Elastomeric Jacket for Electric Heating Element Fluid Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical heating devices for aggressive or flammable liquids face challenges in protecting the heating element from contact while maintaining effective heat dissipation, as traditional methods like plastic encapsulation result in poor thermal insulation and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An electrical heating device featuring an electrically insulating elastomeric jacket with a recessed annular sealing element around the heating element, combined with a silicone disc for enhanced thermal conductivity and electrical insulation, ensures reliable protection against fluid contact and efficient heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heating element is encapsulated with plastic or the housing is filled with plastic to protect against fluid contact, then the heating element is protected against contact with the fluid to be heated, but thermal insulation increases causing poor heat dissipation to the fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin elastomeric sealing jacket (dünne elastomere Dichtungsmanschette) that provides fluid protection while maintaining thermal conductivity. The jacket is designed to be thin enough to allow efficient heat transfer from the heating element to the surrounding fluid, eliminating the thermal insulation problem caused by thick plastic encapsulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining the elastomeric sealing jacket with the metal housing and heating element. This composite structure allows each material to perform its optimal function: the elastomer provides sealing and electrical insulation, while the metal components ensure efficient heat conduction and structural integrity.
2Reliability
If the heating element is protected with a sealing jacket made of sealing material, then the heating element is electrically insulated from the fluid to be heated, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric sealing jacket performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical insulation between the heating element and the metal housing, creates a fluid-tight seal, and allows thermal energy transfer. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby simplifying the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the sealing function and electrical insulation function into a single elastomeric jacket component, rather than using separate sealing rings and insulation layers. This consolidation reduces the number of parts and simplifies assembly while maintaining all necessary protective functions.
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 insulates the heating element from the fluid, preventing sparking and ensuring safe operation with combustible fluids, while maintaining good heat dissipation through optimized insulation and thermal conductivity, resulting in a reliable and efficient heating device.
Implementation Method 1
electric heating device having a heating element (3)
Implementation Method 2
The jacket (5) is made of a sealing material, preferably an elastomer
Implementation Method 3
The jacket (5) electrically insulates the contact plate (4) from the metal housing (1)
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The heating device has a metal housing (1) which is covered by a cover (2), and a heating element arranged in an interior portion of the metal casing. The heating element has contact surfaces electrically contacted with one of the contact surfaces of the cover. A contact plate (4) electrically contacts the one of the contact surfaces of heating element. The contact plate has a sheath (5) which comprises recess for receiving the heating element against the contact plate. The sheath comprises an annular sealing element which surrounds the recess and the heating element.