Purge Gas Storage Shelf with Isolated Branches for Module Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage shelves require operators to shut off purge gas and seal removal portions during shelf module replacements, leading to a heavy workload due to the need for aging the main pipe and removing containers from other modules.
Innovation Solution
The storage shelf design includes a main frame with shelf modules that have a detachable base plate and a supply nozzle, a main pipe with a first branch for each module, and a mass flow controller connected to the module pipe via an open/close valve. This configuration allows for the removal of the module pipe without shutting off the main pipe's purge gas flow, preventing foreign matter entry and reducing the need for extensive aging procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the operator shuts off purge gas flowing through the main pipe during shelf module replacement, then foreign matter entry is prevented, but the operator's workload increases due to the need to seal removal portions and perform aging procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The purge gas supply system is segmented into multiple independent branches, each serving a specific shelf module. This allows the operator to close only the valve on the specific branch being replaced rather than shutting off the entire main pipe, thus preventing foreign matter entry while minimizing operational disruption and workload
Solution Approach 2:
A valve is introduced as an intermediary component on each branch pipe between the main pipe and the shelf module. This valve acts as a local control mechanism that isolates individual modules for maintenance without affecting the overall system, reducing the operator's workload while maintaining system reliability
2Reliability
If the operator performs aging procedure for the main pipe after replacement, then impurity discharge is ensured, but containers in other shelf modules must be removed increasing workload
Solution Approach 1:
The aging procedure is segmented to apply only to the specific branch pipe being replaced rather than the entire main pipe system. Since each branch is independently controllable, the operator can perform aging on one branch while other branches continue to supply purge gas to their respective modules, eliminating the need to remove containers from other shelf modules
Solution Approach 2:
The purge gas supply to other shelf modules continues uninterrupted during the aging procedure on a replaced branch. The valve on the replaced branch isolates the aging process to that specific segment, allowing useful action (purge gas supply) to continue in other parts of the system without interruption or additional workload
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
This design reduces the operator's workload by eliminating the need to shut off the main pipe's purge gas or seal removal portions during shelf module replacements, allowing for simpler and more efficient component replacement processes.
Implementation Method 1
the first branch is connected to a module pipe via an open/close valve for opening/closing the flow path
Implementation Method 2
the shelf modules are each provided with a mass flow controller configured to adjust the flow rate of the purge gas supplied to the supply nozzle
Implementation Method 3
a main pipe through which purge gas supplied from a supply source flows
Data Source
AI summary
A storage shelf includes: a main frame; a plurality of shelf modules each having a base plate detachably provided on the main frame, and a supply nozzle provided on the base plate; a main pipe through which purge gas supplied from a supply source flows, and a first branch provided in the main pipe and branches a flow path from the main pipe, in which the shelf modules are each provided with a mass flow controller configured to adjust the flow rate of the purge gas supplied to the supply nozzle, the first branch is connected to a module pipe via an open/close valve that opens/closes the flow path, and the mass flow controller is connected to the module pipe.