Pneumatic Double Door Seals for Leaktight Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing double-door leaktight transfer devices experience contamination risks due to an uncertainty zone caused by manufacturing tolerances, leading to increased operational effort and potential contamination during seal compression and decompression.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of seals with a nose, lips, and heels that trap air, reducing the uncertainty zone by compressing the heels to create a sealed cell, and optional features like removable films for assembly, ensuring tightness through O-rings and air supply channels for independent air distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mass of material at the tip of the seal is increased to reduce the uncertainty zone, then the sealing integrity is improved, but the closing and opening torque is increased which requires too great an effort for the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pneumatic system with a membrane element that can be inflated or deflated to adjust the sealing force. By pressurizing the membrane, the seal exerts sufficient force to reduce the uncertainty zone without requiring excessive mechanical compression mass. This pneumatic mechanism allows operators to achieve reliable sealing with minimal manual effort, resolving the contradiction between sealing integrity and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If venting channels are added to release suction forces during disconnection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of contamination increases due to unverifiable filter integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the venting channels and filters from the system entirely. Instead of using mechanical channels that require filtration, the invention employs a pneumatic membrane system that can be actively controlled to equalize pressures during disconnection. This extraction of the problematic venting mechanism eliminates the contamination risk associated with filter integrity while maintaining ease of operation through active pressure management.
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic membrane system serves multiple functions: it provides sealing during connection, generates suction forces during disconnection to facilitate separation, and can be actively controlled to manage pressure differentials. This self-service capability eliminates the need for separate venting channels and filters, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and contamination risk.
3Reliability
If the uncertainty zone is reduced through greater seal compression, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the closing torque is increased which involves too great an effort for the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical compression force with pneumatic pressure applied to a membrane element. The pressurized membrane generates the necessary sealing force to reduce the uncertainty zone and ensure containment integrity without requiring high closing torque. This pneumatic approach allows for precise control of sealing force while minimizing the manual effort required from operators.
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 minimizes the uncertainty zone, reduces contamination risks, and decreases the operational effort required for sealing, while eliminating the need for venting channels, thereby enhancing the integrity and efficiency of the sealing process.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the first and second seals comprises a cell in which a quantity of air is imprisoned in a sealed manner
Implementation Method 2
at the time of disconnection, during the separation of the container from the cell flange, the first lips create suction cup forces called suctions
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a double door for leaktight transfer, comprising a cell flange (4) on which a cell door (5) is fitted and a container flange (7) in which a container door is fitted. A first seal (30) is fitted in the cell door (5) and a second seal (10) is fitted in the container flange. At least one of the first and second seals (10, 30) has a cavity (11, 31, 32, 33) in which a quantity of air is trapped in a leaktight manner.