Fill Plug Enclosure With Locking Seal for Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions fail to adequately secure and seal fill plugs of CO2 beverage carbonation systems, particularly during periods between fill processes, leaving them vulnerable to contaminants and unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
An enclosure system with a base and retainment plates that secure the fill plug, a hinged lid with a lock and gasket for sealing, and a spring mechanism to keep the lid open during use, preventing axial and rotational movement and ensuring a fluid-tight seal when closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional sheet metal box with hinged lid is used to cover the fill plug, then the fill plug is protected from contaminants, but the fill plug remains vulnerable to unauthorized access and the sealing effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is divided into a base portion and a lid portion that can be separately assembled and disassembled. The retainment plates are separate components that can be attached to the base, allowing modular assembly and maintenance while providing both security and contamination protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainment plates with openings for engaging the fill plug throat are pre-installed on the base before the lid is closed. This preliminary securing action prevents both unauthorized access and contaminant contact simultaneously, as the fill plug is mechanically restrained before the sealed environment is established.
2Productivity
If the fill plug is left exposed for easy access during fill processes, then operational efficiency is improved, but the fill plug becomes vulnerable to contaminants and unauthorized access during interim periods
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed to be movable between open and closed positions, allowing dynamic adaptation to operational needs. During fill processes, the lid can be opened for quick access to the fill plug, maintaining productivity. During interim periods, the lid closes to provide protection, thus resolving the contradiction between accessibility and contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism automatically opens the lid when the lock is released, eliminating the need for manual intervention to open the enclosure during fill operations. This self-service feature maintains operational efficiency while ensuring the lid is properly closed and sealed during non-operational periods to prevent contamination.
3Reliability
If a lock mechanism is added to secure the lid in closed position, then unauthorized access is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring acts as an intermediary element between the lock mechanism and the lid. It provides the force necessary to keep the lid open during operations and assists in closing the lid when unlocked, reducing the complexity of the locking mechanism itself while maintaining secure access control when locked.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism automatically performs the work of opening the lid when the lock is released, eliminating the need for manual opening actions. This self-service feature simplifies the overall operation while maintaining security, as the lock mechanism only needs to provide the locking function without requiring additional mechanisms for opening.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a gasket is added to form a seal between lid and base, then contamination protection is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible gasket is used to create the seal between the lid and base portions. The gasket's flexibility allows it to conform to slight variations in manufacturing tolerances of the rigid enclosure parts, providing effective sealing without requiring extremely precise manufacturing. This approach balances sealing effectiveness with manufacturing feasibility.
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
Effectively prevents unauthorized access and contamination of fill plugs by providing a secure and sealed environment for fill plugs between service dates, ensuring the integrity of cryogenically controlled liquids during storage and transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a spring resiliently urges the lid into the open position when the lid is unlocked relative to the base
Implementation Method 2
A gasket is carried by the lid for forming a seal between the lid and the base when the lid is in the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
An enclosure for a fill plug is provided and includes a base to which a retainment plate is secured. The retainment plate has an opening for engaging about a throat of the fill plug such that axial and rotational movement of the fill plug relative to the base is prevented. A lid is secured to the base and is movable between a closed position in which the lid covers the base and an open position in which the base is uncovered by the lid. The lid defines a cavity for accommodating the fill plug when the lid is in the closed position. A lock is carried by the lid for locking the lid in the closed position, a spring resiliently urges the lid into the open position when the lid is unlocked, and a gasket is carried by the lid for forming a seal with the base.