Electrode Clamp Cooling Using Water Tubes in Heat Source Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
In heat source apparatuses, the clamp adjacent to the electrode component rises to high temperatures due to heat transmission, potentially damaging connected harnesses, and existing solutions to mitigate this involve costly additional packings.
Innovation Solution
A water jacket is integrated between the burner and heat exchanger, with water tubes on the side plate contacting the clamp to cool it, eliminating the need for additional packings and reducing temperature rise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the rated combustion amount of the burner is increased, then the heating performance is improved, but the clamp temperature rises to dangerously high levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces water tubes as an intermediary cooling medium between the heat source (combustion box) and the clamp. Water flows through these tubes to absorb excess heat, preventing it from reaching the clamp and harness, thus resolving the temperature issue while maintaining high combustion performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful heat that would otherwise damage the clamp into a useful cooling function. By routing water tubes through the combustion box and positioning them near the clamp, the excessive heat is captured and used to heat the water, which then circulates to cool critical areas, turning a harmful thermal effect into a beneficial cooling system
2Reliability
If a second packing is interposed between the flange portion and the clamp to restrain heat transmission, then the harness is protected from heat damage, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding another packing layer, the patent uses water tubes as an active intermediary cooling system. The water flowing through the tubes provides continuous active cooling, replacing the need for additional passive thermal insulation layers and associated assembly steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic cooling system using water circulation through tubes. This active fluid-based cooling approach replaces the need for additional thermal barrier materials (packings), leveraging fluid dynamics to manage heat transfer more efficiently and cost-effectively
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 water tubes effectively cool the clamp, preventing temperature increases and avoiding cost increments by eliminating the need for secondary packings, while ensuring efficient cooling.
Implementation Method 1
the clamp rises in temperature due to heat transmission through the insulator
Implementation Method 2
a water jacket is disposed in that portion of the combustion box which lies between the burner and the heat exchanger, the water jacket being connected to the heat exchanger in order to cool the combustion box
Data Source
AI summary
In a heat source apparatus in which an electric component having an electrode and an insulator is mounted on a side plate of a combustion box, in a state in which a packing is interposed between a flange portion of the insulator and the side plate, by fastening a clamp which overlaps with an outer surface of the flange portion, to the side plate, the temperature rise in the clamp is restrained.Upper and lower water tubes constituting a part of a water jacket are disposed on the side plate on upper and lower sides of the position of mounting the electrode component. In case the upper and lower water tubes are disposed on an inside surface of the side plate, the upper and lower parts of the clamp are brought into contact with those disposed positions of the water tubes which are in upper and lower portions of the side plate and, in case the upper and lower water tubes are disposed on an outside of the side plate, the upper and lower parts of the clamp are brought into contact with the upper and lower water tubes.