Articulated Insulation Device for Moving Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insulation devices fail to effectively accommodate significant movement between mechanically coupled components without compressing or damaging the insulating materials, leading to reduced effectiveness and frequent replacements.

Innovation Solution

An articulated insulation device comprising a thermal insulation jacket and a pliant segment with end caps and seals, allowing for uncoordinated movement while maintaining thermal isolation through a chamber with insulating materials and a sealing system that moves with the pliant segment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If traditional insulating materials are wrapped around pipes to reduce heat loss, then thermal insulation effectiveness is improved, but the insulating materials are stripped off during component movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat lossVSAvoidinsulation material retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a flexible bellows structure that can expand and contract to accommodate relative movement between pipe components. This flexible shell allows the insulation system to move with the components rather than being stripped off, while still maintaining thermal insulation effectiveness through the insulating material contained within the bellows structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The insulation device incorporates a dynamic bellows structure that can actively adapt to changing distances and relative positions of pipe components during operation. The bellows expands and contracts dynamically to accommodate thermal expansion, vibration, and movement, preventing insulation material failure while maintaining continuous thermal protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If expandable pipe sections with flexible bellows are used to accommodate movement, then movement compensation is improved, but insulating material is compressed reducing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement accommodationVSAvoidthermal insulation effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The bellows structure is divided into multiple expandable segments or chambers that can independently expand and contract. This segmentation allows the insulation material to be distributed across multiple compartments, preventing compression and maintaining insulation effectiveness while still accommodating significant relative movement between pipe components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating material is nested within the bellows structure, with the bellows acting as a protective container that moves with the pipe components. This nested arrangement allows the insulation material to remain uncompressed while the outer bellows structure accommodates all movement, preserving both movement compensation and thermal insulation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If corrugated metal tubes with space for insulating material are used, then movement is accommodated, but the inner tube abrades the pipe surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement accommodationVSAvoidpipe surface abrasion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bellows structure serves as an intermediary element between the moving pipe components and the insulation material. It absorbs all relative movement and abrasion forces, preventing direct contact between moving surfaces that would cause pipe surface damage, while still allowing the insulation material to maintain its position and effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible bellows shell provides a smooth, non-abrasive surface that moves with the pipe components without contacting or damaging the pipe surface. This flexible shell accommodates all relative movement through its expandable structure, eliminating the abrasion problem associated with rigid corrugated tubes while maintaining movement compensation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 effectively insulates moving components by accommodating relative motion without compressing the insulating materials, maintaining thermal isolation and reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Implementation Method 1

EGR pipes are commonly wrapped with the insulating materials to reduce unwanted heat transfer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS9976469B2Flexible insulation device

Publication Date: 2018.05.22 THERMAL STRUCTURES

AI summary

A flexible conduit insulated to prevent unwanted heat transfer. The conduit is insulated by a jacket-like component that creates a space between the conduit and the jacket, where the gap can be filled with air or some other insulating material. The jacket is sealed to the flexible conduit by sealing components that are configured to slide along end cap portions of the flexible conduit. Because the conduit is flexible, it can couple two other conduits that move relative to one another such that fluid can flow from one area to another via the flexible conduit.