Cooling Channel Flange Assembly for Thermal and Electrical Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flange assemblies face issues with temperature fluctuations and electrical isolation degradation due to extreme working fluid temperatures, leading to reduced material lifetime and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
The flange assembly incorporates heat transfer channels and temperature control systems to regulate the temperature of flange structures and seals, using coolant to maintain a safe operating range, and employs electrically insulating materials to isolate flanges and fasteners, ensuring effective sealing and electrical insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If flange assemblies use conventional sealing materials, then the assembly structure is simple, but the sealing material temperature exceeds its operating range when exposed to extreme working fluid temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal barrier coating as an intermediary layer between the sealing material and the flange structure. This coating acts as a thermal mediator that blocks heat transfer from the flange to the sealing material, keeping the sealing material temperature within its operating range even when the working fluid temperature is extreme.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies thermal barrier coatings and selects materials with appropriate thermal properties in advance to prevent excessive heat transfer to the sealing material before the temperature problem occurs. This preliminary protective measure ensures the sealing material remains within its temperature operating range under extreme conditions.
2Reliability
If flange structures are made from conventional materials, then manufacturing is simple, but heat release under alternating magnetic field degrades electrical isolation effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material structures for flange assemblies, combining materials with different properties to simultaneously achieve thermal management and electrical isolation. The composite structure includes layers or components with specific electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity characteristics that address both heat release under alternating magnetic fields and electrical isolation requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies material parameters such as electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity by selecting specific material compositions and coatings. These parameter changes enable the flange structures to maintain electrical isolation effectiveness while managing heat generation under alternating magnetic field conditions.
3Temperature
If cooling channels are added to flange structures, then temperature control is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the flange structure to serve multiple functions: the cooling channels are integrated into the flange geometry, allowing the same component to provide both structural support and thermal management. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate cooling systems and simplifies the overall assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling channels are nested within the flange structure itself, with channels positioned inside the flange body or between flange layers. This nesting approach allows the cooling system to be integrated into the existing flange geometry without requiring additional external components.
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 solution effectively maintains the functionality of sealing and insulating materials by controlling temperature fluctuations and electrical isolation, enhancing the flange assembly's durability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
Flange assemblies, comprised of flange structures aligned and interconnected with one another using fasteners may be cooled by introducing using a coolant passing through channels located across the flange structures and inside the fasteners
Implementation Method 2
Flange assemblies, comprised of flange structures aligned and interconnected with one another using fasteners may be cooled by introducing using a coolant passing through channels located across the flange structures and inside the fasteners
Implementation Method 3
employs electrically insulating materials to isolate flanges and fasteners, ensuring effective sealing and electrical insulation
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, structures, devices, systems and functionally associated machine executable instructions for industrial material processing. There may be provided flange structures and flange assemblies for interconnecting pipes carrying a working fluid across the interconnection. The flange assemblies may include first and second flange structures fastened to one another along respective flange structure interface surfaces and in alignment of respective flange structure pipe openings, wherein each of said flange structures includes a body portion with at least one heat transfer material channel disposed upon or within said body portion.