Annular Electrode Element With Sealing Elements For Fluid Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-voltage systems, rod-shaped electrodes used to influence the electrical potential of media flowing through line arrangements often develop undesirable deposits due to electrical fields and currents, leading to impaired electrical function, contamination, and costly cleaning processes when removed.
Innovation Solution
An annular electrode element with sealing elements, designed for a fluid-tight connection to line arrangements, allowing for complete removal without deposit flaking, and featuring an electrochemically noble surface only at the inner diameter to minimize field and current density maxima, reducing deposit growth and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rod-shaped electrode is used to influence the electrical potential of the medium, then the electrical potential can be controlled, but deposits form on the electrode surface due to electrical fields and currents
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode surface is selectively coated with electrochemically noble material only at the inner diameter where the medium flows, while the outer surface remains as base material. This local application of noble material minimizes deposit formation at the critical interface with the medium while maintaining electrical functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode consists of a composite structure combining an electrochemically base material (e.g., steel) as the structural core with an electrochemically noble material (e.g., platinum, gold, or stainless steel) coating at the inner surface. This composite structure provides both mechanical strength and resistance to deposit formation where needed.
2Ease of repair
If the electrode is removed for cleaning, then deposits can be removed, but the deposit flakes off and contaminates the line arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is designed as a disposable component that can be easily removed and replaced. The sealing elements enable simple installation and removal without threading operations. When deposits become excessive, the entire electrode assembly can be replaced as a unit, and the sealing elements prevent deposit flaking during removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing elements are pre-installed on the electrode before insertion into the line arrangement. This preliminary sealing setup allows the electrode to be removed as a complete unit with any deposits still attached, preventing deposit flaking and contamination during the removal process.
3Ease of operation
If a rod electrode is screwed into the line, then it can be installed and removed, but mechanical stress may cause deposit flaking
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode assembly is segmented into the electrode body and separate sealing elements. The sealing elements are designed to be installed independently before the electrode is inserted into the line arrangement, eliminating the need for threading operations that apply mechanical stress to the electrode and potential deposit layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional threaded mechanical connection system is replaced with a sealing-element-based retention system. The sealing elements create a fluid-tight seal and mechanical retention without requiring threads, thereby eliminating the mechanical stress and torsional forces that would otherwise cause deposit flaking during installation and removal.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If the electrode surface is made entirely of electrochemically noble material, then deposit formation is minimized, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode surface is selectively coated with electrochemically noble material only at the inner diameter where the medium flows and electrical fields are most intense. The outer surface and non-critical areas remain as inexpensive base material, significantly reducing material costs while maintaining effectiveness at the critical interface.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying noble material uniformly across the entire electrode surface, the coating is applied selectively to specific regions (inner diameter) where it is most needed. This parameter change in material distribution optimizes the balance between preventing deposit formation and controlling manufacturing costs.
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
Ensures safe and reliable influence of the electrical potential of the medium, preventing contamination and reducing maintenance costs by allowing for the electrode to be removed with deposits intact, thus avoiding blockages in the line arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
The surface of the electrode in the area of the inner diameter is formed from an electrochemically noble material. This has the advantage that the field strength and the current density are minimized in the area of the inner diameter, so that growth of the deposit is minimized there.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrode element (1) having an annular electrode (3) that has an inner diameter (d) and an outer diameter (D), having a first sealing element (5) that lies against a first outer surface (9) of the annular electrode (3) and having a second sealing element (7) that lies against a second outer surface (11) of the annular electrode (3).