Pressure Resistant Shell for Welding Seam Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous biotechnological protein purification processes face challenges in maintaining sterile conditions and preventing cross-contamination, particularly due to the need for high-pressure tubing connections that exceed the pressure stability of existing welding seams, requiring innovative solutions for component exchange without compromising the closed system.
Innovation Solution
A pressure-resistant shell design that stabilizes welding seams using components with grooves and elevations or barblock devices, allowing for secure and aseptic exchange of tubing components under pressures up to 5 bar, ensuring the closed system's integrity and preventing twisting or breakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If welding seams are used to connect tubings in a closed system, then component exchange is enabled, but the welding seams cannot withstand production pressures above 1 bar
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure resistant shell is divided into at least two separable components that can be assembled around the welding seam. This segmentation allows the shell to be installed after welding without compromising the welding process, while providing the necessary pressure resistance. The components can be easily assembled and disassembled to enable component exchange while maintaining pressure integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure resistant shell acts as an intermediary element between the welding seam and the internal fluid pressure. It distributes the pressure loads around the welding seam, preventing stress concentration that would lead to failure. The shell with its groove and elevation design provides mechanical reinforcement without interfering with the welding process or component exchange operations.
2Strength
If a pressure resistant shell with tight fit is used to stabilize welding seams, then pressure resistance is improved, but twisting of components may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure resistant shell incorporates asymmetric features including a groove in one component and a corresponding elevation in the other component. This asymmetric design creates a unique fit that prevents twisting and misalignment when the components are assembled. The groove and elevation geometry ensures that the components can only be assembled in the correct orientation, maintaining positional stability under pressure while enabling easy assembly and disassembly.
3Reliability
If a closed system is maintained for continuous production, then sterility is preserved, but component exchange becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure resistant shell is pre-assembled around the welding seam before the actual welding process takes place. This preliminary action ensures that the shell is already in position to provide pressure resistance when welding occurs, and it remains in place during component exchange operations. The pre-positioned shell maintains the closed system integrity while allowing for controlled component replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure resistant shell design allows for dynamic assembly and disassembly of the shell components themselves, while the welded connections remain static and sealed. The separable components can be easily attached and removed to facilitate component exchange, while the welded sections maintain the closed sterile system. This dynamic aspect applies only to the shell components, not to the sealed welding joints.
Data Source
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AI summary
Herein is described a pressure resistant shell 1 for stabilizing a welding seam 1 of a weldable tubing 8 as well as a method of using it.