Sensor Probe Seal for Reliable Fluid Containment
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Summary
Problems
Sensor probes used in bio-pharmaceutical containers often experience fluid leakage when inserted, leading to contamination and unusable product due to the inability to form a reliable seal, causing messy and undesirable conditions during disassembly.
Innovation solutions
A unique probe seal system comprising spaced-apart inner and outer skirts with a seal member that compresses against the sensor probe and stem passageway, forming a fluid-tight seal by using a flexible polymeric material and a cable tie to attach the outer skirt to the stem, preventing fluid leakage from the processing chamber.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If a sensor probe is inserted into the processing chamber through a port, then the sensor can measure conditions in the chamber, but fluid leaks past the probe and accumulates in the sleeve surrounding the probe
Why choose this principle:
The seal assembly is divided into multiple functional components: an outer skirt that interfaces with the port, an inner skirt that interfaces with the sensor probe, and a seal member positioned between them. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function – the outer skirt provides structural support and positioning, the inner skirt guides the probe and maintains sealing pressure, and the seal member creates the actual fluid barrier between the probe and port.
Principle concept:
If a sensor probe is inserted into the processing chamber through a port, then the sensor can measure conditions in the chamber, but fluid leaks past the probe and accumulates in the sleeve surrounding the probe
Why choose this principle:
The seal member is made of a flexible material that can deform to conform to the sensor probe surface and maintain continuous sealing contact. This flexibility allows the seal to accommodate variations in probe diameter and positioning while preventing fluid leakage, resolving the contradiction between maintaining measurement access and preventing fluid escape.
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
A unique probe seal system comprising spaced-apart inner and outer skirts with a seal member that compresses against the sensor probe and stem passageway, forming a fluid-tight seal by using a flexible polymeric material and a cable tie to attach the outer skirt to the stem, preventing fluid leakage from the processing chamber.
Abstract
A sealing system is provided for preventing leakage of a fluid from a fluid-containing chamber when a sensor probe for measuring fluid conditions within the chamber is inserted into the chamber. The sealing system has at least one port in fluid communication with the fluid-containing chamber. The port has a stem projecting outwardly from the chamber, a tapered flange, and a stem passageway in fluid communication with the chamber interior. A probe seal which is adapted to attach to the stem forms a seal between the port and the sensor probe and prevents fluid in the processing chamber from leaking past the probe seal. The probe seal has spaced-apart inner and outer skirts. The inner skirt forms a seal passageway which is in fluid communication with the chamber, and an inner end disposed to enter the stem passageway when the probe seal is attached to the stem. The inner skirt has a seal member disposed near the inner end for sealably compressing against the probe sensor and the stem passageway to form a leak-tight seal in response to insertion of the sensor probe into the seal passageway. The inner and outer skirt also form a skirt channel adapted to receive the tapered flange of the stem when the inner skirt is inserted into the stem passageway.