Conductive Fiber Bundle Current Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid separation filters face challenges in achieving an even current distribution through bundles of porous tubular members, leading to inefficient regeneration and air drying, as well as difficulties in evenly applying potting compound between fibers.
Innovation Solution
The method involves aligning and fixing elongate fluid separation members using flexible, electrically conducting means such as wires or tapes, ensuring each member is in direct electrical connection, and applying potting compound perpendicular to the members before rolling into a bundle, which enhances even current flow and improves electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conducting resin is used to seal the ends of the bundle and apply current, then the bundle structure is sealed and electrical connection is established, but current distribution becomes uneven with fiber at the center receiving less current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrical connection system into multiple separate conducting elements (individual wires or conductive elements) rather than using a single resin mass. Each fiber receives its own conducting element that extends along the fiber length, ensuring uniform current distribution while maintaining reliable electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies conducting elements locally to each fiber rather than using a uniform resin sealant throughout the bundle. Each fiber receives tailored electrical connection at specific locations along its length, ensuring that current distribution is optimized for each individual fiber's position in the bundle.
2Productivity
If porous tubular members are heated to regenerate adsorbed water, then water vapor removal efficiency is improved, but uneven heating occurs in existing bundles due to non-uniform current flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heating system by providing separate conducting elements for each fiber, ensuring that current flows uniformly through all fibers. This segmentation of the electrical connection system directly translates to uniform heating during regeneration, as each fiber receives proportional current based on its position in the bundle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates temperature sensing elements that provide feedback on the actual temperature distribution during heating. This feedback mechanism allows for real-time adjustment of current distribution to compensate for positional variations and ensure uniform heating across all fibers during regeneration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If potting compound is applied between fibers after bundle formation, then bundle stability is improved, but even application is difficult to achieve in existing structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies potting compound in advance during the bundle formation process rather than after the bundle is assembled. Conducting elements are positioned and potting compound is applied simultaneously, ensuring uniform distribution and easy application before the bundle structure is finalized, thereby improving both stability and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the application of potting compound with the assembly of conducting elements and bundle formation into a single integrated process step. This merging of operations ensures that potting compound is applied uniformly throughout the bundle structure while maintaining bundle stability, eliminating the difficulty of post-assembly application.
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 approach ensures a substantially similar current flows through each member, improving regeneration efficiency and allowing for even potting compound application, resulting in enhanced air drying performance and bundle stability.
Implementation Method 1
Water is adsorbed by the porous material constituting the tubular members as air flows through them
Implementation Method 2
Regeneration is achieved by heating the porous tubular members thereby causing evaporation of the adsorbed water away there from
Implementation Method 3
A current is applied to the outside of the resin and current flows through the resin to the conductive coating on the fibers, and along this way to the more conductive region at the other end of the fibers, thereby generating heat in the fiber
Data Source
AI summary
A method of forming a fluid separation filter for use in a fluid separation device includes aligning a series of fluid separation or drying fibers (102) and fixing them together using a self-adhesive and electrically conductive tape (116) or by weaving copper threads between them. The connected fibers then form a mat and a strip of potting sealant (112) may be added, if required, along the top and bottom of the fibers. The mat may then be rolled to form a bundle of fibers.