Controlled-Atmosphere Storage Shelves With Shuttered Gas Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for storing articles under controlled atmospheres, such as nitrogen or dry air, often suffer from frequent opening and closing, leading to inefficient gas circulation and the creation of 'dead zones, which can result in moisture absorption, oxidation, and reaction with ambient pollutants, and are costly and complex.
Innovation Solution
A modular storage device with shutters positioned between walls and shelves to prevent vertical gas passage and allow transverse circulation, featuring pneumatic gas supply and evacuation systems integrated into the same vertical wall, eliminating the need for electrical components and allowing for modular and stackable design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gas supply and evacuation means are located on opposite walls, then gas circulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage module is divided into multiple independent chambers separated by partitions with shutters. Each chamber can be independently purged, allowing gas circulation to be optimized locally while simplifying the overall gas supply and evacuation system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Shutters are introduced as intermediary elements between gas supply/evacuation means and storage chambers. These shutters control gas flow direction and enable complete circulation paths without requiring complex routing through multiple walls, simplifying the system while maintaining circulation efficiency.
2Reliability
If shutters are added to control gas circulation, then dead zones are eliminated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Shutters are made movable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic control of gas flow paths. This enables the system to adapt circulation patterns to eliminate dead zones while keeping the shutter mechanism simple through straightforward mechanical design integrated into existing partitions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If storage modules are made modular and stackable, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Storage modules are designed with standardized interfaces and dimensions that allow them to function independently or be stacked in various configurations. The gas supply and evacuation systems are designed to work effectively in both single-module and multi-module configurations, reducing the need for high-precision custom adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
Gas distribution manifolds are designed to provide uniform gas pressure and flow characteristics across all modules regardless of their position in the stack. This equipotential design approach compensates for minor manufacturing variations and reduces the precision requirements for module assembly.
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 solution ensures complete gas circulation without dead zones, reducing costs, improving performance, and maintaining a controlled atmosphere while being simple, modular, and transportable, thus enhancing the security and efficiency of storage operations.
Implementation Method 1
the present invention proposes in particular, in one of its aspects, a new structure of storage modules achieving an optimal and controlled circulation of the gas inside the storage
Implementation Method 2
the module comprises shutters, each shutter being positioned, opposite one of the shelves, between one of the two walls and the shelf in question, so as to prevent the passage of gas vertically at the location of a shutter, and to allow gas to pass only transversely along the shelf
Implementation Method 3
the gas evacuation means are located: i) on the same vertical wall as the gas supply means, j) or else on the other vertical wall facing it at the opposite end of the module
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for storing articles in a controlled atmosphere, comprising: at least one storage module capable of receiving the articles to be stored; a storage module provided with at least one shelf for positioning the articles, the storage module having a substantially parallelepiped shape, and having two substantially vertical and opposite walls between which the shelves extend, wherein the device is characterized in that shutters are provided, each shutter being positioned opposite one of the shelves, and between one of the two walls and the shelf in question, so as to prevent the gas from flowing vertically at the location of a shutter, and to allow the gas to flow only transversely along the shelf associated with the shutter in question.