Vacuum Sampling Container With One-Way Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sampling systems for lubricants, fuels, and chemicals are prone to contamination, inefficient, and often cause environmental contamination due to complex equipment and procedures, leading to sample loss, mislabeling, and data handling mistakes.
Innovation Solution
A sampling system that includes a sampling container with a vacuum pump and various cap configurations for minimal contamination, faster sampling, and effective configuration control, compatible with most sampling points, and reduces the number of components needed, featuring one-way valves and adapters for efficient fluid sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex sampling equipment and procedures are used to meet EPA protocols, then sampling reliability and contamination control are improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling system is divided into separate functional modules: a sampling container for collecting the sample, a vacuum pump for creating negative pressure, one-way valves for controlling fluid flow direction, and adapters for connecting to different sampling points. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling container is designed with universal compatibility to work with various sampling points and fluid types through different adapters. The system can be used for lubricants, fuels, water, and other chemicals, making it a multi-functional solution that reduces the need for multiple specialized equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple assembly and disassembly steps are used to adapt to various applications, then adaptability is improved, but time consumption and error likelihood increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling container incorporates universal adapters that can be attached to different sampling points without requiring disassembly or reconfiguration of the main container. This allows the same container to adapt to various applications (lubricants, fuels, water, chemicals) through simple adapter exchanges, eliminating time-consuming assembly and disassembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling container is pre-equipped with vacuum pumps and one-way valves before use. The vacuum pump is pre-installed to create negative pressure automatically, and the one-way valves are pre-positioned to control flow direction. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site assembly and configuration, reducing sampling time while maintaining adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If traditional sampling methods are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but sample contamination and environmental pollution increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling container acts as an intermediary between the sampling point and the user. It includes integrated one-way valves that control fluid flow direction, preventing back-flow contamination, and a vacuum pump that creates negative pressure to draw sample fluid through controlled pathways. This intermediary design maintains operational simplicity while preventing sample contamination from external sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling container creates a controlled internal environment with negative pressure maintained by the vacuum pump. This inert atmosphere prevents ambient contaminants from entering the sample container during sampling, while the one-way valves ensure that fluids only flow in the intended direction, protecting the sample from contamination throughout the sampling process.
4Measurement precision
If comprehensive sampling equipment is used to ensure sample integrity, then sampling precision is improved, but loss of substance and component disposal increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling container is designed as a disposable unit that is discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for cleaning and sterilization of complex components. This approach ensures sample integrity by using a sterile, single-use container while reducing waste from contaminated components. The vacuum pump and one-way valves are integrated into the disposable container, so no separate components need to be disposed of.
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 minimizes sample contamination, reduces environmental impact, and simplifies the sampling process by standardizing equipment identification and tracking, while reducing the disposal of contaminated components and allowing for versatile configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pump (23) which may be used to pull a sample into the sampling container (10)
Implementation Method 2
The sampling container (10) may include a one-way valve (26) which may prevent back-flow of fluid into the sampling container (10)
Data Source
AI summary
A sampling container having a bottle connected to a cap with the cap in communication with a one-way valve for the transport of fluid into the bottle; and the one-way valve configured to receive fluids there through into the opening of the bottle. Further optional embodiments also include a vacuum adapter for attaching the cap to a vacuum pump.