Fluid-tight Cable Duct with Pressure Relief Chamber

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing line lead-throughs in pressurized environments are prone to leakage, leading to uncontrolled gas escape and potential explosion risks due to unmanaged pressure buildup.

Innovation Solution

A fluid-tight line lead-through design featuring a housing with a conductor and two pressure-loaded seals, where the internal hollow space includes a pressure relief opening that directs any leakage gas from the pressurized space into an external space, preventing uncontrolled pressure buildup and ensuring the system remains fluid-tight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional line lead-throughs are used in pressurized containers, then electrical lines can be guided through the wall, but leakage occurs causing uncontrolled gas escape and pressure buildup

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid-tightnessVSAvoidleakage and uncontrolled pressure buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary chamber (internal hollow space) between the pressurized interior and the external environment. This chamber acts as a buffer zone that captures leakage gas before it can escape uncontrolled. The pressure relief opening serves as a controlled escape path from this intermediary chamber, preventing pressure buildup while managing gas discharge safely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful leakage phenomenon into a beneficial controlled discharge mechanism. Instead of attempting to completely prevent all leakage (which may not be feasible), the design allows leakage to occur into the internal hollow space, then uses the pressure relief opening to convert this uncontrolled harmful escape into a controlled, safe discharge process that prevents dangerous pressure buildup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If seals are made more robust to prevent leakage, then fluid-tightness improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal integrityVSAvoidnumber of seals and pressure relief mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sealing system into two distinct seals (first and second pressure loadable seals) that divide the protection function. Instead of relying on a single complex high-performance seal, the design uses multiple seals at different locations, each handling specific pressure zones. This segmentation allows the use of simpler, more reliable seal designs while maintaining overall system integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The internal hollow space serves as a pre-prepared cushioning zone that absorbs leakage gas before it can cause harmful effects. This intermediary chamber is designed in advance to accommodate potential leakage, providing a buffer that prevents direct pressure transmission and allows for controlled management of leakage without requiring overly complex seal designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If the internal hollow space is completely sealed to maintain pressure, then fluid-tightness is maintained, but pressure relief opening cannot function

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure containmentVSAvoidpressure relief functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different sealing qualities to different regions of the system. The first and second seals create a sealed environment for most of the internal hollow space to maintain pressure containment, while the pressure relief opening provides a localized unsealed pathway. This local differentiation allows the system to simultaneously achieve both pressure containment and controlled relief functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution effectively manages leakage gas, preventing uncontrolled pressure increases and eliminating explosion risks while maintaining the line lead-through's fluid-tight integrity, making it suitable for applications with differential pressures up to 500 bar.

Implementation Method 1

the internal hollow space has a pressure relief opening which opens into an external space located outside of the pressurizable space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS7772506B2Fluid-tight cable duct

Publication Date: 2010.08.10 EVERLLENCE SE

AI summary

The invention relates to a fluid-tight cable duct (1) which is used to guide a cable (2) into a chamber (3) which can be impinged upon by pressure, and which comprises a housing (4), at least one cable (2) and one first and one second seal (5a, 5b) which can be pressure-loaded. The two pressure-loaded seals (5a, 5b) and the housing (4) define an inner hollow chamber (4d), and the cable (2) enters into the inner hollow chamber (4d) via the first seal (5a), through which the inner hollow chamber (4d) extends, and exits the inner hollow chamber (4d) via the second seal (5b). The inner hollow chamber (4d) comprises a pressure discharge opening (4c) which leads into an outer chamber (6) which is located outside the chamber (3) which can be impinged upon by pressure.