EP3119945B1 - Frostkompensator für eine wasserapplikationsvorrichtung - Google Patents

Frostkompensator für eine wasserapplikationsvorrichtung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3119945B1
EP3119945B1 EP14713424.1A EP14713424A EP3119945B1 EP 3119945 B1 EP3119945 B1 EP 3119945B1 EP 14713424 A EP14713424 A EP 14713424A EP 3119945 B1 EP3119945 B1 EP 3119945B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
compensator
critical area
water
flow channel
retention rib
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP14713424.1A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3119945A1 (de
Inventor
Matthias MÜLLER-BRAUN
Reiner Frey
Benjamin Asal
Edmond Wenzel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Husqvarna AB
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Husqvarna AB
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Publication of EP3119945A1 publication Critical patent/EP3119945A1/de
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B9/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour
    • B05B9/01—Spray pistols, discharge devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B12/00—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area
    • B05B12/002—Manually-actuated controlling means, e.g. push buttons, levers or triggers
    • B05B12/0022—Manually-actuated controlling means, e.g. push buttons, levers or triggers associated with means for restricting their movement
    • B05B12/0024—Manually-actuated controlling means, e.g. push buttons, levers or triggers associated with means for restricting their movement to a single position
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B15/00—Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories
    • B05B15/14—Arrangements for preventing or controlling structural damage to spraying apparatus or its outlets, e.g. for breaking at desired places; Arrangements for handling or replacing damaged parts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B1/00—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
    • B05B1/30—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages
    • B05B1/3013—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages the controlling element being a lift valve

Definitions

  • Example embodiments generally relate to watering equipment and, more particularly, relate to a water applicator that employs compensating members to protect against frost or impulse.
  • Watering equipment includes such devices as hoses, hose reels, spray guns, spray nozzles, spray lances, water taps (or spigots) and the like. These devices are often used to apply water from the water tap to a garden, plant or other target using the hose along with some form of water application device (e.g., an applicator such as a spray gun, spray nozzle or spray lance).
  • an applicator such as a spray gun, spray nozzle or spray lance
  • Many of the components of a watering equipment system may be reconfigurable or relatively easily configured for use with various other components or devices. For example, quick connect assemblies may make it easy for hoses to be moved and for water application devices of different types or having different water application characteristics to be coupled to the hoses.
  • gardeners often prefer to leave certain portions of the system that are used most often in some sort of instantly ready, pre-configured state.
  • gardeners may leave a particular spray nozzle attached to a particular hose that is further attached to a particular water tap.
  • This particular setup may be frequently used (or at least most frequently used) or otherwise convenient for the gardener.
  • Some example embodiments may therefore provide a water application device that employs compensators to compensate for potential expansion of water left in the water application device when freezing conditions are encountered.
  • some embodiments may provide compensators that are capable of enduring repeated cycles of compression and that can be disposed in a flow channel of the water application device and left therein indefinitely. Accordingly, for example, if water is frozen in the flow channel any number of times, the compensator may be compressed (i.e., undergoing volumetric contraction) to compensate for the volumetric expansion of the freezing water and avoid possible damage to components of the device.
  • example embodiments described herein provide an improved design for a water application device.
  • example embodiments provides compensators disposed at one or more strategic locations within the body of the water application device to protect such locations and the components adjacent thereto.
  • the compensators or the devices are provided with features to facilitate keeping the compensators in place within the device.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a modular water application device 10 in accordance with an example embodiment.
  • the modular water application device 10 includes a main body 20, an operable member 30 and an applicator head 40.
  • the main body 20 is graspable along a portion thereof by an operator.
  • the graspable portion defines a handle portion 22 of the main body 20, and the handle portion 22 may be provided between an outlet portion 24 and an inlet potion 26.
  • the main body 20 houses a flow control assembly 50 configured to enable the device 10 to execute a control function relative to flow of water through the device 10 (e.g., from the inlet portion 26 to the outlet portion 24).
  • the flow control assembly 50 may include an on/off control assembly 52 and a volume control assembly 54.
  • the operable member 30 is attachable to the main body 20 to interface with the flow control assembly 50 to alternately start and stop flow through the device 10 based on a position of the operable member 30.
  • the operable member 30 may act as an operator to open or close (partially or fully) a valve or other flow control device in the flow control assembly 50.
  • the operable member 30 may interface with the on/off control assembly 52 of the flow control assembly 50.
  • the flow control assembly 50 may further enable a volume control function to be performed so that the flow can not only be turned on and off, but also modulated to at least some degree based on operator control.
  • the volume control assembly 54 may be an example of a structure to perform such a function. However, the volume control assembly 54 may be omitted in some examples. When employed, the volume control assembly 54 may be operated via a volume control member 60, which may be a lever, button, dial, or other operator for adjusting flow volume.
  • a volume control member 60 which may be a lever, button, dial, or other operator for adjusting flow volume.
  • the applicator head 40 may be attachable to an outlet portion 24 of the main body 20 to apply water passing through the applicator head 40 based on an application characteristic of the applicator head 40.
  • the applicator head 40 may be a selected one of a number of different applicator heads and each of the different applicator heads may have a different structure and/or configuration to support different flow application needs or desires.
  • the main body 20 may include or house a water channel that extends between the inlet and outlet portions 26 and 24.
  • the on/of control assembly 52 and the volume control assembly 54 may be disposed within the water channel to break the channel up into distinct spaces or areas. Water could collect in any of these areas and cause damage if a freeze or impulse event is encountered.
  • the water freezes it undergoes a volumetric expansion within a fixed volume defined by the distinct areas of the water channel and the components surrounding them (i.e., the internal functional components). Pressure increases in the fixed volume and, at some point if the pressure is sufficient, the water channel tube walls may crack, or perhaps more likely, the internal functional components may be damaged.
  • these potentially affected areas may be considered to be "critical areas" and they may include an entrance area disposed between the inlet portion 26 and the on/off control assembly 52, a middle area disposed between the on/off control assembly 52 and the volume control assembly 54, and an exit area disposed between the volume control assembly 54 and the outlet portion 24.
  • critical areas may include an entrance area disposed between the inlet portion 26 and the on/off control assembly 52, a middle area disposed between the on/off control assembly 52 and the volume control assembly 54, and an exit area disposed between the volume control assembly 54 and the outlet portion 24.
  • compensators in each of the critical areas.
  • some embodiments may not employ all of the flow control assembly 50 components distinctly (e.g., the volume control assembly 54 may be omitted), some embodiments may have only two critical areas.
  • critical area should be understood to correspond to a reservoir, space or other area of the water channel that is formed proximate to an internal functional component of the device 10.
  • the internal functional components may include components of the flow control assembly 50 and the applicator head 40 (e.g., the spray nozzle portions thereof).
  • the compensators are configured to protect against damage that may occur if water in the critical area is subjected to an impulse force or expansion due to freezing.
  • the compensators are inserted into the critical areas to provide a component that does not impact or interfere with flow through the device 10 during normal operation, but that can accommodate (or compensate) for volumetric expansion or other impact forces that water left in the critical area may potentially cause.
  • the compensator may readily undergo a volumetric contraction as water volumetrically expands during freezing.
  • the compensator may provide a sufficient amount of volumetric contraction to compensate for any volumetric expansion of the water.
  • the compensator may be resilient enough to provide protection over a plurality of cycles without degradation of the material forming the compensator.
  • the compensators may be made of a flexible and/or elastic material that is capable of absorbing repeated compression and expansion cycles without permanent deformation.
  • the compensators may be made of compressible material configured to enable the compensators to be compressed within the critical areas to increase an effective volume of the critical areas in response to freezing of water or water impulse to prevent damage to internal functional components of the device 10.
  • the compensators may be formed as hollow cylindrical tubes of the compressible material, and according to the invention the compensators fits in the critical areas and is compressible to increase the effective volume of the critical areas by at least 10%.
  • the compensators may enable the increase in volume of freezing water to be accommodated or compensated for by the compensators.
  • the compensators may be compressible sufficient to enable an increase in the effective volume of the critical areas by greater than 25%.
  • the compensators may be made of an elastomer such as a thermoplastic elastomer.
  • the compensators may have a plurality of enclosed gas volumes (e.g., gas bubbles) formed and distributed throughout the volume of the compensators.
  • the compensators may be embodied as a rubber-like, foam material that includes hollow enclosed cells therein.
  • the enclosed gas volumes i.e., the hollow enclosed cells
  • the enclosed gas volumes may be water impenetrable. These enclosed gas volumes may be compressible to allow the compensators to be compressed to allow for expansion of the water if ice is formed.
  • the increase in volume (i.e., volumetric expansion) of the water is therefore compensated for by corresponding volumetric compression of the compensator.
  • the enclosed gas volumes may expand to cause the compensator to undergo volumetric expansion while the water converts back to the liquid phase and has less volume.
  • a plurality of enclosed gas bubbles may be distributed in a foam like material, some embodiments may alternatively employ a rubber-like or other flexible material with just a few, or even one, compressible gas volume disposed therein.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a device 100 that forms one example of the device 10 shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the device 100 includes a main body 110 that is provided as an example of the main body 20 of FIG. 1 .
  • the main body 110 has an outlet portion 112 and inlet portion 114 that serve as examples of the outlet portion 24 and the inlet potion 26, respectively, of FIG. 1 .
  • the inlet portion 114 may have a threaded engagement to a quick coupling adaptor 116 that may couple to a hose connector.
  • the outlet portion 112 may be configured to mate with a selected on of a plurality of different applicators.
  • Applicator 120 is a specific example of the applicator 40 of FIG. 1 and of one of the different applicators that may mate with the outlet portion 112.
  • the main body 110 may be molded plastic, composite material, metal, or any other suitable material that has sufficient rigidity and can be formed to house chambers, components and/or devices to define a flow channel (or water channel) for water flow from inlet portion 114 to the outlet portion 112.
  • the flow channel may extend along an axis 118 of a handle portion 119 of the main body 110.
  • the outlet portion 112 may be formed along an outlet portion axis 113 that forms an angle relative to the axis 118 in some embodiments.
  • different main body structures may be selected to define corresponding different angles between the axes 118 and 113.
  • An attachment portion 132 may be provided at a rear part of the handle portion 119 to receive a cover assembly 150.
  • a volume control lever 162 may be provided at a receiver 160 of the cover assembly 150.
  • the cover assembly 150 may be provided without the receiver 160 and therefore also without the volume control lever 162 (or any volume control assembly 54).
  • trigger 140 may be provided as an example of the operable member 30 of FIG. 1 .
  • the trigger 140 may be pivotally mounted to the main body 110 between the inlet portion 114 and the intersection between the axes 118 and 113.
  • the pivot point of the trigger 140 is at an end of the trigger 140 corresponding or proximate to the inlet portion 114. It should be appreciated, however, that the pivot point could alternatively be placed at the other end of the trigger (i.e., such that the pivot point is located proximate to the intersection of the axis 118 and 113).
  • the end of the trigger 140 opposite the pivot point may alternatively be compressed toward the main body 110 and extended away from the main body 110 to adjust the on/off control assembly 52 to turn the device 100 on and off, respectively.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section view of the device 100 of FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the flow channel through which water flows from the inlet portion 114 to the outlet portion 112.
  • the flow channel of this example may include multiple critical areas such as an inlet area 200 and an outlet area.
  • the outlet area 210 may generally include and middle area 220.
  • the inlet area 200 may, in some cases, be considered to be the most critical.
  • the inlet area 200 may be situated between the inlet portion 114 and the on/off control assembly 52.
  • the on/off control assembly 52 may be a gate valve or other binary valve that is generally on or off (i.e., open or closed) and, in some cases, is not suited or used for throttling or modulating the level of flow.
  • the inlet area 200 may commonly be filled with pressurized water (e.g., if the tap is open) or with water that was pressurized and (particularly if the system has minimal leakage) still is somewhat pressurized as the water may be locked between the valve at the tap and the valve of the on/off control assembly 52. Accordingly, there is generally no pressure relief path in this region and thus a freeze event or pressure impulse event has less opportunity for mitigation without the inclusion of a compensator.
  • the outlet area may be situated between the nozzle of the applicator head 120 and the on/off control assembly 52. However, in some embodiments (e.g., particularly embodiments in which the volume control assembly 54 is included), the outlet area may be divided into two parts including a first outlet region 210 extending between the nozzle of the applicator head 120 and the volume control assembly 54, and a second outlet region 220 extending between the on/off control assembly 52 and the volume control assembly 54.
  • water may leak out of this region through the applicator head 120 if the device 100 happens to have an open nozzle in the applicator head 120 and is angled just right to permit all or most of the water to drain.
  • the device 100 dangles off a hose real or over another device at a disadvantageous angle for draining, if the volume control valve is positioned to retain water in the first outlet area 210 and/or if the nozzle is nearly closed, water may be retained in this region.
  • the nozzle is slightly open, cold air may easily be permitted to access the first outlet area 210 and freezing may be even more likely in this region.
  • the second outlet area 220 may be situated between the valves of the on/off control assembly 52 and the volume control assembly 54. In some cases, this may be considered the second most critical region because the on/off control assembly 52 would be assumed to be shut and, if the volume control assembly 54 is mostly shut and/or if the angle at which the device 100 lies is disadvantageous for draining, this area may be second most likely to present a poor opportunity for pressure relief as a freeze event occurs. However, as stated above, in embodiments where no volume control assembly 54 is included, this region may be essentially eliminated or combined with the first outlet area 210.
  • each of the critical areas may include or be formed to act as at least one compensator receiver.
  • the critical areas may be formed to receive at least one compensator.
  • the critical areas may be formed as or to include one or multiple compensator receivers.
  • FIG. 4 which includes FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C , illustrates views of compensators in accordance with an example embodiment.
  • FIG. 4A which shows an exploded, perspective view of a compensator 300 and internal periphery 310 of a portion of a critical area, taken in cross section along the axial direction, according to an example embodiment.
  • FIG. 4B illustrates a cross section view of the compensator 300 taken along a line perpendicular to the axis of the compensator 300.
  • FIG. 4C illustrates a cross section view of the compensator 300' having at least one annular rib 340' taken along the axial direction.
  • FIG. 4D illustrates an alternative view of an alternative design of the assembly in FIG. 4A . In this regard, FIG. 4D illustrates retention ribs on the critical area and the compensator 300".
  • FIG. 4E illustrates a top view of another example embodiment in which an alternative compensator 300'" is provided.
  • the compensator 300 may have a substantially hollow cylindrical body, and the critical area may be defined by substantially hollow cylindrical portions of the flow channel.
  • the compensator receiver 320 may simply be a portion of the flow channel (e.g., portions of a tubular part of the flow channel) that is of sufficient length to house or receive the compensator 300.
  • the compensator receiver 320 may simply be embodied as a portion of the flow channel that is about the length of a compensator.
  • the compensator receiver 320 need not be defined by any other particular features. It should also be appreciated that the compensator 300 need not necessarily have a hollow cylindrical shape in all cases.
  • a compensator could be provided with nearly any shape that permits flow through the flow channel yet still holds the compensator in the flow channel to undergo volumetric contraction when needed.
  • the compensator may actually take the shape of half of a hollow cylinder (e.g., matching that which is shown in FIG. 4A instead of the compensator portion shown in FIG. 4A being just half of the whole compensator 300) or any other suitable shape.
  • the compensator 300 has an internal diameter d1 and an external diameter d2.
  • the compensator 300 may have a length (e.g., in the axial direction) of L.
  • the internal periphery of the critical area 310 may have a diameter d3.
  • the diameter d3 may be slightly smaller than the diameter d2.
  • the compensator 300 may have to be slightly compressed to fit into the compensator receiver 320, and the force exerted on the internal periphery of the critical area 310 by the compensator 300 may be sufficient to hold the compensator 300 in place when flow passes through the flow channel or during an assembly process in which the compensator 300 is inserted into the device (e.g., device 10 or 100).
  • the manufacturing process for making the compensator 300 may result in a some range of sizes being generated.
  • many compensators may be enabled to fit snugly within the critical area 310 (with or without compression).
  • some compensators may still have an external diameter d2 that is slightly smaller than the diameter d3 of the internal periphery of the critical area 310.
  • These smaller compensators may still be useable, as they may still provide a capability to accommodate a volumetric expansion of at least 10% to compensate for a freeze event.
  • the fact that the smaller compensators are allowed to move axially within the flow channel is not impactful on the performance of the compensators.
  • the fact that the internal periphery of the critical area 310 need not necessarily have any defining feature to physically define the compensator receiver 320 makes the accommodation of various lengths a trivial matter relative to the design of the components of the system. Quite simply put, the system is engineered to accommodate tolerances of at least some amount relative to the sizes of the compensators.
  • the flow channel may essentially be defined by the internal periphery of the critical area 310 when no compensator is provided.
  • the flow channel may be defined by the hollow center region of the compensator 300.
  • the compensator 300 may be configured to be compressible so that the internal diameter d1 expands to accommodate the volume increase of the water expansion.
  • the external diameter d2 happens to be smaller than the diameter d3 of the internal periphery of the critical area 310 so that some (e.g., small) amount of water flows between the wall defining the internal periphery of the critical area 310 and the external periphery of the compensator, then it should be understood that the external diameter d2 may decrease also due to expansion of the water between the wall defining the internal periphery of the critical area 310 and the external periphery of the compensator.
  • the compensator may be compressible outwardly or inwardly in the radial direction.
  • the compensator receiver 320 need not be defined by physical features, in some cases, the compensator receiver 320 may include additional features, such as features that are configured to facilitate holding the compensator 300 placed therein in a relatively fixed arrangement relative to the flow channel.
  • the compensator receiver 320 may be configured to include retention ribs 330 that may extend along the internal periphery of the critical area 310' in an axial direction (i.e., parallel to the longitudinal length of the flow channel).
  • the retention ribs could alternatively be annular in shape (as shown in dashed lines by ribs 330') and extend around all or portions of the internal periphery of the flow channel lying in planes that are substantially perpendicular to the axial direction.
  • annular rings could be provided at respective longitudinal ends of the compensator 300 to define the length of the compensator receiver 320 and inhibit movement of the compensator 300 in the axial direction.
  • FIG. 4D shows one example of a longitudinally extending retention rib 340 that may run along the external periphery of the compensator 300". Although the retention rib 340 runs the entire length of the compensator 300", it is not necessary for the retention rib 340 to extend over the entire length.
  • the retention rib 340 could only extend over a portion of the length of the compensator 300", or the retention rib 340 could be a relatively small feature (e.g., a raised dot or bump) and the small features may be arranged to form a line or annulus to define retention ribs. In some cases, multiple such retention ribs 340 could be repeated extending parallel to each other.
  • the main body portion of the compensator 300 may have a diameter d2 that is less than d3, but the retention rib(s) 340 may create an effective external diameter of the compensator 300 that is at least as large as, or larger than, d3.
  • the compensator 300 itself may easily fit in the compensator receiver 320 without compression and only the retention rib(s) 340 may be compressed for a snug fit with the compensator receiver 320.
  • FIG. 4C illustrates an example of an annular shaped retention rib 340' extending around the external periphery of the compensator 300'.
  • the retention rib 340' may be disposed at portion of the compensator 300' that is spaced apart from the longitudinal ends thereof.
  • the retention rib (or ribs) 340' could be provided at or near the ends as well.
  • more than the single retention ribs shown of various example types in FIG. 4C and FIG. 4D could also be included in some embodiments.
  • the retention ribs shown could be duplicated any desirable number of times (or in any desirable combination) so that a plurality of retention ribs (of the same or different types) may be employed in some cases.
  • the types and numbers of retention ribs (e.g., ribs 330 and 330') used in the compensator receiver 320 could also be varied for use alone or in combination with retention ribs (e.g., 340 and 340') provided on the compensator (300' or 300").
  • retention ribs e.g., 340 and 340'
  • one or the other of the compensator receiver 320 or the compensator 300/300'/300" may be provided with at least one slot provided in a surface thereof, and the slot may be configured to receive a corresponding retention rib.
  • the internal periphery and/or the external periphery of the compensator 300' may change somewhat over the length of the compensator 300'.
  • FIG. 4C illustrates an example in which the internal diameter d1 decreases slightly over the length of the compensator 300' to reduce to a value d1'.
  • the external diameter d2 may decrease slightly proximate to one end of the compensator 300'.
  • the external diameter d2 may be substantially the same over the length of the compensator 300' except at the retention rib 340' and at the end of the compensator 300', where it may be reduced to the external diameter d2'.
  • the inner and/or outer diameter of the compensator 300' may taper, decrease or otherwise change over the length of the compensator 300' in the axial direction. Such changes may be by design or the result of manufacturing tolerances.
  • the tapering may facilitate placement of the compensator 300' into the compensator receiver 320.
  • a tapered end of the compensator 300' may be provided at a downstream portion of the critical area relative to the normal direction of flow through the device. However, it should be appreciated that tapering could also occur at each longitudinal end of the compensator 300.
  • FIG. 4E shows an example of a compensator 300'" with tapering toward both longitudinal ends.
  • FIG. 4E further shows retention ribs 340" that increase in both width and depth as they proceed toward the ends of the compensator 300"'.
  • These expanding retention ribs 340" may account for the tapering to give the compensator 300'" a diameter d2 that is less than d3 except that the diameter measured through the retention ribs 340" may be larger than d3.
  • FIG. 4E also shows that the annular retention ribs 340'" need not be continuous. Instead, a series of dots or bumps arranged in an annular pattern may form a separate type of retention ribs 340"' that can be used instead of or in addition to the longitudinally extending retention ribs 340".
  • the device 100 may be provided with one or more compensators 300 positioned in critical areas to protect the device 100. By adding protection against the frost or impulse damage, the device 100 may be made more robust and durable.
  • another aspect of an example embodiment may further include the ability to make the device 100 (or at least the protective capabilities instituted in the device 100) modular in nature. As such, during assembly, a group of parts may be mass produced and the parts may be selectively combined to define various different device configurations. The different configurations may define different levels of protection that are afforded by the corresponding different constituent parts. In some cases, a single type and size of compensator may be mass produces and then inserted into the device 100 in selected locations to define different levels of protection. Different grades of product can therefore be produced without need for different tooling for each device with a different level of protection. As such, in some embodiments, a modular device assembly kit may be provided with all of the parts to be selected in desirable combinations.
  • the number and/or type of compensators included in the device 100 may define corresponding different configurations.
  • an unprotected configuration may essentially be defined by the design of FIG. 3 .
  • a first configuration of a protected design is provided.
  • FIG. 5A illustrates the first configuration and, the first and second outlet areas 210 and 220 do not include any compensator 300.
  • FIG. 5B illustrates a second configuration in which the first compensator 302 is provided along with a second compensator 304 disposed within the critical area corresponding to the second outlet area 220.
  • the first outlet area 210 is devoid of any compensator 300.
  • FIG. 5C illustrates a third configuration in which a third compensator 306 is provided in the first outlet area 210 (i.e., closes to the nozzle of the applicator head 120).
  • the critical area may be large enough to house two compensators (e.g., therefore including two compensator receivers).
  • FIG. 5D it is also possible to include a fourth configuration, which is shown in FIG. 5D , in which a fourth compensator 308 is added into the first outlet area 210.
  • the compensators may be interchangeable and mass produced so that any selected number can be placed in any desirable configuration from the least protected (e.g., the first configuration in which only the most critical of the critical areas is protected) to the most protected (e.g., the fourth configuration in which all critical areas are protected - and one such area has double protection).
  • a water application device may be provided in accordance with some example embodiments.
  • the retention rib may be disposed in a periphery of the critical area to extend inwardly into a portion of the flow channel.
  • the retention rib may be provided to extend substantially parallel to an axis of the flow channel.
  • the retention rib may be annular in shape and extend in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axis of the flow channel.
  • a plurality of such retention ribs may be provided in the critical area.
  • the retention rib may be disposed on an external periphery of the compensator.
  • the retention rib may be provided to extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the compensator.
  • the retention rib may b e annular in shape and extends around an external periphery of the compensator in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the compensator.
  • (8) a plurality of retention ribs may be provided in on the external periphery of the compensator.
  • the flow channel may include a substantially hollow cylindrical tube
  • the compensator may define a substantially hollow cylindrical body configured to fit in the critical area.
  • the compensator may be compressible to increase the effective volume of the critical area by at least 10% or even at least 25%.
  • the compensator may be formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.
  • the compensator includes a plurality of hollow enclosed cells distributed throughout a volume of the compensator.
  • the hollow enclosed cells are water impenetrable.
  • an external diameter of the compensator may taper at one longitudinal end of the compensator.

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Claims (15)

  1. Wasserapplikationsvorrichtung (10/100) zum Ausbringen von Wasser in einem Gartenbewässerungssystem, wobei die Vorrichtung (10/100) umfasst:
    einen Hauptkörper (20/110), der entlang eines Griffabschnitts (22/119) davon von einem Bediener ergriffen werden kann, wobei der Hauptkörper (20/110) eine Durchflusssteueranordnung (50) aufnimmt, die so eingerichtet ist, dass es der Vorrichtung (10/100) ermöglicht ist, eine Steuerfunktion bezüglich des Wasserflusses durch die Vorrichtung (10/100) auszuführen;
    ein bedienbares Element (30/140), das betriebsmäßig mit dem Hauptkörper (20/110) gekoppelt ist, um mit der Durchflusssteueranordnung (50) in Verbindung zu stehen, um abwechselnd den Durchfluss durch die Vorrichtung (10/100) breitzustellen und zu stoppen; und
    einen Strömungskanal, der innerhalb des Hauptkörpers (20/110) ausgebildet ist, um einen Strömungsweg zwischen einem Einlassabschnitt (26/114) und einem Auslassabschnitt (24/112) der Vorrichtung (10/100) zu definieren, wobei der Strömungskanal mindestens einen kritischen Bereich (310) definiert, in dem sich Wasser sammeln kann, wenn die Wasserapplikationsvorrichtung kein Wasser ausbringt,
    wobei der kritische Bereich (310) mindestens einen Ausgleichsempfänger (320) enthält, der eingerichtet ist, um einen Ausgleicher (300) zu empfangen, der komprimierbares Material umfasst, das eingerichtet ist, um es dem Ausgleicher (300) zu ermöglichen, innerhalb des kritischen Bereichs (310) komprimiert zu werden, um ein effektives Volumen des kritischen Bereichs (310) zu erhöhen,
    wobei entweder der Ausgleicher (300) oder der kritische Bereich (310) mit mindestens einer Rückhalterippe (330 oder 340) versehen ist, um das Halten des Ausgleichers (300) in dem kritischen Bereich (310) zu erleichtern, und
    wobei sich einer oder beide eines inneren und äußeren Durchmessers des Ausgleichers (300) entlang einer Länge des Ausgleichers (300) in Längsrichtung verändert.
  2. Vorrichtung (10/100) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Rückhalterippe (330) in einem Umfang des kritischen Bereichs (310) angeordnet ist, um sich nach innen in einen Abschnitt des Strömungskanals zu erstrecken.
  3. Vorrichtung (10/100) nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Rückhalterippe (330) so vorgesehen ist, dass sie sich im Wesentlichen parallel zu einer Achse des Strömungskanals erstreckt.
  4. Vorrichtung (10/100) nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Rückhalterippe (330') ringförmig ist und sich in einer Ebene im Wesentlichen senkrecht zu einer Achse des Strömungskanals erstreckt.
  5. Vorrichtung (10/100) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Rückhalterippe (340) an einem äußeren Umfang des Ausgleichers (300) angeordnet ist.
  6. Vorrichtung (10/100) nach Anspruch 5, wobei die Rückhalterippe (340) so vorgesehen ist, dass sie sich im Wesentlichen parallel zu einer Längsachse des Ausgleichers (300") erstreckt.
  7. Vorrichtung (10/100) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Strömungskanal eine im Wesentlichen hohlzylindrische Röhre umfasst und wobei der Ausgleicher (300) einen im Wesentlichen hohlzylindrischen Körper definiert, der so eingerichtet ist, dass er in den kritischen Bereich (310) passt.
  8. Vorrichtung (10/100) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Ausgleicher (300) aus einem thermoplastischen Elastomer gebildet ist.
  9. Vorrichtung (10/100) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Ausgleicher (300) eine Vielzahl von hohlen eingeschlossenen Zellen umfasst, die über ein Volumen des Ausgleichers (300) verteilt sind.
  10. Vorrichtung (10/100) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei sich ein Außendurchmesser (d2) des Ausgleichers (300) an einem Längsende des Ausgleichers (300) verjüngt.
  11. Ausgleicher (300) zum Einführen in einen kritischen Bereich (310) einer Wasserapplikationsvorrichtung (10/100) zum Ausbringen von Wasser in einem Gartenbewässerungssystem, wobei der kritische Bereich (310) einen Bereich in einem Strömungskanal der Vorrichtung (10/100) darstellt, in dem sich Wasser sammeln kann, wenn die Vorrichtung (10/100) kein Wasser ausbringt, wobei der Ausgleicher komprimierbares Material umfasst, das eingerichtet ist, um es dem Ausgleicher (300) zu ermöglichen, innerhalb des kritischen Bereichs komprimiert zu werden, um einen effektives Volumen des kritischen Bereichs (310) zu erhöhen, und mindestens eine Rückhalterippe (330 oder 340) an einem äußeren Umfang des Ausgleichers (300), um das Halten des Ausgleichers (300) in dem kritischen Bereich (310) zu erleichtern,
    wobei sich einer oder beide eines inneren und äußeren Durchmessers des Ausgleichers (300) entlang einer Länge des Ausgleichers (300) in Längsrichtung verändert,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    der Ausgleicher (300) komprimierbar ist, um das effektive Volumen des kritischen Bereichs (310) um mindestens 10% zu erhöhen,
    und wobei der Ausgleicher (300) eine oder ein Vilezahl von hohlen eingeschlossenen Zellen umfasst, die über ein Volumen des Ausgleichers (300) verteilt sind, und wobei die hohlen eingeschlossenen Zellen wasserundurchlässig sind.
  12. Ausgleicher (300) nach Anspruch 11, wobei die Rückhalterippe (340) so vorgesehen ist, dass sie sich im Wesentlichen parallel zu einer Längsachse des Ausgleichers (300") erstreckt.
  13. Ausgleicher (300) nach Anspruch 11, wobei die Rückhalterippe (340') ringförmig ist und sich um einen äußeren Umfang des Ausgleichers (300') in einer Ebene im Wesentlichen senkrecht zu einer Längsachse des Ausgleichers (300') erstreckt.
  14. Ausgleicher (300) nach einem der Ansprüche 11-13, wobei der Strömungskanal eine im Wesentlichen hohlzylindrische Röhre umfasst und wobei der Ausgleicher (300) einen im Wesentlichen hohlzylindrischen Körper definiert, der so eingerichtet ist, dass er in den kritischen Bereich (310) passt.
  15. Ausgleicher (300) nach einem der Ansprüche 11-14, wobei der Ausgleicher (300) aus einem thermoplastischen Elastomer gebildet ist.
EP14713424.1A 2014-03-20 2014-03-20 Frostkompensator für eine wasserapplikationsvorrichtung Active EP3119945B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2014/055647 WO2015139759A1 (en) 2014-03-20 2014-03-20 Frost compensator for a water application device

Publications (2)

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EP3119945A1 EP3119945A1 (de) 2017-01-25
EP3119945B1 true EP3119945B1 (de) 2018-08-15

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EP (1) EP3119945B1 (de)
CN (1) CN106103855A (de)
TW (1) TWI652985B (de)
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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5445954A (en) * 1977-08-24 1979-04-11 Masahiro Tagami Method of fixing inserting body of tool of preventing bursting of water pipe in case of freezing
DE3534274A1 (de) * 1985-09-26 1987-04-02 Basf Ag Verfahren zur sicherung von leitungen, armaturen u. dgl. gegen bersten infolge druckaufbaus beim einfrieren
GB2342420A (en) * 1998-10-08 2000-04-12 Ray Ian Swinfield Means in a pipe or hollow body to prevent damage by over-pressure
DE10051111A1 (de) * 2000-10-14 2002-04-25 Brugg Rohrsysteme Gmbh Thermisch isoliertes, flexibles Leitungsrohr
DE10058015A1 (de) * 2000-11-23 2002-05-29 Bosch Gmbh Robert Dosierventil
CN201442703U (zh) * 2008-11-29 2010-04-28 王辉国 内置弹性材料的水暖配件
CN202302385U (zh) * 2011-10-18 2012-07-04 李扬德 一种防爆裂水管及用于该防爆裂水管的接头
CN202298758U (zh) * 2011-10-28 2012-07-04 周志昌 防冻水管
JP5619053B2 (ja) * 2012-03-05 2014-11-05 株式会社タカギ 散水ノズル
CN203096822U (zh) * 2012-12-28 2013-07-31 东晨阳光(北京)太阳能科技有限公司 防冻裂水管

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WO2015139759A1 (en) 2015-09-24
TWI652985B (zh) 2019-03-11
CN106103855A (zh) 2016-11-09
EP3119945A1 (de) 2017-01-25
TW201536164A (zh) 2015-10-01

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