Carbon Nanotube Collection Chamber for Continuous Furnace Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carbon nanotube collection apparatuses require the reaction furnace to be cooled and reheated each time a wound body is collected, prolonging the non-production time and increasing the overall manufacturing time for large-scale production.

Innovation Solution

A carbon nanotube collection apparatus that allows for continuous production by blocking the atmosphere between the production apparatus and collection apparatus, using an opening/closing mechanism, gas supply, and exhaust ports to manage the collection process without lowering the furnace temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the wound body is taken out at predetermined diameter using conventional collection apparatus, then the carbon nanotube can be collected, but the reaction furnace must be cooled and reheated each time, prolonging non-production time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing speed of carbon nanotubesVSAvoidnon-production time for temperature adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The collection apparatus is divided into a collection chamber and a storage chamber separated by a partition wall. The collection chamber can be isolated and cooled independently while the reaction furnace maintains production temperature, allowing continuous manufacturing without interrupting the carbon nanotube production process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An inert gas atmosphere acts as an intermediary between the hot reaction furnace and the cooled collection chamber. This allows the collection chamber to be cooled to room temperature for wound body removal while the reaction furnace remains at high temperature for continuous production, eliminating the need to cool and reheat the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the reaction furnace temperature is lowered and raised each time for collection, then the wound body can be collected, but the overall manufacturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollection operationVSAvoidtime for temperature adjustment cycle

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus separates the collection function from the production function by dividing the chamber into collection and storage sections. This allows independent temperature control of each section, enabling easy collection operations without affecting the production temperature in the reaction furnace.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The collection chamber is pre-cooled to room temperature before collection begins, and maintained at this temperature throughout the collection process. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming cooling cycles during production, as the collection chamber is already at the required temperature for safe wound body removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If conventional collection method is used, then carbon nanotube collection is achieved, but production efficiency decreases due to repeated temperature adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of carbon nanotube collectedVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The collection apparatus is segmented into independently controllable zones (collection chamber and storage chamber) that can be maintained at different temperatures. This allows continuous production in the reaction furnace while enabling periodic collection operations in the cooled storage chamber, thereby increasing both the quantity collected and overall production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reaction furnace maintains continuous production at high temperature while the collection chamber periodically collects wound bodies at room temperature. This continuous action in the production zone combined with periodic collection in the storage zone maximizes both the quantity of carbon nanotubes produced and the overall production efficiency without interrupting the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20260042671A1Carbon nanotube collection apparatus, carbon nanotube manufacturing apparatus, and carbon nanotube collection method

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 DOWA THERMOTECH

AI summary

A carbon nanotube collection apparatus for collecting a carbon nanotube, the carbon nanotube collection apparatus includes a collection room which collects the carbon nanotube, wherein the collection room includes: a housing; and a storage container provided under the housing, wherein: the housing includes: a first opening part communicating with a carbon nanotube production apparatus; an opening/closing mechanism which opens and closes the first opening part; and a second opening part communicating with the storage container; and the storage container is attached to be attachable to and detachable from the housing.