Power Supply Unit Using Insulation Gas for Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sterilization devices using electron beam irradiation for packaging materials face challenges with heavy and cumbersome designs, inadequate insulation leading to potential contamination and increased weight, and heat management issues, particularly in food and medical applications.
Innovation Solution
The use of insulation gas, such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide, within the power supply unit to enhance dielectric strength, prevent leakage, and reduce weight, combined with a hermetically sealed and cooled housing to manage heat and prevent electrical discharges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oil is used as insulation medium for the power supply unit, then electrical insulation is improved, but weight increases and leakage risk occurs causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces liquid insulation medium (oil) with gaseous insulation medium (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) to eliminate weight and leakage issues while maintaining electrical insulation. The gas is introduced into the housing to replace the oil, providing insulation without the harmful effects of liquid media.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inert gases (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) as the insulation medium to prevent contamination and chemical reactions. These gases are inert and do not react with other components, eliminating the risk of contamination that would occur with oil leakage.
2Reliability
If oil is used as insulation medium, then electrical insulation is improved, but contamination risk increases due to potential leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces liquid insulation medium (oil) with gaseous insulation medium (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) to eliminate weight and leakage issues while maintaining electrical insulation. The gas is introduced into the housing to replace the oil, providing insulation without the harmful effects of liquid media.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inert gases (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) as the insulation medium to prevent contamination and chemical reactions. These gases are inert and do not react with other components, eliminating the risk of contamination that would occur with oil leakage.
3Power
If high voltage is generated for electron beam emission, then sterilization capability is improved, but heat generation increases requiring cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gas cooling system where nitrogen or carbon dioxide serves as a heat transfer medium. The gas circulates through the housing to absorb and remove heat generated by the high voltage components, acting as an intermediary between the heat-generating components and the external environment.
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 solution provides reliable and lightweight sterilization devices with improved insulation, reduced risk of contamination, and effective heat management, enabling efficient sterilization of packaging materials while ensuring safe operation and personnel protection.
Implementation Method 1
The use of insulation gas improves the dielectric strength of the electric system and the housing or of parts of the electric system
Implementation Method 2
When an electrical current is fed through the filament, the electrical resistance of the filament causes the filament to be heated to a temperature in the order of 2,000 °C. This heating causes the filament to emit a cloud of electrons
Implementation Method 3
The electrons are accelerated towards the electron exit window by means of a high potential difference between the cathode housing and the exit window
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 2a
AI summary
Power supply unit, in particular for a sterilization device, comprising a housing (20) and an electric system (40), wherein the electric system (40) is located within the housing (20), characterized in that the housing (20) is filled with an insulation gas (50), in particular nitrogen,wherein the insulation gas (50) is adapted to electrically insulate the electric system (40).