Flange-Door Transfer Assembly Without Inner Sleeves or Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transfer of apparatuses or products between closed volumes in industrial sectors like nuclear, medical, pharmaceutical, and agrifood, while maintaining fluidtightness, is complicated by the use of inner sleeves and mechanical connections that can jam and require manual intervention from within a confined atmosphere.
Innovation Solution
A connecting assembly with a flange and door that integrates a chute for fluidtight transfer, allowing external opening and reducing lug angular extension for easier manufacturing and minimizing jamming risks, while eliminating the need for inner sleeves and manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a double-door connection device with mechanical bayonet connection is used to ensure fluidtight transfer between closed volumes, then fluidtightness is maintained, but the mechanical connection components (lugs, notches, grooves) can jam and require manual intervention from within the confined atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the problematic mechanical bayonet connection components (lugs, notches, grooves) from the flange structure. Instead of using interlocking mechanical elements, the patent employs a simplified flange design with a gasket-based sealing system that prevents jamming while maintaining fluidtightness, thereby removing the need for manual intervention during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical bayonet connection system with an alternative sealing mechanism based on gaskets and compressed sealing elements. This substitution eliminates the jamming-prone mechanical interlocks while preserving the fluidtight connection between the isolator and transfer bag, allowing automated operation without manual access to the confined space
2Object-affected harmful factors
If inner sleeves are used to protect the ring of contamination during transfer, then contamination is prevented, but the transfer process becomes more complex and requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the inner sleeve component from the transfer system entirely. Instead of adding a protective sleeve within the container, the patent implements contamination protection at the flange interface level through a designed sealing system that prevents contamination without requiring additional internal components
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a gasket-based sealing system as an intermediary element between the flange surfaces. This mediator provides contamination protection and fluidtight sealing at the connection interface, eliminating the need for inner sleeves while maintaining protection of the contamination ring
3Strength
If lugs with large circumferential dimensions are used to ensure mechanical engagement, then connection strength is improved, but the angular extension increases and complicates manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the traditional lugs with large circumferential dimensions from the flange design. Instead of using extended mechanical protrusions for engagement, the patent employs a simplified flange geometry with integrated sealing surfaces that reduce manufacturing complexity while maintaining connection strength through the gasket system
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of mechanical engagement and sealing into a unified flange structure. Rather than having separate lugs for engagement and separate sealing elements, the patent integrates both functions into the flange body itself, reducing the number of discrete components and simplifying manufacturing processes
Data Source
AI summary
Connecting assembly for a fluidtight transfer container with a fluidtight transfer cell including a cell flange and a cell door, the assembly including a container flange and a container door mounted in the container flange, wherein the container flange includes a first longitudinal connection portion to the cell and a second longitudinal connection portion to a container, the first longitudinal connection portion and the second longitudinal connection portion being connected by a shoulder opposite the container door.