Descaling Machine for Air-Water Heat Exchanger Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooling tower heat exchange bodies suffer from scale deposits that obstruct heat exchange efficiency, harbor germs, and impose structural loads, with existing solutions like chemical treatment being costly or damaging to the equipment.
Innovation Solution
A machine with descaling needles having active tips that adjust pressure to safely remove scale from heat exchange cells without damaging the fragile packing, using a mechanism with a piston and actuator rod to control force and prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical shaking means are used to remove scale, then scale removal efficiency is improved, but the heat exchange body is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces strong mechanical shaking with a controlled mechanical system using a needle-like tool that applies localized force. Instead of subjecting the entire heat exchange body to violent mechanical shaking, a needle tool with controlled penetration depth and localized pressing action substitutes the mechanical system, achieving scale removal while preserving the fragile packing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by using a needle-like tool that concentrates force on specific localized areas where scale deposits exist. Rather than applying uniform mechanical force throughout the entire heat exchange body, the needle tool targets specific cells and scale deposits with localized pressing action, removing scale efficiently while leaving the rest of the fragile packing undamaged.
2Productivity
If chemical solutions are used to dissolve scale, then scale removal is achieved, but effluent treatment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical dissolution methods with a mechanical needle tool system. Instead of using chemical solutions that would require effluent treatment, the invention uses a physically-based needle tool that mechanically removes scale through controlled penetration and pressing action, eliminating the need for chemical effluent treatment while maintaining scale removal effectiveness.
3Productivity
If the actuator rod applies high force to remove scale, then scale removal efficiency is improved, but the fragile packing is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies dynamics by making the actuator rod movable rather than fixed, allowing it to extend and retract based on real-time feedback from the descaling process. The rod can penetrate to apply force when scale is detected, then retract when the cell wall is approached, creating a dynamic force application system that adapts to the fragile packing's resistance and prevents damage while maintaining scale removal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback through a detection system that monitors the resistance encountered by the needle tool during penetration. When the detection system senses high resistance indicating proximity to the cell wall, it signals the actuator rod to retract or reduce force. This feedback mechanism ensures that sufficient force is applied to remove scale while automatically preventing damage to the fragile packing structure.
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
Effectively removes scale deposits without damaging the heat exchange body, maintaining efficiency and reducing germ proliferation while minimizing structural loads on the cooling tower.
Implementation Method 1
a piston integral with the rod defining in the body a first chamber permanently connected to a source of pressurized fluid
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a machine for descaling cells (3) of a cellular runoff body (2) used in an air-water exchanger, characterized in that it comprises at least one tool (6, 7) having an active tip (6a, 7a) and mounted on a frame (1) so as to be mobile between two positions in one direction common to all of the tools (6, 7) supported by the frame (1), the active tip (6a, 7a) of said tool being supported by the end of a rod (13) of a cylinder (11), the body (12) of which is mounted so as to be mobile relative to the frame (1) along the axis thereof, a piston (23) rigidly connected to the rod (13) and defining, in the body, a first chamber (26) which is constantly connected to a source of pressurized fluid and to a second chamber (27) through which the rod (13) passes, is in communication with the first chamber (26) as long as the rod (13) is at least partially retracted into the cylinder body (12) and insulated from the latter, and is connected to the exhaust when the rod (13) is in an end extension position outside the body (12).