Polymer Membrane Flow Dampener for Low-Rate Pulsation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flow dampeners are heavy, expensive, and unsuitable for single-use or disposable applications, particularly in biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical processes, as they require chemical sterilization and fail to effectively dampen pulsation at low flow rates, leading to inaccurate measurements.
Innovation Solution
A flow dampener composed of polymer materials with a flexible membrane sealed onto a body shell, forming an elongate flow path that absorbs kinetic energy and reduces pulsation, allowing for effective sterilization via Gamma irradiation and improved measurement accuracy at low flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal dampeners are used, then dampening performance is achieved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to polymer, fundamentally altering the density and weight characteristics while maintaining the dampening function through the flexible membrane design. This material substitution directly resolves the contradiction by achieving comparable dampening performance with significantly reduced weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible membrane made of polymer material as the core dampening element. This flexible film structure provides the necessary compliance to absorb pulsation energy while being inherently lighter than metal constructions, thus resolving the weight-performance contradiction.
2Reliability
If metal dampeners are used, then dampening performance is achieved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to polymer, which are generally less expensive materials. This material substitution directly addresses the cost contradiction by achieving comparable dampening performance with significantly reduced material and manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables disposable dampener units by using inexpensive polymer materials that can be manufactured at low cost. This allows single-use applications where the dampener can be discarded after sterilization, eliminating cleaning and maintenance costs associated with metal dampeners.
3Reliability
If chemical sterilization is used, then sterilization is achieved, but effectiveness is insufficient for biopharmaceutical applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sterilization method parameter from chemical to physical (Gamma irradiation). This parameter change resolves the contradiction by achieving complete sterilization effectiveness required for biopharmaceutical applications, eliminating the insufficiency of chemical methods while maintaining polymer material integrity.
4Reliability
If conventional dampeners are used, then pulsation dampening is achieved, but measurement accuracy at low flow rates is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane that can dynamically respond to flow conditions. At low flow rates, the membrane's flexibility allows it to effectively dampen pulsations without creating excessive pressure drops or turbulence that would interfere with measurement accuracy, thus resolving the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a dynamic flexible membrane structure that adapts its response to varying flow conditions. The membrane's compliance allows it to provide appropriate dampening across different flow rates, particularly improving performance at low flow rates where conventional rigid dampeners fail to maintain measurement accuracy.
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 polymer-based flow dampener provides efficient pulsation reduction, is cost-effective for single-use applications, and achieves accurate flow rate measurements, even at low flow rates, while being suitable for sterilization methods like Gamma irradiation, enhancing the performance of Coriolis flow sensors.
Implementation Method 1
As the flow goes through the elongate flow path, the flexible membrane vibrates with the flow and absorbs kinetic energy in the flow
Implementation Method 2
The flexibility of the flexible membrane dampens vibration in the flow
Data Source
AI summary
A flow dampener for dampening pulsation in a fluid flow includes a body shell, a flexible membrane, and two flow ports. The body shell has an interior surface and an elongate groove formed on the interior surface. The flexible membrane is sealed to the interior surface of the body shell and covers the elongate groove. In some embodiments, the flexible membrane is over-molded onto the body shell. The flexible membrane cooperates with the elongate groove to form an elongate flow path for the fluid flow. The flexible membrane has a thickness in a range from 0.5 mm to 6 mm. As the membrane is flexible, it vibrates as the fluid flows through the elongate flow path, absorbs kinetic energy in the fluid flow, and thereby dampens pulsation in the fluid flow.