Closed-Transfer Probe Assembly With Rotating Rinse Head and Cam Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closed transfer systems for hazardous chemicals lack effective mechanisms to prevent spills and leaks during transfer, and to ensure safe and efficient handling and cleaning of chemical containers.
Innovation Solution
A probe assembly and coupler system that includes a rotating rinse head and cam locking mechanism, allowing for selective fluid communication and rinsing within a closed transfer system, ensuring secure container locking and efficient fluid transfer while minimizing spills and leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closed transfer system is used to transport chemicals, then spill and leak prevention is improved, but the system complexity increases due to additional components needed for secure transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The probe assembly is nested within the coupler body, with the probe tip receiving the container opening and the rinsing head positioned around the probe tip. This nested configuration allows multiple functions (transfer, sealing, rinsing) to be integrated in a compact arrangement, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler system integrates multiple functions into a single device: the probe assembly handles chemical transfer, the cam locking mechanism provides secure container attachment, and the rotating rinsing head performs cleaning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining spill prevention capabilities.
2Reliability
If a cam locking mechanism is used to secure containers, then container security is improved, but the operation time increases due to the locking and unlocking process
Solution Approach 1:
The cam locking mechanism uses rotating cams that can quickly transition between locked and unlocked positions. The dynamic rotation of the cam assembly allows for rapid container securing and releasing, reducing operation time while maintaining strong container security during the locked state.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam locking mechanism is designed so that the container is partially secured during the insertion process, with the final locking action completed by a simple cam rotation. This preliminary positioning reduces the time needed for complete locking, as the container is already in the correct position before the final securing action.
3Ease of operation
If a rotating rinsing head is used for cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating rinsing head is designed to rotate automatically using the flow of rinsing fluid itself as the driving force. The fluid flow through the vanes creates rotational motion without requiring external motors or power sources, eliminating complex drive mechanisms while maintaining effective cleaning through the rotating spray pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The rinsing head uses hydraulic principles where the flow of liquid through specially designed channels and over vanes converts fluid energy into rotational mechanical energy. This hydraulic actuation provides effective cleaning through rotation without adding electrical or mechanical drive complexity to the system.
4Manufacturing precision
If the probe assembly is designed to selectively restrict fluid flow, then fluid control precision is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to precise positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The probe assembly is divided into separate modular components: the probe body, probe tip, and rinsing head assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and precision-positioned independently, then assembled together. The modular design simplifies manufacturing while maintaining the precise positioning needed for selective fluid flow restriction.
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 system effectively restricts fluid flow, secures containers, and facilitates efficient rinsing, thereby enhancing safety and reducing the risk of spills and leaks during chemical transfer and handling.
Implementation Method 1
A rotating head can be positioned around a portion of the probe tip including the probe tip outlet. The rotating head can be configured to distribute a second fluid received from the probe tip outlet when the probe assembly is in the second position.
Implementation Method 2
A probe assembly and coupler system that includes a rotating rinse head and cam locking mechanism, allowing for selective fluid communication and rinsing within a closed transfer system, ensuring secure container locking
Data Source
AI summary
A probe assembly configured to selectively restrict fluid flow through an outlet of a closed transfer system. The probe assembly has an elongate probe body with a top end portion, a bottom end portion, an outer wall, and an internal structure defining a fluid chamber extending from the bottom end portion to the top end portion. The fluid chamber has a fluid chamber inlet at the bottom end portion extending through the outer wall into the fluid chamber and a fluid chamber outlet at the top end portion extending from the fluid chamber through the outer wall. A probe tip with a cylindrical bore is configured to engage the top end portion of the elongate probe body and a probe tip outlet is configured to be in fluid communication with the fluid chamber outlet. A rotating head located circumjacent to the probe tip and adjacent to the probe tip outlet is configured to rotate about the probe tip. The rotating head having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a vane extending from the inner surface through the outer surface.