Sample Cylinder Handling With Inspection, Pressurization, and Purging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for handling sample cylinders lack efficient methods for inspection, pressurization, and sample disposal, which can lead to contamination and inaccurate testing results.
Innovation Solution
A multi-station system is introduced, featuring stations for inspection, pressurization, and sample disposal. The system includes a platform with mounting fixtures and valves for attaching and detaching sample cylinders, facilitating the removal of contaminants, adjustment of pressure, and purging of samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sample cylinders have opaque walls to safely contain material samples, then containment reliability is improved, but inspection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sample cylinder is segmented into multiple sections: opaque sections for safe containment and transparent sections for inspection. This allows different parts of the same cylinder to serve different functions - the opaque portions maintain containment reliability while the transparent portions enable visual inspection of sample contents and contaminant detection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If material samples are contained in opaque sample cylinders, then safety is improved, but determination of material volume and contaminant presence deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cylinder body is divided into transparent and opaque sections, allowing visual inspection of sample volume and contaminant detection through the transparent portions while maintaining safe containment through the opaque sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylinder incorporates transparent sections that allow light transmission, enabling visual detection of material condition, volume assessment, and contaminant identification through optical properties without compromising the safety provided by opaque sections.
3Productivity
If sample cylinders are used for multiple testing cycles, then productivity is improved, but contamination risk deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary inspection through transparent sections before each testing cycle to detect contaminants. This allows early identification of contamination issues, enabling corrective actions before they affect subsequent tests, thus maintaining productivity while reducing contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent sections provide continuous visual feedback on sample condition and contaminant presence. This feedback mechanism allows operators to monitor sample integrity across multiple testing cycles and take appropriate actions to prevent cross-contamination, balancing productivity with contamination control.
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 enhances the handling of sample cylinders by enabling effective inspection for contaminants, ensuring accurate pressure adjustment for testing, and ensuring proper disposal of samples, thereby reducing contamination risks and improving testing accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
an at least partially transparent receptacle configured to be attached to the sample cylinder and facilitate inspection of a portion of the material sample
Implementation Method 2
a second valve positioned proximate the second mounting fixture and configured to provide fluid flow between a source of pressurized gas and the sample cylinder, thereby to pressurize the sample cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for enhancing handling of a sample cylinder may include first, second, and third stations, each configured to receive a sample cylinder containing a material sample. The first station may include a first mounting fixture configured to be attached to the sample cylinder, a viewing glass to facilitate inspection of a portion of the material sample, and a first valve configured to remove a portion of the material sample from the sample cylinder. The second station may include a second mounting fixture and a second valve to provide fluid flow between a source of pressurized gas and the sample cylinder, thereby to pressurize the sample cylinder. The third station may include a third mounting fixture configured to be attached to the sample cylinder and a third valve to provide fluid flow between the sample cylinder and ventilation ductwork or a receptable.