Gas Lock With Measuring Chamber For Continuous Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas separation methods in continuous systems face challenges such as gas mixing, safety risks from toxic and explosive gases, inability to detect leaks without measuring pressure, spatial inefficiency, wear, and reduced system uptime, especially in high-purity processes.
Innovation Solution
A gas lock design with multiple inlet and outflow channels, measuring chambers for physical and chemical property measurement, and a movable wall to control the gap width, allowing inert gas to counter-diffuse process gases, preventing leakage through longitudinal gaps and ensuring safe, continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing concepts are used to separate gases, then gas separation is achieved, but the transport system cannot function continuously and wear occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sealing systems with a gas lock mechanism that uses controlled gas flow and pressure differentials to achieve separation. The gas lock contains a lock chamber with inlet and outlet channels that allow gas to pass through without mechanical contact, eliminating wear and enabling continuous operation while maintaining reliable separation between different gas environments.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If pressure measurement is implemented in process chambers to detect leaks, then leak detection is possible, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gas lock chamber as an intermediary between process chambers that need to be separated. This lock chamber allows indirect monitoring and control of gas flow and pressure without requiring direct measurement instruments in the toxic or explosive process gases, thereby achieving leak detection while avoiding the complexity and safety risks of placing sensors in hazardous environments.
3Ease of manufacture
If gas showers are used for gas separation, then some separation is achieved, but the separation is insufficient for high-purity processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the gas separation function into multiple discrete channels (inlet channels, outlet channels, and lock chamber) rather than relying on a single gas shower mechanism. This segmented approach creates multiple barriers to gas mixing, achieving the required high-purity separation while maintaining ease of implementation through modular channel design.
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 gas lock effectively separates gases without direct contact with the product or transport system, enabling continuous operation, maintaining high purity, and reducing system costs by preventing gas mixing and ensuring safety through pressure monitoring without direct pressure measurement in process chambers.
Implementation Method 1
a gap between the wall and the inflow body being in fluid communication is formed with the at least two inlet channels
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a gas lock for separating two gas chambers, said gas lock allowing gases to be separated using minimal space and without contacting the product/feedstock/transport system. The gas lock of the invention is characterized in that a measurement chamber for measuring at least one physical and/or chemical property is integrated. The invention further relates to a coating apparatus comprising a gas lock of the invention. Possible uses of the disclosed gas lock are also indicated.