Siphon Seal Assembly for Rotating Stationary Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing arrangements in cold aseptic filling systems require complex designs with multiple siphon seals and electronic control circuits, leading to cumbersome and time-consuming cleaning and sterilization processes, especially when dealing with a large number of seals.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of mechanical seals in conjunction with siphon seals at transitions between rotating and stationary parts, along with a common supply system for sealing liquid, eliminates the need for electronic level control and allows for simultaneous CIP cleaning and SIP sterilization, reducing contamination and simplifying the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If independent buffer containers with electronic control circuits are assigned to each siphon seal, then the liquid level of sealing liquid can be maintained at specified levels, but the device complexity and design effort increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent buffer containers into a single common buffer container that supplies sealing liquid to multiple siphon seals simultaneously. This eliminates the need for separate electronic control circuits at each seal location, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable liquid level control through a centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The common buffer container serves multiple siphon seals at different levels simultaneously, making a single device perform the function that previously required multiple separate devices. This universal approach reduces the number of components needed while maintaining the essential function of liquid level maintenance across all seals.
2Reliability
If multiple siphon seals are used at different levels in a cold aseptic filling system, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the number of independent buffer containers and control circuits increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing functions into a unified system where a single buffer container and control circuit architecture serves all siphon seals at different levels. This merging approach maintains the sealing effectiveness of multiple seals while eliminating the proportional increase in control circuit complexity.
3Ease of operation
If siphon seals are offset radially outwards with nozzles for washing and cleaning, then cleaning access is improved, but the cleaning and sterilization process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning operations with automated CIP (cleaning in place) and SIP (sterilization in place) systems. Cleaning and sterilization media are delivered through the existing nozzle infrastructure, allowing automated circulation and treatment of sealing surfaces without manual disassembly or physical cleaning operations, significantly reducing time and labor requirements.
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
This solution simplifies the construction and enhances operational reliability by automating the sealing liquid supply, preventing contamination, and enabling efficient cleaning and sterilization of multiple siphon seals in a single process, thereby reducing design effort and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
design such seals as siphon seals. Each siphon seal consists essentially of at least one groove-like channel or annular channel that encloses the axis of rotation or rotation of the peripheral part of the housing in a circular ring, into which a circular wall section on an element of the siphon seal provided on the other part of the housing extends. At least during the filling operation, the ring channel is filled with a sealing liquid to such an extent that the at least one annular wall section of the siphon seal is immersed sufficiently deep in the sealing liquid so that the gap remaining between the two elements of the respective siphon seal is tightly closed by the sealing liquid
Data Source
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AI summary
The arrangement has a siphon seal (9) provided in a CIP-cleaning or SIP-sterilization process, enabling a relative movement between the rotor (11) and fixed wall element (19). An outlet opening or nozzle (50,51) is provided at the siphon seal preferably at rotor for cleaning and sterilization medium used for sealing arrangement. A ring channel concentrically encloses an axle of the rotor for retaining a sealing fluid at wall element. An independent claim is also included for a plant or a device for treating bottles or containers, comprising a rotor and fixed mechanical component.