Boiler Access Safety Device with Fan and Check Valve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing boiler cleaning devices using high-amplitude pressure waves face the issue of aggressive gases flowing through the boiler inlet, compromising the seal and valve function due to deterioration, which affects the cleaning efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A protective device with a fan and check valve system, connected via a gas-tight connection, monitors and controls pressure to prevent aggressive gases from entering the boiler inlet, using ambient air to maintain a safe operating environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a hollow cylinder is used for directed discharge of gas pressure into the boiler, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but aggressive gases can flow through the boiler inlet into the hollow cylinder and deteriorate the valve seat seal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidvalve seat seal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A protective device is introduced as an intermediary component between the hollow cylinder and the boiler inlet. This protective device includes a check valve that selectively blocks the flow path, preventing aggressive gases from reaching the valve seat while allowing the pressure wave cleaning function to operate effectively when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful element (aggressive gases) is extracted from the system by using a check valve to isolate the valve seat area from the boiler inlet. The check valve removes the problematic gas flow path while preserving the necessary function of introducing pressure waves for cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a check valve is added to prevent aggressive gases from reaching the valve seat, then valve seal reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve seat seal qualityVSAvoidprotective device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A protective device is introduced as an intermediary component between the hollow cylinder and the boiler inlet. This protective device includes a check valve that selectively blocks the flow path, preventing aggressive gases from reaching the valve seat while allowing the pressure wave cleaning function to operate effectively when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If pressure monitoring with threshold values is implemented, then malfunction detection capability is improved, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemalfunction detection capabilityVSAvoidcontrol unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A feedback mechanism is implemented where a pressure sensor continuously monitors the pressure in the protective device and sends signals to a control unit. The control unit compares the measured pressure against stored threshold values and provides feedback by activating a malfunction indicator when abnormal conditions are detected, enabling automatic monitoring without complex control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Prevents aggressive gases from reaching the boiler inlet, ensuring the seal and valve function remain intact, allowing effective boiler cleaning without external gas supply, and providing self-diagnostic capabilities for system malfunctions.

Implementation Method 1

a fan (10) and a check valve (30), wherein the fan (10) is connected to the environment via an inlet (5) for sucking in ambient air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFan: Fan

Implementation Method 2

the check valve (30) is installed in such a way that it blocks when there is a fluid pressure at the pressure hose (8) if this pressure is greater than the fluid pressure at the fan (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCheck valve: Valve

Implementation Method 3

a pressure sensor (20) in the gas-tight connection (6), in that a control unit (105) with a data memory is connected to the pressure sensor (20)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensor:

Data Source

PatentEP4426942B1Safety device for boiler access
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 EXPLO ENGINEERTING GMBH
  • EP4426942B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4426942B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4426942B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A protection device for a boiler access point comprises a fan (10), a pressure sensor (20) and a check valve (30), wherein the fan (10) is connected, by means of an access point (5), to the surroundings in order to draw in ambient air, the pressure sensor (20) is connected downstream of the fan by means of a gas-tight connection (6), and a check valve (30) is connected downstream of the pressure sensor by means of an additional gas-tight connection (7). A control unit connected to the pressure sensor (20) has a data store, in which at least a lower first threshold value and a higher second threshold value for pressure values are stored. The existence of a malfunction can be detected by means of the control unit when a pressure sensor signal measured by the pressure sensor (20) and transferred to the control unit lies below the first threshold value or above the second threshold value.