Explosion-Proof Enclosure Lamination Joint for Gas Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing explosion-proof enclosures face challenges in safely containing and releasing gases under pressure in explosive atmospheres, particularly with group IIC gases, and require simple and reliable opening mechanisms while maintaining effective sealing and cooling of gases to prevent ignition.

Innovation Solution

An explosion-proof enclosure design featuring a hinging element with rotational freedom and a trapezoidal lamination joint that allows controlled gas escape, eliminating the need for complex constraint elements and ensuring safe containment and release of gases during internal explosions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional hinged closing devices with flared seating and rectangular protrusion are used, then the enclosure can be opened for maintenance, but alignment problems occur between components preventing precise coupling and reliable seal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening for maintenanceVSAvoidseal reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The closing device is divided into distinct functional segments: a closing element with closing surface, a seating structure with lateral walls, and a lamination joint. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall reliability - the closing element provides operational access, the seating ensures precise alignment through lateral wall constraints, and the lamination joint guarantees the seal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lamination joint acts as an intermediary element between the closing element and the body. This intermediate structure with its lateral walls provides the necessary alignment and constraint, mediating between the operational requirements of opening/closing and the sealing requirements of the joint

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If flat joints are used for enclosure closing, then the joint is simple and common, but they cannot be used with group IIC gases such as acetylene, hydrogen and carbon disulfide

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint simplicityVSAvoidcompatibility with group IIC gases
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The joint structure implements local quality by creating a specific lamination joint configuration with lateral walls and controlled interstice dimensions. Rather than using a simple flat joint throughout, the design locally modifies the joint structure to include constraining lateral walls and a specific gap geometry that provides both the simplicity of a flat joint approach and the safety requirements for group IIC gas applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If cylindrical or conical joints are used, then they are universal and usable for any gas group, but they are difficult to produce and have higher cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniversal applicability to any gas groupVSAvoidproduction difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The joint is segmented into a body portion and a closing element portion with a defined interface. This segmentation allows the use of simpler manufacturing processes for each component while achieving the universal applicability through the standardized lamination joint design with lateral walls that can accommodate different gas groups

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lamination joint design with lateral walls and controlled interstice serves multiple functions: it provides sealing, it ensures alignment, it constrains gas flow paths for safety with group IIC gases, and it maintains universality for different application types. This multi-functionality is achieved through a relatively simple structure that can be manufactured more easily than cylindrical or conical joints

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the lamination joint has a narrow interstice for rapid gas venting and cooling, then explosion propagation is prevented, but the joint becomes more complex to ensure proper alignment and sealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexplosion propagation preventionVSAvoidjoint structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The joint structure implements local quality by creating a specific lamination joint configuration with lateral walls and controlled interstice dimensions. Rather than using a simple flat joint throughout, the design locally modifies the joint structure to include constraining lateral walls and a specific gap geometry that provides both the simplicity of a flat joint approach and the safety requirements for group IIC gas applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 enclosure effectively prevents the propagation of internal ignition outside, adhering to safety standards for group IIC gases, and allows for simple and reliable opening and closing, while maintaining structural integrity and efficient gas release.

Implementation Method 1

The lamination joint allows the combusted gases to exit the enclosure itself and to cool down along its path, so that they are no longer able to ignite the atmosphere outside the enclosure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP4075614A1enclosure
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 CORTEM
  • EP4075614A1 patent drawingFigure 1~1a
  • EP4075614A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4075614A1 patent drawingFigure 4~4a

AI summary

The invention concerns an explosion-proof enclosure (100) comprising a body (101), a lid (102) to close the body (101) and a hinging element (103) between said body (101) and said lid (102), as well as a lamination joint (10).