Evacuated Flask Valve Assembly for Dissolved Gas Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sampling containers for dissolved gas in water, such as bags and bottles, lack versatility and robustness for field and laboratory use, leading to potential contamination and variability in sample collection and analysis.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, evacuated flask with a removable cap and valve system, made from impermeable materials like BIAX Nylon/Poly laminated barrier film, which allows for efficient collection and minimization of dead volume, supporting the sample with an expandable base and featuring a bactericide capsule for sample integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bags or bottles are used for dissolved gas sampling, then the sampling process is simple, but the sample integrity is compromised due to potential contamination and lack of robustness
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling device is divided into distinct functional components: a pouch for sample containment, a spout for fluid communication, a valve assembly for controlled flow, and a cap for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall sample integrity and reducing contamination risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly acts as an intermediary component between the spout and the external environment, providing controlled access to the sample while preventing contamination. The self-closing valve mechanism ensures that the sample pathway remains sealed unless actively opened, thereby maintaining sample integrity during handling and transport.
2Loss of substance
If rigid bottles are used for sampling, then sample containment is secure, but dead volume increases and handling becomes less flexible
Solution Approach 1:
The pouch is constructed from flexible, impermeable material that can be evacuated to eliminate dead volume while maintaining structural integrity. This flexible construction allows the pouch to conform to the sample volume, minimizing empty spaces where gas could accumulate, while simultaneously providing ease of handling and portability in field conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pouch undergoes parameter changes from an evacuated, collapsed state to an expanded state when filled with sample. This transformation allows the pouch to adapt its volume to the exact amount of sample collected, minimizing dead volume while maintaining flexibility for easy handling and deployment in various field scenarios.
3Reliability
If impermeable materials are used for the pouch, then gas retention is improved, but material selection and manufacturing become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pouch utilizes composite material construction with multiple layers, including impermeable barriers and flexible structural layers. This composite approach achieves superior gas retention properties while maintaining the flexibility and manufacturability needed for field deployment. The layered structure allows each material to contribute its specific properties, balancing performance requirements with manufacturing feasibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A container for collecting water samples to determine dissolved gas includes a flask-type pouch with a spout. A removable cap and valve install on the spout. The valve includes an adapter that fits with an O-ring or other seal inside the mouth of the spout. The valve includes a valve element, which can be a one-way, self-closing type of valve, that fits with an O-ring or other seal inside the end of the adapter. A cap of the container fits over the adapter and affixes to the spout to hold the valve on the spout. In use, the cap can be removed so that the valve element and adapter can be removed for filling the pouch. Otherwise, the cap can remain in place so filling can be performed through the valve element. A tamper-evident ring on the cap may be provided to ensure the integrity of the sample contained in the flask.