Autoclave Deployable Baffle for Uniform Heat Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Autoclaves often experience non-uniform temperature distribution across workpieces during curing processes, leading to compromised quality of composite materials due to varying heat transfer rates.

Innovation Solution

Deployable baffles within the autoclave that automatically change their position at a target temperature, altering airflow patterns and heat transfer coefficients to ensure uniform heating across the workpiece.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the autoclave operates with fixed airflow paths, then the device structure is simple, but the temperature distribution across the workpiece becomes non-uniform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature distribution uniformityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The baffle is designed to be movable rather than fixed, transitioning from a retracted position to a deployed position based on temperature conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the autoclave to optimize airflow distribution and temperature uniformity without requiring multiple fixed baffles or complex manual intervention, thus improving temperature distribution while maintaining relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical state or position of the baffle based on temperature parameters. When the autoclave reaches a target temperature, the release mechanism activates, causing the baffle to deploy and alter airflow patterns. This parameter-driven transformation enables automatic optimization of heat transfer coefficients and temperature distribution without complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If the baffle is deployed early in the run cycle, then temperature uniformity improves, but the curing process time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidcuring process time

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The release mechanism utilizes phase transition or temperature-dependent material properties (such as thermal expansion, melting, or shape memory effects) to trigger baffle deployment at a specific target temperature. This ensures the baffle is deployed at the optimal moment during the run cycle - not too early to extend processing time unnecessarily, and not too late to allow temperature non-uniformity to compromise quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a temperature-dependent release mechanism that automatically senses when the target temperature is reached and triggers baffle deployment accordingly. This feedback-based control ensures the baffle is deployed at the precise moment when temperature uniformity becomes critical for quality, optimizing the balance between temperature distribution and processing time without requiring continuous monitoring or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Temperature

If the baffle alters airflow significantly, then heat transfer coefficient changes improve temperature uniformity, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature uniformityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The baffle dynamically adjusts airflow paths based on temperature conditions rather than maintaining constant high-energy airflow modification throughout the run cycle. By deploying only when the target temperature is reached, the system optimizes heat transfer coefficients and temperature uniformity at the critical phase while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption during other phases of the curing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 ensures consistent heat transfer across the workpiece, improving the curing process by maintaining uniform temperature distribution and enhancing the quality of composite materials.

Implementation Method 1

the release mechanism includes a material that melts at the target temperature to release the baffle to the deployed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

the release mechanism includes a Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) material that has a first shape to secure the baffle in the retracted position, and transforms to a second shape at the target temperature to release the baffle to the deployed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape-Memory Alloy transformation: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 3

In a deployed position, the baffle alters the airflow through the autoclave, and consequently changes the heat transfer coefficient at the surface of a workpiece in the autoclave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10309726B2Hinged baffle for autoclave that deploys at a target temperature during a run cycle

Publication Date: 2019.06.04 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

Apparatus and methods for operating an autoclave. One embodiment includes a baffle located in an autoclave during a run cycle of the autoclave. A release mechanism secures the baffle in a retracted position during the run cycle, and automatically releases the baffle to a deployed position during the run cycle, when a temperature inside of the autoclave reaches a target temperature, to alter airflow within the autoclave.