Seal Interface Ring for Rapid Confinement Cell Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealed transfer devices between containers and containment cells are complex, with uncontrollable tightness issues, interchangeability complications, and incompatibility with existing systems, leading to maintenance challenges and operational disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device featuring a cell door with a lip seal mounted on an interchangeable seal carrier crown and a flexible seal interface crown, using bayonet connections for rapid disassembly and reassembly, along with a mobile cell flange with axial movement and helical ramps for centering and sealing, and a safety mechanism to prevent container removal during door opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cell door is divided into two parts with membranes for sealing, then sealing capability is improved, but device complexity increases and tightness becomes uncontrollable
Solution Approach 1:
The cell door is divided into a fixed part and a movable part, with the movable part containing the seal carrier that can translate relative to the fixed part. This segmentation allows independent optimization of sealing and structural functions, reducing overall complexity while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal carrier position can be adjusted by changing its translation parameter relative to the fixed part, allowing control of seal tightness through parameter adjustment rather than complex mechanical constraints, thus improving tightness controllability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeability of container and cell door is implemented, then adaptability is improved, but maintenance complexity increases due to revalidation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The seal carrier and seal interface crown are designed as universal interchangeable components that can be used with different container and cell door configurations. This universality allows maintenance personnel to replace components without requiring full system revalidation, reducing maintenance complexity while maintaining adaptability.
3Productivity
If rapid disassembly and reassembly under confinement is enabled, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to bayonet connection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The bayonet connection mechanism allows dynamic transition between locked and unlocked states through simple rotational movement. This dynamic design enables rapid assembly and disassembly under confinement without requiring complex tools or procedures, achieving high productivity with controlled complexity.
4Reliability
If decontamination systems are integrated into the cell flange, then reliability is improved, but adaptability decreases when system evolution or failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The decontamination system is segmented into separate interchangeable modules (heating ring, UV ring) that can be independently replaced or upgraded. This modular segmentation maintains reliable decontamination capability while allowing system evolution without replacing the entire cell flange assembly.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6A~6C
AI summary
Device enabling transfer between a container (10) and a confinement cell (2). The confinement cell includes a cell frame (4) and a cell door (6) mounted in the cell frame (4). The device includes a seal interface ring (20) ensuring a seal-tight interface with the seal (28) of the door-seal ring (27), the two rings being securely fastened one to the cell door (6) and the other to the cell frame (4), by virtue of bayonet connectors allowing removal and rapid replacement under confinement, the cell door (6) possessing, in its upper portion, an O-ring (44) creating a seal against a flange of the cell frame (4), thereby allowing the seal-tightness of the cell to be maintained during the interchangeability of the two removable rings.