Tritium Vial Encapsulation Module with Impact-Resistant Composite Shell

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tritium vials in devices are prone to breaking due to impact, thermal shock, fluid penetration, and exposure to outdoor weathering conditions, such as chemicals and UV radiation, which compromises their durability and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A module comprising tritium vials enclosed within protective covers made of a strong, impact-resistant material, bonded together with an adhesive to form a sealed barrier that shields the vials from damage, ensuring protection against impact, thermal extremes, fluid ingress, and outdoor exposures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If glass vials are used to contain tritium, then the vials provide effective containment, but the vials are prone to breaking under impact and thermal shock

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevial containment effectivenessVSAvoidvial resistance to impact and thermal shock

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by bonding the glass vials to a flexible substrate before encapsulation, creating a shock-absorbing interface that protects the vials from impact and thermal shock during subsequent use and handling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining glass vials with a flexible substrate (such as polymer or elastomer material) to create a hybrid structure that maintains the containment effectiveness of glass while adding impact and thermal shock resistance through the flexible component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the module is made from strong, impact-resistant material, then the module protects vials from breaking, but the material must also resist thermal shock, fluid penetration, and chemical exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodule impact resistanceVSAvoidthermal shock, fluid penetration, chemical exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials by selecting a flexible substrate material that integrates multiple protective properties including impact resistance, thermal shock resistance, fluid penetration resistance, and chemical exposure resistance into a single bonded structure surrounding the vials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a flexible substrate (flexible shell) that bonds to the vials and provides comprehensive protection against multiple harmful factors including impact, thermal shock, fluid penetration, and chemical exposure while maintaining flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Force

If adhesive is used to bond vials to the module, then the adhesive provides structural bonding, but the adhesive must have sufficient elasticity to reduce vial breakage risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidvial breakage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting an adhesive with specific elasticity parameters that allow the adhesive to provide strong bonding force while simultaneously absorbing impact energy to protect the vials from breaking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9581316B2Apparatus and method for encapsulating tritium

Publication Date: 2017.02.28 SHERPA ENTERPRISES LLC

AI summary

A module comprising: one or more vials containing tritium; one or more tritium covers; and an open space within the one or more tritium covers, wherein the one or more vials containing tritium are located within the open space of the one or more tritium covers so that the one or more tritium covers protect the one or more vials containing tritium, and wherein the one or more tritium covers are made from a material that exhibits sufficient strength so that the module protects the one or more vials containing tritium from damage when dropped from a distance of 1 m or more.