Pressurized Protective Enclosure with Hydro-Membrane Moisture Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional protective enclosures, such as tarps and rigid structures, fail to effectively prevent moisture and precipitation from entering the enclosed area, leading to potential damage to objects and are often expensive and impractical for storage and disposal.
Innovation Solution
A portable protective enclosure with a flexible body and integrated pressurization chamber that maintains a higher internal pressure than the environment, using a hydro-membrane with miniscule apertures to remove moisture and air velocity reduction, combined with expandable and configurable design featuring zippered panels and end caps for various shapes and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional protective enclosures like tarps are used, then portability and low cost are achieved, but they fail to prevent moisture and precipitation from entering the enclosed area
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is divided into distinct functional zones: a pressurization chamber separated from the interior volume by a permeable membrane. This segmentation allows the pressurization chamber to handle moisture removal independently while the interior volume provides protected storage, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A permeable membrane acts as an intermediary between the pressurization chamber and the interior volume. It allows pressure differentials to be maintained for moisture protection while permitting controlled airflow, thus providing reliable moisture protection without requiring a completely sealed complex structure.
2Reliability
If rigid protective structures are used, then complete environmental protection is provided, but they are expensive and cannot be stored or disposed in certain areas
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure uses flexible fabric panels with integrated pressurization chambers instead of rigid structures. The flexible nature reduces weight and improves portability while the pressurization system maintains reliable environmental protection, resolving the contradiction between protection reliability and weight.
3Reliability
If a pressurized enclosure system is implemented, then moisture and precipitation are prevented from entering, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurization system is designed to be self-regulating, using the permeable membrane and chamber configuration to automatically maintain pressure differentials without complex control mechanisms. This self-service approach provides reliable moisture prevention while minimizing the complexity of the pressurization system.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the enclosure is designed to be portable and flexible, then storage and disposal are facilitated, but complete enclosure and pressurization are difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible enclosure is segmented into modular panels with integrated pressurization chambers. This segmentation allows the flexible structure to maintain effective seals and pressure differentials, resolving the contradiction between portability/adaptability and enclosure sealing reliability.
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 solution provides complete protection by preventing moisture and precipitation from entering the enclosure, maintaining a dry interior with reduced air velocity, and allowing for easy expansion and contraction, while being cost-effective and suitable for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
the pressurization chamber provides reduction of the air velocity therein prior to entrance into the interior volume of the body
Implementation Method 2
the pressurization chamber is formed in such a manner so as to facilitate the reduction of moisture and other matter of the air therein prior to the air being introduced into the interior volume of the body
Implementation Method 3
the body includes an air inlet formed therein that is atmospherically coupled with the pressurization chamber and is operable to provide back pressure within the pressurization chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A portable enclosure that is configured to be surroundably mounted at least one object to provide protection thereof wherein said portable enclosure is further configured to inhibit moisture within the interior volume thereof. The portable enclosure of the present invention includes a body wherein the body includes at least one body segment having at least one wall. The body is provided in alternate sizes and shapes and includes mateable end cap members. The wall of the body is configured with perimeter seams that are equipped with fasteners operable to provide expansion of the body segment. A pressurization chamber is operably coupled to the wall of the body and configured to provide a pressure within the interior volume of the portable enclosure that is greater than that of its surroundings. The pressurization chamber combines an airflow pattern and a water reducing member to facilitate the reduction of moisture.