Fog Generator Heat Exchanger with Thin-Wall Titanium Tubing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fog-generating devices face challenges in quickly reaching thermal steady state, measuring temperature accurately, and maintaining continuous operation during electric current interruptions, leading to inefficiencies and potential overheating.
Innovation Solution
A device with a heat exchanger composed of tubular elements with a thin wall made of titanium, optimized for electric conductivity and structural resistance, and an electronic unit for controlling temperature and operation, using an electrochemical accumulator for energy storage and efficient power management, allowing for rapid heating and precise temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a heat exchanger made of copper-nickel alloy is used, then the heating time is reduced, but the material cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure consisting of a copper-nickel alloy heat exchanger (55% Cu, 45% Ni) integrated with stainless steel components. This composite material approach achieves rapid heating (1-2 seconds to thermal steady state) while maintaining structural integrity and resistance to corrosion, resolving the contradiction between heating speed and manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameters of the heat exchanger including wall thickness (0.1-0.3 mm), internal diameter (0.3-1 mm), and length (120-1000 mm) to achieve the desired heating time. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system reaches thermal steady state in 1-2 seconds without requiring excessive material or complex manufacturing processes
2Measurement precision
If a normal thermocouple is used for temperature measurement, then the measurement is altered due to high thermometer mass, but using a thin-film resistor increases measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical thermocouple with an electrical measurement system using a thin-film resistor integrated into the heat exchanger wall. This substitution eliminates the mass-related measurement errors of thermocouples and provides rapid, accurate temperature sensing without altering the thermal field, while the electrical measurements can be processed electronically
Solution Approach 2:
The thin-film resistor serves dual functions: as part of the heating element and as the temperature sensor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate measurement components and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining high measurement precision
3Reliability
If the heat exchanger operates without energy storage, then energy consumption is reduced, but the device cannot maintain operation during electric current interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an electrochemical accumulator that stores energy in advance during normal operation. This preliminary energy storage enables the heat exchanger to maintain operation during electric current interruptions, ensuring continuous fog generation for security applications without requiring excessive energy consumption during standby periods
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 solution enables the device to reach standby temperature within one to two seconds, maintain continuous operation during power outages, and minimize energy consumption, ensuring efficient fog generation and extended functionality time while preventing overheating.
Implementation Method 1
using an electrochemical accumulator for energy storage and efficient power management
Implementation Method 2
electric heating of a liquid circulating in pipes or ducts
Implementation Method 3
heat exchanger composed of tubular elements with a thin wall made of titanium
Implementation Method 4
vaporizing the pressurized fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for generating fog (1) is described, comprising at least one heat exchanger (10) electrically heated to be able to vaporize at least one pressurized fluid, pressurizing means (20) to be able to send the fluid from at least one tank (30) towards the heat exchanger (10), at least one electronic unit (40) to control the temperature of the heat exchanger (10) and the operation of the pressurizing means (20), wherein the heat exchanger (10) comprises tubular elements in contact with the pressurized fluid, each tubular element being subjected to an electric potential difference to thermally control the pressurized fluid before and during the vaporizing step of the pressurized fluid. An operating method to allow optimizing heating times and maximizing thermal power transferred to a fluid of a device for generating fog (1) is also described.