Adapter Assembly for Gas-Tight Current Feedthrough Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical heating devices for fuel cell systems, such as electrically heatable metal catalysts, face issues with gas leaks due to inadequate sealing at the power connection, which compromises the gas-tight conduction of electrical current into the catalyst housing.
Innovation Solution
An adapter arrangement that includes a housing with a cover and insulating means for gas-tight sealing, using a container sealing means to attach the housing to the gas container, and a housing sealing means to prevent gas leakage, allowing for contact-free removal of the power connection and electrical insulation between components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a power connection is used to conduct electrical current into the gas container, then electrical conductivity is achieved, but gas leakage occurs due to inadequate sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly is divided into multiple functional components: a housing for structural support, a bearing means for electrical connection, a housing sealing means for gas-tight sealing, and insulating means for electrical insulation. Each component performs a specific function, and together they resolve the contradiction by separating the electrical conduction function from the sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing sealing means acts as an intermediary element between the power connection and the gas container environment. It provides a gas-tight barrier while allowing the power connection to pass through, thus preventing gas leakage without compromising electrical conductivity.
2Reliability
If a complex sealing structure is used to prevent gas leakage, then gas-tight sealing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the bearing means, supports the housing sealing means, and provides mounting for the insulating means. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining gas-tight sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing means is positioned within the housing, and the housing sealing means is positioned within the housing around the power connection. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional elements to be compactly integrated without requiring separate external structures, reducing device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to an adapter arrangement (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d; 10e; 10f) for the gas-tight channelling of electrical current into a gas container (11), wherein the gas container (11) comprises a projection-like current connection (12) which, to channel the electrical current into the gas container (11), extends from an inner volume (40) of the gas container (11) beyond an outer surface (13) of the gas container (11), comprising: a housing (14) for at least partially enclosing the current connection (12) in a circumferential direction of the current connection (12), wherein the housing (14) has a cover (15) with a through-opening (16) for leading the current connection (12) out of the housing (14) in a contact-free manner; a container sealing means (18) for the gas-tight fastening of the housing (14) to the gas container (11); a bearing means (19) for fastening to the current connection (12) within the housing (14); a first insulating means (20) for positioning at least partially between the bearing means (19) and the cover (15) within the housing (14) for electrical insulation between the bearing means (19) and the cover (15); a housing sealing means (21) for fastening to the current connection (12) led out of the housing (14) in order to seal a gap (22) between the current connection (12) and the cover (15); and a second insulating means (23) for positioning at least partially between the housing sealing means (21) and the cover (15) outside the housing (14) for electrical insulation between the housing sealing means (21) and the cover (15). The invention also relates to a component assembly (100) comprising a gas container (11) and an adapter arrangement (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d; 10e; 10f) according to the invention that is fastened thereto.