Flameless Heat Transfer Fluid Heating for Cold-Weather Construction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile heating systems for cold weather construction are inadequate, inefficient, and pose safety concerns, leading to slowed construction processes and increased costs in northern climates.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained, flameless mobile heating system utilizing an internal combustion engine with a heat transfer fluid circuit, including a reservoir, fluid heat exchanger, and heat generator, which circulates heated transfer fluid to efficiently heat conduits or air, eliminating the need for open flames and minimizing moisture production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mobile heating systems are used, then heating capability is provided, but safety concerns arise due to open flames and moisture production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional combustion-based heating system with a mechanical system that uses an internal combustion engine to drive a pump and a dynamic heat generator. The heat generator uses a rotor-stator mechanism to create fluid friction and heat the transfer fluid mechanically, eliminating open flames and moisture production while maintaining heating capability.
2Productivity
If traditional heating systems are used, then heating is provided, but heating efficiency is inadequate for cold weather construction
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously circulates heat transfer fluid through the heat generator, which constantly adds heat through mechanical friction. The pump maintains continuous circulation, ensuring uninterrupted heating action. This continuous operation eliminates the intermittent heating problems of traditional systems and maintains consistent temperature for construction operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat transfer fluid as an intermediary between the heat source (engine and heat generator) and the target (ground, concrete, or air). This fluid circulates through conduits or heat exchangers, efficiently transferring thermal energy to the construction elements without direct contact with the heat source, thereby improving heating efficiency and energy utilization.
3Productivity
If heating systems are deployed in cold weather, then construction can proceed, but costs increase due to inadequate heating performance
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is designed with multiple functions: it can heat ground for thawing, heat concrete for curing, and heat air for worker protection. The same basic system configuration with the internal combustion engine, pump, and heat generator can serve different construction needs by simply changing the conduit arrangement or heat exchanger configuration, providing cost-effective multi-functionality for various cold weather construction applications.
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 system provides efficient and safe heating for thawing frozen ground, curing concrete, and supplying heated air, enhancing construction efficiency and safety while reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
an internal combustion engine provided with engine coolant that flows to and from the engine and is heated thereby
Implementation Method 2
A fluid heat exchanger is in fluid communication with the heat transfer fluid of the reservoir and the engine coolant of the internal combustion engine receives heated engine coolant from the internal combustion engine, and transfers heat from the heated engine coolant to the heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 3
circulates the heated transfer fluid within the heat generator to directly heat the heated transfer fluid and allow for further heating of the heated transfer fluid
Implementation Method 4
The heat generator may further include a rotatable shaft having one end coupled to a driven engine crankshaft of the internal combustion engine and an opposite end of the shaft drivingly coupled to a blower arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
A heating system for heating at least one of a fluid-filled conduit arrangement and a volume of air includes an internal combustion engine provided with engine coolant that flows to and from the engine and is heated thereby. A fluid heat exchanger is provided in fluid communication with a heat transfer fluid stored in a reservoir and the engine coolant of the internal combustion engine. The fluid heat exchanger receives heated engine coolant from the internal combustion engine, and transfers heat from the heated engine coolant to the heat transfer fluid to provide heated transfer fluid. A heat generator is provided in fluid communication with the fluid heat exchanger, and receives the heated transfer fluid from the fluid heat exchanger for further heating. This heated transfer fluid may then be selectively used to heat a conduit or a volume of air.