Heat-Sealable Vapor-Sensor Bag for Contaminant Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for verifying the presence of hydrocarbon contaminants in sealed devices, such as oxygen pressure gauges, require opening the bags and dilute the gas samples with atmospheric air, leading to inaccurate measurements and safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A heat-sealable chemical vapor-sensor bag with an integrated sensor array made of chemical-resistant materials, allowing for immediate detection of contaminants within the bag without opening it, using gas ports with valves to control gas flow and provide accurate measurements of solvent vapor concentrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If gas samples are taken from sealed devices by opening the bags, then gas sampling can be performed, but the gas samples are diluted with atmospheric air leading to inaccurate measurements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracy of solvent vaporVSAvoidgas sampling process

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A one-way valve is introduced as an intermediary component that allows gas to flow from the sealed device into the sampling bag while preventing atmospheric air from entering the device. This mediator enables accurate sampling without opening the sealed environment, thus maintaining measurement precision while preserving the ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If flow-through monitoring instruments are used with constant high gas flow, then gas can be measured, but the gas passes through too quickly (seconds or less) for accurate measurement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegas measurement speedVSAvoidsolvent vapor measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The gas sample is collected and stored in a sealed bag before measurement occurs. This preliminary action allows the gas to be contained and then measured at a controlled, slower rate using techniques such as headspace analysis or gas chromatography, ensuring accurate measurement while maintaining efficient workflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If devices are placed in polyethylene bags for transport, then protection during transport is achieved, but the bags cannot be heat-sealed and do not provide verification of cleanness prior to use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice protection during transportVSAvoidbag sealing and verification capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bag is constructed from composite materials that combine the chemical resistance and protective properties of polyethylene with the heat-sealability of materials like polypropylene or aluminum foil layers. This composite structure enables both reliable device protection during transport and heat-sealing capability for verification of cleanness prior to use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If visual inspection under visible and UV light is used, then gross hydrocarbon contamination can be detected, but remaining solvent vapor levels cannot be verified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant detection capabilityVSAvoidsolvent vapor concentration measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical/visual inspection system is replaced or supplemented with analytical instrumentation such as gas chromatography or mass spectrometry. These instruments can quantitatively measure solvent vapor concentrations at parts per million or billion levels, providing precise verification of remaining solvent vapor that goes far beyond the capabilities of visual inspection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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

Enables safe and accurate verification of hydrocarbon contaminants, reducing the risk of contamination and dilution, and eliminating the need for secondary solvent rinses, thus ensuring device safety and cost savings.

Implementation Method 1

heat-sealable bag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat sealing: Melting

Implementation Method 2

sensor array integrated into the bag such that gas inside the bag will contact an interior surface of the sensor array

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapor detection: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11009493B2Heat-sealable chemical vapor-sensor bag

Publication Date: 2021.05.18 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

AI summary

The present invention relates to a chemical vapor-sensor bag with an integrated sensor array to verify the presence of specific chemical vapors inside a sealed bag. In an exemplary embodiment, a device can be sealed within a vapor-sensor bag to allow the device to be transported to and tested for contaminants at the point of use by an end user of the device. In another exemplary embodiment, a device can be coupled to a gas port on a vapor-sensor bag to allow gas within the device to be tested for contaminants. In another exemplary embodiment, gas from a device can be streamed through vapor-sensor bag by coupling the device to a first gas port on a vapor-sensor bag and allowing gas to exit the bag through a second gas port.