Disposable Tri-Laminate Coverall for Nuclear Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current protective clothing for nuclear/radioactive environments is not suitable for universal application, as it lacks integrated elements for breathable, water-resistant, and comfortable contamination protection with external air hoses, SCBA, emergency breathing apparatuses, and dosimetry equipment, and requires multiple layers and complex decontamination processes.
Innovation Solution
A disposable coverall made of tri-laminate 30/30/30 water-resistant fabric, featuring a zipper front, ultrasonically welded seams, an expanded back for SCBA, attached boots and sleeves with elastic, air line loops, dosimeter tabs, and integrated pouches for breathing apparatuses and dosimetry equipment, allowing for universal use in both indoor and outdoor nuclear environments and simplifying disposal through incineration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate protective garments are used for different functions (breathing apparatus, dosimetry equipment, air sampling), then each specific protective function is achieved, but the device complexity and number of garments required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple protective functions (breathing apparatus accommodation, dosimetry equipment mounting, air sampling capability, and contamination protection) into a single integrated coverall garment. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate garments while maintaining all required protective functions through integrated design elements such as attached hoods, pockets, and sealed constructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The coverall is designed as a universal protective garment that can accommodate various breathing apparatuses (SCBA, egress bottles, air line connections), support multiple dosimetry equipment configurations, and provide air sampling capabilities. This multi-functional design allows a single garment type to serve multiple protective purposes that previously required separate specialized garments.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional protective clothing is used, then contamination protection is provided, but breathability and wearer comfort are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coverall incorporates porous breathable fabric materials that allow vapor transmission and wearer comfort while maintaining contamination barriers. The breathable fabric construction enables moisture vapor to pass through the material, providing comfort during extended wear while the material structure maintains protection against radioactive and chemical contaminants.
3Ease of manufacture
If disposable protective garments are used, then decontamination complexity is reduced, but the quantity of material consumed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coverall is designed as a disposable protective garment that can be discarded after single use without requiring decontamination or cleaning processes. This disposable approach eliminates complex decontamination procedures while the integrated design and durable construction minimize the need for multiple garment changes, thereby reducing overall material consumption compared to traditional reusable systems that require frequent laundering and replacement.
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 tri-laminate coverall provides comfortable, breathable, and splashproof protection for various equipment, reducing the need for multiple garments and simplifying disposal by allowing all used coveralls to be incinerated, thus enhancing usability and logistical efficiency in nuclear facilities.
Implementation Method 1
a composite permselective membrane layer that is permeable to water vapor but impermeable to toxic organic vapors
Implementation Method 2
The tri-laminate 30/30/30 fabric comprises 30 grams per square meter of spunbond polypropylene, 30 grams per square meter of microporous film and 30 grams per square meter of spunbond polypropylene
Implementation Method 3
ultrasonically welded seams
Implementation Method 4
attached boots with elastic at the ankle and sleeves with elastic at the wrists
Data Source
AI summary
A protective garment for nuclear environments is formed of a tri-laminate 30/30/30 water resistant barrier fabric. The garment can be incinerated so as to provide a disposable, one time use coverall particularly adapted for use in nuclear/radioactive environments. The coverall provides integrated elements for water resistant (i.e., splashproof), breathable, comfortable contamination protection. It is adapted for use with various types of breathing apparatuses, included external air lines, back-mounted self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA), and emergency breathing bottles or apparatuses. Air tanks and bottles are covered by the garment and thus do not need to be decontaminated. The garment also includes elements for use with air sampling devices and/or dosimetry equipment that are often worn by such workers.