Glove Box Flange Design for Sealed Equipment Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Glove box type containment enclosures require lengthy and costly interventions to replace equipment, as existing methods necessitate breaking the confinement by dismantling the wall where the equipment is fixed, leading to prolonged unavailability of the enclosure.
Innovation Solution
A containment enclosure design featuring a first flange with a cylindrical section and shoulder that obstructs an opening, secured by a weld bead and a clamping ring, allowing equipment to be replaced without breaking the confinement, using a second flange and clamping ring for secure sealing and retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If equipment is fixed to the wall by welding or bolting through the wall, then the equipment is securely held, but replacing the equipment requires dismantling the wall and breaking containment
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separable components: a first flange fixed to the wall, a second flange on the equipment, and a detachable connection element with clamping rings. This segmentation allows equipment replacement without wall dismantling, resolving the contradiction between ease of repair and containment integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second flanges act as intermediary elements between the wall and the equipment. The connection element with clamping rings provides a removable intermediary connection that maintains containment during operation but allows easy equipment replacement by simply detaching the connection element.
2Productivity
If equipment is permanently fixed to the wall, then containment integrity is maintained, but the enclosure remains unavailable for extended periods during equipment replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system transitions from a static permanent connection to a dynamic removable connection. The clamping rings can be quickly released and repositioned, allowing equipment to be swapped in minutes rather than days, dramatically improving enclosure availability and reducing downtime.
3Strength
If bolts pass through the wall to secure equipment, then the equipment is firmly attached, but a seal must be implemented adding complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is localized to specific contact surfaces: the first flange seals against the wall opening, and the second flange seals against the first flange's shoulder. This localized sealing approach maintains strong attachment while reducing overall sealing complexity compared to multiple seals required with through-wall bolts.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a containment enclosure (10) provided with equipment (20) mechanically attached to a wall (11) of said enclosure by means of a first flange (30), said equipment (20) and the first flange (30) hermetically sealing an opening (12) formed in the wall (11), the first flange (30) comprising a cylindrical section (31), forming a passage (32), provided with a first free edge (33), and a second edge (34) from which a shoulder (35) extends, the first flange passing through the opening (12) so that the shoulder (35) is held in contact with an inner face of the wall (11), and so that the cylindrical section (31) projects outwards from the enclosure, the equipment (20), provided with a second flange, passing through the passage (32), the second flange comprising a second shoulder (21a) clamped support against the first edge (33).