Hermetic Sample Holder with Pressure-Sealed Cover

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sample handling methods for microstructural and elemental analyses often result in contamination due to exposure to ambient air during transfer from controlled atmosphere environments to analysis equipment, leading to inaccurate results.

Innovation Solution

A hermetic sample holder with a pivotally mounted cover that seals and opens based on pressure differentials, allowing for controlled atmosphere maintenance and minimization of contamination, featuring a sealing surface, adjustable clamp, and interlock mechanism for secure sample transport and analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sample is transferred from controlled atmosphere to analysis equipment, then the analysis can be performed, but the sample may be contaminated by ambient air

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample purityVSAvoidsample transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sample holder body is nested within the transfer chamber, creating a hierarchical containment structure where the sample cavity is protected by multiple layers (inner cavity, outer chamber, seals) that progressively isolate the sample from ambient contamination while allowing controlled access for analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The transfer chamber acts as an intermediary environment between the controlled atmosphere and ambient air, providing a transition zone that allows sample insertion and holder sealing without direct exposure to contaminating ambient atmosphere during the transfer process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the cover is sealed hermetically to prevent contamination, then sample purity is maintained, but the cover must be securely locked requiring complex release mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal integrityVSAvoidlocking mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is self-actuating through pressure differential - when the transfer chamber is evacuated, the higher ambient pressure automatically pushes the cover against the sealing surface, creating hermetic seal without requiring external locking forces or complex mechanical fastening mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses pneumatic pressure differential created by vacuum evacuation of the transfer chamber to automatically secure the hermetic seal, converting pressure differential into sealing force that locks the cover without mechanical interlocks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If the sample holder is evacuated to create pressure differential for sealing, then the seal is secured, but the evacuation process requires additional time and equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal securityVSAvoidevacuation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer chamber is evacuated before the sample holder is sealed, pre-establishing the pressure differential condition that will automatically secure the seal when the cover is closed, eliminating the need for post-sealing evacuation or complex sequential operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 hermetic sample holder effectively reduces contamination by maintaining a controlled atmosphere during transport and analysis, ensuring accurate results by preventing exposure to ambient air components like water and oxygen.

Implementation Method 1

The cover is to be secured in the closed position and released from the closed position at least in part by a pressure differential between an internal pressure within the sample cavity and an ambient pressure outside the sample cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a valve in fluid communication with the sample cavity to allow direct evacuation of the sample cavity to create a pressure differential between the sample cavity and the ambient pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvacuation: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS8087309B2Hermetic sample holder and method for performing microanalysis under controlled atmosphere environment

Publication Date: 2012.01.03 SION POWER CORP

AI summary

A hermetic sample holder for use in performing microanalysis of a sample under a controlled atmosphere environment. The sample holder comprises a sample holder body with a sample cavity to receive the sample and a cover movably mounted to the holder body between an open position to allow access to the cavity and a closed position to seal the cavity. The cover is secured in and released from the closed position at least in part by a pressure differential between the cavity and the ambient atmosphere. The cover may be biased toward the open position. The cover may be pivotally mounted about an axis that is perpendicular to a sealing surface of the cover and/or movable in a direction along the pivot axis. A valve may be provided to allow direct evacuation of the cavity to create a pressure differential. An adjustable clamp may be located in the cavity to secure the sample.