the first conduit.
• the fluid inlets 31 in the five second conduits shown in the drawings can be so positioned that the volumetric flow rate of fluid through each of the branch lines 19 is approximately equal.
• the fluid inlets 31 in the second conduits 21 have a range of positions including a position which directly faces the fluid flow in the first conduit, a position which faces a direction generally normal to the fluid flow and a position which faces a direction opposite to the fluid flow.
• the various second conduits 21 are rotated within the first conduit 11 so that the respective inlets 31 assume the required position and then the second conduits 21 are sealingly fixed in position within the first conduit 11.
• the fixing can be achieved in any suitable fashion such as by adhesive bonding or welding.
• each fluid inlet 31 in each second conduit 21 is defined by a single aperture in the cylindrical side wall of the conduit.
• each fluid inlet 31 comprises a plurality of apertures 35 in the cylindrical side wall of the respective second conduit 21.
• the apertures 35 are in pairs 37, with the two apertures 39 in each pair being circumferentially spaced with respect to each other. The circumferential spacing is such that the centres of the apertures 39 in each pair 37 are approximately at 90° with respect to each other.
• the second conduit is shown in an orientation in which one aperture 39 of each pair is directly facing the direction of fluid flow and the other aperture 39 of each pair is facing a direction generally normal to the direction of fluid flow.
• the second conduit 21 is shown in an orientation in which the apertures 39 in each pair 37 obliquely face the direction of fluid flow.
• the apparatus can be operated in a reverse flow mode in which fluid enters the manifold 10 through the branch lines 19 and exits through the first conduit 11.
• the fluid inlets 31 can produce a venturi effect in the manifold.
• the present invention provides a simple yet highly effectively apparatus for modulating fluid flow.
• the apparatus according to the invention has application for fluid flows other than pool water. Indeed, the apparatus may have application for modulating flow of any liquid or gaseous fluid (or combination thereof).

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Pipe Accessories (AREA)
• Paper (AREA)
• Feeding, Discharge, Calcimining, Fusing, And Gas-Generation Devices (AREA)
• Filtration Of Liquid (AREA)
• Transplanting Machines (AREA)
• Interface Circuits In Exchanges (AREA)
• Gyroscopes (AREA)
• External Artificial Organs (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (3)

Family

ID=3809908

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Citations (3)

Family Cites Families (10)

• 1998
  • 1998-09-03 AU AUPP5684A patent/AUPP568498A0/en not_active Abandoned
• 1999
  • 1999-09-03 DE DE69941295T patent/DE69941295D1/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1999-09-03 AU AU58396/99A patent/AU743517B2/en not_active Expired
  • 1999-09-03 AT AT99945753T patent/ATE440185T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1999-09-03 EP EP99945753A patent/EP1117877B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1999-09-03 WO PCT/AU1999/000719 patent/WO2000014344A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1999-09-03 ES ES99945753T patent/ES2330172T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime

Patent Citations (3)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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