Chemical Resistant Hydration System with Sealed Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable hydration systems are not suitable for use in environments contaminated with chemical and biological hazards, as they lack resistance to noxious or toxic agents.
Innovation Solution
A portable hydration system featuring an outer bag made of chemical and biological resistant material, a fluid reservoir, a pump, and a dispensing tube also made of resistant materials, which provides a sealed and secure delivery of potable fluid to the user, using a user-actuable pump and sealing members to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional portable hydration systems are used, then ease of operation and simplicity are maintained, but chemical and biological resistance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The hydration system is divided into separate functional components: an outer protective bag made of chemical/biological resistant material, an inner flexible reservoir for fluid storage, a pump mechanism for fluid delivery, and a dispensing tube. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability against chemical and biological hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible reservoir is nested within the outer protective bag, with the pump received within the outer bag. This nested configuration allows the chemical-resistant outer bag to protect the inner reservoir and pump components without requiring the entire system to be constructed from specialized resistant materials, thus balancing reliability with device complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If chemical and biological resistant materials are used throughout the system, then contamination prevention is improved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Chemical and biological resistant materials are applied locally only where needed for contamination prevention - specifically in the outer protective bag and dispensing tube - rather than throughout the entire system. The inner reservoir can use lighter, conventional flexible materials since it is protected by the outer resistant bag, thus reducing overall weight while maintaining contamination resistance at critical interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer protective bag acts as an intermediary barrier between the external environment and the inner reservoir contents. This intermediate layer provides chemical and biological resistance, protecting the fluid supply without requiring the reservoir itself to be made of heavy resistant materials, thereby reducing system weight while maintaining protection.
3Reliability
If a sealed system with pump and sealing members is implemented, then contamination prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump mechanism and sealing members are integrated into a unified assembly received within the outer bag. The pump inlet is in fluid communication with the reservoir outlet, and the pump outlet defines a nozzle through an opening in the outer bag with sealing members provided for sealing the opening. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system while maintaining effective sealing.
Data Source
AI summary
A personal hydration system resistant to environmental contamination is provided. In a further aspect, a method of delivering fluid to a user is provided.