Flexible Thermometer Installation Assembly for Thermal Stress

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Solution Overview

Problem

In high-temperature reactors, thermal effects cause the walls to shift and move, leading to unforeseen loads and stresses on sensors and probes, potentially causing rupture due to differential deformations between the process environment and connection, especially when ceramic materials are used.

Innovation Solution

A flexible process connection system with a cardan joint and a flexible metal hose, connected via a compression fitting, allows the probe to follow wall movements while maintaining gas tightness and restricting movement within predetermined limits, ensuring the probe's longevity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid probe connection is used to ensure stable sensor mounting, then the sensor is securely fixed to the container wall, but the probe is damaged by thermal-induced wall movements and refractory brick shifts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor mounting stabilityVSAvoidprobe integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the rigid, fixed probe connection with a flexible mounting system that includes a flexible tube and a cardan joint. This allows the probe to dynamically adapt to wall movements and refractory brick shifts while maintaining secure mounting, thus resolving the contradiction between mounting stability and probe integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible shells by using a flexible tube as part of the probe mounting system. This flexible tube can deform to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the container wall, preventing damage to the probe while maintaining a secure connection, thereby resolving the contradiction between stable mounting and probe strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If a flexible connection is used to accommodate wall movements, then the probe is protected from thermal stress, but gas tightness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprobe protection from thermal stressVSAvoidgas tightness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a cardan joint as an intermediary component between the rigid probe and the flexible tube. This cardan joint acts as a mediator that maintains gas tightness while allowing the necessary flexibility to accommodate wall movements, thus resolving the contradiction between probe protection and gas tightness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite connection system combining rigid elements (probe, cardan joint) with flexible elements (flexible tube). This composite structure maintains gas tightness through the rigid sealed connections while the flexible tube provides movement accommodation, resolving the contradiction between probe protection and gas tightness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If ceramic sheaths are used to protect the sensor in high-temperature environments, then the sensor is protected from heat, but the ceramic sheaths are prone to rupture from shifting refractory bricks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor protection from high temperatureVSAvoidceramic sheath integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the rigid ceramic sheath with a flexible tube that can deform to accommodate refractory brick shifts. This flexible tube still provides thermal protection while avoiding the rupture issue associated with rigid ceramic materials, thus resolving the contradiction between temperature protection and sheath integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by using a flexible, movable tube instead of a rigid ceramic sheath. The flexible tube can dynamically adjust to wall and refractory movements, maintaining thermal protection while preventing the rupture that occurs with rigid ceramic materials under thermal stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 flexible connection system extends the working life of sensors and probes by accommodating thermal-induced wall movements, reducing maintenance costs and preventing damage from refractory bricks, and ensuring reliable data acquisition across various applications.

Implementation Method 1

During working conditions of the reactor, due to thermal effects and temperature gradients, e.g. different layers constitute the walls of the reactor can move or shift

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

the first and the second mounting part are flexibly connected to each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical flexibility:

Data Source

PatentUS9970791B2Installation assembly for a thermometer

Publication Date: 2018.05.15 ENDRESS & HAUSER GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

An installation assembly for connecting a probe element to a wall of a container, comprising: a first mounting part and a second mounting part, wherein the first mounting part serves for attaching the assembly to the container wall and has a lead-through through which the probe element is insertable. The second mounting part serves for receiving and fastening the probe element, and the first and the second mounting part are flexibly connected to each other.