Fluid Isolation Adapter Assembly for Atmosphere-Free Sampling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid sampling systems often expose process fluids to the atmosphere, posing safety hazards or compromising moisture analysis accuracy, and require replacement of entire assemblies when tubes or ports are damaged.

Innovation Solution

A removably assembled connector body and fluid isolation adapter system with seal portions, allowing for replacement of individual tubes without replacing the entire assembly, and providing sealed fluid passages to prevent atmospheric exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional fluid sampling systems are used, then fluid sampling can be performed, but the process fluid is exposed to the atmosphere causing safety hazards and compromising moisture analysis accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling accuracyVSAvoidatmospheric exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a sealed sampling system where the sampling adapter and connector body create an atmosphere-free environment for fluid passage. The sealing elements prevent atmospheric contamination of the process fluid during sampling, eliminating exposure to moisture and other atmospheric contaminants that would compromise analysis accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The sampling system is divided into separable components including the sampling adapter, connector body, and sealing elements. This segmentation allows for modular replacement of individual components and enables the creation of sealed fluid passages that isolate the process fluid from the atmosphere while maintaining sampling functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If entire sampling assemblies are replaced when tubes or ports are damaged, then system reliability is maintained, but maintenance costs and downtime increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidmaintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The sampling system is designed with separable components including the sampling adapter that can be removed and replaced independently from the connector body. This segmentation enables replacement of only the damaged component (tube, port, or adapter) rather than the entire assembly, reducing maintenance costs and downtime while maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows for selective replacement of consumable or damaged components such as tubes and sealing elements while retaining the main connector body and adapter housing. This approach recovers valuable components and reduces waste by replacing only what is necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Measurement precision

If sealed fluid passages are implemented to prevent atmospheric exposure, then sampling accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture analysis accuracyVSAvoidsealing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a sealed fluid passage system using sealing elements positioned between the sampling adapter and connector body. This implementation provides atmospheric isolation necessary for accurate moisture analysis while maintaining a relatively simple structure through the use of standard sealing components integrated into the adapter design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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

Ensures safe and accurate fluid sampling by isolating process fluids from the atmosphere and enabling modular replacement of damaged components, reducing maintenance costs and improving operational safety.

Implementation Method 1

a first seal portion sealing against the first seat portion to isolate the first connection from the second connection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

a second seal portion sealing against the second seat portion to seal the second connection against external leakage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS20250327527A1Port connecting assemblies and arrangements

Publication Date: 2025.10.23 SWAGELOK CO

AI summary

A multiple port connecting assembly includes a connector body and a fluid isolation adapter. The connector body includes a first fluid passage extending from an adapter port to a first connector port, a second fluid passage extending from the adapter port to a second connector port, a first seat portion disposed between the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage, and a second seat portion disposed between the second fluid passage and an open end portion of the adapter port. The fluid isolation adapter is removably assembled with the adapter port and includes an adapter body defining a first end passage that connects with the first fluid passage, a second end passage that connects with the second fluid passage, a first seal portion sealing against the first seat portion, and a second seal portion sealing against the second seat portion.