Sensor Probe Seal with Flexible Skirts for Bio-Pharm Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensor probes used in bio-pharmaceutical containers often leak fluid from the processing chamber into the sleeve surrounding the probe, leading to contamination and unusable product, especially during disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A unique probe seal system with inner and outer skirts and a seal member forms a fluid-tight seal between the sensor port and the sensor probe, using a flexible polymeric material to accommodate the tapered flange and prevent leakage, and a cable tie for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor probe is inserted into the processing chamber through a port, then the sensor can measure conditions in the chamber, but fluid may leak past the probe and accumulate in the sleeve surrounding the probe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane seal that forms a fluid-tight barrier between the sensor probe and the processing chamber. The membrane is configured to engage with both the probe and the chamber wall, creating a flexible sealing interface that accommodates probe insertion and movement while preventing fluid leakage into the sleeve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a membrane seal as an intermediary element between the sensor probe and the processing chamber. This intermediate component isolates the probe from direct fluid contact while maintaining the sealing function, preventing fluid from leaking past the probe and accumulating in the sleeve.
2Ease of operation
If the sensor probe is inserted through the port, then measurement access is enabled, but fluid may drip out of the probe sleeve during disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane seal maintains its sealing function throughout probe insertion and removal operations. The membrane's elasticity allows it to deform during probe movement while maintaining fluid tightness, preventing fluid from dripping out during disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane seal is pre-configured to engage with both the probe and chamber wall before any fluid leakage can occur. This advance sealing arrangement ensures that the sealing interface is established prior to probe insertion, preventing fluid accumulation and subsequent dripping during removal.
3Reliability
If fluid leaks past the sensor probe, then the leak accumulates in the sleeve, but the leaked fluid becomes unviable and unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane seal creates a fluid-tight barrier that prevents product loss through leakage. By maintaining seal integrity around the sensor probe, the flexible membrane ensures that no viable product enters the sleeve where it would become unusable.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane seal acts as an intermediary barrier that prevents viable product from reaching the sleeve. This intermediate sealing layer isolates the product from the probe interface, ensuring that even if the probe moves or is removed, no product can leak into the sleeve and become unusable.
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 probe seal system effectively prevents fluid leakage, maintaining sterility and viability of the product by creating a reliable, leak-tight seal between the sensor port and the sensor probe, even during insertion and withdrawal.
Implementation Method 1
The inner skirt has a seal member for sealably compressing against the probe sensor and the stem passageway to form a leak-tight seal
Implementation Method 2
The probe seal is preferably comprised of a flexible polymeric material adapted to permit the outer skirt to flexibly engage the tapered flange
Data Source
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AI summary
A sealing system is provided for preventing leakage of a fluid from a fluid-containing chamber when a sensor probe for measuring fluid conditions within the chamber is inserted into the chamber. The sealing system has at least one port in fluid communication with the fluid-containing chamber. The port has a stem projecting outwardly from the chamber, a tapered flange, and a stem passageway in fluid communication with the chamber interior. A probe seal which is adapted to attach to the stem forms a seal between the port and the sensor probe and prevents fluid in the processing chamber from leaking past the probe seal. The probe seal has spaced-apart inner and outer skirts. The inner skirt forms a seal passageway which is in fluid communication with the chamber, and an inner end disposed to enter the stem passageway when the probe seal is attached to the stem. The inner skirt has a seal member disposed near the inner end for sealably compressing against the probe sensor and the stem passageway to form a leak-tight seal in response to insertion of the sensor probe into the seal passageway. The inner and outer skirt also form a skirt channel adapted to receive the tapered flange of the stem when the inner skirt is inserted into the stem passageway.