Pipe Drying With Inert Gas for Integrated Liquid Supply Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid supplying devices face challenges in efficiently draining liquids from their pipes without dividing them, especially when the number of detachable pipe connections is reduced for integration, making it difficult to access and drain the liquid effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method for draining liquids from the pipes of liquid supplying devices by circulating an inert gas, such as nitrogen, through the pipes without dividing them, while protecting pressure sensors from static electricity by electrically grounding the sensor covered portions to the device housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pipe is divided for draining liquid, then the liquid can be drained from specific sections, but the work space is required near the pipe connection and a lot of work time is consumed for dividing work
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the liquid drainage function from the pipe structure by introducing a separate inert gas supply system. The inert gas is supplied into the pipe to discharge liquid externally, eliminating the need to divide the pipe for drainage operations while maintaining complete liquid removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces inert gas as an intermediary substance to facilitate liquid drainage. The inert gas acts as a mediator that pushes liquid out of the pipe without requiring physical access to pipe connections, thus avoiding work space requirements and reducing work time.
2Device complexity
If the number of detachable pipe connections is reduced for integration, then the device is downsized, but draining the liquid by dividing the piping becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the liquid discharge function from the pipe division operation and implements it through an external inert gas supply system. This allows the pipe structure to remain integrated with fewer detachable connections while maintaining full liquid drainage capability through the gas-driven discharge mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The inert gas acts as an intermediary that enables liquid drainage in integrated pipe systems without requiring detachable connections for access. The gas can be supplied through existing structure openings or dedicated supply lines, maintaining drainage functionality while preserving device integration and downsizing benefits.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor covered portion is exposed to the inside of the pipe, then the pressure sensor can detect internal pressure, but the pressure sensor is vulnerable to static electricity damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an inert gas supply as an intermediary system that enables pressure sensing functionality while protecting the sensor from static electricity. The inert gas flow path and supply mechanism provide a controlled environment that reduces static charge accumulation on exposed sensor portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inert gas to create a protective atmosphere around the pressure sensor's exposed portions. The inert gas environment reduces the generation and accumulation of static electricity, thereby protecting the sensor from electrostatic damage while maintaining its ability to detect internal pressure accurately.
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
This method allows for efficient and safe drainage of liquids without the need for workspace and time-consuming pipe division, reducing the risk of leaks during reassembly and maintaining the integrity of pressure sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a step for drying an inside of the pipe by circulating an inert gas in the pipe
Implementation Method 2
protecting a pressure sensor from a static electricity by electrically connecting a sensor covered portion of the pressure sensor with a housing of the liquid supplying device
Data Source
AI summary
To improve liquid draining of a liquid supplying device. A method for draining a liquid of a pipe of a liquid supplying device including a step for drying an inside of the pipe by circulating an inert gas in the pipe without dividing the pipe, wherein the step for drying includes a step for protecting a pressure sensor from static electricity, through a pressure sensor that has a sensor covered portion electrically connected with a housing of the liquid supplying device, the sensor covered portion is exposed to the inside of the pipe or exposed to a flow path communicating with the inside of the pipe.