Recessed-Membrane Gas Cartridge Piercing for Safe N2 Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-pressure nitrogen (N2) cartridges are unsafe and unreliable for use in devices designed for lower-pressure carbon dioxide (CO2) cartridges due to the risk of catastrophic failure and incomplete gas flow, as conventional piercing mechanisms cannot handle the higher pressures and often fail to fully seat the cartridge.
Innovation Solution
A high-pressure nitrogen gas vessel with a recessed pierceable membrane and an elongated pin mechanism that safely pierces the membrane within a housing, ensuring complete gas flow by aligning and controlling the pin's movement to prevent back pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional piercing mechanisms are used with high-pressure nitrogen cartridges, then device compatibility is maintained, but safety deteriorates due to risk of catastrophic failure
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing mechanism is segmented into multiple components: a housing that receives both the cartridge and pin, a seal that isolates the pin chamber from the gas flow path, and a controlled piercing arrangement where the pin can pierce the membrane only after proper seating. This segmentation allows the device to handle high-pressure cartridges safely while maintaining compatibility with standard cartridge designs.
Solution Approach 2:
A seal acts as an intermediary element between the pin and the high-pressure gas. The seal creates a separate chamber that contains the pin during the piercing process, isolating it from the full force of the pressurized gas until the membrane is successfully pierced. This intermediary protection prevents catastrophic failure while maintaining device compatibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional piercing mechanisms are used with high-pressure nitrogen cartridges, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to incomplete gas flow
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed to preliminarily seat the cartridge in the correct position before the piercing action occurs. The threaded engagement and housing geometry ensure that the pin is properly aligned with the membrane opening before high pressure builds up. This preliminary positioning action ensures reliable gas flow while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal provides beforehand cushioning by creating a pressure buffer zone. As the pin approaches the membrane, the seal contains any premature gas leakage in a controlled manner, preventing sudden pressure spikes that could cause incomplete piercing or unreliable gas flow. This cushioning effect ensures consistent, reliable operation.
3Power
If high-pressure nitrogen cartridges are used in CO2-designed devices, then power output is improved, but safety deteriorates due to back pressure preventing proper seating
Solution Approach 1:
The seal serves as an intermediary that manages the back pressure generated by high-pressure nitrogen cartridges. By isolating the pin chamber from the full gas pressure, the seal allows the cartridge to be safely seated and pierced without the dangerous back pressure effects that occur in conventional CO2-designed devices. Users can safely operate high-power nitrogen cartridges without injury risk from improper seating.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
High pressure compressed gas pressure vessels and devices utilizing such vessels are disclosed herein. More particularly, aspects of the present invention are directed to high pressure (i.e., nitrogen or N2 based) pressurized gas cylinders with pierceable membranes recessed from the opening of the pressure vessel such that prior art piercing mechanisms cannot pierce the membrane for safety purposes. Additionally, aspects of the present invention are directed to pressurized gas operated devices with elongated pins for piercing pressure vessels with recessed pierceable membranes.