Pressure Relief Adapter Venting for Safe Oxygen Container Shipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is currently no tool, system, or method capable of verifying a safe condition of the contents of pressurized oxygen gas containers by reducing the internal pressure to a predetermined threshold value prior to transportation to an aircraft.
Innovation Solution
A pressure relief shipping adapter is designed to include a body with distinct portions, an internal chamber with varying sections, and a pressure relief valve, which is coupled to a bottle head assembly on a pressurized container to reduce the internal pressure by venting the gas through the valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressurized oxygen gas containers are transported directly without pressure reduction, then transportation efficiency is maintained, but safety is compromised due to high internal pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief shipping adapter performs pressure reduction as a preliminary action before transportation. The adapter includes a pressure relief valve that automatically vents excess pressure from the container, reducing internal pressure to safe levels before the container is transported to the aircraft, thereby eliminating the need to compromise between safety and transportation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relief shipping adapter acts as an intermediary device between the pressurized container and the transportation system. It includes a body with an internal chamber that receives the container, a pressure relief valve that controls pressure release, and a valve depressor mechanism. This intermediary system safely manages the pressure transition without affecting the container's contents or requiring direct handling of high-pressure gas
2Reliability
If no pressure verification tool is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to verify safe condition is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief shipping adapter is designed to be self-service in verifying safe conditions. The pressure relief valve automatically responds to pressure levels within the container, opening to vent pressure when thresholds are exceeded and closing when pressure is reduced to safe levels. This self-regulating mechanism provides verification capability without requiring complex external monitoring systems or additional verification tools
Solution Approach 2:
The system verifies safe conditions by monitoring and responding to changes in pressure parameters. The pressure relief valve is calibrated to activate at specific pressure thresholds, providing a simple but effective verification mechanism that detects when pressure has been reduced to safe levels for transportation, eliminating the need for complex verification equipment
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 adapter effectively reduces the internal pressure of the container to a predetermined value, ensuring a safe condition for transportation by safely venting the pressurized gas, thus addressing the lack of existing solutions for this purpose.
Implementation Method 1
reducing the internal pressure to a predetermined threshold value prior to transportation
Implementation Method 2
discharging the pressurized gas from the container, through the body of the pressure relief shipping adapter, and out an outlet of the body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4A
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for using a pressure relief shipping adapter (100) to reduce the internal pressure of a container (105). A pressure relief shipping adapter (100) includes a body (230) comprising a first portion (255), a transitional portion (310), and a second portion (260). The first portion (255) comprises a set of protrusions (250) and a hole (285) disposed through the set of protrusions (250). The second portion (260) comprises an outlet disposed at a second end of the body (230). The outlet is concentric with an inlet disposed at the first end of the body (230). The transitional section is disposed between the first portion (255) and the second portion (260). The pressure relief shipping adapter (100) also includes an internal chamber (290) within the body (230).