Apparatus having temperature control structure for heat treatment of inner surface of braid for reinforcing hollow fiber membrane for water treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for heat-treating the inner surface of braids for reinforcing hollow fiber membranes in water treatment face challenges such as temperature instability due to seasonal and time zone factors, leading to inconsistent physical properties and increased economic costs, while also posing safety risks from heat loss and potential burns during operation.

Innovation Solution

A device with a temperature control structure featuring a copper or copper alloy heating core, a temperature sensor, and a heat shield tube made of stainless steel, which maintains uniform temperature and prevents heat loss to the clamping nut, ensuring consistent braiding and enhancing safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If heating is applied to enlarge the inner diameter of the braid, then the water permeability is improved, but the temperature becomes unstable due to seasonal and time zone factors, leading to inconsistent physical properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinner diameter of braidVSAvoidtemperature stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a temperature sensor to detect the actual temperature of the heating core and feeds this information back to a controller. The controller adjusts the heating power accordingly to maintain a stable target temperature, compensating for seasonal and environmental variations. This closed-loop feedback system ensures consistent heating temperature regardless of external conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the heating core from unstable temperature fluctuation to stable controlled temperature by introducing active temperature regulation. The system dynamically adjusts heating parameters (power, duration) based on real-time temperature measurements to maintain optimal heating conditions for enlarging the braid's inner diameter while ensuring consistent physical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If heating core is used to maintain uniform temperature, then the physical properties are improved, but heat loss occurs to the clamping nut, creating safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidheat loss and burn risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a heat shield tube as an intermediary component between the heating core and the clamping nut. This heat shield acts as a thermal barrier that prevents direct heat transfer to the clamping nut, reducing heat loss and eliminating the burn hazard while allowing the heating core to maintain its uniform temperature for consistent braid physical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harmful effect of heat generation into a beneficial controlled heating process. By using the temperature sensor and controller to precisely manage the heating core's temperature, the system ensures that heat is applied uniformly and controllably to improve physical properties, while the heat shield prevents excessive heat from reaching the clamping nut, turning a safety hazard into a controlled and safe process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 device achieves uniform temperature control, improving the physical properties of the braid, such as increased inner diameter and roundness, pressure-resistant strength, and water permeability, while reducing economic costs and preventing safety hazards like burns during operation.

Implementation Method 1

a heating core (100) which includes a heating part (110) having a reduced diameter at an upper end or at a middle portion thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a temperature sensor (300) which vertically passes through a center of the heater (200) in a first direction, and comes into contact with an inner lower end of the heating core (100) by an upper end thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermocouple

Implementation Method 3

a heat shield tube (500) extending in the first direction which includes a core engaging jaw (510) bent inward at an upper end thereof to surround the heating core (100)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3498363B1Apparatus having temperature control structure for heat treatment of inner surface of braid for reinforcing hollow fiber membrane for water treatment
Publication Date: 2020.10.28 KIM IM SUN
  • EP3498363B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3498363B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3498363B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for heat-treating an inner surface of a braid for reinforcing a hollow fiber membrane for water treatment, and more particularly, to a device for heat-treating an inner surface of a braid for reinforcing a hollow fiber membrane for water treatment with a temperature control structure, in which by enlarging the inner diameter of the braid while increasing a density of a fiber texture forming the inner surface of the braid, improving a roundness of inner and outer diameters, and increasing a pressure resistant strength, it is possible to obtain effects of improving physical properties of a hollow fiber enforcement membrane as well as enhancing filtration reliability and water permeability, and increasing a service life and reducing, and protect a worker from a safety accident such as burns at the time of an operation such as a replacement of the knitted yarn.