Closed Transfer Coupler Backup Valve for Leak-Tight Probe Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional closed transfer systems often experience leaks due to imperfect fluid tight seals over multiple cycles, particularly at the one-way valve, which can lead to exposure risks and inefficiencies during chemical transfer and cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a probe assembly within a closed transfer system coupler, featuring a primary one-way valve and a secondary one-way valve positioned upstream, ensures a backup barrier to prevent fluid leaks and maintain a fluid tight environment, even when primary valve performance is compromised.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single primary one-way valve is used in the probe tip, then the device structure remains simple, but fluid leaks may occur over multiple cycles due to imperfect sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a secondary backup valve positioned upstream of the primary valve to prevent fluid leaks before they can escape the system. This backup valve acts as a preemptive measure that compensates for potential sealing failures of the primary valve over multiple cycles, thereby maintaining reliability without requiring complex multi-valve configurations at the probe tip
2Reliability
If a backup secondary valve is added upstream of the primary valve, then fluid leak prevention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary backup valve serves as an intermediary protective element positioned upstream in the fluid path. It provides an additional barrier that activates only when the primary valve fails, thereby improving leak prevention while minimizing the impact on overall device complexity through strategic placement and selective activation
3Reliability
If the secondary valve provides substantial air flow volume, then the fluid tight environment is maintained effectively, but the valve opening pressure differential increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the secondary backup valve with specific pressure differential characteristics that allow it to provide substantial air flow volume for maintaining the fluid tight environment. By adjusting the valve's opening pressure parameters, the system achieves effective sealing maintenance while managing the pressure stress requirements through controlled parameter optimization
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
This configuration effectively prevents fluid leaks, enhancing user safety and system efficiency by maintaining a fluid tight seal over multiple cycles and during cleaning processes, thereby reducing exposure risks and ensuring reliable chemical transfer.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one secondary valve is positioned at the base air inlet and configured to selectively allow air into the hollow air channel
Implementation Method 2
The at least one primary valve is configured to selectively allow air to flow into the base air inlet and into an air chamber formed within the base
Implementation Method 3
Chemical containers can be coupled to a closed transfer system, which can use a pressure differential to motivate chemicals out of the container
Data Source
AI summary
A probe assembly for a closed transfer system is provided. The probe assembly includes a base having a base air inlet, a probe having a base end and a probe end, at least one primary valve positioned at the probe tip, and at least one secondary valve. The probe defines a hollow air channel extending from the base end to the probe end including a probe tip, the base end being coupled to the base such that the hollow air channel is in fluid communication with the base air inlet and the probe tip. The at least one secondary valve is positioned at the base air inlet and configured to selectively allow air into the hollow air channel.