Movable Flushing Tube for Container Gas Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container filling systems face inefficiencies in flushing out oxygen from containers using inert gases, leading to suboptimal product quality and increased operating costs due to the need for high flushing gas pressure and additional control valves.
Innovation Solution
A filling element design where a flushing tube, surrounded by a return-gas tube, is moved between raised and lowered positions to control the flow cross-section between the gas chamber and the container, allowing for efficient flushing and tempering with reduced gas consumption by using pressures slightly above ambient, eliminating the need for additional control valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the flushing tube is inserted as far into the container as possible to optimize flushing, then flushing efficiency is improved, but the connection between the first gas-channel and the gas chamber is closed or severely choked
Solution Approach 1:
The flushing tube is made movable between a lowered flushing position (where it extends into the container to optimize flushing) and a raised starting position (where it re-opens the connection between the first gas-channel and the gas chamber). This dynamic positioning allows the system to achieve both optimal flushing efficiency and restored gas flow path without requiring additional control valves.
2Productivity
If high flushing gas pressure is used to achieve optimal flushing, then flushing efficiency is improved, but operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pressure parameter from high pressure to slightly above ambient pressure by optimizing the gas flow path. When the flushing tube is in the raised position, the re-opened connection between the first gas-channel and the gas chamber allows tempering gas to be conducted into the container interior via a large total flow cross-section, enabling effective flushing and tempering at reduced pressure and thus reduced energy consumption.
3Extent of automation
If additional control valves are installed to control the connection between the first gas-channel and the gas chamber, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flushing tube itself serves the dual function of both flushing the container and controlling the gas flow path. By moving the flushing tube between raised and lowered positions, the system automatically opens or closes the connection between the first gas-channel and the gas chamber without requiring additional control valves or control signals. This self-service mechanism eliminates extra components while maintaining precise control.
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 design achieves optimal flushing and tempering with reduced gas consumption and operating costs, ensuring product quality by efficiently displacing ambient air with inert gases like CO2 or nitrogen, while minimizing the complexity of control systems.
Implementation Method 1
a controlled gas path admits flushing gas under flushing pressure into the gas chamber
Implementation Method 2
efficient flushing and tempering with reduced gas consumption by using pressures slightly above ambient, eliminating the need for additional control valves
Data Source
AI summary
A filling element includes a flushing tube that carries flushing gas used to drive air out of a container's interior before filling it with liquid filling-material. The flushing tube moves between a starting position and a flushing position. In the flushing position, the flushing tube chokes a connection between a gas chamber and a gas channel that leads into a container. In the starting position, this connection is wide open.