Two-Stage Coupling for UV Lamp Servicing Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid treatment systems lack a safe and efficient mechanism for disconnecting and servicing UV radiation sources, which poses a risk to service personnel due to the potential breakage of quartz sleeves and subsequent uncontrolled ejection of water and lamp remnants, and require additional structure for electrical connection management.
Innovation Solution
A radiation source assembly with a coupling system that disengages in two stages, allowing fluid to leak if the sleeve is damaged, and enabling non-rotational disengagement of the lamp plug, reducing the need for additional structure and allowing closer packing of UV lamps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lamp plug is mechanically fastened to the sleeve bolt and the bayonet feature is used to fix the orientation, then the electrical connections are secure, but the structure becomes more complex and requires additional space for engagement and disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical connection function with the mechanical fastening function into a single integrated lamp plug assembly. The electrical contacts are built into the lamp plug body that also serves as the mechanical fastening element, eliminating the need for separate electrical connection mechanisms and reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lamp plug is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical power to the radiation source, mechanically fastens to the sleeve bolt, and enables orientation fixing through the bayonet feature. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall assembly.
2Reliability
If the lamp plug is twisted or rotated to engage or disengage the electrical connections, then the electrical connections can be made securely, but additional structure and space is needed which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical connection mechanism with the mechanical rotation/bayonet engagement mechanism. The electrical contacts are positioned such that the same rotational motion that engages the bayonet feature also establishes the electrical connection, eliminating the need for separate electrical connection structures.
3Device complexity
If the quartz sleeve is secured with a single seal mechanism, then the structure is simpler, but the safety warning system is less effective in detecting sleeve failure
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into multiple independent seal elements positioned at different locations along the quartz sleeve. Each seal element can fail independently, and the lamp plug is designed to detect which specific seal has failed, providing more detailed safety warnings and allowing for more precise fault diagnosis.
Solution Approach 2:
The lamp plug incorporates sensors or detection mechanisms that monitor the integrity of each seal element and provide feedback to the control system. When a seal fails, the system receives immediate feedback and can alert operators or automatically shut down the UV system to prevent unsafe operation.
4Ease of operation
If UV lamps are spaced further apart, then there is more space for servicing and maintenance, but the treatment efficiency and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The UV lamp assembly is segmented into modular components including the radiation source, protective sleeve, lamp plug, and coupling elements. This modular design allows individual components to be serviced independently without requiring large clearance spaces, as each module can be accessed and maintained separately while keeping lamps closely spaced for efficient treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system incorporates movable or adjustable elements that allow the lamp assembly to be dynamically positioned or adjusted during servicing. This enables maintenance personnel to access components in tightly spaced configurations while maintaining the ability to perform full servicing procedures.
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
Enhances safety by warning operators of potential sleeve failure and simplifies the servicing process without requiring additional space for electrical connection management, enabling safer and more efficient maintenance of UV radiation sources.
Implementation Method 1
employ ultraviolet (UV) radiation... UV lamps each of which are mounted within sleeves... irradiated as required
Implementation Method 2
The water in the housing or chamber is normally pressurized. This pressure applies a force to the closed end of the sleeve.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is disclosed a coupling for a radiation source assembly that comprises an elongate radiation source and an elongate radiation transparent protective sleeve for receiving the elongate radiation source. The coupling disengages in two stages when it is desired to remove the elongate radiation source for servicing (or any other purpose). The coupling is disengaged from a first position in which a seal is made between the sleeve bolt element and the lamp plug element. When this action takes place, the lamp plug element is still secure with respect to the sleeve bolt element but since there is no seal between the two, any fluid which has flooded the elongate radiation source (e.g., due to breakage or other damage to the protective sleeve) will emerge from the coupling warning the operator not to fully disengage the lamp plug element from the sleeve bolt element. If no such fluid is seen by operator, the operator may continue to disengage the lamp plug element from the sleeve bolt element to withdraw the elongate radiation source from the elongate radiation transparent protective sleeve.