Convection Fin Heater Structure for Quiet Oil-Free Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing standalone domestic heaters that rely on convection for heating, such as oil-filled heaters, face challenges in noise reduction and disposal due to oil-based components, which are problematic under European Union's WEEE Directive.
Innovation Solution
A fin heater design utilizing convection currents within vertically oriented fins, where the fins are not air-tight and interconnected for structural rigidity, with heating elements extending through conduits formed by neighboring fins, enhancing air circulation and heat transfer efficiency through the Venturi effect, and eliminating the need for oil-based components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If oil-filled heaters are used for quiet heating, then noise level is reduced, but disposal becomes problematic due to oil-based components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the oil-based heat transfer medium from the heating system entirely, replacing it with direct air heating through convection fins. This extraction of the problematic substance eliminates disposal issues while maintaining the quiet operation characteristic of oil-filled heaters.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating elements use common, easily replaceable materials such as electric resistance wires or PTC ceramics that do not require special disposal procedures. These materials are inexpensive and can be easily replaced without environmental concerns, contrasting with the permanent oil-filled systems.
2Productivity
If fan heaters are used for effective heat output, then heating efficiency is improved, but noise increases due to fan blower operation
Solution Approach 1:
The heater employs natural convection currents that arise automatically when air contacts the heated fins. The heated air rises and creates circulation patterns without requiring mechanical assistance, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating noise-generating moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical fan blower system with a passive thermal convection system. Instead of using mechanical energy to force air movement, the system relies on natural buoyancy-driven convection currents, substituting a mechanical approach with a thermal-physical phenomenon.
3Loss of energy
If convection fins are made air-tight for efficient heat transfer, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but structural rigidity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple thin fin structures into a closely spaced array, where the collective structure provides both the necessary surface area for heat transfer and the structural rigidity of a bundled assembly. The fins work together as a unified thermal and structural system.
Solution Approach 2:
The fin structures have varying thickness profiles along their length, with thicker sections at the base providing structural support and thinner sections at the tips maximizing surface area for convection. This local variation in geometry optimizes both structural integrity and thermal performance.
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
The fin heater provides quiet and efficient heating without the disposal issues of oil-filled heaters, achieving efficient heat transfer and compliance with environmental regulations by using convection currents and eliminating the need for oil-based components.
Implementation Method 1
The heating elements extend through the entire length of the conduits such that air in each of the fins may be heated by contacted with a heating element
Implementation Method 2
a fin heater in which a plurality of vertically orientated fins are arranged in parallel with one another, each of the fins being coupled to its neighbouring fin by at least two horizontally orientated conduits providing an air passage between neighbouring fins
Implementation Method 3
As such as air passes upwardly from the bottom of each fin to the top of each fin it undergoes a series of expansions and contractions, which serve, in accordance with the principles of the Venturi effect to accelerate the air circulation within each fin
Implementation Method 4
Heat is then emitted to the environment by radiation from the outer surface
Data Source
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AI summary
A heater is described which operates on the principle of convection air currents within heating fins being established by heating of air adjacent to one or more heating elements and the transfer of heat from the convection currents to the side walls of the heating fins where it may radiate outwardly as well as the direct convection of the heat from the elements in the air which passes out of the apertures at the tops of the fins into the surroundings.