Electrical connector, fluid state test device, and fluid heat exchange system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrical connectors in fluid heat exchange systems face issues such as forced vibration, resonance, and short-circuit faults due to their location within fluid flow paths, which complicates fluid flow measurement and heat exchange efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An electrical connector with integrated total and static pressure acquisition portions, allowing for fluid state monitoring without disrupting the flow field, and featuring a design that minimizes resistance and vibration by optimizing its width-to-thickness ratio and incorporating helical protrusions to suppress lateral vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the electrical connector is placed within the fluid flow path to connect heating tubes, then electrical connection is achieved, but forced vibration and resonance occur causing disengagement and short-circuit faults

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidfluid-induced vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electrical connector from the direct fluid flow path by positioning it at the end of the heating tube where it connects to external wiring. This removes the connector from the harmful fluid flow environment while maintaining electrical connectivity, thereby eliminating the vibration-induced disengagement problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the heating tube end section) that separates the electrical connector from the direct fluid flow path. The heating tube acts as a mediator that transmits both thermal energy and electrical connections while protecting the connector from fluid-induced vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the electrical connector is extracted radially from the fluid channel to avoid vibration, then vibration is reduced, but connection and fixing processes become complex with many joints

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevibrationVSAvoidconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the electrical connection function with the heating tube structure by integrating the connector directly onto the heating tube end. This combination eliminates the need for separate radial extraction and multiple external joints, simplifying the overall connection structure while maintaining vibration resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the electrical connector is fixed to the inner wall of the fluid channel to prevent resonance, then vibration is reduced, but insulation failure between leads and metal wall causes discharge and short-circuit faults

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveresonanceVSAvoidinsulation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electrical connector from the fluid channel interior and positions it at the external end of the heating tube. This extraction eliminates the need for fixed attachment to the channel wall, thereby removing the insulation failure risk while still preventing resonance through proper positioning away from the fluid flow path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of manufacture

If multiple electrical connectors are connected inside the fluid channel to avoid extraction, then sealing requirements are reduced, but insulation failure and discharge risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing simplicityVSAvoidinsulation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the heating tube end section as an intermediary structure that provides a safe external location for electrical connections. This intermediary positioning allows simple sealing at the tube end while maintaining high insulation reliability, avoiding the need for multiple internal connectors with complex sealing and insulation requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables accurate measurement of fluid flow speed, pressure, and resistance without affecting the fluid flow field, reducing longitudinal and lateral vibrations, and enhancing heat exchange efficiency by optimizing the connector's design and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The total pressure acquisition portion includes a total pressure measuring hole provided in a first part, facing a flow direction of the fluid, of the main body portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal pressure measurement:

Implementation Method 2

The static pressure acquisition portion includes a static pressure measuring hole provided in a second part, parallel to the flow direction of the fluid, of the main body portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStatic pressure measurement:

Implementation Method 3

An electric heating tube (or called a metal tubular electric heating element) is a charged element configured to convert electrical energy into thermal energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 4

the electrical connector itself, in addition to transmitting the electric energy, is located in the channel where the fluid flows and becomes an obstacle in a flow path of the fluid-hot air, which may cause forced vibration of the electrical connector and even induce coupled vibration (i.e., resonance)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid-induced vibration:

Data Source

PatentEP3564641B1Electrical connector, fluid state test device, and fluid heat exchange system
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 BEIJING GOLDWIND SCI & CREATION WINDPOWER EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP3564641B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3564641B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3564641B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

An electrical connector is provided. The electrical connector includes a main body portion, connection portions, a total pressure acquisition portion and a static pressure acquisition portion. The connection portions are configured to allow the main body portion to be electrically connected to a charged element provided in a flow channel. The total pressure acquisition portion includes a total pressure measuring hole provided in a first part, facing a flow direction of fluid, of the main body portion. The static pressure acquisition portion includes a static pressure measuring hole provided in a second part, parallel to the flow direction of the fluid, of the main body portion. The fluid state test device and the fluid heat exchange system having the electrical connector are also provided by the present application. The electrical connector, the fluid state test device and the fluid heat exchange system can achieve at least one of the objects of measuring and monitoring a flow speed of the fluid, measuring and monitoring fluid pressure, measuring and monitoring fluid drag, measuring and monitoring a lateral vibration frequency of the electrical connector and suppressing longitudinal vibration and/or lateral vibration of the electrical connector, without affecting a fluid flow field where the electrical connector, the fluid state test device and the fluid heat exchange system are located.