Electromagnetic Impact Rapping Device for Boiler Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rapping devices for cleaning fouled heat surfaces in steam boilers and heat recovery tubes are large, heavy, noisy, complex, require frequent maintenance, and struggle with precise alignment and thermal movement issues, leading to inefficient cleaning and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A compact rapping device with a stationary anvil integrated to the surface, a hammer moving coaxially with a spring-driven mechanism, and sliding elements to ensure precise alignment and directional control, reducing noise and maintenance needs through a stable and durable design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional gravity operated hammers are used for external cleaning of heat surfaces, then cleaning function is provided, but the apparatus becomes large and heavy, cannot be located in limited spaces, and requires frequent maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance frequencyVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional gravity-operated mechanical hammer system with an electromagnetic actuator system. The electromagnetic hammer generates cleaning impacts through electromagnetic fields rather than gravity, enabling compact design, precise control, and reduced maintenance while maintaining effective cleaning functionality on heat surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operating principle from gravity-based mechanical impact to electromagnetic field-based impact. This parameter change allows the device to be compact, precisely controllable, and suitable for limited spaces while reducing mechanical wear and maintenance requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional rapping devices are used, then cleaning capability is provided, but the direction of hammer impact cannot be chosen freely, limiting applicability for cleaning inclined surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning direction flexibilityVSAvoidapparatus positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an electromagnetic hammer that can dynamically adjust the direction and angle of impact forces. Unlike fixed mechanical hammers, the electromagnetic actuator can be controlled to deliver cleaning impulses in various directions, making it adaptable for cleaning inclined surfaces, horizontal surfaces, and complex geometries like funnel-shaped apparatuses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The electromagnetic rapping device provides universal cleaning capability across different surface orientations and geometries. The single device can clean vertical, horizontal, and inclined surfaces by adjusting electromagnetic actuation parameters, eliminating the need for multiple specialized cleaning apparatuses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If precise assembly is required for hammer and hammer arm alignment, then impact precision is improved, but assembly complexity increases and thermal movement can cause misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact alignment precisionVSAvoidassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical hammer arm and connecting rod mechanism with a direct electromagnetic actuator design. The electromagnetic hammer is mounted directly on the heat exchange tube or surface, eliminating complex mechanical linkages. This substitution removes alignment issues between hammer and hammer arm, simplifies assembly, and prevents thermal movement-induced misalignment since there are no mechanical joints to loosen

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 device provides efficient and precise cleaning with reduced noise and maintenance, maintaining alignment despite thermal movements, and prevents damage by ensuring correct impact direction and distribution of forces, enhancing cleaning efficiency and durability.

Implementation Method 1

a spring arranged between supporting surfaces attached to the hammer and the anvil, by means of which the hammer is brought to hammering movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

there are arranged sliding elements between the hammer and the anvil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2102577B1Impact rapping device
Publication Date: 2016.06.01 AMEC FOSTER WHEELER ENERGIA
  • EP2102577B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2102577B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2102577B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An impact rapping device (10), comprising a stationary anvil (16) integrated with the surface to be rapped, said anvil having a hammering axis perpendicular to the sur- face to be rapped, a hammer (18), arranged to move coaxially with the hammering 5 axis to hit a impact surface (20) of the anvil and means (32, 48, 50) for moving the hammer and in which device the hammer is supported to lean on the anvil in such a way that the hammer can move only parallel to the hammering axis. According to a preferred embodiment, at least one sliding element (38, 40) is arranged between the anvil and the hammer, and according to another preferred embodiment the anvil 10 and the hammer are arranged in such a way that one of them can be moved at least partially within the other.