Air Sampling Apparatus with Filter Housing and Flexible Bag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sampling and analyzing compressed air/gas from high-pressure storage tanks are inefficient, as they require bulky containers for sample collection and transportation, leading to delays in obtaining timely and accurate test results for ensuring air quality and safety in diving, firefighting, and industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
An air/gas sampling apparatus with a filter housing and sample bag system that captures 100% of the air/gas sample, using a filter pad to remove contaminants, and a quick-release coupler for easy connection and disconnection, allowing for portable and safe transportation of the sample to laboratories for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bulky containers are used for sample collection and transportation, then sample containment is ensured, but portability and transportation efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible sampling bag made of thin film material to collect and contain compressed air samples. This flexible shell approach provides sufficient containment reliability while being lightweight and portable, directly resolving the contradiction between reliable sample containment and portability. The thin film structure maintains sample integrity without the bulk of rigid containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling apparatus integrates multiple components in a nested configuration where the sampling bag is contained within the filter housing assembly, which itself connects to the high-pressure adapter. This nesting principle allows the entire sampling system to be compact and portable while maintaining all necessary containment functions.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional sampling containers are used, then sample collection is achieved, but transportation safety and ease of handling worsen due to bulk and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sampling bag provides safe and easy transportation by eliminating the rigidity and bulk of traditional containers. The flexible material naturally conforms to handling requirements and can be safely transported without the hazards associated with rigid, bulky sampling vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling bag is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for complex cleaning, sterilization, or maintenance procedures, significantly improving ease of operation and transportation safety while ensuring sample integrity through dedicated single-use design.
3Productivity
If samples are collected without filtration, then collection speed is maintained, but sample purity and representativeness deteriorate due to contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The filter housing with integrated filter element performs preliminary filtration of the compressed air sample before it enters the sampling bag. This preliminary action removes contaminants in advance, ensuring sample purity and representativeness without significantly impacting collection speed, as the filtration occurs concurrently with the sampling process.
4Reliability
If complex sampling systems are used, then comprehensive sampling is achieved, but device complexity and ease of connection worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the filter housing, sampling bag, and high-pressure adapter into an integrated sampling apparatus. This combination achieves comprehensive sampling with filtration and proper high-pressure connection while reducing overall device complexity and improving ease of connection compared to separate, multi-component systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses the filter element for contamination removal, provides structural support for the sampling bag, and interfaces with the high-pressure adapter. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying connections while maintaining sampling accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures accurate and timely analysis of air/gas samples by providing a representative, contaminant-free sample that is safe for transport and testing, reducing delays and ensuring the quality and safety of breathing air for divers and firefighters, and maintaining proper gas ratios.
Implementation Method 1
A filter pad is positioned within the filter housing to remove contaminants from the air/gas sample stream.
Data Source
AI summary
An air/gas sampling apparatus is used to retrieve, store, and ship an air/gas sample from a high-pressure air/gas source. The air/gas sampling apparatus includes a filter housing having a filter housing inlet segment and a filter housing outlet segment. The filter housing inlet segment has an inlet orifice and defines a flow restrictor passage and is removably connected to the filter housing outlet segment, defining a filter chamber at a flow restrictor passage outlet where the filter chamber holds a filter pad. As the entirety of the air/gas sample flows into the flow restrictor passage and through the filter pad to ensure the quality of the test of the air sample, the flow restrictor passage reduces the air/gas sample flowing to the filter chamber. The filtered air/gas sample is consequently delivered to and stored in a sample bag that may be shipped to a testing facility for analysis.