Single Fill Valve Plunger Mechanism for Cryogenic Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current valves for cryogenic liquid vessels used in skin treatment systems are designed for multiple refills, which can lead to the use of non-certified cryogenic liquids, posing safety risks and system inefficiencies, as they allow for repeated connection and disconnection, making it difficult to prevent refilling with unapproved substances.
Innovation Solution
A single fill valve with a central opening for filling and a distal opening that can be blocked by a plunger and pin mechanism, preventing further refilling once the vessel is filled, along with safety features like a burst disk for pressure release, ensuring the vessel is used only once and maintaining the purity of the cryogenic liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a valve is designed to allow multiple refilling cycles, then the device can be reused and productivity is improved, but the risk of contamination from non-certified liquids increases and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed as a single-use disposable component that is discarded after one filling cycle, eliminating the risk of contamination from repeated refilling while maintaining system productivity. The valve body, plunger, and seal are integrated into a disposable unit that ensures liquid purity through its single-use nature.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is extracted as a separate disposable component from the permanent system, allowing it to be replaced after single use. This separates the contamination risk into a disposable element that can be discarded, protecting the main system and ensuring liquid purity.
2Ease of operation
If a valve allows repeated connection and disconnection, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to prevent refilling with unapproved substances deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed as a disposable component that is connected once, filled, and then discarded. This eliminates the need for repeated connection and disconnection, preventing refilling with unapproved substances while maintaining ease of operation through a simple single-use process.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is pre-configured with a plunger and seal mechanism that automatically blocks the filling port after the first fill. This preliminary action of sealing prevents any subsequent refilling attempts, whether approved or unapproved, while the connection process remains simple.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a valve is designed for multiple mounts and dismounts, then adaptability is improved, but the risk of contamination and system damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed as a disposable component that can be easily connected once and then discarded, providing adaptability for single-use applications while eliminating the risk of contamination and system damage associated with repeated use.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is extracted as a separate disposable component, allowing the main system to remain clean and protected. The disposable valve handles all potential contamination risks, and its removal after single use prevents any harmful effects from accumulating.
4Productivity
If a valve allows refilling operations, then productivity is improved, but the occurrence of harmful factors such as clogged delivery system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed as a single-use disposable component that is discarded after one filling cycle, eliminating the opportunity for impurities to enter the system through repeated refilling. This prevents clogging of the delivery system while maintaining productivity through efficient single-use operation.
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 single fill valve effectively prevents refilling with non-certified liquids, ensuring the safety and purity of cryogenic liquids, reducing the risk of patient injury and system clogging, and maintaining the integrity of the skin treatment apparatus by limiting the vessel to a single fill.
Implementation Method 1
a plunger and a pin configured to move the plunger, to block at least the distal opening of the single fill valve upon completion of the cryogenic liquid storage vessel being filled with the cryogenic liquid
Implementation Method 2
The single use fill valve includes on one end a coupling arrangement configured to couple to a cryogenic liquid storage vessel and on other end a coupling arrangement configured to couple to a cryogenic liquid filling station or a skin treatment apparatus. The single fill valve also includes some safety features preventing formation of excessive pressure inside the cryogenic liquid storage vessel.
Data Source
AI summary
A single fill valve for a cryogenic liquid storage vessel. The valve includes a central opening configured to receive a cryogenic liquid and distal and bottom openings configured to direct cryogenic liquid into the cryogenic liquid storage vessel. The valve further includes a plunger and a pin configured to move the plunger and block at least the distal and bottom openings of the single use valve.