Closed Transfer Probe Assembly With Rotating Rinse Head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closed transfer systems for hazardous chemicals face challenges in preventing spills and leaks during transfer, requiring innovative solutions to ensure safe and efficient handling.
Innovation Solution
A probe assembly with a rotating head and cam locking mechanism is integrated into a coupler system, allowing selective fluid communication and rinsing capabilities, ensuring secure transfer and cleaning of chemical containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closed transfer system is used to transport hazardous chemicals, then spill prevention and safety are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for specialized coupling mechanisms and flow control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The probe assembly is nested within the coupler body, with the probe selectively extending into the container through the coupler. This nested configuration allows the transfer system to maintain a compact, integrated structure while enabling selective access to the container, thereby achieving spill prevention without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe is designed to be movable between retracted and extended positions, allowing dynamic control of fluid flow. When retracted, the probe seals within the coupler to prevent spills; when extended, it enables chemical transfer. This dynamic mechanism provides reliable spill prevention while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If a probe assembly with rotating head is used for rinsing, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional moving parts and fluid distribution mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating head is driven by fluid pressure from the rinsing system itself, eliminating the need for external motors or power sources. Fluid entering the rotating head creates rotational motion that distributes rinse solution effectively across the container interior. This self-service mechanism achieves thorough cleaning while avoiding additional mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating head utilizes hydraulic principles where pressurized fluid flow generates rotational motion through strategically positioned outlets and vanes. This pneumatic/hydraulic actuation provides effective cleaning action without requiring complex mechanical drive systems, motors, or external power sources.
3Manufacturing precision
If selective fluid communication is implemented through probe positioning, then transfer precision is improved, but ease of operation decreases due to the need for precise positioning control
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical positioning controls with a simple cam-actuated mechanism. The cam profile automatically guides the probe through precise positioning stages (retracted, partially extended, fully extended) as the operator rotates the cam, eliminating the need for manual adjustment mechanisms while maintaining transfer precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism serves as an intermediary between the operator's simple rotational input and the probe's complex positioning requirements. By translating rotational motion into controlled linear displacement through a predetermined cam profile, the system achieves precise probe positioning without requiring the operator to directly control complex positioning mechanisms.
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 system effectively restricts fluid flow, prevents spills, and facilitates efficient transfer and rinsing of hazardous chemicals, enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The first axial vane can be configured to direct the fluid axially and the second radial vane can be configured to direct the fluid tangentially to rotate the rotating rinse head about the probe tip.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a probe assembly configured to selectively restrict fluid flow through an outlet of a closed transfer system. The probe assembly has an elongate probe body with a top end portion, a bottom end portion, an outer wall, and an internal structure defining a fluid chamber extending from the bottom end portion to the top end portion. The fluid chamber has a fluid chamber inlet at the bottom end portion extending through the outer wall into the fluid chamber and a fluid chamber outlet at the top end portion extending from the fluid chamber through the outer wall. A probe tip with a cylindrical bore is configured to engage the top end portion of the elongate probe body and a probe tip outlet is configured to be in fluid communication with the fluid chamber outlet. A rotating head located circumjacent to the probe tip and adjacent to the probe tip outlet is configured to rotate about the probe tip. The rotating head having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a vane extending from the inner surface through the outer surface.