IP Library Granted Patent US 12,467,488
Granted Patent B2
US 12,467,488 · App. 18/207,785 · Granted Nov 11, 2025

Fluid distribution method for producing a fluid distribution system

Inventor: David Ehrenberger (Königsbach-Stein, DE)
Assignee: Witzenmann GmbH
F15D1/025F16L41/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,467,488
App. No.
18/207,785
Granted
Nov 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fluid distribution system ( 1 ) having a main distribution line ( 2 ) and a number of branch lines ( 7 ), which branch lines ( 7 ) branch off in each case from the main line ( 2 ). A throttle device ( 8 ) is arranged in at least one branch line ( 7 ), and the throttle device ( 8 ) is formed by at least a local deformation of the relevant branch line ( 7 ). A method for producing such a fluid distribution system ( 1 ) is likewise provided.

Claims (26)

1 . A fluid distribution system ( 1 ), comprising:

a main distribution line ( 2 );

a plurality of branch lines ( 7 ), said branch lines ( 7 ) branch off in each case from the main line ( 2 ); and

a plurality of throttle devices ( 8 ), each said throttle device ( 8 ) being arranged in one of the respective branch lines ( 7 ) of the plurality of branch lines ( 7 ),

wherein each throttle device ( 8 ) is formed by at least a local, permanent deformation of the respective branch line ( 7 );

wherein each local deformation is formed in an individualized manner on said respective branch line ( 7 ) that includes a respective one of the throttle devices ( 8 ) of the plurality of throttle devices ( 8 ); and

wherein each throttle device ( 8 ) is formed to have individual characteristics, in the respective branch line ( 7 ) at a corresponding position of the respective branch line ( 7 ) along the main distribution line ( 2 ), by variation of at least one of a deformation depth or length, to control a mass flow to a consumer connected or adapted to be connected to the respective branch line ( 7 ).

2 . The fluid distribution system ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each local deformation is formed by mechanical action on the respective branch line ( 7 ) from an outside of each respective branch line ( 7 ).

3 . The fluid distribution system ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each local deformation includes a cross-sectional change to the respective branch line ( 7 ).

4 . The fluid distribution system ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each local deformation comprises at least a maximal deformation depth and a deformation length.

5 . The fluid distribution system ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of branch lines ( 7 ) are formed identically in terms of respective cross-sections thereof, except for the local deformations.

6 . The fluid distribution system ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each local deformation is formed in a cross-section of the respective branch line ( 7 ) in a radially symmetrical manner about a center point (M) of the cross-section of the respective branch line ( 7 ).

7 . The fluid distribution system ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 6 , wherein each local deformation forms a star-shaped configuration of the cross-section of the respective branch line ( 7 ), and the star shape has at least three points ( 7 a ).

8 . The fluid distribution system ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the points ( 7 a ) are arranged symmetrically over a circumference of the respective branch line ( 7 ).

9 . The fluid distribution system ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the respective branch lines ( 7 ) of the plurality of branch lines ( 7 ) that have the respective throttle device ( 8 ) are arranged between the main distribution line ( 2 ) and respective line elements ( 9 ) which proceeds away from the main distribution line ( 2 ).

10 . The fluid distribution system ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the respective branch lines ( 7 ) of the plurality of branch lines ( 7 ) that have the respective throttle devices ( 8 ) are inserted with one end ( 7 b ) into an opening or into an extrusion ( 6 ) in the main distribution line ( 2 ), and the respective line element ( 9 ) is inserted into another end ( 7 c ) of the respective branch line ( 7 ).

11 . A method for producing a fluid distribution system ( 1 ) comprised of a main distribution line ( 2 ) and a plurality of branch lines ( 7 ), said branch lines ( 7 ) branching off in each case from the main line ( 2 ), the method comprising:

connecting the plurality of branch lines ( 7 ) to the main line ( 2 ), and

forming at least one throttle device ( 8 ) in at least one of the branch lines ( 7 ) by at least locally, permanently deforming the at least one branch line ( 7 ),

wherein connecting the at least one branch line ( 7 ) that is to be deformed occurs prior to forming the at least one throttle device ( 8 ).

12 . The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the deforming is carried out by mechanical pushing in of the branch line ( 7 ) from an outside.

13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising supporting the at least one branch line ( 7 ) from an inside thereof,

wherein the supporting occurs simultaneously with forming the at least one throttle device ( 8 ).

14 . The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the plurality of the branch lines ( 7 ) are individually connected to the main line ( 2 ) and subsequently individually deformed, the plurality of the branch lines ( 7 ) having substantially identical cross-sections prior to being deformed.

15 . The method as claimed in claim 11 , further comprising inserting a further line element ( 9 ) into a free end ( 7 c ) of the at least one branch line ( 7 ) prior to the deforming.

16 . The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein a plurality of the branch lines ( 7 ) are deformed, and the deforming of each said respective branch line ( 7 ) is carried out in an individualized manner at each said branch line ( 7 ) in order to control a mass flow to a consumer connected to the respective branch line ( 7 ).

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 17, 2023
From: EHRENBERGER, DAVID
To: WITZENMANN GMBH
Reel/Frame 065598/0813 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 102022114845.9 · Jun 13, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230400045A1 · Dec 14, 2023
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