Pressurized Hydration Shuttle Valve for Sealed CBRN Refilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydration systems are ineffective in CBRN environments due to contamination risks and complex refilling processes, making it difficult for operators to maintain a ready supply of hydrating fluid without exposing themselves or the fluid to hazardous conditions.
Innovation Solution
A hydration system with a sealed pressurized fluid container and shuttle valve that allows for easy refilling and drinking without disconnecting the protective mask, using a pressurization system to direct hydrating fluid through conduits to a protective mask and personal hydration carrier, maintaining a sealed system against contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hydration systems are used in CBRN environments, then operators can access hydrating fluid, but the fluid is exposed to contamination from the hazardous environment
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the hydration container into separable components (container body and cap) that can be disconnected for refilling. The cap assembly with integrated pressurization system can be removed and reattached, allowing refilling operations to occur outside the CBRN environment while maintaining sealed connections during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A shuttle valve serves as an intermediary component between the fluid container and the operator's hydration system. This valve enables fluid transfer through sealed connections, allowing refilling operations without direct exposure to contaminated environment while maintaining system integrity.
2Reliability
If operators refill hydration systems in CBRN environments, then they can maintain fluid supply, but both operator and fluid are exposed to hazardous conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows the cap and pressurization assembly to be pre-assembled and sealed in a safe environment before entering the CBRN zone. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need to perform refilling operations within the hazardous environment, reducing both exposure time and contamination risk.
3Ease of operation
If pressurization system is integrated into the cap, then fluid can be directed through conduit to outlet, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurization system is merged with the cap assembly, combining two functions (sealing and pressurization) into a single integrated component. This reduces the number of separate connections and potential leak points, simplifying the overall system while maintaining ease of operation.
4Reliability
If traditional canteens are used, then hydrating fluid can be stored, but refilling exposes fluid to contaminated environment
Solution Approach 1:
The cap assembly containing the pressurization system is extracted as a separate, removable unit from the container body. This allows the cap to be filled and pressurized in a safe environment, then attached to the container, eliminating the need to fill the main container within the CBRN 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
Enables operators to refill and drink from a personal hydration carrier while keeping the system sealed, preventing contamination and maintaining a ready supply of hydrating fluid in CBRN environments.
Implementation Method 1
The underside of the cap carries a pressurization system that pressurizes the interior of the fluid container to drive hydrating fluid through a conduit to an outlet in the cap
Implementation Method 2
A manual switch on the outside of the cap opens a valve to direct pressurized air from one or more pressurized air cylinders attached to the pressurization system inside of the fluid container, through a regulator of the pressurization system, and out of the regulator into the interior of the fluid container
Data Source
AI summary
A hydration system maintains a ready supply of hydrating fluid within a sealed system that protects against contamination of the fluid supply and of the user in a CBRN environment. The system includes a fluid container having a removable cap that is equipped with a pressurization system that pressurizes the inside of the fluid container. Pressure inside of the fluid container drives the hydrating fluid, such as water, to an outlet in the cap and onward to a shuttle valve. In an exemplary embodiment, the shuttle valve has an inlet configured for fluid connection to the pressurized container, an outlet configured for connection to a supply line to the user's protective mask, and an intermediate port for connection to a personal hydration carrier carried by the user. The shuttle valve allows for filing of the user's individual water carrier and drinking of that fluid from the water carrier without exposing the hydrating fluid to the CBRN environment, and without requiring the user to disconnect their mask from the system.