Sterile Ferrule Clamp Lining to Prevent Gasket Bulging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method for connecting conduits with ferrules and gaskets fails to prevent gasket bulging during sterilization, leading to pressure drops and potential material breakage due to thermal expansion, especially after repeated sterilization cycles.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an elastomeric lining in the recess of the clamp's arms between the ferrules, which provides additional resilience to reduce gasket bulging and maintain proper sealing during temperature fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a clamp is used to clamp the ferrules together with a gasket between them, then the connection is sealed and the through-hole of the gasket is flush with the inner wall of the passage, but during sterilization the gasket bulges into the passage causing pressure drop and potential breakage
Solution Approach 1:
A resilient element is introduced as an intermediary component between the clamp arm and the ferrule assembly. This resilient element absorbs the thermal expansion forces during sterilization, preventing direct transmission of stress to the gasket and thereby preventing gasket bulging while maintaining sealing integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element changes its physical parameters (compression, expansion) in response to temperature changes during sterilization. By selecting a material with appropriate elastic properties, the system adapts to thermal expansion without causing gasket deformation, resolving the contradiction between maintaining seal and preventing bulge.
2Productivity
If the gasket is compressed by clamping to achieve flush alignment, then the flow resistance is minimized, but repeated sterilization causes cumulative compression leading to gasket protrusion and breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient element is installed beforehand to cushion and absorb the compressive forces applied during clamping and subsequent thermal cycles. This pre-cushioning prevents cumulative compression damage to the gasket, extending its service life while maintaining the initial flush alignment and flow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element acts as a sacrificial component that can be replaced periodically, protecting the more critical gasket from damage. By absorbing the mechanical stress and thermal expansion, the resilient element extends the service life of the gasket while maintaining system performance.
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 elastomeric lining effectively reduces gasket damage and maintains sealing integrity even after multiple heat cycles, ensuring reliable operation and reduced maintenance by preventing gasket protrusion and breakage during sterilization.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient element is provided in the recess of at least one arm of the clamp between said at least one arm and the ferrules
Implementation Method 2
By clamping the ferrules together by pressing the clamp against second surfaces of the flanges that provide the taper, the gasket is somewhat compressed
Implementation Method 3
As a result of the resulting thermal expansion, the gasket is compressed even more and bulges into the lumen of the connection
Implementation Method 4
The gasket is a disk of elastomeric (resilient) material, such as EPDM
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A method of connecting two conduits of equipment to be sterilised, each conduit comprising at a free end thereof a ferrule, wherein a gasket (120) is provided between the ferrules (110a, 110b) of the conduits and a clamp (150) is used to clamp (150) the ferrules (110a, 110b) together, said clamp (150) comprising two arms (151), each arm comprising a recess (111b) for receiving a circumferential section of the ferrules (110a, 110b). The problem of gasket (120) bulging caused by a temporary increase in temperature and incomplete reversal to the original state is reduced by providing a resilient element in the recess (111b) of at least one arm of the clamp (150) between said at least one arm and the ferrules (110a, 110b).