Filling Element Arrangement with Gas-Actuated Sealing Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filling element arrangements for containers require complex and expensive constructions with pneumatic cylinder devices and lifting linkages for lifting and lowering movements, which can be detrimental due to pressure fluctuations affecting the filling process.
Innovation Solution
A filling element arrangement featuring an expandable or displaceable housing wall section formed by a first and second sealing element, creating a gas-tight annular gap that can be actuated by a gaseous medium to initiate controlled movement, eliminating the need for external pneumatic cylinder devices and complex sealing mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pneumatic cylinder devices and lifting rods with complex sealing are used for external transmission of lifting movement, then the lifting and lowering movement can be initiated, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex external pneumatic transmission system (cylinder devices and lifting rods) and replaces it with an internal gas pressure system. The gas pressure system is integrated directly into the filling element housing, eliminating the need for external complex sealing mechanisms and rod movements, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the lifting and lowering functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a gas pressure system as an intermediary between the control mechanism and the filling element housing. Instead of directly mechanical transmission through rods and cylinders, gas pressure acts as a mediator to initiate the lifting and lowering movements, simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing the number of moving parts requiring complex sealing.
2Productivity
If an elastically deformable element is used to enclose the liquid channel with an annular cavity for return gas, then the filling process can be enhanced, but the element changes shape significantly under pressure fluctuations, adversely affecting the filling process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane as the sealing element between the first and second filling element housing sections. This membrane is designed to be gas-tight and form the annular cavity, while its flexibility allows it to accommodate pressure variations without significant shape changes that would adversely affect the filling process. The membrane's properties are optimized to maintain stability under operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the gas pressure system to control the positioning of the second filling element housing section by changing the pressure parameters within the annular cavity. By adjusting the gas pressure, the system can initiate and control lifting and lowering movements without relying on elastically deformable elements that would change shape significantly under pressure, thus maintaining filling process stability.
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
This solution simplifies the lifting and lowering movement, reduces construction complexity and cost, and maintains a stable filling process by using a gaseous medium to control the movement of the filling element, enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of the filling process.
Implementation Method 1
the gas-tight annular gap formed between the first and second sealing elements can be acted upon with a gaseous medium to initiate the controlled movement of the second filling element section
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a filling element arrangement (1, 1') for filling containers (3) with a liquid filling material. The substantial aspect of the invention is to be seen in that at least one expansible or displaceable housing wall section (16.3) is formed from a first sealing element (20) and a second sealing element (21) while leaving a gas-tight annular gap (22) to the first sealing element (20). The gas-tight annular gap (22) formed between the first and the second sealing element for introducing the controlled movement onto a second filling element section (16.2) can be acted upon by a gaseous medium, wherein between the lifted and the lowered position (ABP, ANP), at least one guiding device (25, 25') is provided along the filling element axis (FA) for the vertical guidance of the second filling element section (16.2).