Vacuum-Sealed Sample Container With Gas Extraction Lid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum sealable containers lack mechanisms for extracting gases from the container after it is returned to Earth, leading to potential contamination and pressure issues due to the release of entrained gases from extraterrestrial samples.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum sealable container with a lid assembly and locking mechanism that forms a hermetic two-way seal, incorporating a gas extraction device to remove volatile gases and prevent atmospheric infiltration, designed for use in extraterrestrial sample storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional vacuum sealable containers are used without gas extraction mechanisms, then the container structure remains simple, but contamination risks increase and pressure issues occur due to volatilization of entrained gases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into functional segments: a container body for sample storage, a separate lid assembly with sealing mechanisms, and an integrated gas extraction device with valve and port. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas extraction device and valve are pre-integrated into the container design, allowing gases to be extracted before they cause contamination or pressure issues. The sealing mechanisms are pre-configured to maintain vacuum integrity, preventing harmful effects before they occur rather than reacting to them later.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a hermetic seal is implemented to prevent atmospheric infiltration, then contamination prevention is improved, but the ability to extract gases becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A valve mechanism serves as an intermediary between the hermetic seal and the external environment. This valve allows controlled opening of the seal for gas extraction while maintaining hermetic sealing when closed, thus preventing contamination during normal operation while enabling gas removal when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas extraction device includes a port and valve that can be opened to extract gases from the container interior. This extraction capability is integrated into the lid assembly, allowing gases to be removed through a dedicated pathway without compromising the hermetic seal's ability to prevent contamination when closed.
3Reliability
If a cam bolt and cam bracket locking mechanism is used to secure the lid assembly, then seal integrity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam bolt and cam bracket mechanism provides dynamic locking capability, allowing the lid assembly to be securely fastened in multiple positions. The cam action creates progressive engagement that ensures reliable sealing while distributing mechanical loads, achieving high seal integrity without requiring excessive structural complexity.
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 container effectively reduces the risk of contamination and internal pressure by sealing against volatile gases and allows for separate analysis of released gases, ensuring sample integrity during transport between different environments.
Implementation Method 1
The cam extension may pass through a respective through aperture of a corresponding flange tab when the lid assembly is attached to the container body
Implementation Method 2
a two-way seal mechanism to prevent gas escape and atmospheric infiltration
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum sealable container for securing and transporting extraterrestrial samples includes a container body and a lid assembly detachably coupled to the container body, the lid assembly selectively hermetically sealing the container body. The lid assembly includes a cap member defining a plurality of lid tabs corresponding to the plurality of flange tabs, and a plurality of cam bolts received through the plurality of lid tabs, the plurality of cam bolts each including a respective cam extension. The plurality of cam bolts selectively pull the cap member toward the container body when tightened.