Monolithic Substrate Selective Cell Sealing for Defect Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Monolithic separation membrane structures face challenges in inspecting and repairing defects on the inner surface of cells, leading to potential membrane formation failures and reduced pressure-resistant properties, as existing methods are not suitable for visual inspection of the cell interior.

Innovation Solution

A monolithic substrate with a porous ceramic base material, sealed by glass and ceramic particles, featuring support and cell seal portions that allow for selective sealing of defective cells, preventing fluid inflow and maintaining structural integrity under high temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If a solvent-resistant substance is coated onto the surface for defect inspection, then defect detection capability is improved, but the method cannot be applied to inner surface inspection of cells

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefect detection capabilityVSAvoidapplicability to inner surface inspection
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the monolithic substrate into individual cells that can be independently sealed. By providing selective sealing means for each cell, the system enables targeted inspection and repair of specific cells without affecting others, making the inspection method adaptable to internal cell surfaces that were previously inaccessible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a sealing means as an intermediary component between the cell and the external environment. This sealing mechanism enables controlled access to the cell interior, allowing inspection substances to be introduced and defects to be detected on inner surfaces, thereby extending the applicability of inspection methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If defects on inner surface are not inspected and repaired, then membrane formation failure and pressure-resistant property reduction occur, but visual inspection of cell interior is not feasible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemembrane formation reliabilityVSAvoidinspection accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables preliminary sealing of cells before membrane formation. By sealing potentially defective cells in advance, the system prevents membrane formation failures and pressure-resistant property reductions that would occur if defects were present, while maintaining ease of operation through a straightforward sealing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If selective sealing of cells is implemented, then defect prevention capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefect prevention capabilityVSAvoidsealing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies sealing means selectively to specific cells rather than uniformly to all cells. This local quality approach allows defect prevention capability to be improved for cells that require it, while avoiding unnecessary sealing of defect-free cells, thereby minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables simple and effective sealing of defective cells, preventing membrane defects and maintaining the structural integrity of the separation membrane, even under high pressure and temperature conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a first support portion (240) including a ceramic aggregate material and packed into a first end portion (214S) of the seal target cell (214A); a first cell seal portion (250) containing glass and disposed on an outer surface (240S) of the first support portion (240) to close a first opening (214T) of the seal target cell (214A)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment through glass and ceramic particles: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

The first support portion (240) includes a ceramic aggregate material... The first cell seal portion (250) contains glass... maintaining the structural integrity of the separation membrane, even under high pressure and temperature conditions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal stability of ceramic and glass materials: Refractory Material

Data Source

PatentEP3124456B1Monolithic substrate, monolithic separation membrane structure, and method for producing monolithic substrate
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 NGK INSULATORS LTD
  • EP3124456B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3124456B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3124456B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A monolithic substrate (200) comprises a porous base material body (210), a first support portion (240), a first cell seal portion (250), a second support portion (260), and a second cell seal portion (270). The base material body (210) includes a plurality of cells (214) respectively passing from a first end surface (211) to a second end surface (212). The first support portion (240) contains ceramics as an aggregate material, and is packed into the first end portion (214S) of a seal target cell (214A). The first cell seal portion (250) contains glass, and is disposed on an outer surface (240S) of the first support portion (240). The second support portion (260) contains ceramics as an aggregate material, and is packed into the second end surface (214U) of the seal target cell (214A). The second cell seal portion (270) contains glass, and is disposed on an outer surface (260S) of the second support portion (260).