Fluid Supply Interface Safety Valve for Cell Culture Overpressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fluid supply interfaces for cell culture systems are prone to damage due to undesired pressure increases when the supply valve fails to close and the discharge valve fails to open, leading to uncontrolled fluid leakage through gaps between coupling configurations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a safety valve that opens when a predetermined pressure difference is exceeded, allowing fluid to flow away from the conduit and into the discharge line, thereby reducing overpressure independently of the switching device operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the supply valve and discharge valve are controlled by a switching device, then the fluid flow can be directed to different cell culture containers, but the system becomes vulnerable to pressure buildup when valves fail to respond
Solution Approach 1:
The safety valve operates autonomously based on pressure differential conditions, automatically opening to relieve overpressure without requiring external control signals or awareness of valve failure states. This self-regulating mechanism ensures system safety independent of the switching device's operational status.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety valve acts as an intermediary protective element between the fluid conduit and the discharge coupling configuration. It mediates the pressure control function by providing a passive fail-safe discharge path that activates when the primary control valves malfunction, preventing catastrophic pressure buildup.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the discharge valve is controlled by the switching device, then discharge flow can be directed to different containers, but the system cannot prevent uncontrolled fluid leakage when the valve fails to open
Solution Approach 1:
The safety valve converts the harmful effect of overpressure (which indicates valve failure) into a beneficial automatic discharge action. When pressure builds up due to valve malfunction, the safety valve detects this condition and activates to relieve the pressure, transforming the failure state into a controlled safety response.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety valve is pre-configured as a fail-safe mechanism that is ready to activate before catastrophic failure can occur. It provides a pre-established discharge path that activates when pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold, cushioning against the harmful effects of valve failure before they can cause damage to the system.
3Reliability
If a safety valve is added to the fluid supply interface, then overpressure protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety valve is designed as a simple, inexpensive passive component with no complex control mechanisms. It uses basic pressure differential actuation and provides a reliable fail-safe function at minimal cost and complexity, making the added protection worthwhile despite the increased number of components.
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 enhances the operational reliability of the fluid supply interface by effectively reducing overpressure and preventing damage from uncontrolled fluid leakage, ensuring safe and controlled fluid management in cell culture systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one supply valve by means of which, depending on its position, a supply coupling configuration is capable of having fluid flow through it or is blocked for flow through it, the at least one supply valve being preloaded, preferably by magnetic force, into a blocking position
Implementation Method 2
at least one discharge valve, different from the supply valve, by means of which, depending on its position, a discharge coupling configuration is capable of having fluid flow through it or is blocked for flow through it, the at least one discharge valve likewise being preloaded into a closed position that prevents flow through it
Implementation Method 3
In some circumstances, in the context of pressure-induced forced opening of a supply valve, fluid can thereby be conveyed from a supply fluid line to the user coupling configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid supply interface includes at least one supply coupling configuration, at least one discharge coupling configuration, at least one user coupling configuration, and a fluid conduit that connects the supply, discharge, and user coupling configurations to one another. A supply valve is capable of having fluid flow through it or is blocked for flow through it. A discharge valve is capable of having fluid flow through it or is blocked for flow through it. The supply valve is preloaded into a blocking position that prevents flow, and opens by means of a sufficiently large pressure difference between the two sides of the supply valve, against the preload force, for flow through in a direction from the supply coupling configuration toward the fluid conduit. The discharge valve likewise being preloaded into a closed position that prevents flow through it.