Fuel Cartridge Interface Seal with Concentric Ridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sealing interfaces in fuel cartridges are prone to damage and contamination during use, compromising their sealing ability due to exposure to dirt and debris, especially when not connected to a fuel cell apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A resilient sealing member with concentric circumferential ridges on its faces, integrated into a rigid frame, provides a multi-point sealing surface that maintains fluid-tight integrity even if one ridge is damaged or contaminated, and can be easily replaced, along with the associated electrical contacts, as part of a reconditioning method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single sealing surface is used in the fuel cartridge interface, then the sealing structure is simple, but the sealing reliability deteriorates due to damage or contamination during connection/disconnection cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing interface is segmented into multiple concentric sealing surfaces (first sealing surface, second sealing surface, third sealing surface) instead of using a single sealing surface. Each sealing surface can independently contribute to the gas-tight seal, so that damage or contamination of one surface does not compromise the overall sealing reliability. This segmentation directly resolves the contradiction by trading increased structural complexity for significantly improved sealing reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the sealing surface is exposed during normal use and when not connected to fuel cell apparatus, then the cartridge operation is convenient, but the sealing surface is exposed to damage and contamination from dirt and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is received within a recess in the cartridge body, creating a nested structure where the sealing surfaces are protected within the recess when the cartridge is not connected to a fuel cell apparatus. This nesting arrangement allows the cartridge to remain easy to handle and store while protecting the sealing surfaces from external contamination and damage during transport and storage.
3Reliability
If multiple concentric circumferential ridges are provided on the sealing member, then the sealing reliability is improved by distributing sealing pressure, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member uses variations in ridge geometry parameters (different diameters, depths, and spacing of concentric ridges) to create multiple sealing surfaces with different sealing characteristics. This allows optimization of sealing performance for different operating conditions while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process, as the ridges can be formed through standard molding or machining operations. The parameter changes enable improved sealing reliability without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.
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 concentric ridges ensure a reliable seal across multiple cycles and reduce the risk of damage, allowing for cost-effective maintenance and extended cartridge life by distributing the sealing pressure and preventing reliance on a single sealing point, thus enhancing the durability and retention force of the seal.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient sealing member comprising: a first face and a second face and an aperture extending between the first face and the second face; at least two circumferential ridges surrounding the aperture on the first face
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A resilient sealing member (27) has a first face (40) and a second face (41) and an aperture (42) extending between the first face and the second face. At least two, preferably three or more, circumferential ridges (43, 44, 45) surround the aperture on the first face. Channels (46, 47) may be disposed between each adjacent pair of circumferential ridges and a flat seal may be provided on the first face, peripheral to the circumferential ridges. The flat seal may occupy a different plane than the plane occupied by apexes of the circumferential ridges. The resilient sealing member may be incorporated into interface seal assembly comprising a rigid frame (26) onto which it is moulded. The rigid frame may comprise a printed circuit board (25). The interface seal assembly allows for an easily interchangeable seal on a refillable fuel cartridge (1) for a fuel cell apparatus.