Cooling member for a mobile ice rink
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling members for mobile ice rinks experience inefficiencies and irregularities in ice temperature near connectors due to higher temperatures, direct sunlight, rain, and wind, leading to weak spots and energy inefficiencies when trying to maintain a level skating surface.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of cooling elements along connectors that extend over a significant portion of the connector lengths, made of solid materials like aluminum rods with channels connected to the pipes, facilitating heat transfer through conduction and convection, and using flow restrictions to regulate coolant flow, while being thermally connected to the pipes and made of durable materials for harsh conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If coolant flow is increased or temperature is lowered to prevent ice irregularities near connectors, then ice surface homogeneity is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing cooling elements only at specific locations where connectors are present, rather than uniformly along the entire pipe length. The cooling elements are positioned at connectors which are identified as problem areas prone to ice irregularities, allowing targeted cooling only where needed. This resolves the contradiction by improving ice surface homogeneity at critical locations without the energy cost of cooling the entire pipe system.
2Manufacturing precision
If cooling elements are added at connectors, then ice temperature homogeneity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the cooling function into discrete cooling elements positioned at specific connector locations, rather than using a continuous cooling system. Each cooling element is a separate component that can be independently installed and removed, simplifying the overall system architecture while achieving the desired temperature homogeneity at critical points.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling elements are designed to be self-contained units that include their own cooling channels and thermal connection features. They automatically integrate with the pipe system at connector locations and self-regulate cooling based on local thermal conditions, reducing the need for complex external control systems.
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 solution significantly enhances the homogeneity of the ice temperature and energy efficiency by compensating for heat absorption differences between pipe sections and connectors, maintaining a more level skating surface with improved durability.
Implementation Method 1
the cooling elements are configured to transport heat from the water or ice surrounding the connectors to the coolant in the pipes through at least one of conduction and convection
Implementation Method 2
the cooling elements are configured to transport heat from the water or ice surrounding the connectors to the coolant in the pipes through at least one of conduction and convection
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooling member (1) for a mobile ice rink comprising a plurality of pipes (2) for transporting a coolant, wherein the pipes comprise at least two sections (2A, 2B) coupled by a connector. Cooling elements (6) are provided at the locations of the connectors (3).