Auxiliary Pipe Valve Seal for Vacuum Freeze-Drying
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum freeze-drying apparatuses experience decreased vacuum performance due to air leaks caused by frozen particles adhering to the valve seat, leading to inefficient operation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an auxiliary pipe with bellows and a moving device that reciprocates within the main pipe, along with sealing members to prevent particle adherence and maintain vacuum integrity, allowing for improved sealing performance and efficient particle transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If frozen particles are transferred through the main pipe into the collection tank, then particle transfer efficiency is improved, but frozen particles adhere to the valve seat causing air leaks and vacuum performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
A protective cap is introduced as an intermediary component that temporarily receives frozen particles during transfer, preventing direct contact with the valve seat. The cap acts as a mediator between the particle flow and the sealing surface, allowing efficient particle transfer while maintaining vacuum integrity by blocking particles from adhering to the valve seat.
2Reliability
If the valve element is pressed against the valve seat to block the first opening, then sealing is improved, but frozen particles become sandwiched causing gaps and air leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap serves as an intermediary that prevents frozen particles from being trapped between the valve element and valve seat. By providing a receiving space for particles before valve closure, the cap eliminates the harmful effect of particle sandwiching that would otherwise create sealing gaps and cause air leaks.
3Ease of manufacture
If the valve seat is exposed to frozen particles during transfer, then particle transfer is simplified, but the valve seat becomes contaminated leading to increased maintenance and reduced productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cap functions as a temporary holding chamber that simplifies the transfer process by providing a designated space for particles, while simultaneously protecting the valve seat from contamination. This intermediary structure maintains operational efficiency by preventing particle adhesion to critical components, thereby reducing maintenance requirements.
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
Enhanced sealing performance maintains the vacuum environment, improving the productivity and efficiency of the vacuum freeze-drying process by preventing particle adherence and leaks.
Implementation Method 1
Vacuum evacuation units 113a and 113b are connected to the vacuum tank 111 and the collection tank 112, respectively; and vacuum ambiences are created within the vacuum tank 111 and the collection tank 112.
Implementation Method 2
When a raw material liquid is injected from an injector 116 into the vacuum tank 111, which has been vacuum evacuated, a liquid component evaporates from the injected raw material liquid, the raw material liquid is instantaneously cooled, and frozen particles are produced.
Implementation Method 3
When a raw material liquid is injected from an injector 116 into the vacuum tank 111, which has been vacuum evacuated, a liquid component evaporates from the injected raw material liquid, the raw material liquid is instantaneously cooled, and frozen particles are produced.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A technology for protecting a valve seat inside a collection tank from the adherence of frozen particles in a vacuum freeze-drying apparatus and a frozen particle manufacturing method. The inside of a vacuum tank 11 and a collection tank 12 are vacuum evacuated, a raw material liquid is injected into the vacuum tank 11 to produce frozen particles, and the frozen particles are piled up on a surface of a heating/cooling shelf 17. After a first opening 22 of a main pipe 21 which is exposed inside the collection tank 12 is opened, an auxiliary pipe 31 inserted into the main pipe 21 is moved to a position where the bottom end of the auxiliary pipe 31 protrudes to the outside of the main pipe 21 through the first opening 22. When the frozen particles on the heating/cooling shelf 17 are transferred into the collection tank 12 through the inside of the auxiliary pipe 31, the frozen particles do not adhere to a valve seat 23 which surrounds the first opening 22. Next, the auxiliary pipe 31 is moved to a position where the bottom end enters the inside of the main pipe 21 through the first opening 22; the first opening 22 is blocked, and the frozen particles are carried out from the inside of the collection tank 12.