Anti-icing heating cable device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-icing heating systems, particularly those using electrical heating cables, face issues with low energy efficiency, small surface area for heat transfer, potential overheating, low mechanical endurance, and unsatisfactory service life due to environmental degradation.
Innovation Solution
An anti-icing heating cable device comprising an electrical heating cable surrounded by a tubular metal pipe with corrugations and a thermal regulation filler, which increases the heat transfer area and durability, and includes orifices for fluid passage and a polymer-coated metal pipe for enhanced protection and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electrical heating cables are used for anti-icing, then ease of installation is improved, but heat transfer surface area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heating cable is nested inside the tubular metal pipe, creating a composite structure where the cable remains easily installable while the external metal pipe surface provides the heat transfer function. This nesting resolves the contradiction by separating the installation function (cable) from the heat transfer function (metal pipe surface).
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from one-dimensional heat transfer (cable surface) to two-dimensional heat transfer (external metal pipe surface). By adding the dimensional aspect of the metal pipe envelope, the heat transfer area is significantly increased while maintaining the ease of cable installation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrical heating cables are used for anti-icing, then flexibility is improved, but mechanical endurance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite structure combining the flexible heating cable with the mechanically robust metal pipe. The metal pipe provides mechanical protection and endurance against environmental degradation, while the internal heating cable maintains electrical flexibility and adaptability. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between flexibility and mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal pipe acts as a protective cushioning layer that shields the heating cable from mechanical damage and environmental factors before damage can occur. This beforehand protection enables the heating cable to maintain its flexibility without suffering from mechanical degradation.
3Area of stationary object
If heating cable diameter is increased to improve heat transfer area, then heat transfer area is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solution segments the heating system into two distinct functional components: the heating cable (generation function) and the metal pipe (heat transfer function). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the cable for heating efficiency and the pipe for heat transfer surface area - without increasing overall device complexity.
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 provides effective and uniform heat transfer, increased mechanical resistance, and extended service life, allowing for efficient melting of snow or ice and preventing re-freezing, while being easy to install and control.
Implementation Method 1
Electrical heating cables typically comprise conducting wires embedded in an insulating material that is adapted for supporting the heat generated by the joule effect in the conducting wire
Implementation Method 2
a thermal regulation filler mounted inside the inner cavity between the electrical heating cable and metal pipe
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An anti-icing heating cable (1) adapted for mounting in or on man-made structures including gutters, drainpipes and roofs, comprising an electrical heating cable (2) including at least one electrical conducting wire (5, 5a, 5b) surrounded by an insulator (6). The anti-icing heating cable further comprises a tubular metal pipe (3) comprising an inner cavity (7) within which the electrical heating cable (2) is mounted.