Evacuable Flexible Leak Detection Chamber with Double-Layer Wall
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible test chambers face challenges in rapid closure and evacuation due to the elasticity of their walls, which traps gas and increases evacuation time, as faster closure leads to a larger captured gas volume.
Innovation Solution
A double-layer wall structure with an overpressure in the intermediate volume between the two layers, where at least the inner layer facing the test object is flexible, counteracts air resistance and reduces the test chamber volume to be evacuated by maintaining a convex curvature against the test object, allowing quicker closure and evacuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the chamber is closed quickly to improve productivity, then the closure speed increases, but the flexible wall traps more gas volume which increases evacuation time
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate volume between the two wall layers is pre-filled with gas under overpressure (e.g., 3 bar) before the chamber closure operation. This preliminary pressurization creates a pressure differential that actively pushes against the flexible wall during closure, preventing gas entrapment and eliminating the need for extended evacuation time to remove trapped gases.
Solution Approach 2:
A gas-filled intermediate volume is introduced between the flexible inner wall and the outer wall as a mediating element. This intermediate gas layer acts as a pressure buffer that transmits force during closure, preventing the flexible wall from collapsing inward and trapping external atmosphere gases, thus resolving the contradiction between fast closure and evacuation efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible wall is made more elastic to improve conformity to the specimen, then the wall flexibility increases, but more gas is trapped during closure
Solution Approach 1:
The gas-filled intermediate volume serves as a mediator that decouples the flexibility of the inner wall from the gas entrapment problem. The overpressurized gas in the intermediate layer provides outward pressure that counteracts the inward collapse of the flexible wall during closure, allowing high flexibility without proportional increases in gas entrapment.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure parameter of the intermediate volume is changed from atmospheric pressure to overpressurized state (e.g., 3 bar). This parameter change fundamentally alters the behavior of the flexible wall during closure, transforming it from a gas-trapping element into a controlled system where the pressure differential prevents entrapment regardless of wall elasticity.
3Loss of time
If the chamber volume is reduced to decrease evacuation time, then the test chamber volume decreases, but the specimen placement and testing flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber structure is segmented into three distinct volumes: the test chamber volume containing the specimen, the intermediate volume between the walls filled with overpressurized gas, and the external atmosphere. This segmentation allows the test chamber to maintain its full size for specimen flexibility while the overpressurized intermediate layer effectively reduces the net volume requiring evacuation by preventing external gas entrapment.
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 double-layer structure enables faster closure and evacuation of the test chamber by reducing the volume to be evacuated, improving the efficiency of the leak testing process and allowing for earlier detection of test objects and potential leaks.
Implementation Method 1
an overpressure can be generated or already exists in the intermediate volume enclosed by the two layers relative to the atmosphere surrounding the test chamber. The overpressure is preferably in the range of approximately 100 mbar relative to the surrounding atmosphere
Implementation Method 2
at least the layer facing the test chamber volume and the test specimen contained therein is made of a flexible material, for example, a film material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
Method for leak testing of a test specimen contained in a test chamber (10), wherein the test chamber is an evacuable flexible test chamber (10) for leak testing a test specimen, with a wall (12) surrounding a test chamber volume (36), wherein at least one region of the wall is formed from two layers (18, 20) of wall material, of which at least the layer (20) facing the test chamber volume (36) is formed from a flexible material, an overpressure can be created between the two layers (18, 20) relative to the atmosphere surrounding the test chamber (10), and an overpressure is created between the layers (18, 20) before the chamber (10) is closed, characterized in that a check as to whether a test specimen is in the test chamber (10) is carried out by monitoring the pressure between the two layers (18, 20) when the test chamber (10) is closed.