Vessel Port With Slideable Door and Seal Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vessel access systems, such as complex valves, often create contamination sites due to intricate parts and crevices, which can jeopardize subsequent processes or tests by retaining material from previous operations.
Innovation Solution
A port and closure device featuring a first and second annular flange with a seal ring, a slideable door, and springs to minimize contamination, along with an optional funnel pipe and adapter for a glove bag, ensuring a secure and controlled access path while reducing contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex valve is used to provide access to the vessel, then the sealing and access control are improved, but the number of contamination sites increases due to intricate parts and crevices
Solution Approach 1:
The port is divided into separate functional components: a body portion with a simple outer surface, a seal ring with an elastomeric seal, and a slideable door. This segmentation allows each component to have a simple, smooth surface that minimizes contamination sites while maintaining effective sealing through the elastomeric material.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is extracted from the main port body and implemented through a separate elastomeric seal ring. This allows the port body to maintain a simple, smooth outer surface without intricate parts, while the seal ring provides the necessary sealing capability through its elastomeric material.
2Device complexity
If a simple port design is used, then the number of contamination sites is reduced, but the sealing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal ring incorporates an elastomeric material with specific local properties (flexibility and sealing capability) at the interface with the vessel wall, while the rest of the port structure maintains a simple, smooth design. This local quality enhancement provides effective sealing without increasing the overall complexity of the port structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal ring is positioned asymmetrically within the port structure, with the elastomeric seal making contact at a specific location to provide sealing. This asymmetric placement allows the majority of the port surface to remain simple and smooth, minimizing contamination sites while maintaining sealing capability at the critical interface.
3Reliability
If the seal ring is allowed to move for sealing adjustment, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the risk of contamination from spring parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric seal ring acts as an intermediary between the spring mechanism and the vessel contents. It provides the necessary movement for sealing adjustment while preventing direct exposure of the spring parts to the vessel contents, thereby eliminating the contamination risk associated with moving spring components.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric seal ring functions as a flexible barrier that can deform and move to maintain sealing contact while protecting the internal spring mechanism. This flexible shell approach allows the spring to move and adjust the seal position without exposing contaminated surfaces to the vessel contents.
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 solution effectively seals the vessel, minimizing cross-contamination and maintaining a controlled environment by using a slideable door and seals to prevent material transfer between the vessel and the external environment, even under varying pressures, and allows safe access without exposing contents to ambient conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Springs are disposed between the first flange and the seal ring that urge the seal ring toward the slideable door
Data Source
AI summary
A port and closure device for a vessel that is configured for use with a glove bag. The port comprising includes a first annular flange with an opening, a second annular flange disposed a predetermined distance from the first flange and also having an opening, and a seal ring disposed adjacent the first annular flange and having an additional opening. At least a portion of the openings are aligned so that a path is provided through the flanges and the seal ring. A slideable door is included in the port between the seal ring and the second annular flange. The slideable door has a first position that obstructs the path and a second position that is outside of the path. Springs are disposed between the first flange and the seal ring that urge the seal ring toward the slideable door. To reduce contamination sites, the springs may be sealed within an annular interface between the first annular flange and the seal ring. Alternatively, or in addition, a funnel pipe may be used with the port disposed in the openings of the first and second flange and the seal ring. The port may also include an adapter configured to hold a glove bag thereon.