Multilayered Pressure Accumulator Membrane for Gas Permeation Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure accumulators with membranes made of elastomers become permeable over time, leading to gas leakage and reduced operational reliability, as the gas dissolves in the elastomer and diffuses into the environment, rendering the system unserviceable.
Innovation Solution
A multilayered membrane unit with a base structure comprising filaments and gastight impregnation, where the base structure is made from synthetic textiles or non-wovens, and layers of nitrile rubber and polyvinyl acetate are used, along with ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer barrier layers to enhance permeation resistance and prevent layer detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-layer elastomer membrane is used, then the membrane remains flexible and easy to manufacture, but the membrane becomes permeable to gas over time, reducing operational reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by creating a multilayered membrane structure combining elastomer layers with synthetic textile layers. The elastomer provides flexibility and sealing, while the synthetic textile layers provide structural stability and enhanced gas barrier properties. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by achieving high permeation resistance through material combination rather than using a single complex material.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane is segmented into multiple functional layers: elastomer layers for flexibility and sealing, synthetic textile layers for structural support, and adhesive layers for bonding. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally, with the elastomer providing gas tightness and the textile providing dimensional stability, thereby achieving high reliability without excessive overall complexity.
2Reliability
If layers are applied to increase gastightness, then permeation resistance improves, but the layers may lift off or flake off due to kneading action during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using adhesive layers specifically at the interfaces between elastomer and synthetic textile layers. This localized application of adhesive material ensures strong bonding exactly where the kneading action would cause delamination, while maintaining the flexibility and gas barrier properties of the elastomer layers elsewhere in the membrane structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layers are incorporated into the membrane structure during manufacturing, performing the bonding function in advance before the accumulator undergoes operational kneading. This preliminary bonding action prevents layer separation during subsequent use, ensuring that the gastight layers remain firmly attached despite mechanical stress during operation.
3Reliability
If a multilayered membrane unit with synthetic textile and impregnation is used, then permeation resistance and layer bonding improve, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated layers: the synthetic textile layers serve both as structural support and as a substrate for adhesive impregnation, while the adhesive layers simultaneously bond the elastomer to the textile and provide additional gas barrier properties. This merging reduces the total number of separate manufacturing steps compared to applying multiple discrete coatings.
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 deep, permanent bond and high permeation resistance, preventing gas leakage and maintaining operational reliability for extended periods, thus extending the service life of the pressure accumulator.
Implementation Method 1
The nitrogen or the air first dissolve in the elastomer
Implementation Method 2
subsequently diffuse into the environment through evaporation
Implementation Method 3
the gastight impregnation of a base structure that comprises filaments, according to the invention, a deep, permanent bond is created, while maintaining a high permeation resistance through the penetration of the impregnation and the surrounding of the filaments on the base structure
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure accumulator includes a membrane (4) forming a movable separating element between media spaces (6, 8) and made of contiguous layers (16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26) of different materials. At least one layer of a basic structure (16, 20) has filaments. A gas-tight impregnation (24) is disposed between layers (18) made of an elastomer.