Inflatable Seal Test Volume Design for Double-Door Leak Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in verifying the sealing of double door transfer systems and gloves in a sealed environment without breaking the seal, requiring efficient and non-bulky sealing test devices to ensure contamination prevention and aseptic conditions in industrial sectors like nuclear, medical, and pharmaceutical industries.
Innovation Solution
A compact sealing test device utilizing a single pump for inflation and pressure control, combined with a pneumatic circuit and solenoid valves, to create a test volume and assess the sealing integrity of systems by inflating or vacuuming the seal, allowing for quick and reliable testing of both double door transfer systems and gloves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional sealing test device with multiple components is used, then the sealing verification can be performed, but the device becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (inflation pump, vacuum pump, and pressure control) into a single integrated pump unit. This single pump can operate in different modes to provide both positive pressure inflation and negative pressure vacuum, eliminating the need for separate pump components and reducing overall device weight and bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pump is designed with multi-functionality to perform both inflation and vacuum generation. By integrating multiple functions into one component, the device achieves the required sealing test capabilities without requiring separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing device mass.
2Reliability
If a traditional sealing test device with multiple components is used, then the sealing verification can be performed, but the device becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components into a single integrated pump assembly. This consolidation reduces the total volume occupied by the device while maintaining all necessary functions for sealing verification, making the device more compact and space-efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional single pump design allows the device to perform inflation, vacuum, and pressure control operations without requiring separate components. This universality reduces the overall device volume while ensuring comprehensive sealing test capabilities.
3Reliability
If separate pumps are used for inflation and vacuum, then each function can be optimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines inflation and vacuum functions into a single pump system. This integration reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining the ability to perform both functions effectively, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pump is designed to be universal, capable of performing both inflation and vacuum operations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated pumps, reducing component count and simplifying the device while ensuring reliable performance of both functions.
4Volume of moving object
If a single pump is used for both inflation and vacuum, then device compactness is improved, but the pump must handle varying pressure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The single pump is designed with universal capability to handle both positive and negative pressure operations. This adaptability allows the pump to meet varying pressure requirements for both inflation and vacuum functions, maintaining versatility while achieving device compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system is capable of changing its operational parameters to accommodate different pressure requirements. By adjusting pressure levels and operational modes, the single pump can effectively perform both inflation and vacuum functions, demonstrating adaptability while maintaining a compact device 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 solution provides a lightweight, compact, and efficient method for verifying the sealing of systems, ensuring reliable contamination prevention and aseptic conditions by using a single pump to inflate or vacuum seals, reducing the risk of leaks and improving testing speed and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a casing (136) comprising an inflatable seal (148) intended to contact, in the inflated state, with the system
Implementation Method 2
one single pump (P1, P2, P3) which ensures both the inflation of the seal, and the sealing test
Data Source
AI summary
Device for testing the sealing of at least one system for insulating two mediums in a sealed manner, the system including a flange and a sealed door mounted in the flange, the test device including a casing including an inflatable seal intended to contact, in the inflated state, with the system and to ensure a sealing enabling the definition of a test volume between the system and the casing, a pneumatic pump and a pneumatic circuit configured to connect, in a first step, the pump to the inflatable seal such that the pump inflates the inflatable seal, and in a second step the pump to the test volume such that the pump generates in the test volume a pressure at a given value, and sensor for measuring the pressure in the test volume.