Pressure-Equalizing Housing Vent With Parallel Emergency Degassing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure-equalizing devices with limited installation space have inadequate pressure equalization and emergency degassing functions due to a small functional surface of the membrane, leading to unsatisfactory performance.
Innovation Solution
A pressure-equalizing device with a lattice-like cage and a gas-permeable membrane, where the membrane and pressure-relief valve are configured in a functional parallel arrangement, maximizing the membrane's functional surface and the pressure-relief valve's diameter to enhance breathing and emergency degassing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the pressure-equalizing device is designed with a small diameter to fit limited installation space, then the device can be installed in compact spaces, but the functional surface of the membrane becomes too small to provide satisfactory pressure equalization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the membrane beyond the circular cross-section of the gas passage opening in the radial direction, utilizing the annular space between the opening and the pressure-relief valve. This dimensional extension allows the membrane area to be significantly increased without increasing the overall device diameter, thereby resolving the contradiction between compact installation space and sufficient pressure equalization surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane is nested within the annular space defined by the gas passage opening and the pressure-relief valve, effectively utilizing the available radial space. This nesting arrangement allows the membrane to occupy the entire annular region, maximizing its functional surface area within the constrained diameter of the device.
2Area of moving object
If the membrane is arranged directly on the end face of the gas passage opening to maximize functional surface area, then pressure equalization improves, but the membrane becomes vulnerable to damage during emergency degassing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protective structure (the pressure-relief valve assembly with its sealing lip) that acts as a cushion or barrier between the membrane and the high-pressure emergency degassing flow. This protective arrangement prevents the membrane from being directly exposed to damaging pressure surges while maintaining its large functional surface area for normal pressure equalization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the pressure relief function from the pressure equalization function by introducing a separate pressure-relief valve mechanism. This segmentation allows the membrane to be optimized for pressure equalization (large surface area) while the pressure-relief valve handles emergency degassing, protecting the membrane from damage.
3Device complexity
If the first outside diameter of the membrane functional surface substantially corresponds to the inside diameter of the pressure-relief valve, then the membrane and pressure-relief valve can be arranged coaxially with optimal space utilization, but the sealing lip must be precisely dimensioned to ensure both sealing and emergency flow functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes specific dimensional relationships between components (first outside diameter of membrane corresponding to inside diameter of pressure-relief valve, and to second outside diameter of sealing lip) that optimize the coaxial arrangement. These parameter specifications ensure proper fitting and sealing while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through defined tolerance ranges.
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
Ensures effective pressure equalization and emergency degassing with maximized membrane surface area and emergency degassing rate, protecting the membrane from damage and maintaining functionality in emergency conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-permeable membrane (7), in particular a breathing membrane, which spatially separates the inside (4) and the outside (5) from one another in a flow-conducting manner
Implementation Method 2
a sealing lip (12) with a second outside diameter (13), which sealingly contacts a sealing surface (14) of the cage (1) with elastic preloading
Implementation Method 3
configured to lift off the sealing surface (14) and be brought into an open position to provide a flow-conducting connection between the inside (4) and the outside (5) for emergency degassing of the inside (4)
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure-equalizing device including a lattice-like cage with a gas passage opening through which gas can flow in a throughflow direction and which connects an inside and an outside of the device in a flow-conducting manner. The gas passage opening has an end face which faces toward the outside and which is covered by a gas-permeable membrane. The gas-permeable membrane is assigned a pressure-relief valve in a functional parallel configuration. The gas-permeable membrane and the pressure-relief valve jointly spatially separate the inside and the outside from one another. The gas-permeable membrane has a circular functional surface delimited by a first outside diameter. A sealing lip sealingly contacts a sealing surface of the cage with elastic preloading, and is configured to lift off the sealing surface and be brought into an open position to provide a flow-conducting connection between the inside and the outside for emergency degassing of the inside.