Translatable Seal Carriage for Constant-Pressure Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing surface treatment methods for large vehicles, such as aircraft, face challenges in maintaining constant pressure within laser and effluent channels during the transportation of elements, leading to potential contamination from dust and water, which can affect the integrity and safety of the treatment process.
Innovation Solution
A longitudinal translatable seal system comprising resiliently deformable sealing compartments and a carriage with a port, allowing for constant pressure maintenance and fluid connection between channels, while preventing external contaminants from entering the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If elements are transported through open channels during surface treatment, then accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but contamination from dust and water enters the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible sealing compartments that form a continuous barrier between the interior and exterior of the robotic system. These flexible membranes allow relative movement between the mast and arm while maintaining contamination protection, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and contamination prevention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If rigid sealing structures are used to prevent contamination, then protection against harmful factors is improved, but the ability to accommodate movement and maintain constant pressure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing compartments are designed with flexible membranes that can deform and adapt to the relative movement between the mast and arm. This flexibility maintains the sealing function while accommodating the dynamic motion required for surface treatment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pressurized fluid (gas or liquid) within the sealing compartments to maintain constant pressure in the effluent channels. The fluid pressure system compensates for movement and position changes, ensuring stable operating conditions despite the flexible, movable nature of the seal.
3Stress or pressure
If movable components are used to maintain constant pressure during translation, then pressure stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing compartments are designed to automatically maintain sealing and pressure through their own deformation and fluid dynamics. The flexible membranes self-adjust to movement, and the pressurized fluid automatically compensates for position changes, reducing the need for external control mechanisms and simplifying the overall system.
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 a gas-tight seal and maintains desired pressure within laser and effluent channels, preventing contamination and ensuring the integrity of the surface treatment process, even during the movement of components within the robotic system.
Implementation Method 1
The first and/or the second sealing compartment are preferably resiliently deformable. The sealing compartments thus to allow easy movement of the carriage along the longitudinal direction.
Implementation Method 2
a liquid is provided in the interior of the first sealing compartment and/or the second sealing compartment, wherein the liquid fills at least 70% of the volume of the interior. Upon movement of the carriage, the carriage will displace the liquid, and the liquid will press the sealing compartment against the other sealing compartment and/or against the carriage.
Implementation Method 3
a carriage translatable longitudinally with respect to the sealing surface, the carriage comprising a port to fluidly connect a first side of the seal with a second side of the seal
Data Source
AI summary
A longitudinal translatable seal includes a first compartment extending in a longitudinal direction; a second compartment extending in the longitudinal direction forming a sealing surface with the first compartment; and a carriage translatable longitudinally with respect to the sealing surface, and a port in the carriage to fluidly connect a first side of the seal with a second side of the seal.