Conductive Transport Hose Assembly for Explosive Atmospheres
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for transporting media in potentially explosive zones, such as those with highly flammable gases or vapors, face challenges with electrostatic charging leading to ignition sparks due to inadequate conductivity and assembly limitations, particularly in IIC zones where known solutions either fail to provide sufficient protection or cannot be assembled on site.
Innovation Solution
The device features an electrically conductive outer jacket with a specific resistance ≤10^9 Ωm, a conductive cap, and a conductive shrink tube for secure connection, along with an equipotential bonding conductor to ground the outer casing, ensuring effective charge dissipation and preventing potential differences that could cause explosions. Additionally, an electrically conductive inner sheath and intermediate heat-insulating layer enhance safety and assembly flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thin outer sheath (≤2.0 mm) is used to enable charge dissipation, then electrostatic charging is prevented, but protection against external influences is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure with multiple layers: an inner sheath made of electrically conductive material for charge dissipation, an intermediate heat-insulating layer for thermal protection, and an outer sheath for mechanical protection. This composite design allows each layer to address specific requirements without compromising others.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable structure is segmented into distinct functional layers: the inner conductive sheath handles electrostatic dissipation, the intermediate layer provides thermal insulation, and the outer sheath offers mechanical protection. This segmentation allows optimization of each layer for its specific function.
2Reliability
If pre-assembled cables with ATEX certification are used, then safety in explosive atmospheres is ensured, but on-site assembly and length adjustment are not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The end pieces are pre-equipped with conductive caps and connection elements during manufacturing, preparing them for safe assembly in explosive atmospheres. This preliminary preparation ensures that when assembly occurs on-site, the conductive pathways are already established, maintaining ATEX safety requirements while enabling field installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable system is designed to be dynamically configurable on-site through modular end pieces that can be assembled and disconnected. This allows the cable length to be adjusted in the field while maintaining safety through the conductive cap design that ensures proper grounding connections are established during assembly.
3Reliability
If conductive ring-shaped tubing with copper braid is used, then charge dissipation is achieved, but the structure is complex and cannot be easily assembled on-site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the charge dissipation function from a complex multi-component structure (ring-shaped tubing with copper braid) and integrates it directly into the inner sheath material itself. This simplification maintains the charge dissipation functionality while eliminating the need for separate conductive elements and complex assembly procedures.
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 reliable protection against ignition sparks and allows for on-site assembly, ensuring the device can be safely used in highly explosive areas like IIC zones with a conductive outer jacket that is durable and resistant to external influences, preventing dangerous situations such as explosions during sample transport.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically conductive inner sheath connected to a potential equalization conductor, and an outer sheath, wherein an electrically conductive outer sheath is provided between the channel and the outer sheath, the outer sheath being connected to an electrically conductive potential equalization conductor
Implementation Method 2
an electrically insulating intermediate layer is arranged between the channel and the outer sheath, the intermediate layer being made of heat-insulating material
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Device (2) for transporting a medium, comprising at least one channel (8) extending in an axial direction (10) through which the medium is guided, wherein the respective channel (8) is surrounded by an electrically conductive inner covering (38) which is connected to an equipotential bonding conductor (58), and by an outer sheath (32), wherein an electrically conductive outer covering (50) is provided between the channel (8) and the outer sheath (32), wherein the outer covering (50) is connected to an electrically conductive equipotential bonding conductor (56), wherein an electrically insulating intermediate layer (68) is arranged between the channel (8) and the outer covering (50), wherein the intermediate layer (68) is made of heat-insulating material, and wherein the outer sheath (32) is electrically conductive.