Fluid Sampler With Quick Connect Valves for Hazardous Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial fluid sampling is challenging due to hazardous and high-pressure/temperature conditions, leading to complex handling, contamination risks, and costly disposal of unused samples, with existing devices being bulky, prone to blockages, and requiring complex sample removal systems.
Innovation Solution
A sampler with quick connect valve members and a vent valve allows for easy, dry connection and disconnection, facilitating sample collection and re-introduction into the fluid source, with a design that minimizes contamination and handling risks through a compact, ergonomic design and the use of inert gases for sample evacuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a plunger type sampler or bypass line method is used, then sample collection is possible, but the device becomes bulky and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sampler is divided into separate functional components: a body with internal chamber, quick connect valve members extending from the body, sample outlet valve, and vent valve. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampler body serves multiple functions: it houses the internal chamber for sample storage, provides mounting for quick connect valve members for fluid connection, incorporates sample outlet valve for sample discharge, and includes vent valve for pressure equalization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices.
2Device complexity
If quick connect valve members with small cross section are used, then connection is quick and compact, but the risk of blockage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The quick connect valve members are designed with locally optimized features: the connection interface has a compact structure for quick connection, while the internal passage maintains sufficient cross-sectional area to prevent blockage. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between compactness and blockage resistance.
3Quantity of substance
If a large sample is taken for analysis, then sufficient sample is available, but disposal of remaining sample becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The sampler enables easy recovery and re-introduction of remaining sample through the quick connect valve members. Instead of discarding unused sample, the system allows for sample to be returned to the process stream or transferred to another container, reducing waste and disposal costs.
4Ease of operation
If the sampler is disconnected from the fluid conduit, then sample removal is simplified, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The quick connect valve members are designed to maintain fluid isolation before disconnection. The valve mechanism ensures that the internal chamber remains isolated from the external environment during the disconnection process, preventing contamination before sample removal occurs.
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 sampler enables safe, efficient, and contamination-minimized fluid sampling and reintroduction, reducing operational complexity and costs by allowing quick connection and disconnection, and using inert gases for sample handling, thus addressing the challenges of hazardous fluid handling.
Implementation Method 1
a vent valve comprising means, such as a rotatable or pivotable element, such as a handle or knob, or a push button, or any other suitable means, for selectively setting the vent valve into a closed or into an open state, whereby the vent valve, when in the open state, allows a fluid, such as air, an inert gas, etc., to enter and/or exit the chamber through the vent valve
Data Source
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AI summary
The sampler comprises: - a body (1) with an internal chamber (1A) for housing a sample of a fluid; - two quick connect valve members (21, 22) extending from the body (1), for connecting the body (1) to a device from which a sample is to be obtained; - a sample outlet valve (30) comprising means for selectively setting the sample outlet valve into a closed or into an open state; and - a vent valve (40) comprising means for selectively setting the vent valve into a closed or into an open state.