Double-Walled Vessel Vent Plug for Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Double-walled vessels experience excessive pressure fluctuations and potential leakage due to gas pressure changes when exposed to temperature fluctuations, leading to material stress and glue plug failure, which can cause the vessel to burst or become unusable.
Innovation Solution
A double-walled vessel design with a pressure compensation opening in one of the vessel walls, sealed by a plug with a gas passage channel that allows gas exchange while preventing liquid passage, ensuring pressure equilibrium and maintaining a gas-filled interspace.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressure compensation opening is sealed with a solid plug to prevent moisture penetration, then moisture protection is improved, but pressure compensation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is designed with a porous structure that allows gas molecules to pass through via adsorption and desorption mechanisms while blocking liquid water molecules. The porous material enables selective permeability based on molecular size and interaction properties, achieving both moisture protection and pressure compensation simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug utilizes composite material structure combining hydrophobic properties with porous characteristics. This composite approach creates a material that repels liquid water while maintaining gas permeability, resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and pressure equalization functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pressure compensation opening is left open to allow gas exchange, then pressure compensation is improved, but moisture penetration risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The porous plug structure provides continuous gas exchange pathways while presenting a physical and chemical barrier to liquid water. The pore structure allows vapor and gas molecules to diffuse through while capillary pressure and hydrophobic effects prevent liquid ingress, enabling open pressure compensation without moisture contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous plug acts as an intermediary element between the interior and exterior environments, mediating the interaction between gas and moisture. It selectively permits gas molecules to pass while blocking liquid water, serving as a intelligent interface that reconciles the conflicting requirements of pressure compensation and moisture protection.
3Strength
If the vessel is completely sealed to prevent leakage, then structural integrity is improved, but pressure fluctuation damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the pressure equalization function from the main sealing system by introducing a separate porous plug mechanism. This dedicated pressure compensation pathway relieves internal pressure build-up while the main sealing structure maintains structural integrity, separating the functions of strength and pressure management.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous plug provides beforehand cushioning by allowing gradual pressure equalization before excessive pressure differences can develop. This preventive mechanism cushions against pressure shocks and fluctuations that would otherwise damage the sealed structure, protecting the vessel integrity proactively.
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
The solution effectively stabilizes pressure within the vessel, preventing material stress and leakage, ensuring the vessel's integrity and usability even under temperature fluctuations, particularly beneficial when made from glass.
Implementation Method 1
the plug has at least one gas passage channel extending through it, which gas passage channel, in case of pressure differences, allows a passage of gas
Implementation Method 2
preventing a passage of liquids, in particular of water
Implementation Method 3
The dimensions of the gas passage channel are in this case chosen such that the capillary effect in the channel effectively prevents the passage of water
Data Source
AI summary
A double-walled vessel (1) is disclosed, which has a pressure equalization opening (24). Said opening is closed by a stopper (4), which has at least one gas passage channel (41). Said channel is configured such that it allows air to pass, while it prevents the penetration of water into the intermediate space. The stopper is preferably made from a silicone-based plastic and fastened to the vessel by means of an adhesive based on acetoxy silicone. For fastening purposes, it may comprise a disk-like fastening flange (43).