Composite Register Tubes With Oxygen Barrier for Fast Heat Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating and cooling systems face challenges in achieving high heat transfer with low inertia while preventing oxygen penetration to avoid corrosion, particularly in heating systems.

Innovation Solution

The use of extruded square composite tubes with an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) barrier layer and polypropylene (PP) layers, connected via welding or conical sleeves to ensure oxygen-tightness and stability, allowing flat contact with surfaces for efficient heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If plastic pipes are used for heating systems, then cost and flexibility are improved, but oxygen penetration occurs causing corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecostVSAvoidoxygen penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by creating a multi-layer pipe structure consisting of an inner plastic layer, a middle aluminum foil barrier layer, and an outer plastic layer. This composite structure combines the advantages of plastic (cost, flexibility) with the oxygen barrier properties of aluminum foil, effectively preventing oxygen penetration while maintaining the benefits of plastic piping systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If circular pipes are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but heat transfer efficiency and surface contact are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the principle of changing from circular to rectangular cross-section. The rectangular profile increases the surface area in contact with the surrounding structure (floor, wall, or ceiling), thereby improving heat transfer efficiency. The flat surfaces of the rectangular pipe enable better thermal contact compared to circular pipes, while the manufacturing process remains relatively simple through extrusion techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If barrier layers are added to prevent oxygen diffusion, then corrosion is prevented, but pipe complexity and production difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion preventionVSAvoidpipe structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials to create a multi-layer structure that prevents oxygen diffusion. The combination of plastic and aluminum foil layers provides effective corrosion protection through the aluminum barrier, while the plastic layers provide structural integrity and ease of installation. This composite approach achieves corrosion prevention without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical and chemical properties of the pipe walls through multi-layer construction. The aluminum foil layer provides impermeability to oxygen, while the plastic layers provide appropriate mechanical properties. This change in material parameters achieves corrosion protection while maintaining manufacturability through established extrusion and lamination processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Temperature

If square tubes are used for heat transfer, then contact surface area is increased, but manufacturing precision and connection difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidconnection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the principle of geometric form change by using rectangular cross-section pipes instead of circular ones. This rectangular geometry provides flat surfaces that increase contact area with the installation substrate, improving heat transfer efficiency. The standardized rectangular profile facilitates precise manufacturing through extrusion and simplifies connection processes through consistent geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

This configuration provides high heat transfer efficiency with low inertia, prevents oxygen penetration, and ensures mechanical stability, reducing the risk of corrosion and facilitating easy installation and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

each made of plastic and having a diffusion or permeation barrier layer against oxygen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxygen diffusion barrier: Diffusion Barrier

Implementation Method 2

en able high heat transfer with low inertia

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP1775506B1Register
Publication Date: 2010.09.22 AQUATHERM BESITZGESELLSCHAFT MBH & CO KG
  • EP1775506B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP1775506B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP1775506B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The heating and/or cooling matrix (10) has first and second connected composite pipes (12,14,16,18,20) of different diameters with a diffusion and/or permeation barrier coating against oxygen. The extruded rectangular pipes have inner and outer coatings consisting of or containing polypropylene, between which the barrier coating is arranged. An independent claim is also included for a heating and/or cooling arrangement.