Fluid Sterilization Window Pressure Equalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fluid sterilization devices face a challenge in maintaining the intensity of ultraviolet light for high-pressure fluids, as thick glass plates are required to withstand pressure, leading to increased ultraviolet light loss and reduced sterilization efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A pressure adjustment mechanism is implemented to equalize the pressure difference between the light source chamber and the treatment flow passage, allowing for a thinner window member and enhanced ultraviolet light transmission by adjusting the pressure in the light source chamber using a partition wall that displaces to change the volume of associated pressure adjustment chambers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the thickness of the glass plate is enlarged to withstand high fluid pressure, then the pressure resistance is improved, but the transmission of ultraviolet light increases loss and the intensity of ultraviolet light irradiating the fluid is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure resistance of glass plateVSAvoidintensity of ultraviolet light
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the pressure parameter in the light source chamber to match the fluid pressure in the treatment chamber. By equalizing the pressure on both sides of the glass plate (making the pressure difference approximately zero), the glass plate can be made thinner while still withstanding the high fluid pressure, thereby reducing ultraviolet light transmission loss and increasing the intensity of light irradiating the fluid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If a thick glass plate is used to withstand high pressure, then the pressure resistance is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure resistance of glass plateVSAvoidcomplexity of pressure resisting structure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention simplifies the device by changing the pressure parameter in the light source chamber to equalize it with the fluid pressure. This eliminates the need for complex thick glass plate structures or additional pressure reinforcement mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining adequate pressure resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 increases the intensity of ultraviolet light irradiating the fluid, improving sterilization performance while maintaining a thin window member, even when treating high-pressure fluids, and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a partition wall configured to be displaced in accordance with a pressure difference between the treatment flow passage and the light source chamber and adjust the pressure in the light source chamber by using volume change associated with displacement of the partition wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

a window member that is provided between the treatment flow passage and the light source chamber and transmits the ultraviolet light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltraviolet light transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3536669B1Fluid sterilizing device
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 NIKKISO CO LTD
  • EP3536669B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3536669B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3536669B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A fluid sterilization device 10 includes: a treatment flow passage 12 in which a fluid subject to sterilization flows; a light source chamber 14 that stores a light source 30 for irradiating the fluid in the treatment flow passage 12 with ultraviolet light; a window member 32 that is provided between the treatment flow passage 12 and the light source chamber 14 and transmits ultraviolet light; and a pressure adjustment mechanism 40 that adjusts a pressure in the light source chamber 14 so as to reduce a difference between a pressure in the treatment flow passage 12 and the pressure in the light source chamber 14.