Orientation-Independent Gas Cell Delivery Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid and gas delivery systems are often orientation-sensitive, require significant operating force, and are susceptible to debris, limiting their effectiveness and versatility in various applications.
Innovation Solution
A delivery device and system featuring a gas chamber with a gas-side flexible barrier and a delivery chamber with a delivery-side flexible barrier, where the gas cell generates pressure to compress the flexible barriers, allowing for orientation-independent and efficient delivery of materials through a delivery aperture, regardless of orientation or debris presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional pumps are used for material delivery, then delivery function is achieved, but the system becomes orientation-sensitive and requires precise alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is segmented into distinct functional zones: a gas generation chamber separated from the material delivery chamber by a flexible barrier. This segmentation allows the gas cell to generate pressure independently without requiring orientation-specific alignment, while the flexible barrier transmits pressure uniformly regardless of device orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible barrier acts as an intermediary between the gas cell and the material delivery system. This intermediary component transmits pressure from the gas expansion while being insensitive to orientation, eliminating the alignment requirements of conventional direct-contact pump mechanisms.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional pumps are used to move small amounts of material, then delivery precision is achieved, but large amounts of operating force are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pneumatic pressure generated by a gas cell to drive material delivery. The gas expansion provides sustained, distributed force across the flexible barrier, eliminating the need for high operating forces concentrated at single points. This allows efficient delivery of both small and large material volumes with reduced force requirements.
3Reliability
If conventional delivery systems are used, then material delivery is achieved, but the system becomes susceptible to debris and particulate matter
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible barrier serves as a protective intermediary between the gas cell and the material stream. This barrier prevents direct contact between moving parts and debris-laden materials, reducing susceptibility to particulate matter while maintaining effective pressure transmission for reliable material delivery.
4Strength
If rigid structures are used in the delivery device, then structural strength is achieved, but flexibility and adaptability to different orientations are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pump incorporates flexible barriers and membranes as key structural elements. These flexible components maintain structural integrity while adapting to different orientations and deformations, enabling the device to function reliably in various positions without compromising strength or requiring rigid alignment mechanisms.
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 enables reliable, orientation-independent delivery of materials, resistant to debris, with adjustable delivery rates and compatibility with volatile or corrosive substances, enhancing the versatility and efficiency of liquid and gas delivery systems.
Implementation Method 1
The gas cell increases a gas pressure within the gas chamber to expand the gas-side flexible barrier
Implementation Method 2
Expansion of the gas-side flexible barrier applies a compressive force to the delivery-side flexible barrier
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
An orientation independent delivery device (100). The delivery device (100) includes a gas chamber, a delivery chamber, a gas cell (110), and a delivery aperture (112). The gas chamber includes a gas-side rigid portion (102) and a gas-side flexible barrier (104). The gas-side flexible barrier (104) is sealed to the gas-side rigid portion (102). The delivery chamber includes a delivery-side rigid portion (106) and a delivery-side flexible barrier (108). The delivery-side flexible barrier (108) is sealed to the delivery-side rigid portion (106) and is oriented adjacent to the gas-side flexible barrier (104). The gas cell (110) is coupled to the gas-side rigid portion (102) of the gas chamber. The gas cell (110) increases a gas pressure within the gas chamber to expand the gas-side flexible barrier (104). Expansion of the gas-side flexible barrier (104) applies a compressive force to the delivery-side flexible barrier (108) allowing a delivery material to escape from the delivery chamber.