Fixed Bar Cooling Circuit Flange Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-cooled bar grills in combustion ovens face issues with leakage and mounting difficulties due to flexible connections and threaded fittings, which can loosen or become difficult to access, leading to breakages and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a fixed bar design with a flat underside featuring input and output holes for the coolant, allowing for easier connection via flanges, and a rigid connection tube system between adjacent bars to form part of the cooling circuit, eliminating threaded fittings and absorbing thermal dilations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flexible connection hoses and threaded fittings are used to connect cooling circuits, then the cooling circuit can be assembled, but leaks and loosening occur leading to reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connection function directly into the bar structure by integrating threaded holes into the bar ends, eliminating separate fittings and hoses. This integration reduces the number of connection points and eliminates the reliability issues associated with flexible connections and loose fittings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rigid connecting tube as an intermediary element that provides a stable, leak-free connection between bars. This mediator replaces the problematic flexible hoses and threaded fittings, maintaining connection reliability while eliminating the loosening and leaking issues.
2Ease of manufacture
If threaded fittings are used for connection, then assembly is possible, but they become difficult to loosen after operation leading to maintenance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection system into modular components with standardized threaded holes in each bar. This segmentation allows for easy assembly during manufacturing while maintaining the ability to disassemble for maintenance, as each bar can be independently connected or disconnected.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates threaded holes directly into the bar design during manufacturing, preparing the connection points in advance. This preliminary action simplifies both assembly and disassembly operations, as the connection interfaces are pre-configured and accessible.
3Reliability
If rigid connecting tubes are used between bars, then friction damage is prevented and thermal expansion is absorbed, but the connection system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid connecting tube serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a durable connection that prevents friction damage, absorbs thermal expansion, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby simplifying the overall system despite the enhanced capabilities.
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
This design enhances the reliability of the cooling circuit by preventing leaks and simplifying assembly and maintenance, while maintaining effective heat management through the use of water as a cooling liquid.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling circuit with an inlet and an outlet for a cooling liquid... Water is a much better heat transfer agent than air
Implementation Method 2
The connecting tubes of the bars between them are calculated to absorb thermal expansion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
One aspect of the invention relates to a fixed bar (2) of a stepped grid (11) having a flat upper surface (23) and a cooling circuit with a coolant inlet (20) and outlet (21) located on a lower face, characterized in that the lower face has at least one flat surface (200, 210) into which the coolant inlet (20) and outlet (21) open, and that the coolant inlet and outlet are each bordered by two diametrically opposed holes (201, 202; 211, 212). Thus, the coolant inlet and outlet can be connected to the cooling circuit by flanges through the two holes.